MBA mid 2011 2.9 Firmware update just killed by Air

Are you now running the new firmware or still the old one? Does your App Store window no longer ask for a firmware update to be executed?

It is very interesting that you mention three SMC resets specifically.

App Store shows that the update was completed. I had tried many other things until I saw the three SMC resets and it magically worked.

Just a quick update, it would appear Apple may have done something to the update on the Software Update page, as it's no longer showing as an available update for this MBA, even though it failed on the previous installation attempts.

It's still up at this link:

http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1756

Not sure if Apple pulled it off, or if it's just now being flagged by this MBA as installed, though System Information is still showing the original B0F EFI.

You may want to do three SMC resets. Please let us know if it works and shows the new version. If you succeed then I know what the issue is.

AlaskaTom should be watching this as well.

This person had to wait almost 45 minutes - MB Air firmware update - not restarting

I've just left work, and the MBA is sitting on my desk, so I'll have to try this tomorrow morning. I have an Apple support call scheduled for 10:30a tomorrow as well.

Loner T, thanks again for all you do here. I'm waiting for my son to call so I can guide him; I'll report back.

Same here.

You may also want to try the three SMC reset technique after applying the upgrade.

It's alive! It's ALIVE!!!

All day nothing would power on my son's Macbook Air, but he did the following 3 times in succession, patiently allowing time for signs of life, and now he has a working MacBook Air again. Thanks to all, especially to Loner T for your help on this. He was really in a spot.

Specifically, doing this 3 times is what brought back his MacBook Air:

1. Shut down the computer.

2. Plug in the MagSafe power adapter to a power source, connecting it to the Mac if its not already connected

3. On the built-in keyboard, press the (left side) Shift-Control-Option keys and the power button at the same time

4. Release all the keys and the power button at the same time

5. Press the power button to turn on the computer.

Note: The LED on the MagSafe power adapter may change states or temporarily turn off when you reset the SMC.

Very happy to hear that worked out for you!

Now I'm going to try this triple SMC reset on the MBA I have on my desk at work tomorrow morning, and then see if I can update to the latest firmware.

Hmm, I thought I had an expensive hunk of metal junk after successfully installing (the big green tick) this update. I had no reason to suspect the installation would stymie my MBA. I relied upon Apple's instruction "if you're not sure .... simply download and open the update installer. The installer will alert you if the firmware update is already installed or not needed." No such alert was posted. My MBA would not restart initially. Dead as a dodo. It restarted itself after about an hour while recharging its battery. Very scary! System Information confirms the update has NOT been installed.I am not trying the update again, as I have never experienced the problems the update is supposed to solve. In fact, I am not going to install any update without checking online to see if there are any problems.

Now the update is not longer shown as available, but ROM version is still the old one...

Will there be another version fixing the bugs with awake from sleep and so?

Apple seems to have removed the update a few hours ago. It's no longer shown in the Mac App Store Software Update Section.

Let's see what happens...

AlaskaTom7 wrote:

It's alive! It's ALIVE!!!

Short Circuit, I believe. 😉

Glad it works.

It may not be in the App Store, but it is still available at the direct link as posted earlier. Will keep an eye on it. The embedded scripts have omitted the SMC resets and the machine becomes alive, after time outs which are pretty long. badabing_qc's decision to 'unbrick' worked. Apple should have tested better.

In most cases, the very soft fan noise is indicative that the hardware is up, but just waiting for a timer to expire.