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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

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Q: iMac Firmware

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  • by david.pettifor,

    david.pettifor david.pettifor Apr 19, 2006 1:52 AM in response to myhighway
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 19, 2006 1:52 AM in response to myhighway
    Thankyou myhighway.

    Still confused over whether I should update my firmware or not however. Apple appear to be saying no (which totally leaves me dumb-founded, considering they released it!), while on the discussion threads here, it seem a popular choice to install it...
  • by myhighway,

    myhighway myhighway Apr 19, 2006 1:54 AM in response to david.pettifor
    Level 5 (7,270 points)
    Apr 19, 2006 1:54 AM in response to david.pettifor
    I'm traveling and only have my iBook. Is this new version 1.0.1 something that installs after what we already did with 1.0.0, or instead of the previous one (if someone had not yet installed it)?? Would someone who has already installed the first one kindly let us know, as I don't see anything on the iMac Support page about this one.
  • by GW Schreyer,

    GW Schreyer GW Schreyer Apr 19, 2006 7:12 AM in response to myhighway
    Level 4 (2,985 points)
    Apr 19, 2006 7:12 AM in response to myhighway
    the firmware updater is for Intel macs only. All it appears to do is prepare the Intel mac for bootcamp. If you don't want to use bootcamp, then you don't need the update. This is why is ISN'T being pushed out via software update.

    - gws
  • by myhighway,

    myhighway myhighway Apr 19, 2006 8:59 AM in response to david.pettifor
    Level 5 (7,270 points)
    Apr 19, 2006 8:59 AM in response to david.pettifor
    I had no hesitation about updating the firmware, and did so successfully on the first try. Firmware is something that is done to the logic board, not to the hard drive, so it's necessary (at some point) to have the firmware updated.

    Remembering the old iMac G3's that ran OS 9 - they needed a firmware update prior to installing and running OS X. NOT updating that firmware caused quite a few iMac G3 owners a major headache later on when they finally updated to OS X, but by then had forgotten all about the firmware update, which is still available now, YEARS LATER, on the Apple website. Yes, that very same firmware update is still downloadable, and there are still iMac G3's running OS 9 that need the firmware update prior to installing and running OS X. There's simply no way around that firmware update.

    I believe the new firmware update link for version 1.0.1 for the iMac Core Duo (early 2006) on the "Downloads" page is meant to be the direct replacement for the old link for version 1.0.0, the key being that if this were a new version of the firmware it would be numbered 1.1 instead. I'm taking it that the installer version is what's different, not the actual firmware update. Confirmation for this theory is that the link at the Core Duo's main support page "iMac (Intel Core Duo) Support" for the firmware restoration CD 1.0 is still active and there is no new version for it. The now dead link for the old firmare update itself has not yet been updated.

    If I were you, I would do the firmware update and forget it. That's the best way to treat it. I would do that with any firmware update that Apple offered. In the recent past Apple has offered firmware updates for Airport and original Bluetooth modules, perhaps for other things I don't own. I'm glad I did them all.

    There may never be another firmware update for this iMac model in the future, but if there ever is a firmware update 1.1 for this machine, you'll need to first have this current 1.0 update installed. All the new iMac Core Duo's now being manufactured will already have this built into their logic boards, so not having your firmware updated essentially means that your iMac will no longer be the equal of the newly manufactured ones.

    Updating the firmware is a serious matter, and Apple would not have issued an update unless every machine should have it. It was not meant to be an option. Apple hasn't indicated so, but if the firmware update is meant to be had prior to installing next year's Leopard (10.5), or eventually for OS 11, then those who don't do the firmware update might be in deep dudu.

    Print out the instructions first.
  • by MacOnMaui,

    MacOnMaui MacOnMaui Apr 20, 2006 3:52 PM in response to dentate
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 20, 2006 3:52 PM in response to dentate
    I followed your advice about holding the power button, even though Apple says you can let go after the first flashing sequence when the update is about to begin. Everything worked perfectly and despite a woozy left index finger, I'm happy. Do I plan to run Windows on my Mac? Ewwwwww.
  • by boyneverstop,

    boyneverstop boyneverstop Apr 20, 2006 5:51 PM in response to mofli
    Level 1 (10 points)
    Apr 20, 2006 5:51 PM in response to mofli
    Please Read!!! Problem sloved!!!
    1. Go to Finder/Applications/Utilities
    2. Find iMac Firmware Updater
    3. Delete it!!!!!
    4. Install iMac Firmware Updater again!
    5. Do update!
    6. Done!!!

    This 100% works!! everybody try!!!
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