So did the update fix the 4850 problems?

[avihappy]

Hey iMac 4850 owners. It's avihappy again and I have another survey for you all. As you can see, there is now an iMac 4850 EFI firmware update available via software update.

So can you:

Find a test that will cause the iMac to freeze up.
Do the update. (make sure you actually run the firmware updater tool, it may not run automatically when you install the update from Software Update.)
Switch to WiFi.
Do the test again.
See if the iMac freezes!

[Omni Geno]

Checked this morning (10am US Pacific time) and didn't see anything. Guess I'll check again .. after I finish this Windoze Vista installation.

It's too bad too; they say you should update to the latest firmware before installing Windoze on boot camp.

Edit: aand my iMac froze while doing the Windoze Vista installation. I'm guessing that installation is hosed, so might as well do the firmware update and then reformat that partition and reinstall. I bet Vista tried to trigger the wifi.

[larrymarshall2]

update is available for me, will install now!

Ok so installed it, will turn on wifi now. so far no lockups but it's only been 2 min :D

Note to people who install. It's a little scary because when you turn the computer back on from installing the firmware, it emits a loud, high pitch that i couldnt control the volume of for about 3-5 seconds. then it stays black for 30 secs before installing with a progress bar. All these notes, except for the loud sound, is including in the notes so it's normal.

Next note: Before the update, I was unable to get safari, or software update to work through wifi. I can now do both!

[definitive]

for those who installed, and have some games or anything to benchmark graphics performance - please benchmark and see if the new updates degraded the card's overall performance.

[Omni Geno]

for those who installed, and have some games or anything to benchmark graphics performance - please benchmark and see if the new updates degraded the card's overall performance.

You think maybe they underclocked something, huh? Guess we'll see.

[JayLenochiniMac]

Bear in mind that the first graphics card update Apple released didn't fix the original freezing Alu iMacs and people had to wait 5 or so more months for the actual fix.

[larrymarshall2]

for those who installed, and have some games or anything to benchmark graphics performance - please benchmark and see if the new updates degraded the card's overall performance.

im going to head out on a bike ride right now, could you link me a way to get benchmarks? i have no idea how to do anything like that so the easier the explanation the better

[Omni Geno]

Bear in mind that the first graphics card update Apple released didn't fix the original freezing Alu iMacs and people had to wait 5 or so more months for the actual fix.

Ooh... I hope that's not the case this time.

[flopticalcube]

Bear in mind that the first graphics card update Apple released didn't fix the original freezing Alu iMacs and people had to wait 5 or so more months for the actual fix.

3 months. Released first week of August, acknowledged first week of October, fixed first week of November.

[JayLenochiniMac]

You think maybe they underclocked something, huh?

There's always that suspicion. Fortunately, when the fix finally arrived for the original freezing Alu iMac, benchmarking showed it wasn't underclocked so I wouldn't worry too much about it.

[WizardHunt]

I just finished the update and turned my wireless back on. By the way since I turned it off (the Wireless) I have not had any crashes or lockups. Now I installed the firmware update.

http://www.chuckhunt.com/Mac/Update_Done.jpg

I will now do some testing and be back to post some results.

[jun]

I just finished the update and turned my wireless back on. By the way since I turned it off (the Wireless) I have not had any crashes or lockups. Now I installed the firmware update.

http://www.chuckhunt.com/Mac/Update_Done.jpg

I will now do some testing and be back to post some results.

pls keep us updated. thanks in advance!!
if it truly works out not only for you but for the rest of the users here suffering from the same problem, then ill definitely consider buying one again.
(i returned a faulty one this week....no replacement at this point)
wait for further info w/ my fingers crossed.

[avihappy]

There's always that suspicion. Fortunately, when the fix finally arrived for the original freezing Alu iMac, benchmarking showed it wasn't underclocked so I wouldn't worry too much about it.

No, performance is around the same:
http://i43.tinypic.com/28mlrtt.png
Left is new firmware, right is old firmware. The reason the scores may be slightly lower on the new firmware version is because I have installed new software since the old firmware test.

[Omni Geno]

iMac froze for the second time in a row while installing Vista in Boot Camp. I'm not sure if it's our same 4850 freezing problem or if my Vista install disc is being retarded.

