Updating your X100 firmware? Forget Fujifilm's instructions.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011 at 9:16 AM 
Finally got around to updating my X100’s firmware to 1.01 last night. I’ve done a lot of firmware updates in my days on cameras, computers... you name it — but the instructions on Fujifilm’s upgrade page left me completely slack-jawed: seriously?
They say you need to download two files, one of which is nothing but an installer application whose sole purpose is to copy the .dat upgrade file to the SD card. Huh?
For this they ask you to Remove all the USB devices connected to the PC except for the mouse (!!!), get the USB cable, plug-in the camera, quit the bundled RAW processor that might launch automatically, launch the installer, locate the .dat file and wait for the process to finish. They talk about creating folders or not creating folders in the most confusing way I’ve ever seen. And this: Before copying the update file, the software provided on the CD-ROM bundled with the camera must be installed on the PC.
Not true.
Turns out you can do it this way:
- Drag the .dat file to a freshly camera-formatted SD card.
- Insert the card in the camera and power it on while holding the Back button.
- Follow the on-screen instructions — basically clicking OK a couple of times.
- Done.
Just like a Nikon firmware update.
Why they feel the need to confuse users with all this is beyond me.
Btw if you haven’t yet done the update be aware that the process wipes all the camera settings — I mean ALL, even date and time. You’re basically back to opening day. Not a huge deal since there aren’t that many settings to begin with, but still something to prepare for. And maybe I missed it but I didn’t see anything warning me this would happen. Sigh.
Much thanks to Google and Windkoh for confirming there was a saner method out there.
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Reader Comments (10)
I wish I had seen this before I updated mine.
I followed the instructions and even loaded in the dodgy Silkypix software (which I'll need to un-instal because it's crashing).
I was tempted to just do it the Nikon way, but didn't want to take the chance.
Cheers
Derek.
I know the feeling. It's pretty much the reason why I didn't do the update right away — I was scared of bricking the camera. Hopefully they'll change that horrible web page and provide instructions that make sense.
And yes: Silkypix is bad. In fact the whole software bundle that accompanies the X100 feels like something from 1998. Trashed everything 5 minutes after the install. The camera's still great though.
Take care
Patrick
Thank you for this piece information. I have just got an X100 and when I saw the instructions they had I was seriously thinking of not upgrading.
Well done!
Cheers
Victor
What is the back button? sorry for mu ignorance
Would you kindly definete it please. Thank you appreciate it
Hi,
Bottom right of the LCD, it says Disp/Back. It's the button used to change the LCD display modes.
You Rock! Thanks so much....Their instructions are awful!
Thanks for posting this. Like a number of others, I was put off by the Fuji instructions and put off updating. However, I've followed your instructions and they have worked perfectly.
Thank you so much for the advice! Like others I was on the verge of giving up after looking at the official procedure. That is until i found you website.
Very grateful to you for saving my time.
Thanks so much for posting these instructions. I'd put off upgrading the firmware since I'd gotten my camera – did it in less than a minute with no problems at all by following your instructions. I'm now enjoying the rest of your blog!
Thanks for visiting Marie :)