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Can SP-550UZ Firmware be Updated without Olympus Master?

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ShutterPug

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Hi! First Poster here... :^)

I've found lots of great info and tips since I was introduced to the forum last week. Looking forward to learning about my new 550UZ, and then being able to help others do so.

I searched around for an answer, but I guess I'm "in the minority" here.

You see, I'm STILL running Win98SE on my dinosaur of a box (266mHz), and the Olympus Master software says it needs something a bit less archaic to be installed.

I'd still like to be able to access firmware upgrades, without having to install the Olympus Master software on another (friend's or work) computer.

Any suggestions? [other than buying myself an early Christmas gift... ;) ]

thanks,
Pug
 
Now I don't own an SP-550 so take this for what it's worth. AFAIK you should be able to upgrade the firmware simply by dloading it and dragging it to the top level folder on your memory card and then restarting the camera. Remember to only do this with a full battery though, a power failure while flashing the memory card will have bad consequences.

Mike
--
E-1
SHLD-2
Zuiko 14-45mm
Zuiko 40-150mm
Zuiko 14-54mm
Zuiko 50mm macro f/2.0
FL-40
Nikon D200
Nikon 55-200mm AF-S G VR
Nikon 18-70mm AF-S DX

http://www.proac.smugmug.com

Photography is the power of observation, not the application of technology.
 
Sounds a bit tricky... I might have to do more searching for some simpler options.

I haven't even connected the camera to the 'puter yet, because of the software incompatiblity. I hooked-up a card reader to use to upload my pics.

Would I be able to view the contents of the camera's files if I did run a USB from it to the computer?

Sorry if these are "rookie" questions... it's the first digital camera that I've had a chance to really work with...
 
The firmware listed on the European site

http://www.olympus.co.jp/en/support/imsg/digicamera/download/software/#firmware

is not the latest version. You do need to have the camera connected via the USB port in any case, and turned on using the 'PC' prompt on the camera LCD.

The latest firmware version comes only through Olympus Master.

Have you checked whether you can upgrade Windows 98 to Windows XP? We have a laptop of 1998 vintage that has been sucessfully upgraded to XP.

Again, you definitely need a USB port. The server wants to check that you have the correct camera connected.

Henry

--
Henry Falkner - C-750UZ, Stylus 800, SP-550UZ http://www.pbase.com/hfalkner
 
ProAc_Fan said:
Now I don't own an SP-550 so take this for what it's worth. AFAIK you
should be able to upgrade the firmware simply by dloading it and
dragging it to the top level folder on your memory card and then
restarting the camera. Remember to only do this with a full battery
though, a power failure while flashing the memory card will have bad
consequences.
Click to expand...
No, it doesn't work that way. Like all of the Olympus recent cameras, you need to connect the camera to a computer running Master (or also Studio in the case of the DSLRs) that is connected to the internet, and download through Master/Studio. This is similar to the E-1 which uses Viewer or Studio to update the firmware.
 
I have an even older PC (Acer 120 mHz) that I upgraded to WIN98. I loaded Fedora 7 as a dual boot partition on my new Vista laptop. I installed WINE on the Fedora 7 allowing me to run windows software on it.

I'm considering wiping out my no longer in use 120 mHz PC and installing Fedora 8 on top of it. Fedora 8 is very low overhead and should run on my ancient PC fine. I should be able to run Olympus Master 2 on any Fedora OS machine, in theory.

The best part of all this is that this OS is free for anyone to install!

Steve
ShutterPug said:
Hi! First Poster here... :^)

I've found lots of great info and tips since I was introduced to the
forum last week. Looking forward to learning about my new 550UZ, and
then being able to help others do so.

I searched around for an answer, but I guess I'm "in the minority" here.

You see, I'm STILL running Win98SE on my dinosaur of a box (266mHz),
and the Olympus Master software says it needs something a bit less
archaic to be installed.

I'd still like to be able to access firmware upgrades, without having
to install the Olympus Master software on another (friend's or work)
computer.

Any suggestions? [other than buying myself an early Christmas gift...
;) ]

thanks,
Pug
Click to expand...
--
Steve

Minds are like parachutes, they only work when they are open - Unknown
 
Henry Falkner said:
The firmware listed on the European site

http://www.olympus.co.jp/en/support/imsg/digicamera/download/software/#firmware

is not the latest version. You do need to have the camera connected
via the USB port in any case, and turned on using the 'PC' prompt on
the camera LCD.

The latest firmware version comes only through Olympus Master.

Have you checked whether you can upgrade Windows 98 to Windows XP? We
have a laptop of 1998 vintage that has been sucessfully upgraded to
XP.

Again, you definitely need a USB port. The server wants to check that
you have the correct camera connected.

Henry

--
Henry Falkner - C-750UZ, Stylus 800, SP-550UZ
http://www.pbase.com/hfalkner
Click to expand...
Hmmmm.... I always thought that with only a 266mHz processor, XP would be un-installable. I'll have to look into it further. I don't know what the expense would be to purchase it. I haven't checked recently, but that was a contributing factor in the past that kept me away from a "newer" OS.

My desktop was purchased in 1998, too. Going on a decade of continuous use, so I can't really complain... faster WOULD be better, though.

I installed a 2.0 USB card that allowed me to connect a hub and lets me use flashdrives and now my new media reader is connected, as well.

I even connected a 160G ext USB drive through the hub that I use for backups and all my media.
Thanks for the ideas.
 
Michael Meissner said:
ProAc_Fan said:
Now I don't own an SP-550 so take this for what it's worth. AFAIK you
should be able to upgrade the firmware simply by dloading it and
dragging it to the top level folder on your memory card and then
restarting the camera. Remember to only do this with a full battery
though, a power failure while flashing the memory card will have bad
consequences.
Click to expand...
No, it doesn't work that way. Like all of the Olympus recent
cameras, you need to connect the camera to a computer running Master
(or also Studio in the case of the DSLRs) that is connected to the
internet, and download through Master/Studio. This is similar to the
E-1 which uses Viewer or Studio to update the firmware.
Click to expand...
I just found that I have Version 1.1 by checking the EXIF data of a couple pics uploaded via my card reader.

Haven't had the chance to use the driver for WIN 98 on the included disk, so I haven't been able to physically connect the cam to a USB, yet.

I have the required space for the Master installation... wonder if it would work with 98SE, even though it isn't "supported"?

I might get brave and try to install it, anyways... worst that could happen is it would put both myself, and my aged 'puter out of both our miseries. lol

Thanks for the info, Mike.
 
Steve Fink said:
I have an even older PC (Acer 120 mHz) that I upgraded to WIN98. I
loaded Fedora 7 as a dual boot partition on my new Vista laptop. I
installed WINE on the Fedora 7 allowing me to run windows software on
it.

I'm considering wiping out my no longer in use 120 mHz PC and
installing Fedora 8 on top of it. Fedora 8 is very low overhead and
should run on my ancient PC fine. I should be able to run Olympus
Master 2 on any Fedora OS machine, in theory.

The best part of all this is that this OS is free for anyone to install!

Steve
Click to expand...
Hi Steve. Initially went from 95 to 98, then to 98SE on my own antique. The 98SE made a world of difference in it's willingness to run without crashing.

When I finally get a new 'puter, I too am going to wipe this old soldier's memory clear, and use it for exclusive control of my home automation software.

I'm not sure I understand the Fedora compatibility with the Master software, however. Does Fedora come with drivers for USB that 98 didn't have?

I had some issues with 98 and USB before I upgraded to SE that severely limited my use of newer peripherals and software.
Free sounds great... especially to us "die-hard ancient PC users".
Thanks for your thoughts.
 
Fedora 8 is supposed to come with all the latest drivers, including WiFi. I have no idea as I haven't installed as of yet. However with my ancient PC's only current use being as an end table, what would I have to lose by installing it and trying it.

I can't believe the rapid decrease in price of various technology equipment such as desktops, laptops, digital cameras, video cameras, GPS's, etc. Sounds like a win-win for those who have a couple of extra dollars hanging around.

Good luck!

Steve
ShutterPug said:
Hi Steve. Initially went from 95 to 98, then to 98SE on my own
antique. The 98SE made a world of difference in it's willingness to
run without crashing.
When I finally get a new 'puter, I too am going to wipe this old
soldier's memory clear, and use it for exclusive control of my home
automation software.
I'm not sure I understand the Fedora compatibility with the Master
software, however. Does Fedora come with drivers for USB that 98
didn't have?
I had some issues with 98 and USB before I upgraded to SE that
severely limited my use of newer peripherals and software.
Free sounds great... especially to us "die-hard ancient PC users".
Thanks for your thoughts.
Click to expand...
 
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