superdrive firmware update 2.1

If Apple find something wrong, I am sure the company will make a fix.
In fact I installed the Superdrive update 2,1 and it seems to work fine, at least for me.
However, please be extremely careful with firmware upgrades. If transmission of the firmware to the device is interrupted in any way, the device may be set in funny state forever. Interruption may occur if some other programs try to use the device when the firmware transmission takes place or if the power supply to the computer is interrupted in any way.

With regards,
dagd


MacBookPro 2,2 Mac OS X (10.4.10) Intel Core 2 Duo 2.16 GHz

well my install went fine i can play any/thing
cept , i cant burn
i get error that say's device failed to caliberate lazer level for the media ,,
so you might try burning

I am reminded of the old saw, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it," and the Governmental version: "If it ain't broke, keep fixing it until it is."
I will await either a new update or some explanation from Apple before applying any "fix" to my drive which seems to work perfectly, even burning a flawless 2-layer DVD.
I wish you people well.

Dual G5, MacBookPro 15, MacBookPro 17 Core2Duo Mac OS X (10.4.10)

I did burn both an empty CD-ROM and an empty DVD-R. No problem at all.
Regards,
dagd

Same problem here, my Superdrive has gone completely
"dead"/ non responding. System profile shows, that
the firmware update has occured twice (using Software
Update):

2007-06-29 05:56:28 +0200: Installed "SuperDrive
Firmware Update" (2.1)
2007-06-29 20:43:43 +0200: Installed "SuperDrive
Firmware Update" (2.1)
2007-06-29 20:44:13 +0200: Installed "iTunes" (7.3)

System Profiler finds the drive:

MATSHITA DVD-R UJ-857:

Firmware Revision: 0009
Interconnect: ATAPI
Burn Support: Yes (Apple Shipped/Supported)
Cache: 2048 KB
Reads DVD: Yes
CD-Write: -R, -RW
DVD-Write: -R, -RAM, -RW
Burn Underrun Protection CD: Yes
Burn Underrun Protection DVD: Yes
Write Strategies: CD-TAO, CD-SAO, DVD-DAO
Media: No
But it is totally silent.

Come on Apple!!!!!



MacBook
Mac OS X (10.4.10)
Message was edited by: henrikbalch

I have two PowerBook G4's one is two years older than the other. On the newer one the superdrive still works but the older one is dead. It does not show up in Hardware.>Disc Burning.

Most if not all of the reported faults with the superdrive come from the owners of MacBooks, so the problem with one of my PowerBooks may have nothing to do with the Update.

The specifications of the drive which still works looks very similar to henrikbalch's

MATSHITA DVD-R UJ-846
Firmware Revision FAAG
Interconnect ATAPI
Burn Support Yes(Apple Shipped/upported)
Cache 2048 KB
Reads DVD Yes
CD-Write -R, -RW
DVD-Write -R,-RW, R,+RW,R DL
Burn Underrun Protection Yes
Burn Underrun Protection DVD Yes
Write Strategies CD=TAO, CD-SAO, DVD-DAO
Media No

This drive works. My other drive does not.


PowerBook G4 Mac OS X (10.4.4) 17 inck

Just to put my story "on the record": (My Superdrive is as dead as a Dodo).

I downloaded the Superdrive 2.1 update via software update but as this update wasn't a priority to me, I chose to run the updater at a later time. A screen informed me that the updater had been downloaded to Applications\Utilities and that when I run it I should not reboot, cut power etc. etc.

I continued my session downloading the remainder of the sofware updates and the system requested a restart for the 10.4.10 update so I clicked "restart". During the "powering down" phase of the restart, somehow the Superdrive update launched all by itself, and had got to about 66% when the "powering down" completed and the startup chime sounded. I'm guessing this is what "killed" my Superdrive. Has anyone else had the same experience?

The update log shows:
2007-07-12 05:42:17 +0800: Installed "SuperDrive Firmware Update" (2.1)
2007-07-12 05:52:53 +0800: Installed "Security Update 2007-006 (Universal)" (1.0)
2007-07-12 06:32:19 +0800: Installed "AirPort Extreme Update 2007-002" (1.0)
2007-07-12 06:32:20 +0800: Installed "Battery Update" (1.2)
2007-07-12 06:32:49 +0800: Installed "AirPort Extreme Update 2007-003" (1.0)
2007-07-12 07:24:04 +0800: Installed "Mac OS X Update (Intel)" (10.4.10)

I bought my MacBook Pro brand new from a seller on eBay back in January so I'm not sure how my warranty with Apple stands on that score.

I'm also travelling in Thailand for 6 months so can't exactly "pop" into my local Apple store. In my book, Apple have broken my (and many other people's) superdrive so Apple have an obligation to fix them. Either via a new firmware update (convenient) or replacing the Superdrive (not feasible at the moment in my location). I wonder what the count of "broken" Superdrives is up to now. It seems strange that the update is still available from Apple considering the damage it is doing. I guess that suspending distributing the update is an admission of guilt on Apple's part.



MacBook Pro 2.16 core2 duo Mac OS X (10.4.10)

I am sorry for the bad result you had. You may try to talk with the Apple support, to find out if you can get your superdrive replaced under the warranty.

I comment your case such that other can learn from it.
1. When you download updates from Apple, you have the options to deselect updates you do not want to apply or you want to apply later.
2. If you do not deselect the Superdrive update, the process of updating begins. When the superdrive update is loaded to your hard drive it pops up a message warning you of the consequences if you power down or restart your computer. At this time you have not the option to skip the update. However you have the possibility to quit all other programs running on your computer before clicking the OK button and actually load the firmware into the superdrive.

So I will stress the importance of following all instructions carefully when applying firmware updates.

With regards
dagd





MacBookPro 2,2 Mac OS X (10.4.10) Intel Core 2 Duo 2.16 GHz

I also flash the SuperDrive and it kill it.

I can't believe an auto-update can kill a drive.

Good news everyone! Apple has released a fix:

http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/firmwarerestorationcd13.html

hmmm...actually, maybe i spoke too soon? can someone verify if this is a fix or not? i am not on my laptop.

I believe that disk is for use when a system firmware (once called flash BIOS) update fails. Mac has a different acronym for it but it is the FlashEProm on the motherboard just the same. Mac calls it EFI, i think.
I don't think this disk applies to the optical drive.
This disk also only works if the BIOS flash fails and your computer is stuck in limbo, as I recall.
I would not use it to attempt to recover a failed optical drive unless Apple specifically indicates to do so.

Dual G5, MacBookPro 15, MacBookPro 17 Core2Duo Mac OS X (10.4.10)

I do not think it is a fix for the superdrive firmware update. This Firmware EFI Restoration CD update is unrelated to the superdrive firmware update.
It is a fix in case the new released EFI Firmware update 1.3 for new MacBookPro goes wrong. Please do not try this Firmware Restoration CD 1.3, unless you did apply the EFI firmware and something went badly wrong with this update.
With regards
dagd

MacBookPro 2,2 Mac OS X (10.4.10) Intel Core 2 Duo 2.16 GHz

oops. my bad. will verify before posting next time. sorry folks.

After installing this firmware my macbook is having problems reading CD-R. What is Apple doing to help with these problems?

It´s oficial. My Superdrive went the way of the Dodo... DEAD.

It is being replaced as we speak.

Cant believe Apple released a firmware so malicious.