Filed under: Software Update, Mac Pro
Mac Pro EFI Firmware Update 1.3
Yesterday, Apple gave Mac Pro owners an EFI Firmware update. Here's what Apple says about the update: This update fixes several issues to improve the stability of Mac Pro (Early 2008) computers.
To complete the firmware update process, please follow the instructions in the updater application (/Applications/Utilities/Mac Pro EFI Firmware Update.app). The updater will launch automatically when the Installer closes.
To download the firmware updater, open Software update or download the installer package from Apple's support downloads website.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
lane said 1:05PM on 3-29-2008
NOTE: You must have a GUID partition Scheme to update the firmware. Mine does not, althought it's the default hard drive that came with my Early Jan 2008 Mac Pro.(?)
Here is a link describing what you're options are if this is your case as well:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=303609
Make sure to do a backup!!!! Just in Case.
I tried to install and it went fine, but after reboot the Rom version didn't change, it stayed at MP31.006C.B02
not MP31.006C.B05
Faslane
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koko76 said 2:13PM on 3-29-2008
You have to hold the power switch after it shuts down until the light flashes, then release like the instructions say. Otherwise it doesn't actually update things. I failed to get this the first time or two, and kept checking the Rom version only to find it was the same.
Ben said 1:11PM on 3-29-2008
Installed the update on my early 2008 yesterday without problems. Running on a Samsung F1 1TB that replaced my OEM Seagate 320GB.
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lane said 3:58PM on 3-29-2008
Okay All went fine with me, I had to install Leopard to an external drive and partition it using the GUID format, then run software update as the Firmware update requires the the running os be 10.5.2. After doing so, launched the Firmware update, hit the shutdown button, waited for MAc to shut down. Press and HOLD until the light on the power button flashes then release. Right after I released I heard the beep tones (i think it's just whatever happens first, the blink or the tone). then Mac started up and I had the latest firmware installed WITHOUT having to reformat my existing Main Hard drive and reinstall everything, woohoo!!
Good luck and backup just in case...your "mileage" may vary.
Faslane.
It could be me just hoping, but the Mac Pro seems a bit snappier opening apps (not that it was slow to begin with ;-) ) Just curious, has anyone else noticed a speed "bump"? It might just be that I think I am noticing one because it said it fixed reliablility, who knows...
Good Luck.
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CJH said 3:07PM on 3-29-2008
What about us non-2008 users? Mine is from mid 2006. Does this do anything for us?
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lane said 3:57PM on 3-29-2008
I Believe it's only for the Early Janurary 2008 Mac Pros as stated in the description.
Faslane
lane said 4:00PM on 3-29-2008
"This update fixes several issues to improve the stability of Mac Pro (Early 2008) computers."
I think the older Firmware updates for your machine have already addressed the issues (if any)
Faslane
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stu said 5:06AM on 3-30-2008
Does anyone here know if this has improved performance in Logic Pro 8??
I've had one of the Mac Pros since January and it seems to be really slow working within Logic, even the simplest tasks I get the spinning wheel?
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homerfromhawley said 9:34PM on 4-07-2008
Has Apple always been this weak with descriptions of updates. Fixes WHAT stability issues.
btw, had no issues installing it.
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