Ixus55 / SD450 v1.00a firmware

[DaSchop]

Hi there guys,

I've just discovered the CHDK this week and I'm really amazed at what you guys have been able to squeeze out of these little point and shoots. I looked around for something like this when I first got my Ixus in 2005 and didn't get very far so I'm really glad that this community is now available.

Anyway, it seems that I am a little stuck getting the thing to run on my camera. My Ixus55 (SD450) has the version GM1.00a firmware, which doesn't seem to allow updating, eventhough the camera should support it.

It seems that for some cameras, creating a "PS.FI2" file on the root of the SD card somehow makes the menu item pop up but this doesn't seem to work on my model.

Does anyone know of a way to update the firmware on this camera? There must be some kind of hack out there... I can open it up, dump the firmware, port the CHDK, etc. but from what I've seen, I'm getting nowhere without that menu item...

UPDATE: aha, it seems that by making my card bootable, I can run binaries without using the update function.. let's see what to do next.

(BTW, I will document my experiences on the wiki when I get anything to work)

[whim]

Your cam should react to a PS.FIR in the root of the card; try copying any of the available ixus55 versions' PS.FIR
(100B, 100C, 100D) and you should at least get the update menu (usually on the bottom of the leftmost Canon menu page)
when present and selected it will probably complain that it's not a valid file.
But you very probably will have to dump the firmware and port it / wait for a port anyway ...

wim

PS: for general CHDK description and tips: CHDK End-User's Guide - 02

[DaSchop]

Thanks Wim (Dutchies unite!).

I'll go try your method. I may find some time over the weekend to dump the firmware and see if I can figure out how to port the CHDK. I'll check back in when I have more information.

[DaSchop]

Update: it seems that the firmware version for 100B also works on my 100A camera. I'll have to experiment with it to fimd out how well it works though, it seems kind of glitchy for now but that just may be me. My battery's drained for now though, so I'll have to check back when I find time to charge it.

I've also installed it on a friend's S3 IS, haven't had time to play with it yet though but it seems promising.

Also, thanks for the manual, I'll start reading through it so that I'll be an expert user when I get to my charger next week..

[r8dhex]

I used to have the Ixus55. When I bought it, it was a 1.00A. An official canon firmware update was released and I upgraded it 1.00c.

It used to be found here BeBit Top Page but I can't find it anymore.

According to the release notes though, it was just some translation fixes. So that's maybe the reason why it still works on your 1.00A.

[johnny13oi]

Hi, I also have that camera with the 1.00a firmware on it and I have been searching everywhere for the past few hours for a firmware update for the camera but there doesn't seem to be any. I have also emailed Canon themselves and will see if I will get a firmware update. I have the Canon SD450. Any help would be great.