How install M9 firmware update 1.116 ?

[kcnarf]

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After having neglected for a long time to install M9 firmware update 1.116 via my Macbook Pro, I followed Leica's online instructions with no apparent effect.

 

I (1.) formatted my memory card, (2.) turned off my M9 & inserted the card into my SD card reader, inserted the reader into my Macbook Pro, and (3.) clicked on "Download" to obtain the firmware file.

 

But there did not appear any file that I could "unzip", or open (if that's what Leica means by "unzip"). Therefore, I could not " 4. Save the unzipped file m9-1_116.upd at the top level of the card’s folder structure." No such folder structure appeared anywhere.

 

I could not even "5. Remove the card properly from your card reader", because I could not first properly eject my SD card reader. I was forced to pull out the SD reader by hand without first having ejected it via clicking on eject, because that preliminary, non-physical removal (known as "ejection") was not offered in this case.

 

When, following steps 6 and 7, I reinserted the SD card into my M9 and turned it on to confirm installation of the firmware update, nothing happened other than the customary 2 messages for a formatted empty SD card: "Attention-Reading folder data-Please wait" and "Attention-No valid image to play in folder Leica".

 

So what do I do? Leica's instructions apparently are quite unclear. Thanks from the depths of my heart for any help on this enigma

[M. Valdemar]

You're not the sharpest pencil in the drawer, are you?

[kcnarf]

I may not be the sharpest, but i'm not the dullest and I'm not broken. I read English very well, and a few other languages too. I also know for sure that I exactly followed Leica's instructions as far as possible. So they're at least a bit vague.

[jaapv]

Maybe- but it seems you are not quite computer-literate. No shame in that - there are billions on this planet that would struggle with such instructions. However, this is standard computer procedure.

If you are on Mac it may well be that the file unzips automatically - so you only have to transfer the resulting file to the card, after you have formatted the card in the camera. Put the card in the reader and open it. Find the .upd file in your computer and transfer it to the card, next to the DCIM folder. Then eject the card properly (nothing to do with Leica or otherwise, this is an option in your computer) Put the card into the camera and follow instructions - including the three-seconds wait. That is all.

[microview]

Yes, I assume you opened in Safari

Leica Camera AG - Downloads

and clicked once on >download. On my intel iMac the download window opens automatically and you can see the 4.1MB download working. Then go into Places/your name; double click and it will list downloads with the one called M9-1_116.upd showing as having been downloaded 'today'. The actual zip will also automatically go into the trash. Either drag the download icon across to your desktop or alternatively (if you cannot find it so far) drag the Zip over to desktop from trash, double click and it will open (unzip). Then it's simple to open card on screen and put in .upd as per Leica instructions, asJaap says. Close card, drag reader icon towards trash and you can then take card out of reader and put into M9. Be patient with the actual installation which can take a few moments. Hope you get on fine.

[kcnarf]

Dear helpful respondents, thanks for your helpful input. A big part of the problem was that I didn't know that Mac automatically "unzipped" the file. That's why I couldn't drag it to my desktop. It's certainly counterintuitive that it had indeed "unzipped" itself and thrown the "zipped" version into the trash, from where I would have to drag it out to the desk top and manually "unzip" it so that I could then drag it on to the SD card.

 

MY SD CARD NOW SHOWS ADDITION OF FIRMWARE 1.116, BUT THERE'S STILL A PROBLEM: WHEN I INSERT THE SD CARD INTO MY M9, TURN THE POWER ON, AND PATIENTLY WAIT, THERE'S NO PROMPT AS TO WHETHER I WANT TO INSTALL THE NEW FIRMWARE. SO I STILL AM UNABLE TO UPDATE.

 

ANY FURTHER ADVICE?

[stunsworth]

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You need to make sure that the file you copy to the card has an extension of .UPD - not .ZIP, and you need to make sure it's in the root directory of the card.

 

I don't want to be as impolite as an earlier poster, but problems in installing new firmware are usually due to operator error.

[microview]

 

ANY FURTHER ADVICE?

 

With the card 'open' on your screen via the card reader, it should say 'DCIM". Don't put the update into that folder but underneath it. It should then say

 

DCIM

1_116.upd

 

Now you can eject card reader from Mac, remove card and put back in camera. Now switch on and that prompt OUGHT to be there! (I have just tried it with a formatted card, and although 1.116 is already insalled, I do get the prompt "do I wish to install 1.116?" (Answer NO!) It ought to work for you.

[kcnarf]

A hearty final thanks to you, dear most kind Microview. I had dropped the firmware file into the DCIM folder, not below it. So Now I have done as you instructed me. All is fine.

 

Interestingly, none of the major steps I that I learned from you were mentioned in Leica's instructions.