I am gonna give that guys advice a try(give the update a little more time to install), then I will try and follow your list. I will brb.
1. download
ftp://ftp.hp.com/pub/softlib/software7/COL15200/ob-40563-1/sp26777.exe
2. At the File Download screen, click the Save button.
3. At the Save As screen, save the file to your Desktop.
4. If a message appears stating that the file already exists, click YES to overwrite file.
5. Close all applications and remove any discs from the system optical drives (CD or DVD).
6. Double-click the icon for the update file downloaded in step 1, and then click NEXT.
7. Accept the terms in the HP License Agreement, and then click NEXT.
then
9. Select CD Disc in the "HL-DT-ST DVDRRW GWA-4161B...." window, and then click OK.
10. Click OK in the "HL-DT-ST DVDRRW GWA-4161B...." window.
11. To continue with the remaining update steps, refer to the appropriate instructions for the CD recording software you are going to use.
Then you need to pick the burning software program you want to use:
For Veritas RecordNow Version 5.0 or earlier:
1. Click START on the taskbar, and choose (All) Programs, CD (DVD) Recorder, RecordNow, and then click RecordNow again.
2. In the RecordNow application window, click Make a Data Disc.
3. Insert the blank recordable CD (CD-R) into the drive, and then click NEXT.
4. Click Add Files and Folders.
5. Navigate to the folder containing the update file (C:\SoftPaq\sp26777), select the sp26777.iso file and click ADD.
6. Click Yes and wait for RecordNow to complete the update CD.
7. Leave the disc in the drive and restart the system.
8. Follow the on-screen instructions to update the firmware.
Note: Be sure to read the instructions carefully. Failure to follow the instructions will damage the drive.
9. After the firmware update is complete, remove the CD from the optical drive and restart the system.
For Sonic RecordNow! 6.0:
RecordNow! 6.0 does not support the ISO image burning feature. To update RecordNow! 6.0 to RecordNow! 6.7:
1. Click START on the taskbar, and choose All Programs, CD (DVD) Recorder, RecordNow!, and then click RecordNow! again.
2. Click on the Help menu icon (a question mark), then click Check for Updates.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the update.
Note: You may need to run the update twice, once to update the RecordNow! PX recording engine and again to update RecordNow! to version 6.7.
4. When you are finished updating to RecordNow! 6.7, go to the instructions for Sonic RecordNow! 6.5 or 6.7 to continue with the remaining steps of this firmware update.
For Sonic RecordNow! Version 6.5 or 6.7:
1. Click START on the taskbar, and choose (All) Programs, CD (DVD) Recorder, RecordNow!, and then click RecordNow! again.
2. In the RecordNow! application window, click the tab to view Backup Projects.
3. Click Burn Image.
4. Click Browse.
5. Navigate to the folder containing the update file (C:\SoftPaq\sp26777), select the sp26777.iso file and click ADD.
6. Insert the blank recordable CD (CD-R) into the drive.
7. Click Burn and wait for RecordNow! to complete the update CD.
8. Leave the disc in the drive and restart the system.
9. Follow the on-screen instructions to update the firmware.
Note: Be sure to read the instructions carefully. Failure to follow the instructions will damage the drive.
10. After the firmware update is complete, remove the CD from the optical drive and restart the system.
For Sonic RecordNow! Version 7.0 or greater:
1. Click START on the taskbar, and choose (All) Programs, Sonic RecordNow!, and then click RecordNow!.
2. In the RecordNow! application window, click the tab to view Backup Projects.
3. Click Burn Image.
4. Click Browse.
5. Navigate to the folder containing the update file (C:\SoftPaq\sp26777), select the sp26777.iso file and click ADD.
6. Insert the blank recordable CD (CD-R) into the drive.
7. Click Burn and wait for RecordNow! to complete the update CD.
8. Leave the disc in the drive and restart the system.
9. Follow the on-screen instructions to update the firmware.
Note: Be sure to read the instructions carefully. Failure to follow the instructions will damage the drive.
10. After the firmware update is complete, remove the CD from the optical drive and restart the system.
For Sonic DigitalMedia Plus or Deluxe Version 7.0 or greater:
1. Click START on the taskbar, and choose (All) Programs, Sonic, DigitalMedia Projects, and then click RecordNow Copy.
2. In the RecordNow application window, click the Copy tab (it may already be selected).
3. Click Burn Image.
4. Click Browse.
5. Navigate to the folder containing the update file (C:\SoftPaq\sp26777), select the sp26777.iso file and click ADD.
6. Insert the blank recordable CD (CD-R) into the drive.
7. Click Burn and wait for RecordNow to complete the update CD.
8. Leave the disc in the drive and restart the system.
9. Follow the on-screen instructions to update the firmware.
Note: Be sure to read the instructions carefully. Failure to follow the instructions will damage the drive.
10. After the firmware update is complete, remove the CD from the optical drive and restart the system.
For Roxio Easy CD and DVD Creator 6:
1. Click START on the taskbar, and choose (All) Programs, Roxio Easy CD and DVD Creator 6, and then click Creator Classic.
2. In the File Menu, click Record Disc from Image.
3. Navigate to the folder containing the update file (C:\SoftPaq\sp26777), select the sp26777.iso file and click OPEN.
4. Insert the blank recordable CD (CD-R) into the drive.
5. Click OK in the Record Setup window and wait for Roxio to complete the update CD.
6. Leave the disc in the drive and restart the system.
7. Follow the on-screen instructions to update the firmware.
Note: Be sure to read the instructions carefully. Failure to follow the instructions will damage the drive.
8. After the firmware update is complete, remove the CD from the optical drive and restart the system.