Updating the Firmware

lawlez1 · 06-19-2021, 01:33 PM

I just recently dusted off my istD S after a few years and need to update the firmware. After some searching and lots of cursing, I finally got the file onto an SD card (needed to find one small enough...) and inserted it. It asks if I want to update the firmware and I go to hit "Yes" but the "Ok" button doesn't work for it. I tested to make sure that the button wasn't broken and it works fine with the menu and what not but it absolutely will not let me confirm the installation.

Any suggestions?

vonBaloney · 06-19-2021, 01:56 PM

So you have to "select" the YES, right? (So YES is highlighted by using up/down keys). Are you doing that? And then you'd press the OK button. (And make sure you have a full battery, etc etc)

lawlez1 · 06-19-2021, 02:56 PM

Originally posted by vonBaloney

So you have to "select" the YES, right? (So YES is highlighted by using up/down keys). Are you doing that? And then you'd press the OK button. (And make sure you have a full battery, etc etc)

Yeah. I have “yes” selected and go to press “ok” but nothing happens. The up/down keys still let me move from yes to no so the camera isn’t frozen, it just doesn’t respond to the “ok” button when trying to update. I even tried to select “no” and push “ok” but it did the same thing.

Sandy Hancock · 06-19-2021, 03:03 PM

I presume the "OK" button worked when when you selected to update the firmware. Weird.

lawlez1 · 06-19-2021, 03:37 PM

Originally posted by Sandy Hancock

I presume the "OK" button worked when when you selected to update the firmware. Weird.

I double checked that the “ok” button worked by putting in a different SD card and going through the menu. It worked just fine to select things but just doesn’t work when trying to update.

Adam · 06-19-2021, 03:55 PM

Are the batteries fresh/fully charged?

vonBaloney · 06-19-2021, 04:03 PM

Wrong firmware or not actually unzipped or present in the correct location? That's a model where you have to hold down the menu button when you turn it on to get to the firmware update, isn't it? Maybe it is putting up the menu by default but actually isn't finding any firmware to update.

lawlez1 · 06-19-2021, 04:36 PM

Originally posted by vonBaloney

Wrong firmware or not actually unzipped or present in the correct location? That's a model where you have to hold down the menu button when you turn it on to get to the firmware update, isn't it? Maybe it is putting up the menu by default but actually isn't finding any firmware to update.

I’m updating from 1.0. I can double check that it’s properly unzipped but I think it is.

---------- Post added 06-19-21 at 04:37 PM ----------

Originally posted by Adam

Are the batteries fresh/fully charged?

Yeah they’re fresh. I use AA batteries cause I do t have any rechargeable ones.

vonBaloney · 06-19-2021, 04:45 PM

File must be unzipped and in the root folder of the card (i.e. not in any folder). And must be the right firmware for the camera, of course.

lawlez1 · 06-19-2021, 06:45 PM

Originally posted by vonBaloney

File must be unzipped and in the root folder of the card (i.e. not in any folder). And must be the right firmware for the camera, of course.

Here is a screenshot of what it looks like in the folder.

lawlez1 · 06-19-2021, 06:49 PM

Originally posted by vonBaloney

Wrong firmware or not actually unzipped or present in the correct location? That's a model where you have to hold down the menu button when you turn it on to get to the firmware update, isn't it? Maybe it is putting up the menu by default but actually isn't finding any firmware to update.

This is what it looks like. I select "yes" and hit ok but it does nothing.

vonBaloney · 06-19-2021, 06:51 PM

Interesting. I would try formatting the card *in the camera* -- "NO NAME" is indicating to me it was probably formatted elsewhere. (Copy any pictures you want to save to somewhere else first obviously). And then re-copying the firmware file to it, and try again.

**UncleVanya** · 06-19-2021, 07:50 PM - **1 Like**

I would also try “no”. It’s possible the highlighting is backwards.

vonBaloney · 06-19-2021, 07:53 PM

Originally posted by UncleVanya

I would also try “no”. It’s possible the highlighting is backwards.

That would be something. Something for the new firmware to fix!

**UncleVanya** · 06-19-2021, 07:55 PM

Originally posted by vonBaloney

That would be something. Something for the new firmware to fix!

Some other menu systems I have are backwards of what I would expect. It is perhaps cultural. Worth a try.

