Firmware updates - Need a card reader?

[BJP]

Hello - I just purchased a used X-T4 and lens and want to up,date the firmware for each.  All the instructions I see say that you need to download the firmware and then transfer the download to your SD card through a card reader.  I don't have a card reader, so is there any reason why I can't just have the card in the camera and plug the camera into the computer for the transfer?  Sorry if it's a silly question... Thanks very much.

[Greybeard]

You can't use a computer but you can use a phone or tablet:

https://app.fujifilm-dsc.com/en/manual/camera_remote/technical_notes/fw_update/index.html?_ga=2.58432746.1957038805.1700899986-874112152.1692795261

[BJP]

Thank you - unfortunately, I have neither.  I do find it odd that one can't just plug the camera into the computer and go directly.  Anyway, I guess I will have to get a card reader.

[BJP]

All - I got the card reader so that I could do the firmware update.  Unfortunately, when I try to download the firmware for either the body or the lens, it turns out to be editing software rather than firmware.  Not at all sure what that is about.  Has anyone else encountered this?  The name of the download is FSUP0024.

[Greybeard]

The firmware file for the xt4 should be FWUP0024.DAT

why do you think that it’s editing software?

[BJP]

Hi - sorry for the typo.  Yes, the file is FWUP0024.DAT.  When I click on it, it opens up an editing program - Cyberlink Photodirector.

[BJP]

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

[jerryy]

Because of time zone differences, @Greybeard might not be seeing your post until later.

You do not need to click on the file, doing that will not cause it to update your camera.

The basic idea is you put the sd  card in the card reader which is connected to your computer, copy the file to the card (drag and drop it onto the card icon). put the card back into the camera, turn the camera on while holding down certain buttons. Doing that sequence will start the process going.

Here are specific instructions:

https://fujifilm-x.com/global/support/download/procedure-x-interchangeable-ver2/

And with that, @Greybeard should eventually be back, I believe there is some sort of holiday going in in his home country at the moment, so see if the instructions make sense.

p.s. Welcome to the forum.

Edited December 25, 2023 by jerryy

[BJP]

Thank you - and thanks for the welcome! 

I had found the instructions, but just don't understand how a software editing package equals firmware.  I grant you, though, that I am not the most sophisticated when it comes to tech....

 

[jerryy]

When you click (double-click) on a data type of file, your computer’s operating system tries to decide which program should be ran to work with that data. If the system cannot decide, it starts up a program it thinks may be able to use the data. In your case, the computer squinted at the file (the name ends in .dat, meaning it is some kind of data file) crossed its fingers and toes, muttered under its breath and opened an editing program hoping that would be okay.

Usually, in the now-a-days computer world, clicking (double clicking) a file will be all you need to do to get an attached device to work. Cameras are standalone devices, so getting them updated from a computer would be tricky because there are so many different computer operating systems out in the world, Linux, macOS, Windows, etc., etc. Having update installers for each computer type is a lot of work.

It may seem clunky to use the ‘put the data on a card, and let the camera do the work’ approach, but the approach is much easier and less error prone overall.

[BJP]

Hi again - and thanks again!  I'll give it a try.

Best - b

 

[BJP]

Worked like a charm, once I went into my file folders and deleted all of the previous firmware downloads.  The name of the file has to be exact, it turns out - so, for instance, "FWUP24.dat (2)" won't work.  In case there is anyone who is doing this after me...

Thanks again, Jerryy and Greybeard. - b

[Greybeard]

1 hour ago, BJP said:

Worked like a charm, once I went into my file folders and deleted all of the previous firmware downloads.  The name of the file has to be exact, it turns out - so, for instance, "FWUP24.dat (2)" won't work.  In case there is anyone who is doing this after me...

Thanks again, Jerryy and Greybeard. - b

Everyone makes the same mistake with the file naming - it’s a shame the camera can’t figure it out