Q: Firmware update and SATA II hard drive

Okay, I was at the Apple store today and they've taken my MBP in for repair even though there is nothing wrong with the hardware at all.

I kept on mentioning the EFI update and how that caused it.. but nothing in the repair notes even mentioned the update or anything like that. I kept on telling the guy, but all was ignored! He even asked had I dropped the MBP at any point...

Anyway, they've taken it and should be repaired next week.

Well I finally gave up waiting for an updated firmware, and tried the Hitachi Tool, which have been mentioned in the post a couple of times - And sure enough it worked, limiting the harddrive to 1.5 Gb/s and disabling Spread Spectrum did the trick - Before I couldn't even install OS X, and now it runs without and problems.

My harddrive is a Hitachi 7k320 - Though its been running fine with the stock harddrive, which is a 5k320.

Still hopes for an updated firmware though, but untill then, this is a fine solution, for those with HItachi drives.

Ok, went to my appointment at the local Apple Store today to rollback the firmware. The first "genius" (not being snarky... just indicating it's a job title) I spoke with didn't know what I was talking about when I mentioned the rollback tool. But the supervisor who told me of it over the phone was right there and filled him in, explaining what it was, that it was new, and that he hadn't pushed it out to everyone yet so it was only installed under his account in the back (or something like that).

Anyway, they take my machine back there, and a few minutes later it returns, the 30-90 second hangs having disappeared. Huzzah! The "genius" had me go in and hide the firmware 1.7 update (as it had reappeared as available), and I was on my way with a much less annoying MacBook Pro.

Actually, while my machine was in the back, the "genius" came back to double-check my symptoms. It sounded to me like the tool came with some sort of documentation describing the issue we're all having and saying the tool was intended for that issue, but I didn't ask specifically.

But yes, firmware rollback tool = good thing to do in the interim while waiting for a proper SATA II fix. Certainly a better option than fighting with Apple over support due to a 3rd party hard drive.
I highly recommend it! ... (the tool, not the fighting)

Well I had all the same issues as everyone else with a Seagate 5400.6 500GB drive. My MBP 15", which I got last Thursday came with 1.7. Could do nothing with the drive until I jumpered it to 1.5 and I used the seagate util to verify SSC was disabled.

Everything is working ok minus the occasional beachball freeze but so far not horrible if I do not push the drive. I have made an appt with Apple and hopefully they will have access to the rollback util. Will report back after the meet.

Cheers!

Message was edited by: Ella Price

Summary: Have a 13" MBP with 5400 RPM stock 160GB SATA I drive. Patched it with EFI 1.7. Had the 30 second beach ball issue once every few minutes. Took it into Apple to get it repaired a couple days ago.

Just got my MBP back today and they said the only change they made was they replaced the hard drive with a brand new one of the same type. No comments about whether they repro'd the issue or not, or what the problem was. Was only told I have a new drive in the machine.

Given people's experience with new drives on this thread (ie. they still have the same problem), I have taken the drive out to run the Hitachi tool on it. I don't have a 2.5" carrier on me right now to use the software on a PC so I'll do it in a couple days after I get one from a friend.

In the meantime I have put a 256GB Samsung SSD into the MBP and re-installed 10.5.7 from the CDs that came with the laptop. I have not experienced a single beachball yet and I have been busy installing all my junk back onto the laptop for the past 3 hours. I currently have a massive copy going on in the background as well as a rather large download as I type this in the foreground on Safari. No issues I'm happy to say! This SSD is MUCH faster than the old drive.

I'm about to start the massive software update now to get all the packages up to date as well as moving to 10.5.8. I'll put up another message once that's complete.

is there a list of SSD compatible with MBPs updated with the new EFI firmware?

i just ordered a 13" and thinking about buying a SSD but many of you have experienced a non recognized SSD after the EFI update...

thx

I was hoping to upgrade my storage drive soon (a WD 500Gb Scorpio Blue) and it's absolutely dreadful to see that this problem has yet to be solved by Apple. It's downright ridiculous and disappointing!

Oh my god.. I can't believe NO ONE mentioned anything about a rollback tool at the Apple store! I could have got my MBP back... They also ignored me completely through the 5-10 times i mentioned the EFI update.

Just got back from Apple store. I added this thread and a little background on the issue. When I went in the tech had a boot cd already burned and ready to rollback my firmware. Was in and out very quickly. I am about to start testing it. I still have my drive set to sata 1 but should not make a difference. Will report back with what I find.

Wish I remembered the techs name but kudos to him and for being prepared. Also to take the time to do his homework on the issue. I was the first person to have a rollback done at the Mall of Georgia store.

Hey Ella - I live right around the corner from Mall of GA... and I want my firmware rolled back. Would have never thought of that without your post, so thanks for sharing!

Hope we'll all be in good shape soon.

nevermind... man, they need a delete post option...

No problem. It is actually John. I used my wife's CC once for iTunes when I lost mine and somehow her name got stuck as my alias. I am to lazy to make a new account. LOL

Yeah, the guy was great and I love how he had the CD right under the counter waiting for me. I should have imaged it real quick. HAHA Make an appt., reference this thread, and they should be ready when you come in the store.

Good Luck. So far so good with it. No beachball's yet.

If I purchased a 500GB Seagate Momentus 7200.4, will I experience problems with it and my 13" Macbook Pro? The hard-drive is very decently price on Dell.com and I am extremely tempted to purchase it.

Unfortunately, it's a game of chance.

There's absolutely no telling whether it'll be fine or not if the drive is 3Gbps

I have a 500Gb Seagate Momentus ST9500420AS 7200.4 and there is absolutely no way for me to get OSX installed on to it. However, others here, and over on MacRumors, have been able to at least get OSX installed and running albeit most have beachballing problems. It is, as the previous poster mentioned, hit and miss. Seagate Support was fantastic when I emailed them and will RMA the drive if I choose to go that route but it DOES work perfectly in a HD enclosure running off USB. With this new rollback tool, it might be worthwhile to try rolling back your firmware before buying the drive.