Q: Cannot upgrade Thunderbolt firmware on mid-2011 iMac
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Apr 21, 2015 11:10 AMby jeffmefun,Additional information that might help anyone who might be able to help me...
The iMac's Thunderbolt port:
- Supports the Thunderbolt Gigabit Ethernet adapter
- Does not seem to work with:
-- Target display mode (either to my MacBook Pro or from my MBP)
-- Target disk mode (either to my MBP or from my MBP)
I have verified that the cable works with my MBP in a trip to an Apple Store.
Thanks, Jeff
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Apr 21, 2015 11:14 AMby rkaufmann87,Use the Mac App Store's update section if any updates are needed that is where you get them. If none show up then it is very simple, none are needed for your system.
Your posts don't state what the original problem is that you are attempting to resolve by updating the firmware. Perhaps letting us know what that is would get you on the right path.
Finally, you are not communicating with Apple on these forums, we are all end users just like you.
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Apr 21, 2015 11:25 AMby jeffmefun,Hi Rkaufmann87 - thanks for the reply.
My original post indicates that I wasn't able to use the iMac for Target Display Mode or for Gigabit Ethernet connectivity - is that what you were looking for? I also just added clarification that the Ethernet adapter is working, but that Target Disk Mode - in addition to Target Display Mode - is not working.
The assertion that no updates are needed because the App Store doesn't say I need any isn't necessarily true, as it implies that the App Store and local machine reporting can never have state issues, which is rarely the case in any computer system.
The most reassuring way (for me) that I could confirm or deny that the App Store update process is working properly for me is if I could compare the proper Thunderbolt firmware version on my system report (in my case, d.16 (Eng 1)) to a version known to be correct for a mid-2011 iMac (in the case of my MBP laptop, 17.1).
Also - I hope I didn't indicate that I was looking for communications from Apple - that's why I said "anyone." Is there something that led you to make that clarification?
Thanks! Jeff
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Apr 21, 2015 11:27 AMby rkaufmann87,The answer to that question is very simple, a 2011 21.5" iMac does not support TDM. In 2011, only 27" iMacs supported TDM. Please carefully read the Target Display Mode: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) - Apple Support.
Sorry to disappoint but that is the correct answer.
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Apr 21, 2015 11:32 AMby jeffmefun,From that very page, it appears that this model does support Target Display Mode - please see the bold text below.
Am I reading it incorrectly?
Thanks for your help here - it's good to have more than 1 set of eyes looking at this!
- Jeff
What are the requirements for TDM?
- A Mac notebook or desktop with a Mini DisplayPort or Thunderbolt connection
- A Thunderbolt or Mini DisplayPort cable
- A supported iMac with OS X 10.6.1 or later. The table below shows iMac computers that support TDM, the required cables, and the port of the computer to which you are connecting the iMac.
iMac Model
Cable Supported
Port on Source Computer
iMac (27-inch Late 2009)
Mini DisplayPort to Mini DisplayPort
Mini DisplayPort or Thunderbolt
iMac (27-inch Mid 2010)
Mini DisplayPort to Mini DisplayPort
Mini DisplayPort or Thunderbolt
iMac (Mid 2011)
Thunderbolt to Thunderbolt
Thunderbolt
iMac (Mid 2012 and later) Thunderbolt to Thunderbolt Thunderbolt -
Apr 21, 2015 11:40 AMby jeffmefun,Can you provide a reference for your assertion?
You suggested I read a page carefully, even though I had already done that and even though the page didn't support your assertion. Why?
This post seems to indicate that 21.5" iMacs do indeed support Target Display Mode (assuming that the mid-2011 iMacs were still in Apple stores in Feb 2012).
Also, the original question is asking about the Thunderbolt port firmware. The second post indicated that Target Disk Mode wasn't working either.
Do you know if Target Disk Mode should work with a 21.5" mid-2011 iMac?
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Apr 21, 2015 11:43 AMby rkaufmann87,jeffmefun wrote:
Can you provide a reference for your assertion?
10 years of helping folks on this forum and knowledge from helping hundreds of other 2011 21.5" iMac users attempting to use TDM. If you are looking for something specific from Apple, then I'd recommend calling AppleCare (paid call) and they will verify my assertion.
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Apr 21, 2015 11:52 AMby jeffmefun,Rkaufmann87 - I'm not questioning your experience or commitment, those are much appreciated and your service here speaks for itself. I was only asking for the source for what you've said. And, I've only asked for that information after a source you provided that was supposed to back up what you said did not, in fact, back up what you were saying.
Btw... less than 6 months ago, you posted on this forum that a mid-2011 iMac (my model) _should work_ in TDM mode:
From: Use 21.5 in. iMac as an external display for macbook pro
In short, your 2010 21.5" iMac simply will not work in TDM. Please refer to the links Kappy provided above. The only 21.5" iMacs that support TDM are 2011 and later machines with Thunderbolt connections. Look over the FAQ provided and it will provide a complete list of compatible Macs.
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Apr 21, 2015 12:17 PMby rkaufmann87,BTW, what device are you attempting to connect your 2011 21.5" iMac to? If it is another Thunderbolt equipped Mac it should work, however if you are attempting to connect to ANYTHING else it will not work, perhaps that is where the error is? The devil is in the details as confirmed in the FAQ.
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Apr 21, 2015 4:04 PMby jeffmefun,From my second post:
he iMac's Thunderbolt port:
...
- Does not seem to work with:
-- Target display mode (either to my MacBook Pro or from my MBP)
My MacBook Pro is a Late 2013 MBP Retina 15".
So, it's a Thunderbolt-equipped device. I agree... from everything I've read on the web, it _should_ work.
But it's not. Which is why I'm posting!
Thanks for your persistence in asking clarifying questions!
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Jul 21, 2015 11:58 AMby jmdaniel,Did you ever get any resolution on this one? Or on your other thread? I agree that there is nothing I've run across that states the mid 2011 21.5" iMac won't run TDM, including your link above, directly from Apple, or sites like:
http://www.tekrevue.com/tip/ins-outs-imacs-target-display-mode/
I'm trying to link a (no surprise...) mid 2011 21.5" iMac to a 2015 MBP Retina, and have not had much luck. Was hoping someone had a solution.
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Jul 21, 2015 12:23 PMby rkaufmann87,jmdaniel wrote:
Did you ever get any resolution on this one? Or on your other thread? I agree that there is nothing I've run across that states the mid 2011 21.5" iMac won't run TDM, including your link above, directly from Apple, or sites like:
http://www.tekrevue.com/tip/ins-outs-imacs-target-display-mode/
I'm trying to link a (no surprise...) mid 2011 21.5" iMac to a 2015 MBP Retina, and have not had much luck. Was hoping someone had a solution.
You can continue trying but as I told the OP the only 2011 iMacs that support TDM are the 27" models.
You can continue to search if you would like but that is the stark reality. You can always contact Apple to verify this of course. You can also Google "imac 21.5 mid 2011 target display mode" and you will find thread after thread of users asking the same question, all with the same results...it does not work on 21.5" 2011 iMacs!
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Jul 21, 2015 2:42 PMby jmdaniel,That's cool, that's your opinion, and you certainly have knowledge and experience with Apple products. However, a lot of others, (including Apple), say the mid 2011 iMac does work with TDM. I knew your opinion on the topic, as stated here, but I also read where you stated, on 11/4/2014, that the mid 2011 21.5" WOULD work. It seems you are of both opinions, so I was simply asking the OP what he was able to find out.
