OS 9 to OS 9.1 firmware update required

Hi, Danny -

Welcome to Apple's Discussions.

You can obtain the firmware update you need from either of these Apple KBase articles -
Article #58174 - iMac: When to Install Available Updaters
Article #86117 - Firmware Updates

possum...

The iMac 333 was an oddball having the Open Firmware possibilities of;

• 3.0.f3, build date 12/02/98 (Very rare for a 333, more common for 266)
• 3.0.f10, build date 03/05/99
• 3.0.f2, build date 04/23/99 (this is the 1.2 firmware update)
• 3.0.f3, build date 07/16/99 (More than likely a factory update)
(Facts compiled via mrjcd with my interpretations)

The last 2 versions "as per date" (April or June of 99) is considered up to date.

Apple System Profiler can be rather useless because it doesn't report back important dates. Open Firmware can only confirm your version installed. See article below.

Just remember Mac OS 9 cannot install or update your firmware. Must be done from the Shipped Mac OS (iMac specific) 8.5.1 or Mac OS 8.6.

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=30575

Hi, Danny -

You're quite welcome - glad to help.

Just remember Mac OS 9 cannot install or update your
firmware. Must be done from the Shipped Mac OS (iMac
specific) 8.5.1 or Mac OS 8.6.

Does this mean that is a mac were updated from 8.x to 9.x without updating firmware, that OS9 can't update firmware?

Hi, Kevin -

No, it means that OS 9 will refuse to install until the firmware has been updated.

Thanks... I cannot get this G4 to take a firmware update. Tried everything I know. Been on multiple forums. Can't find an answer. No one seems to be able to suggest anything helpful, yet.

That's why I was attracted to your post - thought it was a clue to something I didn't know or try.

Thanks again.

- Kevin

I have OS 8.5 and I am trying to upgrade to 9.1. It give me the warning that my firmware needs updating and to refer the OS CD Extras for more information. I don't see where to do this in the CD Extras folder. Can you assist?

Hi, Glen and Sharla -

All retail OS 9 Install CDs (white label, gold 9) have any firmware updates needed for that OS version in a folder, usually labeled Firmware Updates, in the CD Extras folder on the CD. You may need to scroll down in the CD Extras folder to see the Firmware UPdates folder.

If the CD you have does not have the firmware update you need, or any firmware updates, then it is probably not a retail OS 9 Install CD. The model-specific OS 9 Install CDs usually have a grey or bluish-grey label with a specific model's name on the label. None of those do, nor can have, firmware updates on them.

You can also download firmware updates. This Apple KBase article, designed for those migrating to OSX, includes a tally of the current firmware updates for all Macs and links to download the one needed -
Article #86117 - Firmware Updates