Yes, I've installed the new firmware update.

Edit: looks like the problem I'm having is a separate issue. Once I get this installation finished I'll go back to OSX and do some torture testing.

[Ov3rlord Falc0r]

No, performance is around the same:

<snip>

Left is new firmware, right is old firmware. The reason the scores may be slightly lower on the new firmware version is because I have installed new software since the old firmware test.

It looks to me like the firmware update slowed it down, just a tad. The numbers are lower on the left that the right. Maybe its just that specific test, or maybe not. It would be interesting to see it run 3-4 more times and compare it then.

[VulnoX]

I am going to leave the iTunes Visualizer running while I do a bike ride, that normally did it before. Then later I will play WoW with it to make sure that works now on WiFi.

Overall, very excited, and great timing for me.

[definitive]

Could someone please post the exact name (and any additional info) that this update comes up as when you check for updates?

[Omni Geno]

Could someone please post the exact name (and any additional info) that this update comes up as when you check for updates?

I can't answer your question directly but I can show you where to get it manually.

http://support.apple.com/downloads/_iMac_EFI_Firmware_Update_1_4

[definitive]

I can't answer your question directly but I can show you where to get it manually.

http://support.apple.com/downloads/_iMac_EFI_Firmware_Update_1_4

thanks.

for the rest, here's what it says:

About iMac EFI Firmware Update 1.4

This update fixes intermittent system freeze issues for iMac computers with ATI Radeon HD 4850 graphics and fixes wake-from-sleep issues in Boot Camp.

To complete the firmware update process, please follow the instructions in the updater application (/Applications/Utilities/iMac EFI Firmware Update.app). The updater will launch automatically when the Installer closes.

After the firmware is successfully applied to your Mac, your Boot ROM Version will be:

IM91.008D.B08

Weird that your mac is still freezing. Only time will tell though if the overall stability has improved, and if it's just your system that's freezing, or if the bug is still there.

[Tymbo]

waiting to hear story from MacLover4491, a 'no' voter

[Rinone]

I'm not going to vote right now, will wait for at least a week, my freezes seem to come at random. It's been more than a week since i got my iMac, first 4 days were ok, and on the 5th it freezes happened 2 times, after that all ok, so i don't really know what to expect, guess time will tell.

[Omni Geno]

Weird that your mac is still freezing. Only time will tell though if the overall stability has improved, and if it's just your system that's freezing, or if the bug is still there.

If you're referring to me, I believe it's a separate issue related to Vista not liking Firewire drives being connected while it's installing. Crossing my fingers that that's the case, as I install for the third time :)

[WizardHunt]

My lock ups in WiFi mode seem to be fixed. I could without fail each and every time when I played iTunes with Visualizer full screen. Sometimes I got locked up at 1st song , 3rd song, 8th song, but never ever made it through my entire playlist. Just now, I got through my entire playlist and not a single freeze.

I think it fixed my problem and I couldn't be more Happy. Well I could but that is another subject. :D I will vote Yes it fixed my problem.

[MTShipp]

I am going to wait before choosing. My son could consistently lock up the machine by playing Spore on WiFi but not on ethernet.

I applied the patch about 15 mins ago and he is playing now on WiFi. I will come back later and answer the poll for my situation.

[MTShipp]

waiting to hear story from MacLover4491, a 'no' voter
Are we sure he/she has one? I looked at all 11 of the posts by this user and see nothing about a freezing iMac. The vote could be legit or someone wanting to skew the results.

[bizack]

Benchmarks after update:

1.1 Passed 367
1.2 Passed 360
1.3 Passed 359
1.4 Passed 341
1.5 Passed 274
2.0 Passed 290
2.1 Passed 137


Have not yet had time to see if this update fixed the freezing. Testing today.

[Tymbo]

someone should perform a benchmarking test 5 times before patch, and 5 times after, for a true comparison.

[Tymbo]

Are we sure he/she has one? I looked at all 11 of the posts by this user and see nothing about a freezing iMac. The vote could be legit or someone wanting to skew the results.

yeah, we got another 'no' voter, aka blakely. how amusing, after checking his latest posts.

[bizack]

someone should perform a benchmarking test 5 times before patch, and 5 times after, for a true comparison.

