There are so many different revisions and versions of the Firmware for this drive I will try and help to explain them to help you choose the correct version for your needs.

All the firmware versions mentioned here are available to download here.

There are basically 3 different versions about:

OFFICIAL
This firmware is released by Pioneer, is unmodified and is RPC2. RPC2 means the drive is region locked and the region can only be changed up to 5 times until it is permanently locked on the last change to region.

RPC1
This firmware has been modified to remove the region lock, making the drive region free: the functionality of the drive should not be changed by installing this.

2x for All
This hacked firmware allows burning at 2x on all media. Be warned: the quality of the burns is inconsistent at 2x and is dependant on the individual drive and media

FIRMWARE REVISIONS
1.20 Official, good firmware. Pioneer say we need to upgrade because of possible laser burnout when 4x media is inserted.

1.30 Official firmware supplied with some OEM drives which probably has a bug with some media. Fixed the bug of possible laser burnout when 4x media is inserted. This firmware was never released as an upgrade.

1.31 Official beta firmware leaked onto the internet but not officially released. This firmware allows 2x writing on Ritek media and is the only official firmware to do so. Fixed the bug of possible laser burnout when 4x media is inserted.

1.32 Official firmware, seems to have trouble with some media. Fixed the bug of possible laser burnout when 4x media is inserted.

1.33 Official firmware. Problems with 1x speed media and 2x TDKG02 (this was done deliberately by Pioneer). Fixed the bug of possible laser burnout when 4x media is inserted.

Some of these firmwares have also been modified to RPC1 and 2x for All thanks to GRADIUS, NIL & BATTOUSAI of The Firmware Forum. All the firmwares have been packaged so as to enable easy upgrades

CAUTION
The 2x firmwares give trouble with some burning programs.
For example if you want to burn at 1x it burns at 2x.
The latest version of Nero works okay with the 2x firmwares.

Lots of 1x cheap media are not readable in lots of players if you burn at 2x. Also a lot of 2x non-certified media make unreliable discs, especially around the outer edge of the discs is likely to show data errors.

UPGRADING THE FIRMWARE
Each firmware upgrade is in zip file and all the necessary files are included. Just unzip all the files into a single folder and from within Windows open the folder and run the UPGRADE.BAT batch file to flash the drive. This will work when upgrading or downgrading from 1.31 or below.

DOWNGRADE from 1.32 or 1.33
You need the hacked UPGDVD.EXE file UPGDVDHACK.EXE. Just select the required firmware, unzip it into a single folder, add the UPGDVDHACK.EXE into the same folder and run it. Be warned: it can take up to 1 hour or longer to find the key before it flashes the drive.

To avoid unnecessary problems whilst flashing the drive it is suggested that the drive is connected to the secondary IDE controller and no special IDE controller drivers are installed. Drives connected to Raid controllers have been known not to respond as required.

UPGRADE PROBLEMS
The following problems have been reported when trying to Upgrade:

Q) I waited 45 minutes for UPGDVDHACK.EXE to find the key to flash my drive. It started at Key0: 0000h, Key1: 0000h, and went through all the key1's and then Key0 changed to 0001h and key1 started to go through again from the start. As nobody has even mentioned key0 changing value, I decided to take the plunge and reboot.
Drive was redetected, but it is still 1.33?
A) If using Windows XP, after uninstalling the VIA bus master IDE controller in device manager try rebooting. WinXP should re-install the driver and it should work fine now first time.

Q) I get this problem: CPU usages gets to 100% when burning.
A) Put your A04 in to Ultra DMA mode

If the process takes longer than 15 minutes, here are some suggestions for people who are having problems:

1) Make sure you aren't using any bus mastered drivers other than the ones that Windows installs for you. So that means any Intel or VIA bus master drivers you might have installed should be uninstalled before flashing.
2) Hook your drive up as the only device on the IDE channel you are using. (Probably not totally necessary for everyone, but at least it can be eliminated as a problem).
3) Make sure no programs you are using are trying to access your DVD-r drive at the same time.

WARNING: IF YOUR ORIGINAL DRIVE FIRMWARE WAS 1.32 OR 1.33
I have just been informed that the latest A04 drives with the above firmware will not work with firmware downgraded to 1.31 or below

Quote: the newer stock of a04 with the darker logo on the front "DVD" one do not work at all with 1.31 firmware, you just burn duff movies as its protection against it

I cannot verify this but the source is reliable

All the firmware versions mentioned here are available to download here.

Added:  Wednesday, November 20, 2002
Reviewer:  Flash

hits: 100422