PowerMac G5 Firmware Update (5.1.4)

WoooOOOoo HoooOOoOOOoo

Ooh... nice. Actually, it doesn't sound like anything I've had problems with, so maybe it won't make any difference to me. I'll just wait till some other people install it to make sure nothing disasterous happens.

Any update is good news I guess despite the fact I don't even have a G5.

Um, bad news for the Big Mac cluster.
Wow. You have any idea how long it'll take to firmware flash/update 1100 G5s?

any takers yet?

OK, I'm waiting to hear how this goes on a Dual 2 Ghz with 9800 card before I try it.

from AtuGuy 12-15-03 02:18PM via VersionTracker:

According to our independent analysis, the fan now spins at a higher rpm, but uses less electricity and kicks on less frequently. It also runs more quietly and with lower torque. Furthermore, from time to time it now automatically spins backwards for 30 secs at a time, thereby reducing the accumulation of dust on the fan blades, and preventing dead air hot zones within the cpu tower.

Click to expand...

Does that concur with the rest of you? I dont have my G5 yet, but found it quite interesting that the fan actually backspins...

Re: any takers yet?

Originally posted by ddbean
OK, I'm waiting to hear how this goes on a Dual 2 Ghz with 9800 card before I try it.

Click to expand...

I have Dual with 9800 card and everything seems ok, so far.

Originally posted by StealthRider
Um, bad news for the Big Mac cluster.
Wow. You have any idea how long it'll take to firmware flash/update 1100 G5s?

Click to expand...

I thought they could 'netboot' (or whatever the equivalent is) the entire cluster all at once?

Or cascade it from one comp to all?

Well, I suppose this would be easier under OS X.....and they're running some Linux flavor, right?

the fan?

from AtuGuy 12-15-03 02:18PM via VersionTracker:

quote:According to our independent analysis, the fan now spins at a higher rpm, but uses less electricity and kicks on less frequently. It also runs more quietly and with lower torque. Furthermore, from time to time it now automatically spins backwards for 30 secs at a time, thereby reducing the accumulation of dust on the fan blades, and preventing dead air hot zones within the cpu tower.

The only problem I have with all this is why is this post about "a" fan, shouldn't it be "the fanS"? I mean there are 9 of them in a dual config. Was this a real test inside the case, or a stand-alone on a test bench?

Well, no problems here, but I really had huge hopes for a fix on the chirping noise... it's still here... damn

According to the documentation that accompanies the update the fan changes are only in Open Firmware, so I don't know how relavent it is to most users. Saying that, if it does give the improvements claimed above, I'm sure Virginia Tech will want to update to reduce noise/AC running costs.

What interests me is this security hole?

AppleMatt

Originally posted by Tiauguinho
Well, no problems here, but I really had huge hopes for a fix on the chirping noise... it's still here... damn

Click to expand...

Is your current Firmware 5.1.4fo?

Originally posted by Tiauguinho
Well, no problems here, but I really had huge hopes for a fix on the chirping noise... it's still here... damn

Click to expand...

What chirping noise?

could we have a sample

Originally posted by dho
What chirping noise?

could we have a sample

Click to expand...

They got a sample of the power supply's noise, but I don't remember somebody capturing the PS chirps, or the 9800 cards noise.

If it still works...
Power Supply Noise.m4a

Originally posted by jouster
I thought they could 'netboot' (or whatever the equivalent is) the entire cluster all at once?

Or cascade it from one comp to all?

Well, I suppose this would be easier under OS X.....and they're running some Linux flavor, right?

Click to expand...

No, they were running straight 10.2.8 and by now are supposed to be running Panther.

drewman

Originally posted by Sun Baked
They got a sample of the power supply's noise, but I don't remember somebody capturing the PS chirps, or the 9800 cards noise.

If it still works...
Power Supply Noise.m4a

Click to expand...

Its not that one, its even worse There is a huge discussion on the Apple site about this, you can check it here . I can really tell you that its extremely annoying.

This firmware I believe is not needed for the 1.8 G5 DP machines, they already have this.

Originally posted by Tiauguinho
Well, no problems here, but I really had huge hopes for a fix on the chirping noise... it's still here... damn

Click to expand...

I'm crunching RC5-72 almost all the time, eliminates any chirps

Originally posted by mammal
I'm crunching RC5-72 almost all the time, eliminates any chirps

Click to expand...

Same here! When I got my Dual G5 and I noticed that I had the chirping I almost went nuts with it. But as soon as i started folding on it, the chirping went bye bye! I've been advising almost everybody I know with the chirping to run folding@home, cause it eliminates the chirping as soon as you start the application. Its really amazing! But, I still dont think that this is a good solution for this problem, cause I want a PSU to be completly quiet, without any hacks like the F@H one.

Originally posted by Tiauguinho
Well, no problems here, but I really had huge hopes for a fix on the chirping noise... it's still here... damn

Click to expand...

There are four common noises identified by MacFixIt.com in the G5. There are two described as "chirping"... one can be eliminated by setting the Energy Saver control panel to "Automatic" instead of the fastest setting. The other can be eliminated by installing the Development CHUD tools, going to the processor Control Panel, and turning off "Nap".

Originally posted by Tiauguinho
Its not that one, its even worse There is a huge discussion on the Apple site about this, you can check it here . I can really tell you that its extremely annoying.

Click to expand...

OMG that's so agravating, i would not be able to stand in a room with that kind of noise !

Worked fine on my Dual 2GHz w/9800 card. But yeah, I also had hoped the chirping noise would go away. I use the energy saver/CHUD fixes but still.

The problem is this case is so damn cool so I want it on my desk, but then it's like 4 feet from my head and I'm not a big fan of the chirping noise. I guess I'll just have to pacify myself by playing Unreal Tournament 2003 with the settings cranked all the way up again.

Worked just fine on a Dual 2 w/ 9600.

The fans are much quieter, and they don't "flare up" to a high speed for just a few seconds anymore.

Doesn't The Firmware Update Blurb Mean...

The blurb accompanying the G5 Firmware Update says, at the end:

"...and improves fan behavior in Open Firmware."

Doesn't this mean that you shouldn't see any difference in the operation of your G5 fans unless you boot your machine into Open Firmware?