And how would you do that if you're not proficient in hex, hmm?
I've checked both the EXE and the BIN files and cannot see a date code anywhare obvious.
Using [b][url=********wald.heim.at/sherwood/530742/dvd/mt/mktflash_138.zip]MTKFLASH.EXE[/b] on drives using the MediaTeK chipset one can extract the BIN file from the drive and reflash another one (as long as it's the same model number). It's been done before, check at the bottom and the next page of [b][url=***********.cdrinfo.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=4579]this post[/b]
All you need now is someone with the same drive as yours (soory I don't), unflashed, the MTKFLASH.EXE utility to read the Flash Rom and have it sent to you

. You'll need MTKFLASH.EXE as well with a bootable diskette to flash the drive in pure DOS. I'd say it's easier than attempting to modify the firmware file in HEX...