Just follow the instructions on the Canon website carefully. The file is small, so any card 1GB or larger will be plenty to do the job.
The CF card needs to be freshly formatted in the camera, so be sure all photos have been copied or removed.
You can download the firmware to your computer and unzip it there. Then connect your camera and do the update from the computer, instead of loading the .fir file onto the memory card. However, you still need to have a freshly formatted card in the camera.
Yes, as mentioned above, you do have to do a "checksum", to make sure the .fir file is exactly the size specified on the website. An incompletely downloaded .fir file might "brick" your camera. All the info is on the Canon website in the instructions.
Also be sure your camera's battery is fully charged. You don't want the camera to shut down part way through the firmware update. That also can "brick" your camera. (A "bricked" camera would need to be sent in to Canon for repair.)
It's actually quite easy to do a firmware update. I've made it sound a bit dire above. You can get into trouble with it. But so long as you read and follow the instructions carefully, it's not really difficult or all that big a deal. After you have done it once, it will be simple the next time.
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Alan Myers
San Jose, Calif., USA
"Walk softly and carry a big lens."
GEAR: 5DII, 7D(x2), 50D(x3), some other cameras, various lenses & accessories
FLICKR & PRINTROOM
