Originally posted by Adam Hi Bob,
Well, that's why we're all here to help
The firmware update process is fairly simple so odds are you're overlooking a very small step along the way.
-When looking at your memory card, do you see a .BIN file outside of the DCIM folder?
-->If the firmware file doesn't have the .BIN extension, you will first need to extract it
-->If the firmware file is anywhere else on the card, it won't work. It needs to be in the root, outside of the DCIM folder.
-Are you inserting the card with the firmware into SD1, and is it the only card in the camera?
Yes
-What's your current firmware version?
1.00
Our step-by-step guides can be found here:
Pentax K-3 Firmware v1.11 Released - Firmware Updates | PentaxForums.com Pentax Firmware Update Guide - Tutorial Videos | PentaxForums.com
Hi Adam,
Thank you for you considerate and kind response. I finally had to shut everything down yesterday after a couple days of extreme frustration and put it all away. I had downloaded the latest version of the firmware onto both an HP and Power Mac laptops. The 32gig memory card is new and formatted. On both computers I had both icons for "k3_111.zip.download" and "fwdc220b-1bin". I have tried connecting the laptop to the camera to install the firmware as well as taking the memory card and installing it in the slot on the computer to update to the card. On the HP I only tried by putting the card into the slot on the computer. Once the K3 icon appeared on the screens of each computer I tried installing the update by dragging the k3_111.zip.download into the K3 icon. I tried both the k3_111.zip.download and fwdc220b-1bin icons into the K3 icon and I tried only the fwdc220b-1bin icon. Each time starting all over and installing the card into the camera and turning the camera on while pressing the OK button. Every time I got the normal startup screen and nothing else.....
It states that the firmware file must be installed into the "root directory" of the SD card.... I don't believe that I have ever seen the words "root directory" on any Mac computer anywhere ever. I'm sure willing to do it but it isn't apparent to me at least.
As you might imagine I'm very frustrated to say the least. I went from my Spotmatic to the K3 with no digital camera experience in between so I essentially skipped the 13 or 14 years of gradual learning of the developing technology. The K3 is simple to those who have been shooting digital for years but for a complete newbie it is a real challenge. I'm going to start from scratch one more time today and slowly and calmly with a large glass of Jack go through all the possible iterations that I can think of. If that doesn't work then I'll either find someone in person or pack the whole thing up and send it to Ricoh in Colorado and pay them to do it. Life is short (especially for a guy my age) and I want to start using my new TC.... Oh... the firmware on my camera is ver:1.00
Again, thank you so much for being such a helpful and considerate person. I really appreciate it. Bob
---------- Post added 01-06-15 at 09:18 AM ----------
Originally posted by NZ_Ross Bob there are instruction videos on Youtube and this site that take you through it step by step. The videos are pretty easy to follow.
I have my K3 updated to the latest firmware. The only hassle I can remember is that from memory you need to format your SD card, and then make sure it is the right file - unpack it and then have the right file name/file in the root directory. I have been caught once with this if I remember correctly.
I am sorry I am not within the radius you specify, or I would drop in.
Ross
Thank you Ross,
Yes, formatting the SD card was a little frustrating but eventually became clear to me. Installing the update into the root directory has been the biggest problem. Somehow I'll find that darn root cellar... ;-)
---------- Post added 01-06-15 at 09:27 AM ----------
Originally posted by frogoutofwater I feel your frustration. I'm not tech-savvy either and find some things quite challenging with my camera.
If there is no one nearby, maybe you could Skype with someone and that would make it possible to walk through it step-by-step and you could also show each other what you're doing. Almost as good as hands-on assistance.
Hello Mrs Frogoutofwater....
I'm actually pretty tech savy just not with software or computer operating system interface. I'm pretty right brained and the logic and methodology of left brained code writers and software developers just doesn't "compute" to me so I have always struggled with computers even though my job depended on it for more than a couple decades. It's nobody's fault, I just think different. I tried Skype once..... I still have a dial phone on my wall that I much prefer to my iPhone...
Anyway, nice to hear from you and hope that you're enjoying those new toys you received for Xmas...
---------- Post added 01-06-15 at 09:34 AM ----------
Originally posted by gumbee Bob,
I am a bit outside of the 100 mi ( a few miles south of Madison), but if you want I am sure we could get it done over the phone. PM me if you want to try.
John
Hello John, Thanks so much for responding. Now I know that there is another Pentax person in Wisconsin that I can contact! I'm going to try the whole process again today and if all fails I'll PM you this evening. We've got a number of Snowy Owls and one Hawk Owl up here and I want to get some pictures of it before they disappear so I need that latest version of firmware...