restore firmware for macbook pro 13 mid 2009

Question

restore firmware for macbook pro 13 mid 2009

Hello everyone!this is my first time using the support community so forgive me for any rudeness and sketchy english.

I recently purchased a used mid 2009 macbook pro 13" with no disc on it, i installed a new empty ssd 120 gb drive.

I asked a friend and he downloaded and made me a bootable usb with osx on it (lion). i successfully instaled the osx and got the macbook running and it was perfect.

I decide to update and went all the way to el capitan wich sucessfully installed. after the update i was trying it out, simple web browsing, when suddenly, out of nowere the mac shutdown (plenty of battery left and the led indicator confirmed it) and hasn't booted since... when i turn it on the led indicator flashes and it gives out the s.o.s beeping sound (3 short beeps followed by 3 long beeps and then 3 short beeps) the optical drive makes its usual looking for boot noises and the fan keeps spinning, i tried removing the battery for 10 minutes several time and nothing..i read a lot about ram issues tested with only one stick at a time in both slots and no improvements..bought a fresh pair of 2gb 1066mhz hynix pc3-8500 ddr3 sticks as recommended for this model and replaced the old ones..did nothing.

I have no original discs just the macbook itself and charger.Also tried booting from the usb drive ..no good.. tried booting in revovery mode..nothing only black screen and beeping sounds.

I have researched and read a looooot online and in apple discussions such as this, and found it to be the sound warning for bad/corrupt efi rom(as opposed to the majority of people stating it was a ram issue) wich needs to be restored or flashed..however apple doesnt provide or at least i cant seem to find a restore cd image for my particular model i know it's the macbook 5.1 (a1278/ emc2254). Is there no solution for this? please help in any way you can suggestions welcome!

Thanks

MacBook Pro, OS X El Capitan (10.11.4), mid 2009 13"

Posted on Apr 20, 2016 5:38 AM

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Answer 1

Apr 28, 2017 3:32 PM in response to luís castel'branco

I'm sorry that you have had this experience with a Level 10 withholding the problem from you, and providing you with completely unhelpful and inaccurate advise. Not sure how these "Levels" are determined, apparently it's just how much time someone has to play around in forums. i usually do not leave feedback or comments, i'm far too busy, but reading this post that i stumbled upon unintentionally, has left me feeling quite frustrated by the attitude you got from the person posting snooty responses here.

S.O.S means the RAM is damaged. Replace the ram and it should work. Apple will NOT service this computer, as it is considered vintage. nor will an authorized service provider. If you are wanting to be extra careful, get an antistatic wrist wrap. they are very easily available for less than 5 bucks on amazon. the ram you need is DDR3, get two of the 4GB cards, or two of the 2GB cards. replace the ones you have, try again, let me know. The other dude posting here very clearly knew that your assumption was wrong, and it's unfortunate that he was more interested in calling you out on it than helping you reach a resolution. I wish i would have seen this a year ago, i would have done my best to provide advice that actually HELPED you rather than just making you think my medication needed adjusted.

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Answer 2

Apr 20, 2016 5:46 AM in response to luís castel'branco

You say this is a MacBook Pro but then at the end of your post you say this is a MacBook. Check which model you have.

About EFI and SMC firmware updates for Intel-based Mac computers - https://support.apple.com/HT201518

What do all those "beeps mean at start up? - http://forum.insanelymac.com/lofiversion/index.php/t62919.html

Power On Self-Test Beep Definition - Part 2 - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1547 - older Macs

Intel-based Mac Power On Self Test RAM error codes - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2341

iMac (Mid 2007) and later models: About startup tones - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2538

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Answer 3

Apr 20, 2016 5:57 AM in response to Limnos

sorry about the confusion, i meant macbook pro 13" mid 2009, according to everymac.com model identifier (used serial number).

Since it wont boot, all i get is a black screen and those sounds when i power it on. It is literally morse code for s.o.s. all i've read in thousands of miscellaneous post and different sites indicated corrupt or bad efi rom.

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Answer 4

Duane

Level 10

124,293 points

Apr 20, 2016 10:45 AM in response to luís castel'branco

Where are you reading all these posts of corrupted ROM? I have been using Macs and helping in these discussions for quite a while and I never recall a situation where the ROM was corrupted.

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Answer 5

Apr 20, 2016 12:13 PM in response to Duane

Im sorry because im not very experienced i ve only been using macs for a couple of years and might have misread it but basically i ve reas that 9 beeps on this and other models from the same time indicates its in efi recovery mode . 9 beeps "S.O.S." at start up. EFI ROM recovery mode

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Answer 6

Duane

Level 10

124,293 points

Apr 20, 2016 12:21 PM in response to luís castel'branco

That is only a single post with a guess from JPseattle with no other evidence. It could be exactly what he said but I am not convinced.

When you are mucking around the insides of the MacBook Pro you have a good chance of damaging parts with static electricity. Very small charges that you can't feel can wreak havoc with the electronics.

I think that the best way chance of repairing this MacBook Pro is to take it into Apple or an Apple authorized service center.

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