ngnh
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: imac 2006 started updating firmware, but doesn't reach 100% then disappears and continues to unsuccesfully boot OS.

We've tried to reset the pmu & pram, but it had no effect. Is there a way to stop the installation or skip it ?

We don't know what update it's trying to install, it just started today.

 

Any suggestions ?

iMac

Posted on Sep 16, 2013 3:11 PM

by ngnh,Solvedanswer
ngnh ngnh
Level 1 (0 points)
A:

I don't have serial, will have to get back to you on that one when i get back to the machine. But it's an intel 17" from 2006.

 

As mentioned "We've tried to reset the pmu & pram"

Except for nvram.

 

But we tried verifying the disk in disk utility and there seems to be some errors which it can't repair, a format/reinstall is needed. But have to do backup first.

It aborted the repair process because of errors, and stated a format was required. I do not think the disk is broken, i replaced it not too long ago.

 

The name of the update was available from the boot menu, and it's an efi update. Not sure how it messed up the system but it has been running fine for a year or more, then this update comes along and now the system is dead.

 

Edit: machine was running 10.7

 

But thanks for the ideas, now at least we're on the right track.

Posted on Sep 16, 2013 11:41 AM

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ngnh

Q: imac 2006 started updating firmware, but doesn't reach 100% then disappears and continues to unsuccesfully boot OS.

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Klaus1,

    Klaus1 Klaus1 Sep 16, 2013 9:49 AM in response to ngnh
    Level 8 (48,858 points)
    Sep 16, 2013 9:49 AM in response to ngnh

    What Mac is this, running what version of OS X?

     

    What firmware update was it?

  • by ngnh,

    ngnh ngnh Sep 16, 2013 9:54 AM in response to Klaus1
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 16, 2013 9:54 AM in response to Klaus1

    As mentioned "We don't know what update it's trying to install"

    I think it's running either 10.4 or 10.5. It's a 2006 imac.

  • by rccharles,Helpful

    rccharles rccharles Sep 16, 2013 10:37 AM in response to ngnh
    Level 6 (8,496 points)
    Classic Mac OS
    Sep 16, 2013 10:37 AM in response to ngnh

    What lead you to believe it is updating the firmware?

     

    In detail, what happens when you power on the machine?  take &post picture here if you can.  click on camera icon in this posting software.

     

    Try a safe boot.

     

    This site provides more information.  Best for older machines.  Note, serial number is sent in the clear.

    "A serial number is a unique, identifying number or group of numbers and letters assigned to an individual piece of hardware or software. It's used for various things depending on the product / brand but what is your Mac's serial number for and more importantly... what is it hiding and what can it do for you ?"

    http://www.appleserialnumberinfo.com/Desktop/index.php

     

    or

    This site provides more information, but lacks security too.

    "A serial number is a unique, identifying number or group of numbers and letters assigned to an individual piece of hardware or software. It's used for various things depending on the product / brand but what is your Mac's serial number for and more importantly... what is it hiding and what can it do for you ?"

    http://www.appleserialnumberinfo.com/Desktop/index.php

    http://www.chipmunk.nl/klantenservice/applemodel.html

        ( hint by K Shaffer  )

     

    You may want to run these "standard" fixes if the problem persists.

     

    1) Check the amount of free space on your harddrive.  You should have a several gigs free.

     

    2) You should run disk utility

          from you startup dvd

          a) verify the disk

          b) update your permissions.

     

    3) Try a safe boot.

         Shutdown your machine.  Hold down the shift key.  Poweron.  Wait awhile Wait awhile while you harddrive

           is being checked.

         http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1455

  • by ngnh,

    ngnh ngnh Sep 16, 2013 10:48 AM in response to rccharles
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 16, 2013 10:48 AM in response to rccharles

    "What lead you to believe it is updating the firmware?"

    It starts the update process before booting, if i'm not mistaken that is usually a firmware update.

     

    "Try a safe boot."

    Not a bad idea, however i don't think it'll change much as the update process starts before booting. But will give it a try.

     

    "2) You should run disk utility"

    Even better idea, completely forgot about that, will defiantly try that.

     

    Will get back to you when done.

  • by rccharles,

    rccharles rccharles Sep 16, 2013 11:18 AM in response to ngnh
    Level 6 (8,496 points)
    Classic Mac OS
    Sep 16, 2013 11:18 AM in response to ngnh

    It would be helpful to know the exact machine.  See my prior post to work this out from the serial number.

     

    I haven't done a firmware update in ages, so I forgot all about how one goes about it's business.  I do not know how you would stop one.

     

    Perhaps some resets are needed.

     

    Shut down the Mac, then power it up, and before the screen lights up, quickly hold down the Command, Option, P, and R keys, until the Mac has chimed twice more after the powerup chime.

     

    Then, before the screen lights up, hold down Command-Option-O-F until the Open Firmware screen appears. Then enter these lines, pressing Return after each one:

     

    reset-nvram

    set-defaults

    reset-all

     

    "The reset-all command should restart your Mac. If so, you have successfully reset the Open Firmware settings."

    http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1812?viewlocale=en_US

     

    Should the fail...

    Try taking the battery out for 10 minutes.  Put battery back in.  Cross fingers. Power the machine back on.

     

    How to eject a cd from the internal cd drive:

    eject cd

     

    List of devices:

    devalias

     

    List of variables:

    printenv

  • by ngnh,Solvedanswer

    ngnh ngnh Sep 16, 2013 11:41 AM in response to rccharles
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 16, 2013 11:41 AM in response to rccharles

    I don't have serial, will have to get back to you on that one when i get back to the machine. But it's an intel 17" from 2006.

     

    As mentioned "We've tried to reset the pmu & pram"

    Except for nvram.

     

    But we tried verifying the disk in disk utility and there seems to be some errors which it can't repair, a format/reinstall is needed. But have to do backup first.

    It aborted the repair process because of errors, and stated a format was required. I do not think the disk is broken, i replaced it not too long ago.

     

    The name of the update was available from the boot menu, and it's an efi update. Not sure how it messed up the system but it has been running fine for a year or more, then this update comes along and now the system is dead.

     

    Edit: machine was running 10.7

     

    But thanks for the ideas, now at least we're on the right track.

  • by rccharles,Helpful

    rccharles rccharles Sep 16, 2013 2:07 PM in response to ngnh
    Level 6 (8,496 points)
    Classic Mac OS
    Sep 16, 2013 2:07 PM in response to ngnh

    But we tried verifying the disk in disk utility and there seems to be some errors which it can't repair, a format/reinstall is needed. But have to do backup first.

    It aborted the repair process because of errors, and stated a format was required. I do not think the disk is broken, i replaced it not too long ago

     

    I'd go after fixing the filesystem and hope that solved the firmware update problem.

     

     

    If you want to try to rebuild the filessystem, perhaps Disk Warrior will be of some help:

    http://www.alsoft.com/DiskWarrior/

     

     

    Robert

  • by ngnh,

    ngnh ngnh Sep 16, 2013 4:34 PM in response to rccharles
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 16, 2013 4:34 PM in response to rccharles

    That's a good idea, will give that a try too.