[Dennis Nomer]

Well, it came out nice. My Ex1 got unbricked, thanks to Julian and his nifty set of upgrade files. Remember my camera was set at version 1.30, but it did not work properly, took forever to boot, gave E-17003 when in Camera mode, gave E-15030 when in Media playback mode. Close enough to bricked. I had learned about the hidden USB port on the camera, and I had the special Sony device driver for the camera’s special USB connection already loaded, so that was not going to be an issue.

I only had a couple of minor issues, and they did not prevent success. My first issue was that I tried to go back to 1.05, which was the way I got my camera, and the folder for that version did not have the .bin file. So I started with version 1.10, which uses the earlier-style Package Loader. As Julian said, it runs in just 2 minutes, performs the upgrade, but the new version number does not show in the Camera Info section (Maintenance mode). No problem. I proceeded to 1.11, and it took 10 minutes, but it worked, and now the version showed. Testing the camera, everything is working, no error messages!! I decided to try version 1.20 next, skipping a couple. The Package Loader (newer style) bitched that it was not the right one to use. So I went back and did 1.12 and 1.14 using the old-style loader, and they went smoothly. But then when I tried 1.2 again, it refused to work like before. So I skipped it and did 1.25 using the new-style loader, and it went smoothly, albeit you have to note the new way that it works and follow the simple instructions. Then I skipped to 1.30 (final version), and it loaded, and now the camera is apparently fully functional and fully updated. My preliminary tests show no problems.

Many thanks to Julian for providing what Sony should provide. Sony’s concept of customer service is dismal, and this whole episode has strongly affected my opinion of the company. They should take a page out of Julian’s book. I spent hours prowling all over Sony’s sites and found a download that included a .bin file, but no .inf nor the Package Loader. What good is that?? Then from a link from a friendly Internet soul (Barwood), I found a set of files (in Europe) that worked, seemingly (the software claimed success), but the camera was basically bricked. Anyone who thinks that this somehow resembles a customer service solution is bent.

[Dennis Nomer]

Thanks. I forgot that part! Send it to DNomer@gmail.com

Thanks again.

dn

[Dennis Nomer]

This is for Julian, the savior of lost EX1’s in the firmware update storm! I had a hard time finding a usable update package, then found one in the UK, linked from Guy Barwood’s video page, an official Sony site, and followed the instructions (using the hidden port) using my Vista PC, and the update appeared to work (took me from 1.05 clear to 1.30 in a single update), but now the camera takes forever to boot, etc. as many have reported.

Could you send me a link to getting the various updates which I will apply in order. I am not sure how to get it back to 1.05, though, to start updating. As I believe you know, the latest official Sony updater will not update something that is already ‘updated’. Maybe some of these older versions of the updater will take it back, though.

Thanks for your help. Sony SURELY have not made this nice. Something which ought to be straightforward is a ROYAL hassle. Their own site gives me just the .bin file, with no uploader or .inf file. It’s a joke. Thanks again.