I did. Please check my original post from when I posted exhaustive benchmarks when I first received my machine. My benchmarks are averages (over three runs typically).

Thanks.

[WizardHunt]

waiting to hear story from MacLover4491, a 'no' voter

Are we sure he/she has one? I looked at all 11 of the posts by this user and see nothing about a freezing iMac. The vote could be legit or someone wanting to skew the results.

I left him a private message and he has not answered that as well. He is brand new to the forum though.

[VulnoX]

I just ran iTunes with Visualizer full screen from 3:50-5:25. No lock up at all, WiFi only connected (I checked, one time a day or so ago I was excited thinking my freezing had stopped, but I had just left the Ethernet cable plugged in :rolleyes: ).

Very excited, great job Apple.

We shouldn't have had to deal with this in the first place, but still since this is my only problem on an AMAZING machine...

Great job Apple.

[VulnoX]

Also, if anyone can check, my temps were lower too, ~135 F when after that test it would normally be 145+, not a giant jump, but that 145 or so was pretty consistent.

[DELTAsnake]

Well I'm just hoping the update dosn't break anything. I'm crossing my fingers that it dosn't break my iMac and it fix's all your Mac's. Good Luck!

Oh, and after taking a look at the guys that have voted no I think you can invalidate MacLover4491 and Blakely028's no votes. Blakey dosn't seem to know what he's talking about and Maclover list his computer as a Dell Insparon.

[Jammers]

Applied the firmware fix earlier but had no freezes yet but only done a bit of surfing - I will complete the poll after a couple of days of doing things that used to make it freeze.

[MTShipp]

1.5 hours of Spore by my son, no lockups. Over half dozen HD trailers, no lockups. Running iTunes visualizer at full screen, no lockups. All of this on WiFi.

A mark mine as fixed. :D

[Poisednoise]

I don't think anything's been underclocked. Just ran xbench before and after firmware. Admittedly I didn't restart before the first run, although I did quit all open apps, but it had been running all day, so that may explain some of the slower speeds:

BEFORE patch:
Results 198.35
System Info
Xbench Version 1.3
System Version 10.5.6 (9G3610)
Physical RAM 4096 MB
Model iMac9,1
Drive Type WDC WD1001FALS-40K1B0
CPU Test 173.76
GCD Loop 341.95 18.02 Mops/sec
Floating Point Basic 165.63 3.94 Gflop/sec
vecLib FFT 100.29 3.31 Gflop/sec
Floating Point Library 244.69 42.61 Mops/sec
Thread Test 361.88
Computation 400.81 8.12 Mops/sec, 4 threads
Lock Contention 329.85 14.19 Mlocks/sec, 4 threads
Memory Test 201.21
System 226.12
Allocate 276.71 1.02 Malloc/sec
Fill 194.44 9454.13 MB/sec
Copy 221.72 4579.52 MB/sec
Stream 181.25
Copy 171.72 3546.89 MB/sec
Scale 174.69 3608.97 MB/sec
Add 190.76 4063.67 MB/sec
Triad 189.41 4051.98 MB/sec
Quartz Graphics Test 245.22
Line 227.34 15.14 Klines/sec [50% alpha]
Rectangle 302.81 90.41 Krects/sec [50% alpha]
Circle 245.41 20.00 Kcircles/sec [50% alpha]
Bezier 239.29 6.04 Kbeziers/sec [50% alpha]
Text 225.50 14.11 Kchars/sec
OpenGL Graphics Test 229.74
Spinning Squares 229.74 291.43 frames/sec
User Interface Test 383.19
Elements 383.19 1.76 Krefresh/sec
Disk Test 92.91
Sequential 135.93
Uncached Write 168.43 103.41 MB/sec [4K blocks]
Uncached Write 162.11 91.72 MB/sec [256K blocks]
Uncached Read 80.51 23.56 MB/sec [4K blocks]
Uncached Read 204.14 102.60 MB/sec [256K blocks]
Random 70.57
Uncached Write 25.47 2.70 MB/sec [4K blocks]
Uncached Write 288.31 92.30 MB/sec [256K blocks]
Uncached Read 114.85 0.81 MB/sec [4K blocks]
Uncached Read 191.03 35.45 MB/sec [256K blocks]




