MBA mid 2011 2.9 Firmware update just killed by Air

Loner T, many thanks for keeping track of this thread and consistently providing invaluable information.

Does the power cycling procedure (Apple support article TS5457) results in completion of the EFI 2.9 Firmware update installation or just allows rebooting after a failed installation?

It should allow the firmware update completion. You should be able to verify it in the install.log file mentioned a couple pages earlier in this thread. If you still have issues, please update this thread, and we can try and assist based on your specific logs.

Thanks for your immediate response.

My MBA seems to be working OK after a failed installation x 2 (and received notification update was still needed until Apple removed the update). What would you recommend: Should I attempt the power up procedure to complete the installation of Firmware 2.9 or wait for another Apple Firmware update?

Everyone on this thread has been very helpful. I know I speak for many when I say that forums like these really do help solve problems. Thank you!

The underlying issues with noisy fan and coming back from sleep don't appear to have been fixed for my MBA. Hopefully they will come out with an additional update (2.9.x or whatever) that truly addresses the issues.

I do find it funny though, how Apple considers this -> MacBook Air (Mid 2011) shows a black screen after trying to install EFI Update 2.9 a "knowledgebase" article. How to power down and power up your machine? Wow. 😁

If this is the only device that you have access to and have no alternative device available, in case this does not work, Zantac_150 and EdisonW have two opposite results. YMMV.

Since you have a partial update, during the course of normal work, you MBA may be rebooted and may provide some instability. I would suggest doing the procedure, but your issues may get worse.

Is there a way to easily find out which EFI Firmware version (i.e., 2.9 vs prior) is currently installed in my MBA?

Yes, it is in the install.log and also in About This Mac -> More Info -> System Report -> Hardware.

Determining BootROM or Firmware Version

EFI and SMC firmware updates for Intel-based Macs

Loner T: Once again, very useful info.

Since I have other devices and my MBA is currently working fine I will check which Firmware version is actually installed before deciding if I should complete the installation of buggy 2.9 (by following above procedure) or wait for Apple to provide newer Firmware update.

Thanks!!

Albert

I don't believe you can "complete" the installation, as Apple has pulled the update.

If it were me, I would wait until Apple re-releases this EFI in a fixed form and then go ahead with the update IMHO.

There is an update now available - http://9to5mac.com/2014/07/30/apple-re-releases-macbook-air-efi-2-9-update-after -bugs-discovered/?pushup=1

even though I do not see it on the Apple web site.

I suggest one person on this thread who has a non-working MBA try it and provide an update.

Just installed the new update available since today in the software update section. Installed without a problem under 10.10 public beta.

Thanks for the confirmation, matt_nbg 😎

I downloaded update 2.9.1 and it fix all the previous bugs associated to 2.9

Is 2.9 a pre-requisite for 2.9.1 or is it a complete package, DavidOGT?

According to this:

MacBook Air EFI Firmware Update 2.9.1

The system requirement for the update is: MBA41.0077.B11, which I believe was last weeks EFI 2.9 that would not install on most MBAs, and that Apple later removed.

The new 2.9.1 shows up in App Store software updates, even though I never succeed installing the EFI 2.9,

I really don't know if I dare try to install 2.9.1.

Jens