This discussion is locked
mofli

Q: iMac Firmware

Has anyone installed the new iMac Core Duo firmware? What effect has it had on your system? I like to keep up to date, but I also like to know how others are fairing.

If I update the firmware I am doing it for the sake of updating, not to run Boot Camp. I hope that is not the only reason to update. I am not interested in running Boot Camp, as I am perfectly happy waiting until Leopard before I decide if I want to dual boot. I like my iMac the way it is (the way it was meant to be), running OS X.

Thanks.

15-inch PowerBook G4, 20-inch iMac Core Duo, Mac OS X (10.4.6), Old system that I miss most - My 12-inch iBook G3

Posted on Apr 5, 2006 9:26 AM

Close

Q: iMac Firmware

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

first Previous Page 4 of 5 last Next
  • by mofli,

    mofli mofli Apr 7, 2006 12:42 PM in response to toonv
    Level 2 (345 points)
    Apr 7, 2006 12:42 PM in response to toonv
    Did you try the onmac.com boot loader before you tried installing the firmware update, or were you doing it on a completely clean system?

    I would double check with an Apple Store or an Apple Service centre. I doubt Apple would refuse to fix an iMac that had problems due to their own update. Perhaps the Apple Care individual you were speaking with was not fully aware of the firmware update yet. Perhaps he thought you were talking about third party software.
  • by suzuken,

    suzuken suzuken Apr 7, 2006 1:47 PM in response to mofli
    Level 1 (15 points)
    Apr 7, 2006 1:47 PM in response to mofli
    We might never know if this firmware addresses other
    issues apart from Boot Camp.


    That just puzzles me. If the firmware did address any issues, then why wouldn't Apple just mention it in the documentation? Wouldn't it be to Apple's advantage to have their users all update to the latest firmware and reduce the number of support questions?

    While it makes sense that any other firmware fixes be rolled out together, there really hasn't been anything yet that leads me to believe that the update is anything more than what Apple says -- an update to enable Boot Camp.
  • by mofli,

    mofli mofli Apr 7, 2006 2:15 PM in response to suzuken
    Level 2 (345 points)
    Apr 7, 2006 2:15 PM in response to suzuken
    I was making a general statement that we may never know, simply because there is no info stating anything other than that the firmware is required by Boot Camp. Only in the Boot Camp documentation does it say the update is required. The update documentation does not say "this is for Boot Camp". Lack of information is proof of nothing. My point was I can't take for granted that the firmware upgrade is only for Boot Camp simply because Boot Camp requires it. That is narrow logic.

    I am pretty much convinced at this point that the firmware probably doesn't address anything aside from allowing Boot Camp to run. I was making light of the fact that I don't have all the info by saying "we might never know". I am satisfied with TAV's statement that the Firmware may not address other issues but will be the point to start from for any subsequent firmware updates. That info I interpret as advice as to why updating is wise beyond the immediate benefits of Boot Camp.

    I hope that clears things up, suzuken.

    Cheers.
  • by keikojaa,

    keikojaa keikojaa Apr 7, 2006 3:53 PM in response to toonv
    Level 1 (20 points)
    Apr 7, 2006 3:53 PM in response to toonv
    Exactly the same problem .. I can help you ... Go to PREF SYSTEM, choose USERS (in french, its COMPTES, the place where you have info about yours profile), then there, you've got a place where it is listed all the apps that are loaded when you're start up your iMac (in french "Ouverture". That's here you can delete the lign about the Firmware and you won't see the message anymore ... You find here too iTunes Helper, to be sure you're at the good place. Just select the lign about firmware and choose the minus sign and that's it!!!

    A SHAME, this story about that it cant be repaired under guarantee!!! I can't believe they told you that... !!!!! I'm without word!!! Good job apple!!! They
    make firmware just for fun ????? I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT!!!!

    By the way, i tried the restoration firmware and that doesnt work too!!!

    One more time : What's all that sh*t!!!!

    Since i did the upgrade, my iMac is making NOISE like never!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    My advice too : don't install this sh*T!!
  • by TAV,

    TAV TAV Apr 7, 2006 4:55 PM in response to toonv
    Level 3 (880 points)
    Apr 7, 2006 4:55 PM in response to toonv
    Call Apple Care back and read this from their own website. That should get someone off their duff:

    "Important: DO NOT unplug, shutdown, or restart your computer while the update is taking place. Interrupting a firmware update can render your computer unusable. If this happens, take your machine to an Apple store or authorized service provider or perform the recovery yourself using another Macintosh computer to download the Firmware Restoration CD disk image from http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/. This software allows you to create a CD which you can use to restore your machine to working order."
  • by mofli,

    mofli mofli Apr 7, 2006 5:08 PM in response to TAV
    Level 2 (345 points)
    Apr 7, 2006 5:08 PM in response to TAV
    TAV, what do you make of the reports of strange behaviour such as new noises? I am normally not hesitant to instal firmware from Apple. That has something to do with the fact that I never read these discussions before. Now I read what other people have to say and I become paranoid. Please tell me I am just worrying myself over nothing.
  • by Michael Scrutchin,

    Michael Scrutchin Michael Scrutchin Apr 7, 2006 5:11 PM in response to mofli
    Level 1 (10 points)
    Apr 7, 2006 5:11 PM in response to mofli
    I installed the firmware update without a hitch. It's been a day and no problems or noises.

