I'm planning on purchasing the 7700/990 COMBO in the next few weeks. Will the new firmware upgrade be preinstalled in forthcoming 990 shipments?

Eventually it definitely will, but based on the way the 1070 and 970 updates have been rolled out I suspect the units already in the warehouse will ship with the old firmware.

EJ,
Although it would be nice to get a new 990 with the latest firmware, I wouldn't let it delay your purchase. Follow the directions and the upgrade is really a simple procedure.

hey anyone know how to check what firmware is loaded into the 990? I read it somewhere.. how you press and hold two buttons at the same time. BUt i can't remember which two?

If you press the WRONG two buttons, it'll reset, and delete all your settings.

This was previously posted by Gonk. Hope it helps.
Press "Select" (center of the navigation buttons) and "Input" on the front panel while the unit is in standby. The firmware version will be displayed on the front panel. The new version shows up as "3.10 04".

You press the "ENTER" and "INPUT" buttons on the front panel at the same time to display the current firmware version. (You can also press "ENTER" and "MENU" to reset it, which isn't so much fun...)

ok. thanks. that's what mine says.. 3.10.04

Unlike the 3.10 04 firmware reported here my "successful update reads: 3.10.03.

I even re-downloaded the 900 update and ran the Update Loader twice. Are different versions due to when the 990 was purchased? My download name was my 990 serial number.