Edward, as a former computer professional of some 30+ years experience (was that before you were born?) I think I'll avoid the 14 year old computer nerd solution.
As stated before, my user defined button does not respond. I thought that statement was clear but clearly it is not.
In other words, when I press the user defined button, it does not do anything. I suspect it is a worn contact issue. I don't really care that I cannot use my user-defined button but it is a sticking point when it comes to firmware updates.
As you rightly state, installing the firmware requires the simultaneous pressing of both the menu and user defined buttons. However, as my user defined button does not work, I could press it from now until hell freezes over and unfortunately my R-D1 would be totally oblivious to this fact that I am asking it to do a cold boot and reinstall of firmware.
It is a rather odd failure, I grant you, and I've puzzled over why this specific button has failed as the other buttons do their job perfectly. I gues I am unlucky, is all.
If anyone can think of another way to get the R-D1 to cold boot then I'd be delighted to know as I would like to install the new firmware.
LouisB