The Firmware Page

If someone could e-mail it to me, I would GREATLY appreciate it.

My problem started when I attempted to use the firmware updater from the ASUS site. It failed, leaving the drive totally dead (no light on front panel, front panel eject button does not open tray). The drive does not show up in Windows XP.

Figured my only hope is to try MTKFLASH in the DOS mode to revive it. It has the MediaTek chip. I have the boot floppy ready to go, just need the bin file. I'd be grateful to get any version. I think I had 1.0 on the unit before I tried to upgrade it.

Thank you in advance!

Mike

Have you tried booting the computer and pressing the eject button on the drive for at least 10 seconds?

Thank you for the reply.

No, I hadn't tried that, but I just tried it after reading your post. No change.

Since the failed attempt to update the firmware, it has been totally dead. Not even an LED blink while my PC is booting.

Are there any other things I can try to revive the drive? It was working fine before I tried to update the firmware.

I'm thinking it may require a "bin file flash" from DOS in order to recover it. And if that doesn't work, looks like I'll be buying a new drive.

Thanks again for the help.

Mike

Did you try to flash in DOS MODE or in real dos?

What does the ASUS support say about this problem?

I submitted a request to ASUS support but I haven't heard back from them yet.

I ran the ASUS updater from Windows XP (not in a DOS mode, but right from the Windows XP Desktop). I didn't know that it needed to be run in a DOS environment (DOS mode or real DOS).

Here is the updater from ASUS:

I'm sorry, I just realized that I should have posted this thread in a different section (Request Firmware or Firmware Flashing Help). Should I repost it in the correct area? Sorry 'bout that...

Mike

Thanks, i'll have a look into that file.

No need to repost this thread, we can move it later anyway.

BTW, I would remove the email addy from the signature to prevent SPAM. Those who want can contact you via the PM or mail buttons.

Thanks for the heads-up about the spam, sure don't need anymore of that

Here's the way I'm thinkin' about this situation... please correct me if I'm missing something:

The CRW-5224A is dead because the firmware is "blown out" or corrupted, so Windows XP can't see it at all. So it's necessary to use the MTKFLASH utility from a DOS bootable diskette. It talks to the IDE port "blindly" at a very low-level, grabbing a hold of the 5224 directly in it's native language. Sorta forces the drive in to submission with a direct-connect, nothing in the way to protest.

I guess I should be OK as long as the drive has enough intelligence left to be able to take commands from the controller (fingers crossed). Looking forward to getting this baby back on the road... so to speak

Thanks again,

Mike

Have a look here and test with those: ftp://ftp.asus.com/pub/ASUS/cdrw/5224A/

I'm unclear on what to use there... don't I need a bin or hex file to use with MTKFLASH? The files at that link look like the ASUS updaters.

Yes,have you tried with the 5224A updates?

Yes, I did try them, but none can get to the drive at all.

I'll need a hex or bin file to use with MTKFLASH via a DOS diskette (real DOS). That's my only hope.

If someone could e-mail me a hex or bin file, or send me a link to one, I really appreciate it.

Thank you,

Mike

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