Thank you alastair, another successful DS-2CD2432F-IW upgrade to 5.4.5, straight from FW 4.0.8. Camera was locked in at 5.2.5, and any attempt to update FW would default it back to some FW 4.0.8 or something something, 5.3.0 downgrader would get it back to 5.2.5. I bought the cam on Amazon for around a buck and I suspected it was a Chinese hack job. Sho nuff it was, language was at 2, FF block wasn't set properly, you know the spiel. Your resource .zip along with the detailed instructions and pics worked flawlessly. I had almost given up on updating this cam, until of course, I came across this thread. So cool of you to share your wealth of knowledge. Very much appreciated.