    I don't plan to run Boot Camp.
  • by TAV,

    TAV TAV Apr 7, 2006 5:29 PM in response to mofli
    Level 3 (880 points)
    Apr 7, 2006 5:29 PM in response to mofli
    I'm not really certain. The firmware - at its core - adds BIOS support to the EFI loader. What else it does I just don't know. But let's be honest, it's supposed to enhance the user experience in some way, not lessen it.

    The Boot Camp beta software adds a bootloader and a hard disk repartitioning tool. Anyone doing partitioning should always have a clone of their stuff on the side in case of any issues.

    That said, the firmware is not a beta - Apple has never released a "use at your own risk" beta firmware update as far as I remember. Whatever strange attributes some might have that they consider related to the firmware update - while attributable to alot of "out of machine" possibilities (peripherals, etc) - these should be rectified by Apple in an additional update. Bottom line, if you have issues related to the firmware update itself, get on the phone if the resinstall CD doesn't rectify whatever new issues arise.

    I think people are getting confused when adding the firmware and Boot Camp software together in discussions. While the firmware might add functionality that allows Boot Camp to do its business, they are two completely different things - a standard Apple firmware update and a beta version of new software for dual booting on a Rev A intel machine.

    While Apple can run disclaimers high and low on the latter, they're on the hook for the firmware issues, just as they would be if upgrading to OS 10.4.6 melted your machine.
  • by John61254,

    John61254 John61254 Apr 8, 2006 1:13 AM in response to mofli
    Level 4 (2,515 points)
    Apr 8, 2006 1:13 AM in response to mofli
    If the firmware update was recommended, wouldn't it show upwhen running software update? I have not installed the firmware update, and software update says I'm up to date. Till Apple tells me I need to update my firmware, I'm leaving well enough alone. At this point, I'm pretty confident the firmware upgrade is needed only if you intend to install boot camp/Windows.
    It may eventually be necessary in order to install Leopard (10.5), which will have the finished version of "Boot Camp" (or whatever it will be called) built in. But for now, I'm taking the fact that Apple has not issued a general notice to upgrade (firmware) in Software Update that it is not essential.
    Also, remember folks. Boot Camp is a beta, as in not a finished product, as in try at your own risk, and take all necessary precautions, and remember, it's a BETA!

    20" intel imac, Pismo 400 / 17" 1 GHz imac G4/ Bondi R   Mac OS X (10.4.5)  

    20" intel imac, Pismo 400 / 17" 1 GHz imac G4/ Bondi Rev B   Mac OS X (10.4.5)  

    20" intel imac, Pismo 400 / 17" 1 GHz imac G4/ Bondi Rev B   Mac OS X (10.4.5)  
  • by keikojaa,

    keikojaa keikojaa Apr 8, 2006 7:23 AM in response to John61254
    Level 1 (20 points)
    Apr 8, 2006 7:23 AM in response to John61254
    BOOT CAMP is a Beta... Firmware is 1.0.0 so IT IS NOT A BETA!!!!
  • by GW Schreyer,

    GW Schreyer GW Schreyer Apr 8, 2006 8:46 PM in response to buckleyp
    Level 4 (2,985 points)
    Apr 8, 2006 8:46 PM in response to buckleyp
    Airport firmware 103.2 came with 10.4.6. It has nothing to do with Firmware update 1.0

    - gws
  • by John61254,

    John61254 John61254 Apr 8, 2006 10:38 PM in response to keikojaa
    Level 4 (2,515 points)
    Apr 8, 2006 10:38 PM in response to keikojaa
    Agreed.
    I was referring to Boot Camp.
  • by Wayne T,

    Wayne T Wayne T Apr 8, 2006 11:16 PM in response to Mac Convert
    Level 4 (2,240 points)
    Apr 8, 2006 11:16 PM in response to Mac Convert
    Ben & MC ...

    Formatting the startup, reinstall etc WILL work ... because of what our friend says here : http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=2076211#2076211

    Fortunately, it isn't necessary (at least for the firmware update) Apparently, as long you boot from a different Disk to the one you've 'messed with' - such as , say, an external FW Drive, the Firmware updater works.

    Had the same problems, same reasons on a 20". Booting from external FW Drive made it happen for me.
  • by david.pettifor,

    david.pettifor david.pettifor Apr 19, 2006 1:25 AM in response to mofli
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 19, 2006 1:25 AM in response to mofli
    It would appear that performing the 1.0 Firmware Update may not be such a wise move...

    http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/imacearly2006firmwareupdate10.html

    The link is no more!

    Why?

    I just spoke with an Apple Care representative, who advised that the firmware update was not advisable! To be honest, I did not get the impression that the person I spoke with had any real knowledge of the firmware update for iMac Intels. It does concern me that many of the Apple Care reps that I have talked with, did not appear to have a great understanding of the product that they were supposed to be supporting. I have found the discussion threads a far better resource for informed answers to most of the questions I have had with regards my new iMac machine. Only when speaking directly to a product specialist at Apple Care have I felt in safe hands.
  • by myhighway,

    myhighway myhighway Apr 19, 2006 1:39 AM in response to david.pettifor
    Level 5 (7,270 points)
    Apr 19, 2006 1:39 AM in response to david.pettifor
    There is a new link for version 1.0.1 on the downloads page.
first Previous Page 4 of 5 last Next