AFTER patch:
Results 231.42
System Info
Xbench Version 1.3
System Version 10.5.6 (9G3610)
Physical RAM 4096 MB
Model iMac9,1
Drive Type WDC WD1001FALS-40K1B0
CPU Test 198.61
GCD Loop 342.75 18.07 Mops/sec
Floating Point Basic 166.23 3.95 Gflop/sec
vecLib FFT 139.89 4.61 Gflop/sec
Floating Point Library 246.40 42.91 Mops/sec
Thread Test 330.49
Computation 494.16 10.01 Mops/sec, 4 threads
Lock Contention 248.26 10.68 Mlocks/sec, 4 threads
Memory Test 203.97
System 233.08
Allocate 310.24 1.14 Malloc/sec
Fill 194.52 9458.03 MB/sec
Copy 221.88 4582.75 MB/sec
Stream 181.33
Copy 171.76 3547.64 MB/sec
Scale 174.84 3612.18 MB/sec
Add 190.88 4066.05 MB/sec
Triad 189.44 4052.63 MB/sec
Quartz Graphics Test 248.47
Line 228.96 15.24 Klines/sec [50% alpha]
Rectangle 302.27 90.24 Krects/sec [50% alpha]
Circle 244.58 19.94 Kcircles/sec [50% alpha]
Bezier 239.24 6.03 Kbeziers/sec [50% alpha]
Text 239.32 14.97 Kchars/sec
OpenGL Graphics Test 227.69
Spinning Squares 227.69 288.83 frames/sec
User Interface Test 391.24
Elements 391.24 1.80 Krefresh/sec
Disk Test 92.87
Sequential 137.45
Uncached Write 170.48 104.67 MB/sec [4K blocks]
Uncached Write 160.84 91.00 MB/sec [256K blocks]
Uncached Read 82.39 24.11 MB/sec [4K blocks]
Uncached Read 204.88 102.97 MB/sec [256K blocks]
Random 70.13
Uncached Write 25.23 2.67 MB/sec [4K blocks]
Uncached Write 292.98 93.79 MB/sec [256K blocks]
Uncached Read 112.34 0.80 MB/sec [4K blocks]
Uncached Read 196.21 36.41 MB/sec [256K blocks]




I'm one of those who just turned wifi off when the freezes began - didn't need it. I've turned it back on now, just to see what will happen, and will report in if I get a freeze. :P

[Omni Geno]

I'm one of those who just turned wifi off when the freezes began - didn't need it. I've turned it back on now, just to see what will happen, and will report in if I get a freeze. :P

Same here, though I have some place to go right now so I can't run any more tests 'til later tonight.

Thanks for the benchmark insights.

[DELTAsnake]

Well I'm in Windows now and just re-ran my Crysis benchmarks, still get a nice average frame rate of 28.7, I got 28.5 last time, but fluctuations like that are normal. I did however notice the fans spun up a bit more than they normally do for a quick 10 minute gaming session and right now the room temp is only 23c, not the 32c afternoon it was after a 3 hour gaming session when the fans spun up that much previously.

[Ronbo13]

Been testing for 2.5 hours now with no freezes (WiFi, iTunes visualizer + streaming etc). I went ahead and voted "fixed".

[jaw1034]

Apple has already scheduled to ship a replacement for this iMac, but the firmware update may have fixed my freezing issue. However, I'll give them this one back anyway, because I'd rather have one that worked right out of the box than one I've had to give the hard-shut-down to so repeatedly and frequently. Peace of mind arrives in 5-9 days.

[JayLenochiniMac]

Apple has already scheduled to ship a replacement for this iMac, but the firmware update may have fixed my freezing issue. However, I'll give them this one back anyway, because I'd rather have one that worked right out of the box than one I've had to give the hard-shut-down to so repeatedly and frequently. Peace of mind arrives in 5-9 days.

Don't be so sure that the update had already been applied so it may not work right out of the box.

[larrymarshall2]

Apple has already scheduled to ship a replacement for this iMac, but the firmware update may have fixed my freezing issue. However, I'll give them this one back anyway, because I'd rather have one that worked right out of the box than one I've had to give the hard-shut-down to so repeatedly and frequently. Peace of mind arrives in 5-9 days.

