Method and device for determining flash software compatibility with hardware

A method of determining compatibility between a hardware device and a software application includes the step of initializing a boot loader application. Initialization of the boot loader application includes verifying the presence and validity of a software application. Once the software application has been validated by the boot loader application, control is transferred to the software application. The software application determines compatibility by checking a hardware identifier stored in a substantially permanent memory location. If the hardware identifier matches the software application, the software application operates normally. If the hardware identifier does not match the software application, control of the hardware device is transferred back to the boot loader application for reprogramming with a compatible program.