06-19-2021, 01:33 PM	#1
lawlez1 New Member Join Date: Jun 2021 Posts: 11	Updating the Firmware I just recently dusted off my istD S after a few years and need to update the firmware. After some searching and lots of cursing, I finally got the file onto an SD card (needed to find one small enough...) and inserted it. It asks if I want to update the firmware and I go to hit "Yes" but the "Ok" button doesn't work for it. I tested to make sure that the button wasn't broken and it works fine with the menu and what not but it absolutely will not let me confirm the installation. Any suggestions?

06-19-2021, 03:55 PM	#6
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,594	Are the batteries fresh/fully charged? Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

06-19-2021, 06:45 PM	#10
lawlez1 New Member Join Date: Jun 2021 Posts: 11 Original Poster	Originally posted by vonBaloney File must be unzipped and in the root folder of the card (i.e. not in any folder). And must be the right firmware for the camera, of course. Here is a screenshot of what it looks like in the folder. Attached Images

06-19-2021, 06:49 PM	#11
lawlez1 New Member Join Date: Jun 2021 Posts: 11 Original Poster	Originally posted by vonBaloney Wrong firmware or not actually unzipped or present in the correct location? That's a model where you have to hold down the menu button when you turn it on to get to the firmware update, isn't it? Maybe it is putting up the menu by default but actually isn't finding any firmware to update. This is what it looks like. I select "yes" and hit ok but it does nothing. Attached Images

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06-19-2021, 01:56 PM	#2
vonBaloney Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 6,029	So you have to "select" the YES, right? (So YES is highlighted by using up/down keys). Are you doing that? And then you'd press the OK button. (And make sure you have a full battery, etc etc)

06-19-2021, 02:56 PM	#3
lawlez1 New Member Join Date: Jun 2021 Posts: 11 Original Poster	Originally posted by vonBaloney So you have to "select" the YES, right? (So YES is highlighted by using up/down keys). Are you doing that? And then you'd press the OK button. (And make sure you have a full battery, etc etc) Yeah. I have “yes” selected and go to press “ok” but nothing happens. The up/down keys still let me move from yes to no so the camera isn’t frozen, it just doesn’t respond to the “ok” button when trying to update. I even tried to select “no” and push “ok” but it did the same thing.

06-19-2021, 03:03 PM	#4
Sandy Hancock Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Adelaide Hills, South Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,272	I presume the "OK" button worked when when you selected to update the firmware. Weird.

06-19-2021, 03:37 PM	#5
lawlez1 New Member Join Date: Jun 2021 Posts: 11 Original Poster	Originally posted by Sandy Hancock I presume the "OK" button worked when when you selected to update the firmware. Weird. I double checked that the “ok” button worked by putting in a different SD card and going through the menu. It worked just fine to select things but just doesn’t work when trying to update.

06-19-2021, 04:03 PM	#7
vonBaloney Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 6,029	Wrong firmware or not actually unzipped or present in the correct location? That's a model where you have to hold down the menu button when you turn it on to get to the firmware update, isn't it? Maybe it is putting up the menu by default but actually isn't finding any firmware to update.

06-19-2021, 04:36 PM	#8
lawlez1 New Member Join Date: Jun 2021 Posts: 11 Original Poster	Originally posted by vonBaloney Wrong firmware or not actually unzipped or present in the correct location? That's a model where you have to hold down the menu button when you turn it on to get to the firmware update, isn't it? Maybe it is putting up the menu by default but actually isn't finding any firmware to update. I’m updating from 1.0. I can double check that it’s properly unzipped but I think it is. ---------- Post added 06-19-21 at 04:37 PM ---------- Originally posted by Adam Are the batteries fresh/fully charged? Yeah they’re fresh. I use AA batteries cause I do t have any rechargeable ones.

06-19-2021, 04:45 PM	#9
vonBaloney Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 6,029	File must be unzipped and in the root folder of the card (i.e. not in any folder). And must be the right firmware for the camera, of course.

06-19-2021, 06:51 PM	#12
vonBaloney Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 6,029	Interesting. I would try formatting the card in the camera -- "NO NAME" is indicating to me it was probably formatted elsewhere. (Copy any pictures you want to save to somewhere else first obviously). And then re-copying the firmware file to it, and try again.

06-19-2021, 07:50 PM - 1 Like	#13
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,401	I would also try “no”. It’s possible the highlighting is backwards.

06-19-2021, 07:53 PM	#14
vonBaloney Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 6,029	Originally posted by UncleVanya I would also try “no”. It’s possible the highlighting is backwards. That would be something. Something for the new firmware to fix!

06-19-2021, 07:55 PM	#15
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,401	Originally posted by vonBaloney That would be something. Something for the new firmware to fix! Some other menu systems I have are backwards of what I would expect. It is perhaps cultural. Worth a try.