I've been putting off updating the firmware on my devices for ages and I'm finally thinking I should. I've heard about fwup for Linux, but I'm a bit scared about using it. Are there any safeguards in place if something goes wrong during the update, like if the power goes out or if there's an error? Also, how current is the firmware that fwup accesses? I'm aware it's dependent on manufacturers to upload their firmware where fwup can get it. Is it totally safe to perform these updates, or is there a real risk of bricking my devices like there is with BIOS updates?
3 Answers
Updating firmware is somewhat like upgrading your smartphone. If the power goes out while it's writing the new firmware, you could end up with corrupted firmware. If that happens, you won't be able to run fwup anymore, and you'll need a different method to restore it. Manufacturers usually have backup methods for this kind of situation. Checksum processes help prevent messed-up files from being written, but problems can still occur, especially with cheaper Wi-Fi cards that load firmware from the hard drive.
There's definitely a risk that a firmware update could brick your device. Sometimes recovery requires sending it back to the manufacturer, which can be tricky if the device is outdated or the company is no longer around. Interestingly, many devices don't actually keep their firmware flashed. Instead, they may store it on your computer and load it each time you start them, making it less risky to use fwup since an error means nothing happens at all rather than a device failure.
Just a heads up, when asking for help on tech issues, always include your Linux distro, some details about your hardware, and any specific error messages you get. It really helps in diagnosing the problem!
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