Determining Firware

[jeremyj2e]

How do I figure out which firmware my new drive has on it? Is there a way to tell before I install some sort of OS?

I have not built the computer yet, but I am wondering what is the best way to upgrade the firmware. I don't have another computer to put it on, so do I need to install Win XP on a HDD to flash the drive?

Edit: Oops missed an "m" in the title.

[ptah]

if you bought it recently, then its most likely the latest firmware; 1571 firmware

[jeremyj2e]

I'll give it a go then, but how do I find out which firmware is on there once I get windows fired up? Device Manager?

[koc]

install your drive in any other computer and use HDtune to check the FW version

[Kludge]

I've also seen the drive and firmware revision in the system BIOS, as well as POST

[razerza]

You can install 2 pieces of popular freeware, namely HDTune v2.55 or CrystalDiskInfo v2.7.4: