is it possible to update firmware in linux

[Clocker]

i want to update the firmware on my lite-on 48x cd rom burner. i have downloaded firmware for it. But it is only for windows. Is it possible to use this on linux.

thanks

 

[Nothinman]

I wouldn't trust it, infact unless there's a really bad problem with the current firmware I wouldn't try updating it in any OS.

 

[bersl2]

Usually there's also a DOS-based flashing program available that will work with your drive. Make a FreeDOS boot disk and use whatever program that is reported to work.

There's no reason it couldn't be done through Linux (e.g., microcode updates for Intel processors---though hardware is probably designed to be patched on the fly, and most firmware-using hardware isn't), but DOS is the common denominator in x86-land, and firmware updates are particularly messy once a driver gets a hold on the device in question.

 

[Nothinman]

and firmware updates are particularly messy once a driver gets a hold on the device in question.

Not really, infact you need a driver to pass the write commands and firmware down to the device. The problematic stuff is making sure nothing else touches the device while the update is going on and as long as the device is opened with O_EXCL that's not an issue. A while back the kernel devs started filtering the SCSI commands allowed to be passed down to a device because some of them could be used to erase the drive's firmware or maybe the drive itself, I can't remember which, so it's definitely possible if only the manufacturer's would release update tools for Linux.