MBA mid 2011 2.9 Firmware update just killed by Air

I had the same problems as reported earlier. EFI update showed up on the App Store, after installing it I had the fear that my MacBook Air was bricked because I couldn't start it up. At some point it just restarted. The Update showed up again in the AppStore... Firmware is still the same as before.

Firmware Update and the MacBook Air EFI Firmware Update 2.9 link got removed now.

The link is still here:

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

Jens

I never got a call from an Apple Engineer after rescheduling. No point now since the upgrade was taken down. Clearly Apple knows they screwed the pooch on this one.

The Apple engineers already knew, but should have had the courtesy to call you back with... 'Yes, we know about the firmware issue..." line.

I won't argue with that. Customer service fail on Apple's part for sure. 😠

Since the firmware update 2.9 I'm having several issues.

• Computer is running very hot
• Battery charger is very hot
• MBA won't automatically detect known Wifi networks

Sorry, you are right. Thanks for the information!

Only the link pointing there from this discussion (shown under related articles) is dead.

The exact problems the firmware update is supposed to fix. From http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1756

"This update is recommended for MacBook Air (Mid 2011) models. This update addresses an issue where systems may take longer to wake from sleep than expected and fixes a rare issue that may cause fans to run at full speed after waking from sleep."

I don't really understand your reply, Loner.

Apologies, but what I am saying is that the update is supposed to address the 'full speed' fans and 'wake and sleep' issues (which also impacts the wifi radio and hence the wifi connectivity). Instead it has made your situation worse than on the older version of the firmware.

If you have AppleCare and have an Apple Store close by, I would recommend a trip and have a Genius look at your MBAir. You can certainly get a free diagnosis, if you do not have coverage.

Reverting to the older version is not officially supported, as noted in About the Firmware Restoration CD (Intel-based Macs).

Note: This CD cannot be used to return an Intel-based Macintosh computer's firmware to a previous version if a successful update has already been performed.

Hello Loner T,

I've just gotten off the phone with Apple L2 Support, and they have confirmed they've identified the issue, and as of right now, the update has been pulled from both the App Store Software Updates and the Apple Support downloads section.

Apparently they believe the wrong EFI may have been packaged and tagged for the 2011 models, but they couldn't confirm that 100%. Engineering is working on a replacement EFI and will post it when it's ready soon.

Thank you. If that is the case, I would not recommend doing the SMC-reset-3-times procedure, but continue running with the old firmware till an updated version is available from Apple. (It is still available here though - http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1756. This should also be removed. Let the L2 folks at Apple know, if you talk to them again).

rozalie_m is running into issues with the updated version, and I think others also will.

To quote Jason's post - "Clearly Apple knows they screwed the pooch on this one."

Yeah that does seem to be the case, as Apple admitted to it on the call.

Hopefully they'll re-release EFI 2.9 in short order and get those people like rozalie_m straightened out.

As the MBA I have on my desk seems to be purring along just fine now, I won't go for the SMC x3 reset procedure. I'll just get it setup for the owner and hand it back, and we'll look at the EFI update when the time comes.

Cheers

I just found this thread through this article http://appleinsider.com/articles/14/07/22/users-report-install-crashing-issues-w ith-latest-macbook-air-efi-update

I installed the update yesterday or the day before. It failed to install properly and crashed my MacBook. Stupidly, I tried to install the update 3 more times as I did not realise that there was a known issue with this update.

Although I think I may have a mid 2012 model or it could be a 2011 model. Not 100 per cent sure. Anyway, after the update I was able to start my MacBook. However, since then I have noticed that my MacBook has been crashing constantly. It crashes doing some very basic stuff.

I am really angry with Apple with all the updates. I used to a Microsoft Windows user many years ago. I remember Microsoft Windows had a notorious reputation for constantly releasing updates which would often ruin peoples computers. I am finding the same is now becoming true of Apple. Apple now release updates on a regular basis. And none seem to really benefit my Mac that much.

The EFI update writers need to put in a simple check in the pre-install and try and match the machine model available from sysctl as follows. It should prevent someone accidentally installing an EFI update for MBA 2011 on a MBA 2012. You can find your model in About This Mac. The system requirements section of this update is also erroneous and does not specify the correct old versions of the firmware to which this update can be applied.

sysctl -a hw.model

hw.model: MacBookPro11,3