Apple updates iMac Firmware to fix freezes
updated 03:55 pm EST, Thu November 15, 2007
iMac Graphics Firmware 1.0
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.
all your firmware...
11/15, 06:05pm reply
...are belong to us.
SubPop
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jan 2006
Then,
11/15, 10:25pm reply
Can one update to 10.4.11 after this firmware update??
chotty
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jan 2003
It is working for me...
11/15, 10:40pm reply
Installed this firmware patch and then updated to 10.4.11. So far so good. :)
dslund
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Nov 2007
Odd
11/15, 11:59pm reply
On restart, all worked as should insofar as the firmware patch was concerned, but I had to sync my bluetooth keyboard once the boot-up was done. Odd.
No big deal-just saying is all.
Otherwise, this 2.8 Ghz iMac is one awesome piece of computing goodness.
Monde
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jan 2004
One more thing
11/16, 12:02am reply
I never had the freezing issues. Also, to an earlier post. I did the update first, then the firmware patch. Dunno if it matters, but they were released in that order, so it only stands to reason to install them that way. Yet, I'm not sure if a firmware update would have any bearing on the OS update. Good question though.
Monde
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jan 2004
Slower?
11/16, 02:08pm reply
The question is, does this update affect the performance of the graphics card? As if it was related to an over heating problem then Apple might simply have slowed it down to keep it cool.
nikstar101
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2001
In most cases
11/16, 04:06pm reply
So far, in most cases the numbers are near identical(within margin of error). I'm getting frame rates of 70+ on the visualizer in iTunes. Speed mark scores posted on MRs confirms this.
Dunno what the problem was, but this patch apparently fixes it.
Monde
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jan 2004