Hi Simon, I have a proper serial port and have had no trouble loading Firmware on my 596 and a friends.
Who do you know who has an older computer?

I have not heard of the Star wars problem you mention, Do you need a drive repair? (Its a Known fault easily sorted).

If you have to send it in, Meridian will load firmware for you, I would call them.

Cheers, Chris smile

No 18 in the Hall of fame smile I have simple tastes; I am content to settle for the best:
GIK monster bass panels, rear wall. QNAP TVS 471i3. Roon into DSP5200SE via 210/ 218 zone... Explorer 2. Bluesound Pulse 2, Mini & Flex. 596v1, 518, Foxsat HD, Sony BDP, Pioneer 5090, 2 Chromecast's for LRB videos. MS200 to F80 for a Roon zone