Firmware Help

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Level 1

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Firmware Help

Hi again,
My question this time has to do with firmware.First, I am not totally sure of what this is and does. Second, the issue I am having is this: I have a 233 Bondi with 128MB that I believe I forgot to update the firmware on when I got it. It had 9.2 installed already then I just went right onto installing 10.3. After doing so, I went to restart after the install and the only screen that would come up is gray-white in color with the phrase "failed to boot" among other things. It does say I have firmware version 3.0.f3 and the build date. After a bit of research here in the forum I found a link about resetting the nvram. When I do that I am able to boot into OS X but each time I shut down the same "failed to boot" screen appears. I since wiped the hard drive and tried to install just 10.3 without 9.2, this worked but I am still getting the same screen. Now my question, If I wipe the hard drive again, install 9.2, then update firmware from there, then reinstall 10.3 would this fix the problem? Or am I stuck? Or is there another way to fix this?
Thank you for any ideas and help. As usual this place is a wealth of knowledge.

iMac Strawberry 333mhz, Mac OS X (10.0.x), 1 GB Nano, 512 mb Shuffle x 2

Posted on Apr 15, 2006 2:02 PM

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Answer 1

Apr 15, 2006 2:34 PM in response to gmakc4

Hello! yes that will probably work but you're wasting your time on a 233 with 128 meg of ram. It will run much better on OS9.2.2 than OSX because of the slow processor and minimal ram. I tried Panther on a 333 with 512 megs of ram but it was so slow I went on to something else. Tom

Panther Firmware

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Answer 2

Apr 15, 2006 4:05 PM in response to gmakc4

Hi, I'm with thomas on this. 128MB is just not enough and then the slow processor.

Try adding more RAM - 9.2 will run a lot better!

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Answer 3

gmakc4 Author

Level 1

0 points

Apr 15, 2006 5:24 PM in response to gmakc4

Ok, I will get more ram. But if I understand you both my thought of fixing this should work? Or is there another procedure I should follow?
Thank you both for your thoughts.

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Answer 4

Apr 15, 2006 7:40 PM in response to gmakc4

Hello again

When you install the RAM, also replace the battery.

Personally I think you are better sticking to OS9 rather than going to 10. and yes I don't see why it shouldn't work.

Let us know though.

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Answer 5

Ron JACKLE

Level 7

33,445 points

Apr 16, 2006 12:47 AM in response to gmakc4

gmakc4...

"It does say I have firmware version 3.0.f3 and the build date."

Geez! You left out the most important thing with reference to that. The darn date!

The iMac 333 later production models was shipped with 3.0.f3 version with the build date of- 07/16/99. That is a final factory iMac 333MHz update because in October of 99 Apple rolled out the new slot loading iMac computer, discontinuing the tray loading models.

Now there was some oddities in users trying to install Mac OS 10 with that factory updated firmware. I recall one user took the extreme measure of replacing the CPU card with one that had the 3.0.f2, build date 04/23/99. Now anything before that date such as 3.0.f10, build date 03/05/99 requires the firmware update.

Now firmware dates are very important here. Specific versions like 3.0.f3, build date 12/02/98 may not have pertained the iMac 333MHz model. (Likely the- 233 or 266MHz models)

...Ron

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Answer 6

Apr 22, 2006 11:31 PM in response to Ron JACKLE

Ron,

I also have a 333 iMac with 512Ram and am having no luck installing 10.2. I have described the symptoms in another thread (333 trayloader & OS X).

I read your note about the later 333's and their firmware incongruencies and suspect I may have one.

The Sytem profiler says I have Boot ROM version 3.0.f3. File Version is 8.4. I don't know where to look for the build date. I have tried to install the updater and get the message that the Updater doesn't recognize my firmware and I may already have a newer version.

Does this mean I cannot install OSX?

Thanks, Rob

gmakc4...

"It does say I have firmware version
3.0.f3 and the build date."

Geez! You left out the most important thing with
reference to that. The darn date!

The iMac 333 later production models was shipped
with 3.0.f3 version with the build date of- 07/16/99.
That is a final factory iMac 333MHz update because in
October of 99 Apple rolled out the new slot loading
iMac computer, discontinuing the tray loading models.

Now there was some oddities in users trying to
install Mac OS 10 with that factory updated firmware.
I recall one user took the extreme measure of
replacing the CPU card with one that had the 3.0.f2,
build date 04/23/99. Now anything before that
date such as 3.0.f10, build date 03/05/99
requires the firmware update.

Now firmware dates are very important here. Specific
versions like 3.0.f3, build date 12/02/98 may not
have pertained the iMac 333MHz model. (Likely the-
233 or 266MHz models)

...Ron

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Answer 7

Apr 22, 2006 11:47 PM in response to Ron JACKLE

Ron,

Looked through some older post and saw your explanation about how to check the build date.

I do indeed have a 3.0.f3 version with the 7/16/99 build date.

Is there no way to install OS X on this machine without changing the CPU card?

Thanks, Rob

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Answer 8

Ron JACKLE

Level 7

33,445 points

Apr 23, 2006 10:06 PM in response to Rob Di Stasio

Rob Di Stasio...

A second Mac with the affected iMac HD in it. However keep in mind any partition requirements for the iMac tray loaders.

It is also possible to pull an older card to permit install then change back after getting it passed the setup from a restart.

Just be prepared for any odd behavior otherwise a different CPU card would be needed for system reliability.

...Ron

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Answer 9

Apr 24, 2006 6:41 AM in response to Ron JACKLE

Rob Di Stasio...

A second Mac with the affected iMac HD in it. However
keep in mind any partition requirements for the iMac
tray loaders.

It is also possible to pull an older card to permit
install then change back after getting it passed the
setup from a restart.

Just be prepared for any odd behavior otherwise a
different CPU card would be needed for system
reliability.

Ron,

I was under the impression that since the 333 has a 6Gb HD no partitionng was required, am I incorrect?

Thanks, Rob

...Ron

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Answer 10

Ron JACKLE

Level 7

33,445 points

Apr 24, 2006 9:23 AM in response to Rob Di Stasio

Rob Di Stasio...

"I was under the impression that since the 333 has a 6Gb HD no partitionng was required, am I incorrect?"

My related statement ;
"However keep in mind any partition requirements for the iMac tray loaders."

My statement was based on a conditions of necessity. A 6GB HD doesn't need partitioning only those larger than 8GB.

...Ron

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Answer 11

May 6, 2006 9:42 AM in response to Ron JACKLE

It is also possible to pull an older card to permit
install then change back after getting it passed the
setup from a restart.

Ron,

Are you talking about the "daughter card" that's removed when replacing memory on the under slot?

If so I have a spar from a 266 machine that I can use. If I leave it in there will it negatively affect performance? processor speed?

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Answer 12

Ron JACKLE

Level 7

33,445 points

May 6, 2006 3:37 PM in response to Rob Di Stasio

Rob Di Stasio...

"Are you talking about the "daughter card" that's removed when replacing memory on the under slot?"

Yes!

"If I leave it in there will it negatively affect performance? processor speed?"

Well, it is a tad slower of a processor so you be the judge. Just keep in mind it is the Apple Installers that will give you the fits if they are written to check for the firmware versions. That may or may not affect updaters of the 333MHz CPU card if it is in use.

...Ron

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Answer 13

May 6, 2006 5:42 PM in response to Ron JACKLE

Well, I've tried everything else, even got new memory.

Last resort plan , put in the daughter card from a 266hz that's been updated, install 256 RAM, attempt install. If sucessful, switch daughter card back to original, install the other 256, get drunk.

Will report on results.

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