I also doubt it will work right out of the box. Probably will have to DL the firmware as well.

[jaw1034]

Don't be so sure that the update had already been applied so it may not work right out of the box.

I also doubt it will work right out of the box. Probably will have to DL the firmware as well.

It's not about it working right out of the box without downloading updates (which you have to do with all new Macs anyway), it's more about having a computer that didn't have to get the hard shut-down multiple times (10+) per day, day after day (for almost two weeks). I think the hard shut-down is the iMac equivalent of a karate chop to the throat. I want a squeaky clean iMac with no record of past wrongdoing.

[viva la ben]

Three hours of xp Team Fortress 2 with maxxed out graphics over wifi without a freeze. I think I'm fixed, considering i never lasted more than 20 minutes before.

hooray Apple!

[larrymarshall2]

It's not about it working right out of the box without downloading updates (which you have to do with all new Macs anyway), it's more about having a computer that didn't have to get the hard shut-down multiple times (10+) per day, day after day (for almost two weeks). I think the hard shut-down is the iMac equivalent of a karate chop to the throat. I want a squeaky clean iMac with no record of past wrongdoing.

eww, didn't know your situation was so dire. Indeed, my iMac froze once, then I stopped using wifi...been fine since. I still have a problem with the iMac keyboard and mouse not working when I quit photo booth. Everything else still works (itunes keeps playing the songs) but I can't change anything, hard shut down required. Wonder if I'll ever get that fixed.

[MacAndy74]

Just wanted to say, that as a 'soon to be upgrader' I am very happy to hear that Apple has fixed these iMac 4850 locking problems. Great news. :D

But I'm still unsure which to buy honestly, an iMac or Mac Pro.. But that's another thread.

[cwscws]

I would even be more happier if Apple would explain what really was the problem. What did they fix exactely?

[24usedtorock]

Can the 3 users that voted no please expand on their continuing freezes? Are you gaming or doing something which would cause the case to heat up? :confused:

Someone who plays WoW please chime in on this thread.

[avihappy]

eww, didn't know your situation was so dire. Indeed, my iMac froze once, then I stopped using wifi...been fine since. I still have a problem with the iMac keyboard and mouse not working when I quit photo booth. Everything else still works (itunes keeps playing the songs) but I can't change anything, hard shut down required. Wonder if I'll ever get that fixed.

Do you get the same issue when you use non Apple keyboards and mice?

[JordanNZ]

It looks to me like the firmware update slowed it down, just a tad. The numbers are lower on the left that the right. Maybe its just that specific test, or maybe not. It would be interesting to see it run 3-4 more times and compare it then.

:rolleyes:

Maybe you should have a closer look at the overall results.... And read the rest of the thread...

[netkas]

Ripped all files from firmware update scap, and didnt find there 4850 rom, so, they fixed something else but not 4850 rom.

[JordanNZ]

Ripped all files from firmware update scap, and didnt find there 4850 rom, so, they fixed something else but not 4850 rom.

WELLL... It was an EFI update.. So that pretty much says it all.

[larrymarshall2]

Do you get the same issue when you use non Apple keyboards and mice?

I only have an apple keyboard, and I have a logitech wireless plugged into it (not the imac). I don't have a non-apple keyboard to test it :(

[Poisednoise]

Spent about 2 hours this morning on CoD4, and then about 4 on WoW. All with airport enabled (although I am still connected with ethernet, but still that would have been enough to freeze it many many times before.

I think it's fixed. :)

[Tymbo]

I think it's fixed, too. However, I've been experiencing random disconnects, but it may just be my internet? Thing is I never had random disconnects on my old powerbook g4. Oh well, not too worried about it now... might be moving soon.

[hh83917]

I've installed the EFI firmware update and it seems to be working for me.

I have tested it by playing iTunes internet radio with visualizer on full screen over wifi. It's been an hour or and hour and half now and no freezes, so I assume it's fixed. Before update, it will freeze in 20 minutes or so for the radio/visualizer test over wifi.

So far so good now and kudos to Apple for issuing a firmware fix in such short time (like 1 1/2~2 weeks after I've received the machine). :)

[tyson12zoll]

I'm very happy they got this out so quickly. My iMac is running great since.

