Thunderbolt firmware update failed!

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Thunderbolt firmware update failed!

My config: Early 2011 MB Pro 13" 2.7 GHz i7 / OSX 10.7.1 Build 11B26

Last week I installed "Thunderbold Firmware Update version 1.0" on my brand new MB Pro.

It was connected to power, the update started, rebooted and showed the progress dialog while installing.So far so good. Almost at 100%, the progressbar stoped moving for at least an hour!!

At that point i discovered that a mobile HD was still connected to my MB (stupid off course during FW updates) and I disconnected it in the hope it would solve the pause. I waited again for at least half an hour and finally decided (was forced, against all advise) to reboot my MB.

The next boot, was a scary one :-). While everything seemed to work at first glace, I discoverd that my external displays did not work anymore. When using my minidisplay->VGA converter, no displays are detected. When using my minidisplay->HDMI displays are detected but giving "no signal". I've tried at three diverent screens that are all working on my (older) mac mini using the same adapters + cables.

Anybody experienced the same problem so far? I called with Apple Care but they "only" could advise me the SMC and PRAM/NVRAM resets. None of them helped. I also tried to install the thunderbolt fw-update by hand but a "Your computer's thunderbold port does not need this update" message is shown. The software updater shows that the system is fully up to date.

When looking at my system report the following is shown for my thunderbolt:

====

MacBook Pro:

Vendor Name: Apple, Inc.

Device Name: MacBook Pro

UID: 0x0001000A1B402220

Firmware Version: 22.1

Port:

Status: No devices connected

Link Status: 7

Port Micro Firmware Version: FFFF.FF.FF

====

The FFFF.FF.FF worries me a bit. Anyone knows what is shown after a successful update? Any known tricks maybe to force the FW-update again or skip back to the previous version?

I desperately need my external big screen again for software-dev.

Thanks in advance.

Kind regards, David (Netherlands)

Message was edited by: vaartmbpro

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.7), Early 2011 13" 2.7GHz i7 OSX 10.7.1

Posted on Aug 17, 2011 12:02 PM

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Answer 1

tjk

Level 9

51,192 points

Aug 17, 2011 12:04 PM in response to vaartmbpro

Hi David,

Start by running the 7.1 update.

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Answer 2

vaartmbpro Author

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Aug 17, 2011 12:15 PM in response to tjk

Sorry I forgot to mention. I run 10.7.1 Build 11B26 (latest). Post is updated.

regards, David

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Answer 3

tjk

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51,192 points

Aug 17, 2011 12:18 PM in response to vaartmbpro

vaartmbpro wrote:

Sorry I forgot to mention. I run 10.7.1 Build 11B26 (latest). Post is updated.

regards, David

Ok. In the interests of saving time trying to help you, anything else we should know? 😉

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Answer 4

vaartmbpro Author

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Aug 17, 2011 12:25 PM in response to tjk

Tomorrow I take a walk to the mac store to see if they can help me out :-). I keep this updated...

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Answer 5

tjk

Level 9

51,192 points

Aug 17, 2011 12:28 PM in response to vaartmbpro

vaartmbpro wrote:

Tomorrow I take a walk to the mac store to see if they can help me out :-). I keep this updated...

That's a great idea. If Apple Store is within walking distance, and help is free . . . . Good luck! 😉

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Answer 6

vaartmbpro Author

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Aug 18, 2011 12:09 PM in response to tjk

Today i went to the apple store and we tested multiple scenarios such as booting in target disk mode and trying a fw-update from there. While the update was available now, running the fw-update did still not succeed.

The laptop is sent to a repair centre and my HD and extra memory banks were switched to a spare MB pro for the time being. Great service!

This new one works flawlessly with remote displays. So it definitely is the firmware or the hardware! Hope it can be fixed and returned soon. I will update this post when I get more news.

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Answer 7

Sep 28, 2011 4:29 PM in response to vaartmbpro

Same here... Install didn't finish and "bricked" the thunderbolt chip.
****... sitting here for hours to find a solution...

There must be a way to force the update again.

J.

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Answer 8

vaartmbpro Author

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Sep 30, 2011 2:10 AM in response to vaartmbpro

Hi all,

After two weeks i've received my mb from apple repair. The mobo has been replaced! This tells me that either there is no way to reset the fw, or it is just cheaper to replace the mobo. However, I was greatly helped with the replacement mb and all was free of costs (apple care).

When i booted my mb (with new mobo) and scanned for updates, several popped up, under which "Thunderbold firmware update 1". Im scarred as **** to run the update again.... since i don't realy need it, i decided to skip it for the time beeing ;-)

Regards, david

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Answer 9

tjk

Level 9

51,192 points

Oct 1, 2011 9:58 AM in response to vaartmbpro

Hi David,

I understand your lack of desire to install the update, but now is the best time to do it. The update serves a purpose. You may not need it now, but probably will at some point in the future. You're under warranty now. You just got it "fixed." If the MBP cannot handle the update, there is something wrong and you're only putting off the inevitable, possibly to a time when it will no longer be covered under warranty, and then you'll wish . . . .

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Answer 10

Oct 1, 2011 6:59 PM in response to vaartmbpro

Just make sure you backup your data first and aren't in a position where you will need your laptop right away if it fails. I bricked my mbp yesterday with that update and have to wait until Monday to get it serviced. 🙂

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Answer 11

lupunus

Level 4

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Oct 1, 2011 7:49 PM in response to vaartmbpro

vaartmbpro wrote:

When i booted my mb (with new mobo) and scanned for updates, several popped up, under which "Thunderbold firmware update 1". Im scarred as **** to run the update again.... since i don't realy need it, i decided to skip it for the time beeing ;-)

I did it on my 2011 MBPro on Aug. 24.

It normally causes no problems to run a FW update if you check first, that there are NO external devices connected during FW update and the charger is connected and powered.

If it fails under this circumstances, it's mostly a hardware fault causing that. For that do it while your system is still under warranty. 🙂

Anyway, you can also try to roll back a failed firmware update.

See: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2213

Sooner or later you must have it as a precondition for a upgrade or to get different hardware to work.

Note also that the next Thunderbolt FW update is rolled out now.

Lupunus

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