Apple updates iMac Firmware to fix freezes

In an attempt to fix on-going system freezes, Apple on Thursday released its iMac Graphics Firmware Update 1.0 for 20-inch and 24-inch aluminum iMac computers with the ATI Radeon HD 2600 Pro graphics. The company said the update -- which updates the graphics firmware on the ATI Radeon HD 2600 Pro to improve system stability -- is designed for systems running Mac OS X 10.4.10 with iMac Software Update 1.2.1 or Leopard with iMac Software Update 1.3. Specifically, it updates the graphics firmware on the ATI Radeon HD 2600 PRO card to address issues that may have caused the computer to freeze, Apple said. However, the company noted that not every 20-inch and 24-inch aluminum iMac computer requires this update, saying that the update will automatically present itself if required (after applying the previous Tiger and Leopard updates).

The appears to dispel circulating reports that the freeze issue was hardware-based and could potentially forcing to swap out components in their systems.

The update comes on the heels of months of frustration by users with Apple's newest iMac desktops. Apple last month responded indirectly to the iMac freezing report by acknowledging the continued problems, which it said a "small number" of users are experiencing with the consumer desktop. The first Tiger iMac fix was later updated to address some update-specific issues.

Filed under: software