Firmware Question

It is somewhat difficult to determine the definitive firmware version for a specific G5.

As I understand it, Boot ROM version is the 'firmware' version.

If an attempt is made to install an incorrect version, it should fail.

5.1.5f0 works just fine with the Rev.A, pre-June 2004, below.

Well, Apple explains 'firmware' here:

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=93772

5.1.4 is dated December 15, 2003 and, in the text further down the page, is called "The Power Mac G5 Firmware Updater Version 5.1.4". It may be that this is the 'updater' version - not the version of firmware that is actually installed - in the same way that the iPod firmware 'updater' had a version number that was not necessarily the same as any of the versions of iPod firmware that it installed. [the release date is now used as the identifier]- :

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=120287

Apple explains the 'update required?' process: "If you are unsure whether your computer needs a particular update, simply download and open the update installer. If the update is already installed or not needed, the installer will alert you to this." here:

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=86117

Hope that helps.

So does anyone know how they have firmware version 5.1.5 f0? I have the same computer but have 5.1.4. The firmware updater will not let me update. Maybe the ones that have it have had their logic boards replaced?

Your Boot ROM version is 5.1.4?

So much for the theory above, then!

According to this post in Macintouch, the G5 below was 'built' early April 2004:

"I just called Apple and got a rather obscure reply to my question about which new G5 desktops MUST run Tiger, but it looks as though it may be the best data available:

Any Mac G5 desktop built after April 27, 2005 MUST RUN TIGER.

This manufacturing data is supposed to be visible "somewhere on the box", but of course is not shown in System Profile...so if you don't have access to the box, you can call Apple with the serial number or look it up on their support website.

The alternative, as posted on the Apple forums by an Apple Tech from Europe, is to get the date from the serial number. The first two characters indicate the city where it was manufactured, the third number is the 200x year, and the fourth and fifth numbers combine to indicate the week of the year.

So, g8443a19qpp would be made in city "g8", year of manufacture = 2004, week of the year 2004 = 43. So my rough calculations indicate that any G5 desktop with the SN of "xx520xxxxxxxxx" or "later" (higher number than 20 following the third-place "5") must run Tiger as the OS.

Supposedly, the 2.3 and 2.7 GHz models came out after the 4/27/05 date, but the 1.8, 2.0 and 2.5 GHz models made before that date will be able to safely run Panther instead of Tiger.

They did not say what would happen if these new computers were run under Panther, but the rumor is that they may overheat -- i.e. the cooling system requires Tiger to function reliably."

So this G5 may have had 5.1.5f0 installed on delivery; the 'logic board' has not been replaced; I don't recall a successful firmware update, which is a distinct procedure:

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=120287#English

If the G5 is happy with the current firmware version, then I guess it's a case of IIAB-DFI

Oh, and I did once ask AppleCare which was the current firmware version for this G5, but from the length of time they took to come up with an answer, and their tone of voice, I would have to give it a confidence rating of 5/10. In other words, if the question was: "Is this mushroom safe to eat?"... probably best to spit it out.

Well, I have always assumed the way to tell a Rev.A from a B was as outlined here:

http://macosg.com/group/viewtopic.php?t=2167&highlight=rev+rev

If you have 5.1.5f0 and it works ok, then it's definitely IIAB-DFI.

Enjoy your classic vintage DP 2!