Problem Updating Firmware in both K-1 II & K-3 III

BDH · 03-27-2022, 10:20 AM

I'm trying to update the firmware in both my K-1 II and my K-3 III and not having any luck. I must be overlooking something as I've done this in the past across both cameras as well as my older K-10 and K-20 with no problems.

Anyway... I am following the Pentax instructions step by step. Formatted a new SDXC card, and copied the firmware to the root directory... insert fully charged battery... insert card into slot 1... turn the camera on while holding down the Menu button. I expect to see "Updates the camera firmware" on the LCD, but the only thing that happens is the camera boots up just like normal. Also, the exact same thing happens on both cameras so I must be overlooking a step somewhere along the way.

Anyone got any ideas what I'm missing? Thx in advance.

**Crooski** · 03-27-2022, 11:21 AM

Did you extract the firmware folder?
Then only place the xxxxx.bin file in the root directory

Not a Number · 03-27-2022, 11:25 AM

The downloaded files are in compressed format and need to be expanded/extracted before moving them to the card. The extracted files should end with a .BIN extension. The full name of the file is unique to each camera model and the camera will only recognize files of that name.

**OldChE** · 03-27-2022, 11:33 AM

Let us know how you fixed the issue - because I may be doing this soon on my K-1 Mark II. Thanks!

Paul the Sunman · 03-27-2022, 01:34 PM

If you've done it before, you may till have previous updates in your download folder. If you extract the new one in the same folder, your OS may rename the new bin file, which will therefore not work.

marnoon · 03-28-2022, 01:17 AM

Check if you choose the firmware for the k1II, I myself had by mistake taken the firmware of k1 last time and was asking myself what is going on...

BDH · 03-28-2022, 08:23 AM - **1 Like**

Thanks for all the suggestions... but it was Paul the Sunman that figured it out! Sure enough, my OS had renamed both the K-1 II and K-3 III files with a -2 at the end of their respective file names. When I looked to see that the file was in the root directory, I just saw the .bin file and never even noticed the -2. I renamed the file on both cards, and both cameras immediately updated, just like they always had in the past. Just amazing how well this works when you put the correct file, and file name on the card! LOL

I knew this had to be something simple, but I just couldn't figure it out. Thx again for the help...

35mmfilmfan · 03-28-2022, 01:32 PM

Tip for others - when I download a firmware update, I extract the file(s) to a folder in the Download folder, then create a separate folder in my 'Pentax K3' folder (on my Data drive), named with the update version (i.e. K3 v1.53), and move the new BIN file into that. Then I copy the BIN file to the root of the pre-formatted SD card. That way, I have the original downloaded file, the extracted BIN file, and the SD card with the BIN file on.

Not a Number · 03-28-2022, 06:16 PM

The updating procedure instructions on the Ricoh website gives the exact name of the extracted BIN file. The camera won't recognize any file that doesn't match that name.

Example (K-1 ii)

Quote:

The following file is extracted.
Fwdc240b.bin: This is the updated firmware.
Copy the above Firmware file [fwdc240b.bin] to the root directory in the SD card.
If your computer does not have a card slot, you can copy the firmware update file by inserting the SD card into your camera and then connecting the camera directly to your computer.

03-27-2022, 10:20 AM	#1
BDH New Member Join Date: Sep 2018 Posts: 2	Problem Updating Firmware in both K-1 II & K-3 III I'm trying to update the firmware in both my K-1 II and my K-3 III and not having any luck. I must be overlooking something as I've done this in the past across both cameras as well as my older K-10 and K-20 with no problems. Anyway... I am following the Pentax instructions step by step. Formatted a new SDXC card, and copied the firmware to the root directory... insert fully charged battery... insert card into slot 1... turn the camera on while holding down the Menu button. I expect to see "Updates the camera firmware" on the LCD, but the only thing that happens is the camera boots up just like normal. Also, the exact same thing happens on both cameras so I must be overlooking a step somewhere along the way. Anyone got any ideas what I'm missing? Thx in advance.

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03-27-2022, 11:21 AM	#2
Crooski Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Rozenburg , Zuid-Holland Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,683	Did you extract the firmware folder? Then only place the xxxxx.bin file in the root directory

03-27-2022, 11:25 AM	#3
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,526	The downloaded files are in compressed format and need to be expanded/extracted before moving them to the card. The extracted files should end with a .BIN extension. The full name of the file is unique to each camera model and the camera will only recognize files of that name.

03-27-2022, 11:33 AM	#4
OldChE Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: May 2008 Location: Chicago area Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 484	Let us know how you fixed the issue - because I may be doing this soon on my K-1 Mark II. Thanks!

03-27-2022, 01:34 PM	#5
Paul the Sunman Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Melbourne Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,847	If you've done it before, you may till have previous updates in your download folder. If you extract the new one in the same folder, your OS may rename the new bin file, which will therefore not work.

03-28-2022, 01:17 AM	#6
marnoon Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2017 Photos: Gallery Posts: 69	Check if you choose the firmware for the k1II, I myself had by mistake taken the firmware of k1 last time and was asking myself what is going on...

03-28-2022, 08:23 AM - 1 Like	#7
BDH New Member Join Date: Sep 2018 Posts: 2 Original Poster	Thanks for all the suggestions... but it was Paul the Sunman that figured it out! Sure enough, my OS had renamed both the K-1 II and K-3 III files with a -2 at the end of their respective file names. When I looked to see that the file was in the root directory, I just saw the .bin file and never even noticed the -2. I renamed the file on both cards, and both cameras immediately updated, just like they always had in the past. Just amazing how well this works when you put the correct file, and file name on the card! LOL I knew this had to be something simple, but I just couldn't figure it out. Thx again for the help...

03-28-2022, 01:32 PM	#8
35mmfilmfan Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Norfolk, UK Posts: 4,342	Tip for others - when I download a firmware update, I extract the file(s) to a folder in the Download folder, then create a separate folder in my 'Pentax K3' folder (on my Data drive), named with the update version (i.e. K3 v1.53), and move the new BIN file into that. Then I copy the BIN file to the root of the pre-formatted SD card. That way, I have the original downloaded file, the extracted BIN file, and the SD card with the BIN file on.

03-28-2022, 06:16 PM	#9
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,526	The updating procedure instructions on the Ricoh website gives the exact name of the extracted BIN file. The camera won't recognize any file that doesn't match that name. Example (K-1 ii) Quote: The following file is extracted. Fwdc240b.bin: This is the updated firmware. Copy the above Firmware file [fwdc240b.bin] to the root directory in the SD card. If your computer does not have a card slot, you can copy the firmware update file by inserting the SD card into your camera and then connecting the camera directly to your computer.