How can I force a firmware re-flash on MacBook 2,1?

Question

How can I force a firmware re-flash on MacBook 2,1?

I have a MacBook 2,1 2.0GHz Core 2 Duo, Late 2006 model. It has the latest Firmware installed (v1.1) but I would like to re-flash this because I fear it may be corrupted slightly. How can I get round the Firmware update identifying I already have it installed? Surely there must be something I can edit in a plist file which will skip the detection of the current Firmware version (a bit like when you install iMovie '08 on a G4)??

Please help, I don't mind using Terminal if that's the only way round detection.

iMac 20" C2D 2.33GHz | X1600 256MB | Wireless Key/MM, Mac OS X (10.4.8)

Posted on Jul 20, 2008 3:14 PM

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Answer 1

Kappy

Level 10

362,007 points

Jul 20, 2008 5:18 PM in response to Thomas Robinson

You cannot. The flashers look at information already contained in the ROM. Once flashed you cannot re-flash.

There is, however, a firmware recovery CD you can download: Firmware Restoration CD 1.7. Not sure if you can use it after a successful firmware update.

Given that your computer is working it's highly unlikely there's a firmware problem. However, you haven't described what your problem is, so we really can't help much.

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Answer 2

Jul 21, 2008 2:03 AM in response to Kappy

The problem is I bought a MacBook that has had coffee spilt on it. I've taken it apart and cleaned the logic board and all the connectors. I've got it booting now and installed Leopard on it. The trouble is it won't charge the battery at all. I've tried PRAM and SMC resets which do nothing. Here is a rundown of what it will do:

Boot from PSU - Fine
Boot from Battery - No
Run from just PSU - Fine for about 10 mins then it turns itself off (probably because the PSU alone doesn't provide enough wattage)
Run from just Battery - Fine (charged it up in another MacBook)

The thing that makes me feel the firmware is corrupted is the machine will not start up in open firmware mode at all, I've tried holding Command Option O+F but it just boots into Leopard as normal. I was hoping to get into O.F so I could run the reset-all command and see if that helped.

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Answer 3

Kappy

Level 10

362,007 points

Jul 21, 2008 11:37 AM in response to Thomas Robinson

Intel Macs do not support Open Firmware rather they use EFI. Reset PRAM as follows:

Resetting PRAM and NVRAM

1. Shut down the computer.
2. Locate the following keys on the keyboard: Command, Option, P, and R. You will need to hold these keys down simultaneously in step 4.
3. Turn on the computer.
4. Press and hold the Command-Option-P-R keys. You must press this key combination before the gray screen appears.
5. Hold the keys down until the computer restarts and you hear the startup sound for the second time.
6. Release the keys.

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Answer 4

Jul 21, 2008 12:46 PM in response to Kappy

Dude, I've done that as I've already mentioned. What else can I try? I've ordered a new MagSafe connector, new battery connector and a new pram battery, do u think they might fix it?

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Answer 5

Kappy

Level 10

362,007 points

Jul 21, 2008 2:40 PM in response to Thomas Robinson

Hard to know. Having coffee spilled on the computer could easily cause major damage after a period of time. The PRAM battery merely saves the contents of the PRAM but otherwise unless the computer is 3-5 years old the existing battery is probably fine.

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Answer 6

Aug 4, 2008 2:58 PM in response to Kappy

Hi, just to let you know that I got a new PRAM battery and it solved the problem! Laptop now fully working and charging fine!

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