Q: Firmware update and SATA II hard drive

what about Leopard 10.5.x users? Is this update only for SL users?

I think there are versions for both Leopard and Snow Leopard:

http://support.apple.com/downloads/

No, it should work on both Leopard and Snow Leopard.

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3901

The description of the fix is hilarious, "... a small number of users" we were small enough to fill 111 pages in the forum.

Well, the good thing is that it has beed fixed.

I will put my 500 Gb disk again tonight. Please, if someone with this problem install the fix, let us know it worked.

Message was edited by: mvillarreal

I am one of the "small number of users" that was experiencing some pretty serious lock-ups.

I just finished installing the "Performance Update"

I've forgotten what it feels like to actually have a fast computer that doesn't lock up on you. No problems yet. I've been messing around for about a few minutes doing all the stuff I normally do that caused lock ups....it's running smooth for now.

Small numbers ?!?! Shame on them. Keep on follow-ups guys, so we can know about the efficiency of this upgrade. Thanks in advance.

From the Apple website, this update is not limited to the June 2009 13" and 15" MBPs (which had the EFI version 1.7 firmware update). It's also applicable to a number of other systems. There are separate updates for SL and Leopard. The file size is very small, so maybe it just replaces the beach ball with a spinning chocolate chip cookie. I'll wait for feedback from others before I install this one.

Yes, I thought that too!

I mean, if it only affected small numbers of users, then why release an update? Surely there was a 'problem' to 'fix'?

I've installed it and the boot seemed quicker.

I did a test, not exhaustive, but pretty good, just launching all the big apps in my dock all at once:

Aperture
Photoshop, Illustrator, Indesign and Bridge CS4
All the iLife apps
Pages, Numbers and Keynote
Word, Excel and Powerpoint 2008
Things
iCal

I have to say, there were no beachballs. After I tried it again, office popped up immediately as did photoshop and illustrator. The CPU didn't top out or anything (that is until I added iPhoto to the mix, then it did!). So so far so good!

Message was edited by: Peter Knapp

I'm a little sceptical, as the update notes say it applies to what looks like damnnear everything Apple has made in the last year…

"MacBook Air (Mid 2009), MacBook Pro (17-inch, Mid 2009), MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid 2009), MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2009), MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2.53GHz, Mid 2009), iMac (20-inch, Mid 2009), MacBook Pro (17-inch, Early 2009), MacBook (13-inch, Early 2009), MacBook (13-inch, Mid 2009), MacBook (13-inch, Aluminum, Late 2008), MacBook Air (Late 2008), MacBook Pro (15-inch, Late 2008), iMac (24-inch, Early 2009), iMac (20-inch, Early 2009), Mac mini (Early 2009)"

But perhaps it's a blanket change for everything with a NVIDIA 9400M controller, even though it only showed up (or at least predominantly showed up) on mid-2009 13" and 15" MBPs.

Anyway, I'm about to give it a shot… here goes nothing.

So far, so good! FINALLY! Yes, we might be "a small number of users" who bought any of those many RECENT Mac models listed on that support page!

+MacBook Air (Mid 2009), MacBook Pro (17-inch, Mid 2009), MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid 2009), MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2009), MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2.53GHz, Mid 2009), iMac (20-inch, Mid 2009), MacBook Pro (17-inch, Early 2009), MacBook (13-inch, Early 2009), MacBook (13-inch, Mid 2009), MacBook (13-inch, Aluminum, Late 2008), MacBook Air (Late 2008), MacBook Pro (15-inch, Late 2008), iMac (24-inch, Early 2009), iMac (20-inch, Early 2009), Mac mini (Early 2009)+

So I guess it was not just related to MacBooks 13"-15"! We were not imagining this!

So relieved right now. My MacBook is running as fast and smoothly as it should from the beginning...

Hope it has worked for all of you guys/gals!

JJ

"The file size is very small, so maybe it just replaces the beach ball with a spinning chocolate chip cookie."

Mmmmm.... i could use some chocolate cookies.

So let's see...

I had to downgrade to the EFI 1.6 with the Aluminum Restore.dmg that is flying around the net. After that, my system is running smooth.

If I install this, should I go back to the EFI 1.7? Or stay in 1.6 land?

I suggest you apply the FW 1.7 and then apply this fix. Because it was ment to fix the 1.7 FW.

Bad news, people…

This "Performance Update 1.0" does not fix the issue for me. I see exactly the same symptoms evident in this video I made a couple months back: http://vimeo.com/5854152

I shot more (handheld… sorry) video, which I will put up later. But first, I must head to the Apple Store to get my firmware rolled back again. I hope they can squeeze me it today (if it's not too late already).

I had high hopes for this.

Thankyou Apple! Clearly, they were listening to feedback, and hopefully these boards as well. My MBP 17 is running supremely well so far after this update (I undid the HDAPM fix which helped me out before this update).

This might be clutching at straws, but I even feel the choppy Spaces and Expose animation I'd been seeing too is now improved. Maybe the drivers for these Nvidia chipsets has all sorts of problems that Apple has rolled into this update?

Anyway, good times for all it seems.