Is HDD and CD/DVD firmware ?

Question

I dont get it
*actual wikipedia quote*
Personal computers
ROM BIOS firmware on a Baby AT motherboard

In some respects, the various firmware components are as important as the operating system in a working computer. However, unlike most modern operating systems, firmware rarely has a well-evolved automatic mechanism of updating itself to fix any functionality issues detected after shipping the unit.

The BIOS may be "manually" updated by a user, using a small utility program. In contrast, firmware in storage devices (harddisks, DVD drives, flash storage) rarely gets updated, even when flash (rather than ROM) storage is used for the firmware; there are no standardized mechanisms for detecting or updating firmware versions.
*end of quote*

I mean firmware is supposed to be some code+data stored on a ROM , then why it is written that the firmware in hardisk , dvd rarely gets updates . WHere is there any FIRMWARE in hard disk and CD ? I mean firmware is a different stuff like the BIOS , no ?

Answer 1

The motherboard BIOS is a set of program routines that execute on the motherboard CPU. Since they are stored in EPROM, they are called "firmware", rather than "software".



BIOS stands for "Basic Input / Output System". It's a name for this very specific firmware.



The controller electronics for HDDs and optical drives also have CPUs (smaller and simpler than the one on the motherboard) and require program routines to run. These programs are likewise stored in nonvolitile memory (ROM, PROM, or EPROM) and are likewise called "firmware".



Manufacturers of any kind of digital, computer controlled equipment may issue firmware updates now and then. Motherboard BIOS updates are typically infrequent. HDD and optical drive firmware updates are extremely rare (but not unheard of).

Answer 2

firmware is program code and various data saved in devices which runs them and tells them what to do basicly (if i remember things right)

there are firmware on harddrives and cd/dvd readers/writers and such i myself updated the firmware on my SSD drive just a few weeks ago.

if you look under them (unless its coverd) you will see there is a circute card on all of them just like all other computer cards.

i cant say i ever heard of a firmware up date myself for DVD readers/writers or standard mechanical harddrives, but it is very well possible.

http://www.freefoto.com/images/9908/02/9908_02_9---Computer-hard-drive_web.jpg

there you can see the underside of a harddrive.



Firmware = software that is permanently stored in a chip. The BIOS on a motherboard of a computer is an example of firmware.

BIOS = Basic Input/Output System = Firmware that can control much of a computer's input/output functions, such as communication with the floppy drive and the monitor.

Answer 3

HDD is a hard drive CD/DVD is a drive so they are both hardware the actual firmware is the software that makes it work

and dont use wikipedia for your information

Answer 4

In your hard disk it iswriten upon the disk on dvd /cd players it is written on flash rom.