This guide will show you step-by-step how to update the firmware for the Plextor PX-128M5M mSata solid state drive on a Windows machine, using a USB flash drive – which is much more practical than burning it to a CD disc.
Plextor’s PlexTool utility notifies you about new firmware version releases. Great! But it simply downloads it – and you have to burn the tiny ISO yourself. You could just as easily write the ISO to a disc – but why not just one of those USB drives laying around??
Update 15/01/2014: 128M5M version 1.05 firmware updater does work. When you press Y to begin the flashing, be patient and wait… **
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Update 22/07/2014: 128M5M version 1.06 firmware update released, links updated
Update 12/01/2015: Plextor has now uploaded an installation guide – with pictures – find it on their website.
Update 17/08/2015: Link updated.**
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What you need
- flash drive formatted at FAT/FAT32 with 8MB free space
- yumi usb app (Windows)
Before you begin
- Connect the notebook to an external power supply.
- Make a note of the exact model of your SSD.
Let’s do this!
Part A. Preparation
- Grab the latest firmware update package for your particular SSD model from the Plextor site, and unzip. Disclaimer: Incorrectly flashing (the wrong) firmware can damage your device.
- Download yumi from the above link
Part B. Prepare the USB flash drive
- Insert your flash drive
- Run yumi, select your flash drive, and pick ‘Try an unlisted ISO’ as the distribution
- Select the PX-XXXM5M_1.06.iso that you unzipped earlier. Hit Create.
Part C. Do the firmware upgrade
- Shutdown your computer. Windows 8 users should use ‘shutdown /s /t 0‘ from the Run box to ensure a full shutdown.
- Before proceeding with the upgrade, you MUST change the SATA operational mode from “AHCI” to “IDE” in the BIOS options. On my Lenovo Y560, the BIOS setup can be entered by hitting the F2 key – then navigate to the Configuration tab.
- Finally, we’re good to proceed with the update. Save changes to the BIOS and boot up from the USB flash drive.
- Hit Enter….and press ‘y’ to begin….and wait. Do not switch off the PC in the meantime, you should see some text indicating the firmware version and the progress.
- Wait for the ‘firmware update complete’ message. (Later firmware updater versions now have a proper message at the conclusion of the firmware update.) It is now safe to switch off the PC from the power button. Typically there is a “A:” at the bottom of the screen once the firmware updater has finished and exited.
- Reboot back into the BIOS and revert the SATA mode back to ‘AHCI‘
That’s it! Enjoy a hopefully hitch-free firmware update guys.