NEW: NW-A805/A806/A808 Firmware Update 1.02

[Ishiyoshi]

NW-A805/A806/A808 Firmware Update 1.02

A new firmware update for the NW-A805/A806/A808 is available as of May 24, 2007 from Sony. The firmware update is of version 1.02 and amount to approximately 10,407 KB

Problems fixed with firmware 1.02:

★ Noise may occur when user activates Equalizer or VPT (Surround), and playback.

★ On rare occasion, user cannot operate the player when playing back a transferred MP3 file.

Affected units:

Network WALKMAN NW-A805/A806/A808 with firmware version less than or equal to 1.01.

*NOTE: It is not advisable to revert to previous firmware version upon update of firmware version 1.02.

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DOWNLOAD LINKS:

Sony Asia-Pacific | Sony Japan

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UPGRADE PROCEDURE

Download procedure

1. Set up the folder [FWUP] in C drive of your hard disk for storing the downloaded file.
2. Save the downloaded file (A800_V1_02.exe) in this folder.
3. When the download is completed, use Windows Explorer to browse to the folder where the file is saved. Click View and click Details.

   * If the file size is the same as the download size (10,407 KB), the download is successful. If the size is different, please delete the file and download it again.

Update procedure

1. Connect the unit to the computer.
2. Quit all software running on Windows.
3. Press the RESET button of the unit with a small pin, etc.
4. Go to Start button on the task bar and click Run. The Run dialog box opens.
5. Type C:\FWUP\NW-A800_V1_02.exe in the Open text box and click OK.
6. The firmware upgrade program will be started.
7. Please follow the instructions that appear to carry out the firmware upgrade.

   * Please do not disconnect the unit from the computer during updating.

   * During updating, USB connection is automatically controlled and "Connecting"? indication is off with the control. The USB disconnect message may appear on some computers.

8. When the message of completing upgrading is displayed, click Finish button.

Note:

1. During this upgrade process, the unit requires a minimum of 15MB of free space.
2. Please transfer all tracks and data from the unit to the computer before carrying out the firmware upgrade.
3. It cannot be guaranteed that during the upgrade process, the tracks and data stored in the unit would not be damaged or deleted.

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AFTER UPGRADE

Please confirm the version when the upgrade program is installed successfully with the steps outlined below. The upgrade program installation is succeeded when "1.02" is shown on the screen.

1. Press and hold the BACK/HOME button until the Home menu appears.
2. Press the directional button to select (Settings), and then press PLAY/PAUSE button.
3. Press the directional button to select Common Settings, and then press PLAY/PAUSE button.
4. Press the directional button to select Unit Information, and then press PLAY/PAUSE button.
5. Confirm the Firmware version is displaying 1.02.

Note: Please consult the local authorized Sony service facility for assistance with the Firmware Upgrade if there are any problems.

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[Shinji Ikeda]

From the instructions for the 1.03 update:

1. "Please transfer all tracks and data from the unit to the computer before carrying out the firmware upgrade."

2. "It cannot be guaranteed that during the upgrade process, the tracks and data stored in the unit would not be damaged or deleted."

Well, I can't transfer any Atrac files back to the computer, as I always receive the message: "cannot transfer files back to library" - the only files I can transfer back to the computer are ones that are not Atrac. The Atrac ones remain on the player unless I delete them.

So I'm not sure I want to take the risk of updating if there's a chance all the data could be damaged. How big is the risk?

And has everyone who's updated managed to successfully transfer all their files back to the library?

You do not need to transfer all tracks and data from the unit to the computer, if the said files are in SonicStage or on your Computer. This is a standard warning about upgrading the firmware.

As, Lulu has stated, you would backup SonicStage just in case.

[juli_]

Thanks Lulu and Shinji - I have all my music backed up via the backup tool on an external hard drive, and I also have the physical copies. I just wanted to avoid having to restore everything from a back up.

If it's a standard warning, I think I might ignore it. . .

[Guest Stuge]

If it's a standard warning, I think I might ignore it. . .

I also ignored that warning and updated my player without any problem .

[juli_]

HELP! The instructions state to set the reset button with a small pin. Where's the reset button? The only one I'm aware of is the settings menu on the player. When I updated to 1.02, I'm sure I used the reset from the settings. Can someone can confirm this?

I've just downloaded the update, but I haven't connected the player yet as I want to make sure I don't mess it up.

EDIT: I found the reset button. Sometimes the user manual is actually helpful

Edited October 5, 2007 by juli

[bogon07]

It seems a rather large file compared to most of the other FW updates.

Same as Stuge & didn't bother pressing the reset either.

I just then ran the update without any problems.

[Shinji Ikeda]

The only problem I had is that the player automatically reset itself. So it returned to the first track.

If you do have problem then I would suggest pressing the reset button, but it would not hurt the player if you do.

[willykyu]

1.03 is now available at sony japan. I don't really know what it does....

[Shinji Ikeda]

1.03 is now available at sony japan. I don't really know what it does....

Thank you. We have been talking about the last firmware update 1.03 since post #32.

http://www.atraclife.com/forums/index.php?...3624&st=30#

A new thread should have been started. Less confusion for me at least.

Edited October 6, 2007 by Shinji Ikeda

[shirleywhite_]

Juli. I didnt transfer my music off the players to do this and everything still seems to be there and ok. You need a certain amount of space though ( forgotten exactly how much - about 10/15 mb ish??)

On one 808 I had more than that - so just did the upgrade, My second 808 was almost full - I had to make the 10/15mb space by transferring off a couple of video files. They then transferred back ok. I guess if yours is full of Atrac music then that's a different issue!!

PS One thing I noticed was that when 1.03 is installed it seems to default to "simple" mode rather than advanced!!

Regards.

[Shinji Ikeda]

Juli. I didnt transfer my music off the players to do this and everything still seems to be there and ok. You need a certain amount of space though ( forgotten exactly how much - about 10/15 mb ish??)

On one 808 I had more than that - so just did the upgrade, My second 808 was almost full - I had to make the 10/15mb space by transferring off a couple of video files. They then transferred back ok. I guess if yours is full of Atrac music then that's a different issue!!

PS One thing I noticed was that when 1.03 is installed it seems to default to "simple" mode rather than advanced!!

Regards.

That is an interesting experience. I made sure that all programs were closed including SonicStage. After upgrading the firmware to 1.03 my NW-A808 did not default to "Simple Mode".

Did both your players revert to Simple Mode?

[juli_]

That is an interesting experience. I made sure that all programs were closed including SonicStage. After upgrading the firmware to 1.03 my NW-A808 did not default to "Simple Mode".

Did both your players revert to Simple Mode?

I've only downloaded the update - I haven't installed it yet. I was worried about transferring back to the computer - but now I've read how everyone's managed to do it successfully (without having to transfer) I'll take the risk and download the update tonight

Edited October 10, 2007 by juli

[Guest Stuge]

Juli:There is no risk .Don't worry

[juli_]

Juli:There is no risk .Don't worry

OK, I finally got round to installing the update after downloading it last week, but the strangest thing's happened. I didn't have this playback 'blip' before, but I have now!!

It's not on every song, but about 20% of the time, there's a stutter during the first few seconds. Is it safe to go back to the previous 1.02 version?

I guess I shouldn't have installed the update but I assumed it's always best to have the latest version