Can't install SMC firmware 1.1 update

I am a technology teacher at an elementary school. These Macbooks arrived in an Apple box directly from Apple. I plugged them into our ethernet, gave registered them with Apple & proceeded to update each laptop. The first firmware update proceeded without event. Then a second firmware update, 1.1, I believe is where everything came to a screeching halt. I don't know what else to tell you. There they sit...unable to get beyound the second firmware update & an X on th battery icon, which means the laptop batteries cannot be used. I'm writing to you on one of the working laptops that arrived this week from the very same batch.

Hmm. The quickest path to an answer would be for you to call Apple. If you want to continue to get input from the forum, I suggest starting a new thread.

I have an original Core Duo MacBook, so I'm not sure if there have been any firmware updates for the newer Core 2 Duos, although I think there have not. The SMC firmware update 1.1 referenced in the topic of this thread is only for the older Core Duos.

Perhaps the computers are refurbished instead of new? If you click on About This Mac from the Apple menu, More Info, and look at the Hardware info, it will tell you if it is a Core Duo or Core 2 Duo, and what the existing versions of the two types of firmware are ("Boot ROM" and "SMC"). The latest versions are listed here:

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=303880

Rereading the thread, you must have refurbished machines. It is possible to burn a firmware restore CD:

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=303469

If that doesn't work, contact Apple. A failed firmware install can sometimes require a hardware repair (logic board replacement).