After the publication of an alternative way of performing a firmware update for the Coolpix 950/990 digital cameras, Nikon have issued an official "comment" on the Nikon-Euro website, to summarise "Cameras that have failed as a result of an attempted update by the direct method may be subject to chargeable service in the event of a consequential failure or malfunction."

The comment in full:

It has come to our notice that some customers are using an unapproved method to update the firmware in their Coolpix cameras.

This update method transfers the firmware file directly from the CF card into the camera without the need for a serial connection to a computer. Although often successful, this direct method can prove problematical or may even render the camera useless in the following circumstances:

• The firmware file is incorrect or corrupted.
• The CF card has other unknown data or system files which interfere with the transfer.

The official method of updating the camera (via serial/USB connection from a PC) makes use of an uploader program which checks the camera's current firmware, the firmware file to be downloaded, and manages the transfer and overwriting of the current firmware with the new version. Nikon has provided this method in order to give the greatest possible security to our end users.

Cameras that have failed as a result of an attempted update by the direct method may be subject to chargeable service in the event of a consequential failure or malfunction.