When i try to use my camera it says 'please update firmware'. Why is this and where can i update the firmware?

Unfortunately, as the camera is over six years old now, it is unlikely that a driver will be available. For a firmware update, check on the manufacturer's website.
The best way to transfer your images is to put the media card into a separate USB card reader, which Windows 10 should treat as just another disc drive.

Vivitar lists no firmware updates for the 8400. See http://www.vivitar.com/products/1/digital-cameras/17/vivicam-8400

For Camera hang ups or frozen if using it, this problem can be fix by firmware restoring, flashing or updating. So try to do a software repair first before proceeding to hardware troubleshooting.
If the camera doesn't turns on or having problem like showing empty or black screen, this is due to problem in hardware.
For instructions to update firmware, please check following link.
Nokia C3 Software/Firmware update

for more help about nokia c3 troubleshooting, click here

Sorry, I do not see any firmware updates that apply to your flash situation, but I do see one that seems to apply to your picture review situation:
Please read the firmware update instructions and follow them carefully. Errors during firmware updates can ruin your camera:
http://www.fujifilm.com/support/digital_cameras/software/firmware/s/finepix_s2500hd/fupd.html

Updating Firmware on Xacti HD2000

This page explains how to download and install the firmware update for the VPC-HD2000.

• This firmware is for the VPC-HD2000 only. Please do not install it on another model.
• By installing this firmware Greek, Swedish and Finnish will be added as new menu languages. (Please notice that for this purpose the menu languages Traditional Chinese, Simple Chinese and Korean will be deleted!)
  It is not necessary to install this firmware update when there is already the possibility of choosing Greek, Swedish or Finnish as menu language! Please check this before continuing with the update.
• Before updating the firmware, please read through the explanations on this page.
• Make sure to update the firmware in the order shown below.
• The camera might not boot up properly if its power is turned off during the firmware-updating procedure.
• Please read the accompanying licensing agreement before downloading this firmware. Downloading the firmware automatically implies your acceptance of the licensing agreement.

Requirements:

• SD memory card (henceforth referred to as "card") with capacity over 8 MB.
• Fully charged lithium ion battery.
• Additionally, you need one of the items listed below:
  (i) A SD memory card reader (henceforth referred to as "card reader")
  (ii) A dedicated USB interface cable (shipped with the camera).

CAUTION
Be sure not to take out the battery during the updating procedure (this lasts about 60 seconds).
Avoid operating the buttons on the camera or closing the monitor unit during the updating procedure.


I) Preparing to update (copying the firmware onto a card)

Step I.1: Format the card on your camera*

• Turn the camera on and set the "REC/PLAY"-button to "PLAY"
• Press the "MENU"-button.
• Move joystick to the left and select "OPTION MENU 3".
• Move joystick to the right and select "FORMAT". Press the "SET"-button.
• Select "FORMAT". Press the "SET"-button.
• Select "YES". Press the "SET"-button.
  
  *CAUTION
  If you format a card, all images and data stored on that card (whether protected or not) are deleted! Please be sure to move or copy important images and data to a PC or to another card!

Step I.2: Download the Firmware*

• The firmware can be downloaded here.
  
  Firmware Update XACTI HD2000
  s313n081.bin (7.5 MB) *CAUTION:
  Please be sure to download the file onto a hard drive and not onto a removable location such as a card reader.
  The firmware file should be saved in a location where you can easily find it again later (e.g. save it on desktop of your computer).

Step I.3: Copy the file "s313n081.bin" to the formatted card (from step I.1):

The method of operation differs depending on whether you use a card reader (i) or a dedicated USB cable (ii).
(i) When you copy the downloaded files with a card reader: (1) Put the formatted card from step I.1 in the card reader. (2) Copy the "s313n081.bin" file created on your hard disk in step I.2 to the root directory of the card.



(ii) When you copy the downloaded files with a dedicated USB cable: (1) Connect the camera to your PC with a USB cable and turn on the camera. When you connect to your PC, please make sure the camera's USB interface is set to "Card Reader". (Please refer to "Setting the Connection Mode" on pages 7 to 8 of the Instruction Manual in the Xacti Software CD 1.0) Please make sure the camera is recognized as a removable disc. (2) Put the formatted card (from step I.1) in the camera and then copy the "s313n081.bin"-file created on your hard disk (in step I.2) to the root directory of the card.



(3) Remove the camera from computer.
Please read "Dismounting the Camera" on pages 9 to 11 of the Instruction Manual in the Xacti Software CD 1.0 for a description of how to disconnect the camera.

II) Updating firmware on the camera itself

CAUTION>:
Do not turn off the power during the updating procedure (this lasts about 60 seconds)!

• If the power is turned off during the updating procedure, the update may not be properly completed and the camera may not start up.
• To prevent the battery from running out during the updating procedure, please use a fully charged Lithium ion battery.
• Do not remove the battery during the updating procedure.
• Do not operate the buttons on the camera or close the monitor during the updating procedure.

Step II.1: Insert the card with firmware-update file (from step I.1) into camera

Step II.2: Turn the camera on and set the main switch to "PLAY".

• The playback screen will be displayed.
• If the camera is in SIMPLE mode, switch it to NORMAL mode.

Step II.3: Press the "MENU"-button.

• The menu screen will be displayed.

Step II.4: Choose "OPTION MENU 3"

Step II.5: Choose "FORMAT" from the Menu Screen, but do NOT go into "FORMAT"

Step II.6: Move joystick to the left for more than 2 seconds.

• The update screen will be displayed.*
  
  *No Update Screen
  If the update screen is not displayed, it's possible that the update file was not copied onto the card. Please refer to "Preparing to Update" to copy the update file onto the card and follow the updating procedure once more.
  If the main switch is set to "REC", the update screen will not be displayed. Make sure the main switch is set to "PLAY".

Step II.7: Choose "YES" and press the "SET"- button.

• Updating will start.
• During the updating procedure, the screen will show the message, "LOADING. DO NOT POWER OFF", and the access light will flash.
  Please do NOT turn the power off during the updating procedure! (this takes about 60 seconds).

Step II. 8: When the updating procedure is completed, the camera will turn off automatically.

• Please remember to format the memory card once more before using it again.

Try updating the firmware. The update does not specificly mention this problem, but maybe it will help anyway.
You can download it from here:
http://www.fujifilm.com/support/digital_cameras/software/#firmware

Make sure your batteries are fresh before updating.

Is the write protection switch enabled?

Which firmware is installed in the camera?

Try an firmware upgrade. Maybe the supporting now the 2 GB memory cards.
Why download firmware version 1.07?
This firmware version improves memory card compatibility and provides general performance updates.
KODAK EASYSHARE C330 Zoom Digital Camera Firmware

firmware update is a update through a usb cable to update camera software internally from manuf website-try a set of energizer lithium batts in camera-not rechargable but i get over 500 pics on sngle set-some cameras won't register accurate bat levels or work well with recharables

The firmware for telephoto converter/ wide-angle converter is included in the attached CD-ROM. Please update it if you have DiMAGE series 7i to A1. Please confirm the firmware version and update it if you have DiMAGE A2 and its version is 1.10. DiMAGE A200 users do not need the firmware updating.