firmware updating question

Having downloaded firmware v 2.1.2 from the Canon USA website, what do I need to do now to load it onto my 5D2?

The annoying thing is I've done it once but totally forgotten.

1. Download the .FIR firmware file to your hard drive
2. Copy the file to a CF memory card by inserting the card into a card reader and dragging/dropping the file to the card
3. Install the CF card into your camera and call up Firmware in the third set-up Menu
4. Select OK when asked if you want to upgrade to the new version (firmware X.X.X).

Make sure you have a good charge on your battery when you update. It only takes a few minutes to run the firmware update.

(I actually forgot too....I had to look at my notes )

Lowner wrote in post #14079294
Having downloaded firmware v 2.1.2 from the Canon USA website, what do I need to do now to load it onto my 5D2?

The annoying thing is I've done it once but totally forgotten.

The disk image that you download actually has a PDF in it with very clear instructions.

Next problem!

I cannot even unzip the thing. I keep getting a dialogue box that tells me that it does not know which programme to open the unzipped file into.

So I've fallen at the first fence.

Your OS probably came with a demo copy of WinRAR or WinZIP, but if it didn't there are plenty of free applets for opening it and extracting the contents. Google for them.

For Zipped files I use 7zip on one computer and IZArc on another, both free (I think) and both very good. (Win 7).

Is there still a preferred size memory card for firmware use? Didn't Canon used to warn against using "large" cards?

As this new firmware is supposed to help the support for large cards...a smaller one would probably be best

I use either a 4 or 8 gig card usually.

I still have a 512Mb card from my 5Dc updating days!

I updated both my 5D2 and 7D last night using a 32GB card in both cases.

The 5D2 firmware was just in a plain zip file. I just right-clicked it and selected "Extract" from the context menu to use Windows' built in unzipping function.

The 7D firmware was a self-extracting executable, which popped up a prompt asking me which folder to extract into.

Windows has had the built-in ability to create and extract zip files since 1998. They call it "compressed folders". There's no need to install third party software to handle zip files.

I think I have a 256MB card somewhere...they used to be soo big...

Despite my ignorance about these things I have finally managed it. The file did not need unzipping (is that because it "self-extracted" as jemann explains?). I found the pdf instructions and followed them, using the direct upload rather than via the card method. The camera is happy therefore so am I.

Mike wrote in post #14083731
I think I have a 256MB card somewhere...they used to be soo big...

I have a 512 MB card in a drawer here. And it cost less than $100, but not a lot less, when I bought it.

I don't think I would use a card this old and this small for the update. I have a pair of 2GB cards so I could use one of them.

I have a video on doing my 7D and it's exactly the same if you want to watch me do it step by step. It's self extracting file. Not too hard if you see it done.

Same user name just search for 7D firmware update.....it will show up. Good luck

Did you guys notice anything better or worse with the 2.1.2 firmware? Lately I'm a huge fan of the philosophy, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." I have 2.0.7 right now on my 5d Mark II.