Update PowerPC firmware from within Open Firmware?

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Update PowerPC firmware from within Open Firmware?

I've got a bit of a technical question that might not make any sense because, all told, I really don't know what I'm doing, but here it is anyway:

Is it possible to update an iBook's firmware remotely through telnet (or some other way) from within Open Firmware?

Here's a bit of background on my problem...

My girlfriend has an iBook G4. Software Update was installing the latest firmware for the iBook's PowerPC processor, and in the process the computer was shut down. Now, whenever we try to boot the computer, the boot sound is played, the Apple logo appears, and the 'thinking' wheel starts turning, but it continues to do this indefinitely, never booting into OS X.

I've tried flashing the PRAM and reseting everything from withing Open Firmware, but it doesn't help. I've also tried booting from an OS X install disc, but a bunch of console-type text appears on the screen... mumbo jumbo about the firmware... and the image appears with text in several different languages saying the computer needs to be restarted.

I found this article on the web that describes how to start a telnet server from within Open Firmware:

http://www.kernelthread.com/mac/osx/arch_boot.html

I have a telnet server running on the iBook, and I'm connected to the server by ethernet cable on my MacBook. I just need to know if there's some way to download the firmware to the MacBook and then either install it onto the iBook over the network or transfer it over the network and then install from the iBook. Is this, or something like this, within the realm of possibility?

MacBook, Mac OS X (10.5.3), 2 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 1 GB 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM

Posted on Jun 12, 2008 5:45 PM

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Answer 1

cornelius

Level 6

17,826 points

Jun 12, 2008 6:21 PM in response to moldcat

formkatze:

There is no Firmware Update for any iBook G4. The iBook G4 uses Open Firmware.

I've also tried booting from an OS X install disc, but a bunch of console-type text appears on the screen... mumbo jumbo about the firmware... and the image appears with text in several different languages saying the computer needs to be restarted.

It appears that what you have experienced is a kernel panic. I suggest you look through the article, then take a look at Dr. Smoke's FAQ Resolving Kernel Panics.

Please post back with an update or with further questions or comments.

Good luck.

cornelius

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Answer 2

moldcat Author

Level 1

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Jun 12, 2008 6:42 PM in response to cornelius

Hmm... My girlfriend seemed to think she was installing a firmware update. Any idea what the update might actually have been?

After looking at the first link you gave me, it seems that I was experiencing an OS X 10.0 to 10.1.5- and OS X 10.2/later-style kernel panic simultaneously.

I'll be working through the second link now.

Thanks very much for the help and the quick response. I'll post an update if any questions come up or as soon as any progress is made.

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Answer 3

cornelius

Level 6

17,826 points

Jun 12, 2008 7:12 PM in response to moldcat

formkatze:

Any idea what the update might actually have been?

It might have been the latest Security Update 2008-003. I can't be sure, of course, but that and QuickTime 7.5 are the latest software updates.

Will look forward to hearing how things went for you.

Good luck.

cornelius

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Answer 4

moldcat Author

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Jun 12, 2008 8:06 PM in response to cornelius

The disc from which I was attempting to boot was her iMac OS X install disc. I don't have access to her iBook discs at the moment. Once I do, will the Apple Hardware Test disc be there with the install discs?

Anyhow, I popped in a Leopard install disc and the computer actually booted the disc. I started to install Leopard, but her partition on her hard drive wouldn't show up. I went to Disc Utility and it wasn't there either. After a while of poking around through different options, all of a sudden the partition appeared. Again I went to install Leopard, but unfortunately there wasn't enough free space on the drive, even with all extraneous features unchecked.

I put the iMac OS X install disc back in and the kernel panicked again. Here's what it says:

+panic(cpu 0 caller 0x002E49D0): Unable to find driver for this platform: "PowerBook6,5".+

...

+Kernel version:+
+Darwin Kernel Version 8.7.3: Wed Aug 16 18:57:19 PDT 2006; root:xnu-792.11.5.obj~1/RELEASE_PPC+

...

+panic: We are hanging here...+

Thanks again for the assistance.

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Answer 5

cornelius

Level 6

17,826 points

Jun 12, 2008 8:29 PM in response to moldcat

formkatze:

The disc from which I was attempting to boot was her iMac OS X install disc.

Computer specific disks are optimized for the computer to which they are specific. They have special drivers needed by the computer. That is why they will not install, and in this case, precipitated a kernel panic.

Again I went to install Leopard, but unfortunately there wasn't enough free space on the drive, even with all extraneous features unchecked.

That might have been your problem in the very first place: a too full HDD. OS X needs a minimum of 5 GB on HDDs up to 40 GB, and 15% on HDDs over 40 GB. This allows for efficient opreration of the OS. Otherwise you run into the "too full disk" situation. Leopard needs 9 GB of free space.

I suggest that you might want to first back up at least the Users Folder, then completely reformat and erase the HDD (Post for step by step directions), reinstall the OS, and restore data from backup. In that way you will eradicate any directory corruption and start out with a clean slate, so to speak.

Good luck.

cornelius

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Answer 6

moldcat Author

Level 1

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Jun 16, 2008 3:09 AM in response to cornelius

Once I got ahold of her disc, all it took was a re-install. The Apple Hardware Test said nothing was wrong, just as I had expected. Thanks very much once again for your assistance.

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Answer 7

cornelius

Level 6

17,826 points

Jun 16, 2008 7:55 AM in response to moldcat

formkatze:

You are very welcome.

Got to thinking about your issue after my last post and wondering if the iMac install disk you were using for for an Intel iMac. If it is, then that is the real problem, as you cannot install to a PPC Mac from an Intel install disk.

Please do not hesitate should you have further questions.

Good luck.

cornelius

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