SMC firmware update for 2007-2008 MacBooks now available

When my wife got a new 2009 MacBook to replace her dead 2007 model, one minor irritation I had with the new MacBook was that its wall charger no longer worked with my Early 2008 MacBook Pro. That's no longer an issue; today, Apple issued an SMC firmware update for 2007-2008 MacBooks and MacBook Pros which allows them to charge using the newer MagSafe adapters.

MacBook SMC Firmware Update 1.4 is available either through Software Update or via direct download, and is applicable to the following models:

MacBook (13-inch Late 2007)
MacBook Pro (17-inch, Early 2008)
MacBook Pro (15-inch Early 2008)
MacBook (13-inch, Early 2008)
MacBook (13-inch, Late 2008)

The update weighs in at a paltry 178 KB, but it does require a restart. I can confirm the update works as advertised, because my MacBook Pro is merrily whirring along while plugged into my wife's MacBook's MagSafe port. Hooray for unexpected fixes!

[via Mac|Life]

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Source: http://support.apple.com/kb/TS3499

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When my wife got a new 2009 MacBook to replace her dead 2007 model, one minor irritation I had with the new MacBook was that its wall...

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EricO

Now that I installed the update, my Macbook runs hot at idle and the fan won't stop. What's good about this firmware update again?

October 12 2010 at 1:29 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Juan Corral

this should have came out sooner, before my mac died

October 08 2010 at 11:43 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

HandyMac

The "direct download" link in the article is for the MacBooks; here's the one for the MacBook Pros:
http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1311

October 08 2010 at 7:20 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Ffanatic

Now if they could only travel back in time and fix the logic board and/or Nvidia graphics chip issue!

October 08 2010 at 1:37 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

I think the computer sends a signal back to the charger to initiate the charge. With both Positive and Negative leads being exposed, you wouldn't want them providing the full voltage when it isn't plugged in.

Just skimmed over the Wiki article about it and it indeed says that with no load the voltage is dropped to 6.8 vs. the full 16.5volts.

October 08 2010 at 1:17 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

gtdavemac

The MacBooks in question would stop charging based on a certain set of conditions, usually opening from sleep without the charger being in, and would then not charge until the battery was removed.

October 08 2010 at 1:08 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply