I recently had a Firmware update in a book scanner, CZUR ET series, that was done remotely by the manufacturer of the device. It is a versatile and good scanner for archiving old books, manuscripts, etc. I was having problems while scanning when I used a hand button and or a foot paddle (USB connection to the scanner). Scanning was interrupted due to complete freezing of the scanning application. However, I did not have any freeze when I was using the computer mouse instead of the scanner buttons. My computer system was Mac OS 10.14.X. Amazon agreed to replace the scanner with a new one without a fuss. It was beyond the money refund period. I did not want to get a refund. Other brans similar scanners cost much more and I needed a book scanner. But I did not know whether the new replacement would have the same issue. I contacted the manufacturer. Our time difference is +12 hours. The manufacturer told me that a special tool would be needed to fix the problem remotely. There was no need to send the scanner back for repair. The manufacturer send a link and I had to install TeamViewer software and created an account. I gave my account information, a static user ID and a dynamic PW from TeamViewer application, to CZUR. The scanner was attached to Mac via USB port. I had to sit at night and someone from the other end gave me step by step instructions (Chat conversation within TeamViewer application) to update Firmware in CZUR scanner. It took about 15-20 minutes for Firmware update. Since then I tested the scanner once only. I did not encounter any freeze when I used the scanner button and Magic Mouse. It seems Firmware update is very important. CZUR scanner is new in the market and thus it needed regular Firmware update to workweek with every OS. I perhaps do not need a replacement scanner anymore. Though, I have not received it yet, I have been thinking to cancel the replacement order after testing the scanner a few more times. This is a very nicely written Firmware article. Thank you!
What does firmware do on my computer?
I’m a bit illiterate around these things. I was asked to update my brother printer and now its asking about firmware.
This is Azhar from India.
Just wanted to drop in a word of thanks for the manner in which you have put forward the concepts making it very easy to understand.
this is how you explain….other people just keep on defining software, hardware and firmware … but no one said if no firmware in electronic device it is dumb and won’t function or will be just like electric switch…on and off..
Firmware is programming that’s written to a hardware device’s nonvolatile memory. Nonvolatile memory is a form of static random access memory whose contents are saved when a hardware device is turned off or loses its external power source.
Please by understand is firmware responsible for some bloatware app that doesn’t work on other phone brand? If yes can I install other phone firmware into my own phone brand? Thanks
You should not install the firmware of another phone onto your phone. The firmware contains the code required for the hardware on your phone to do what it is supposed to do. If you install the firmware of another phone, yours will stop working or it will work but with many problems and errors.
Would be useful to have an answer to:
Submitted by DMD on Tue, 05/09/2017 – 16:22. There is a comment from the tech further down but it is not related to a serious question – how do you know that an update email is genuinely from the provider?
Though it’s an excellent article and it explains very well, it’s a bit hard for me to understand firmware because I am beginner in this subject (IT overall).
Thank you that was very helpful period I’m not very tech-savvy period I just got my first smartphone 1 year ago. When I see a message on my Galaxy instructing me to download firmware… I got nervous. I still have a question. Is it possible for some maniac to insert a message on my smartphone telling me it’s firmware and perhaps it is not for the good of my phone or for me? If the firmware doesn’t identify where it comes from and you can’t fully vet it – how do you know it’s not some hack trying to put a bug in your phone? Thank you in advance.
that was a brilliant simple explanation. thank you. you went just about as deep into the theory and the application as I needed to get a broad understanding. The pictures were great visual tools as well.
Thanks for the useful article.
I’m wondering about firmware rollbacks. Why is so difficult to perform them? Can there be any type of firmware where an update becomes ‘hardwired’ and impossible to undo?
Hi, my phone frequently misses texts. People send but the phone doesnt receive. Different people, different time, etc. No detectable pattern. I was wondering if the os might be corrupted. There is an update for my firmware now. When I update does it completely rewrite the firmware, or just certain things? Thanks.
yes, we have no roll-back option in firmware case, we need to re-install old version on it. SO before updating new version you must keep backup of old version. so it would be very helpful in this type of case.
63 Responses to “What is firmware? What does firmware do?”
Then how did traffic signals work before FIRMWARE?
What do you mean? I’m not sure I understand your question.
I recently had a Firmware update in a book scanner, CZUR ET series, that was done remotely by the manufacturer of the device. It is a versatile and good scanner for archiving old books, manuscripts, etc. I was having problems while scanning when I used a hand button and or a foot paddle (USB connection to the scanner). Scanning was interrupted due to complete freezing of the scanning application. However, I did not have any freeze when I was using the computer mouse instead of the scanner buttons. My computer system was Mac OS 10.14.X. Amazon agreed to replace the scanner with a new one without a fuss. It was beyond the money refund period. I did not want to get a refund. Other brans similar scanners cost much more and I needed a book scanner. But I did not know whether the new replacement would have the same issue. I contacted the manufacturer. Our time difference is +12 hours. The manufacturer told me that a special tool would be needed to fix the problem remotely. There was no need to send the scanner back for repair. The manufacturer send a link and I had to install TeamViewer software and created an account. I gave my account information, a static user ID and a dynamic PW from TeamViewer application, to CZUR. The scanner was attached to Mac via USB port. I had to sit at night and someone from the other end gave me step by step instructions (Chat conversation within TeamViewer application) to update Firmware in CZUR scanner. It took about 15-20 minutes for Firmware update. Since then I tested the scanner once only. I did not encounter any freeze when I used the scanner button and Magic Mouse. It seems Firmware update is very important. CZUR scanner is new in the market and thus it needed regular Firmware update to workweek with every OS. I perhaps do not need a replacement scanner anymore. Though, I have not received it yet, I have been thinking to cancel the replacement order after testing the scanner a few more times. This is a very nicely written Firmware article. Thank you!
Awesome explanation!
Very nicely explained!
What does firmware do on my computer?
I’m a bit illiterate around these things. I was asked to update my brother printer and now its asking about firmware.
Thanks, this toturial helped me a lot.
Very good explanation. Well done! The meaning of the term ‘firmware’ is, is now clear to me.
I would like to know more…
Greetings,
This is Azhar from India.
Just wanted to drop in a word of thanks for the manner in which you have put forward the concepts making it very easy to understand.
God bless u…. Keep up the good work
Thanks for the useful article. Great explanation!
Happy to help. Do not hesitate to subscribe to our newsletter, for more useful articles.
Thanks for the article it helped a lot :).
Excellent article, with a perfect didactics. In particular, the part about smartphones was extremely enlightening, it helped me a lot!
Thank you for such a clear sighted info on firmware. Doesn’t seem alien to me anymore.
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It is a very good article. Comparison clears confusion.
Thanks a lot
this is how you explain….other people just keep on defining software, hardware and firmware … but no one said if no firmware in electronic device it is dumb and won’t function or will be just like electric switch…on and off..
Thank you for appreciating our work. 😉
Well explained!
Yeah but what does it do?
Really good explanation and thank you very much for this article.
You are welcome. 😉
Thanks!
can firmware be used to eavesdrop thru wi fi
A great explanation – nice work!
A lucid and excellent explanation!
Excellent article. Clear and concise.
Thank you for appreciating our work. Don’t hesitate to subscribe to our newsletter and get access to more useful tutorials.
Why it is not enough processor that tell what to do to device?
Thanx for this article!
Firmware is programming that’s written to a hardware device’s nonvolatile memory. Nonvolatile memory is a form of static random access memory whose contents are saved when a hardware device is turned off or loses its external power source.
Thanks for the useful article.
Thks for the very clear and understandable explanation.
You are welcome. Don’t hesitate to subscribe to our newsletter and get daily tutorials.
It’s very informative. Keep up the good work.
Please by understand is firmware responsible for some bloatware app that doesn’t work on other phone brand? If yes can I install other phone firmware into my own phone brand? Thanks
You should not install the firmware of another phone onto your phone. The firmware contains the code required for the hardware on your phone to do what it is supposed to do. If you install the firmware of another phone, yours will stop working or it will work but with many problems and errors.
Can the same phone from different carriers have different firmware ?
Yes, it can, if the carriers create their personalized versions of firmware.
Thank you for all the splendid tutorials. You make things understandable.
Jan T.
Happy to help. 😉
how do you identify whether the firmware is of the carrier or the manufacturer?
is there an easy way to do it?
Would be useful to have an answer to:
Submitted by DMD on Tue, 05/09/2017 – 16:22. There is a comment from the tech further down but it is not related to a serious question – how do you know that an update email is genuinely from the provider?
Though it’s an excellent article and it explains very well, it’s a bit hard for me to understand firmware because I am beginner in this subject (IT overall).
Very much helpful!
Was very useful.
Thanks for giving a simple explanation of firmware to a newbie. I will definitely share this site. Have a Blessed day!
Thank you for the appreciation and thank you for sharing it with others.
My phone wants to uninstall the Motorola sensor services firmware…what does this mean?
it was well explained and with the tutorial, i now have the in dept knowledge of what firmware is all about. Thanks
Thank you that was very helpful period I’m not very tech-savvy period I just got my first smartphone 1 year ago. When I see a message on my Galaxy instructing me to download firmware… I got nervous. I still have a question. Is it possible for some maniac to insert a message on my smartphone telling me it’s firmware and perhaps it is not for the good of my phone or for me? If the firmware doesn’t identify where it comes from and you can’t fully vet it – how do you know it’s not some hack trying to put a bug in your phone? Thank you in advance.
that was a brilliant simple explanation. thank you. you went just about as deep into the theory and the application as I needed to get a broad understanding. The pictures were great visual tools as well.
thanks helped alot
Happy to help! 🙂
Thanks for the useful article.
I’m wondering about firmware rollbacks. Why is so difficult to perform them? Can there be any type of firmware where an update becomes ‘hardwired’ and impossible to undo?
You don’t rollback firmware. You just rewrite it with the same version or another version (new or old).
Hi, my phone frequently misses texts. People send but the phone doesnt receive. Different people, different time, etc. No detectable pattern. I was wondering if the os might be corrupted. There is an update for my firmware now. When I update does it completely rewrite the firmware, or just certain things? Thanks.
When you update the firmware, it gets completely rewritten.
Thanks! Appreciate the info and it happens to be what I wanted to hear! 🙂
yes, we have no roll-back option in firmware case, we need to re-install old version on it. SO before updating new version you must keep backup of old version. so it would be very helpful in this type of case.
I think you mean to undo the update, right?