[Theraker007]

no problems after 24 hrs, although i hvent had time to strain the system.. but i didnt care to since most of my crashes came under minimal strain

[davemulheran]

TOUCH WOOD all good my end also!

well done apple! :D:apple:

[definitive]

hm.. looks like out of the four people who voted "no", three probably don't have macs, and the crashes seem to have stopped for the fourth person.

[Ambient7]

Installed the patch. Had the computer on for 15 hours straight yesterday - didn't freeze once! 13 hours of just being on, using Safari, MS Office etc. and no problems there. Switched to bootcamp and played a couple of hours of high end games at high end settings and didn't so much as stutter! :D

Before the patch, there was no way the computer would last a couple of hours on high graphic settings (Empire: Total War was the game). Before the patch, if I played that on high end settings, as sure as the sun rises in the east, the Mac would freeze, and usually within 20 minutes. So, it is looks like the issue is resolved, at least on my Mac.

[1chocolate1]

So far so good. Now if they can take care of the wireless mouse issue.

[Kevv Dogg]

Can the 3 users that voted no please expand on their continuing freezes? Are you gaming or doing something which would cause the case to heat up? :confused:

Someone who plays WoW please chime in on this thread.

I installed the Firmware Update yesterday and played WoW for several hours with all the video settings maxed. I haven't had a crash yet. It looks like all my problems are gone.

[24usedtorock]

I installed the Firmware Update yesterday and played WoW for several hours with all the video settings maxed. I haven't had a crash yet. It looks like all my problems are gone.

Hi Kevv Dogg,

Thanks for the reply, and glad to hear. Looks like I'm safe to order. :p

[JayLenochiniMac]

Looks like this non-scientific poll has an error margin of 12.90%

[WizardHunt]

Looks like this non-scientific poll has an error margin of 12.90%

I agree. :D

[Dry Rot]

Aside from any universal wireless mouse and keyboard issues, has this fix solved all the 4850 problems?

I seem to recall that some folk reported problems with high temperatures, high fan speeds etc

[cwscws]

What about the people with iMacs that didn't crash at all? Have such folks noticed any difference after Firmware update?

My iMac didn't crash at all until now (I got it on April 15th, no freece sind then). I will update the Firmware as soon as I know if I can expect any troubles or not.

[Tom Dahl]

What about the people with iMacs that didn't crash at all? Have such folks noticed any difference after Firmware update?
I've had my 3.06 GHz / 4850 iMac since 10-April, with no freezes ever (and I've played lots of WoW since then). I have not yet installed the firmware update. I'm waiting a bit to make sure no one reports anything significantly bad that can be attributed to the update.

[davemulheran]

Does anyone know exactly what this EFI update did / fixed / changed????

[Theraker007]

Does anyone know exactly what this EFI update did / fixed / changed????

my istat temps are all cooler since the update, i havent noticed anything else performance wise

[definitive]

my istat temps are all cooler since the update, i havent noticed anything else performance wise

are the fans spinning faster than before?

[WATCHDOG]

are the fans spinning faster than before? or is something 'running' slower than before? or both?

[emkayultra]

I d/loaded the firmware update last night, restarted - and the computer took about 6 mins to restart.
'OK' I thought as it was updating the firmware it would probably take a while... When it restarted I got a BASIC sounding chime, followed by the normal chime, apple logo, apple logo with rotating flash clock animation, then the blue screen, finally followed by the OS & my wallpaper. The computer stayed at the blue screen stage for 5 mins though, and then some horizontal bars appeared at the bottom of the screen, the left most one was white with the others being grey. Then the computer booted up & I was welcomed with a message saying "Firmware update completed".

I thought my problems were over.

This morning I went to restart the computer, except it was taking an unusually long time to reboot. I timed it and it took another 6 mins to reboot - almost the same way as last night but without the first loud beep before the usual chime, and when it loaded the operating system it didn't say 'firmware updated' - but it still had those bars at the bottom of the blue screen stage.

Needless to say I wasn't impressed by this long boot time, so as soon as it had loaded I restarted the machine to see if it would happen again. It took another 6 mins to reboot.

I then got fed up and turned it off. Later today I turned it on and tried to boot up in bootcamp by pressing option + O - and the computer ignored my request and went straight to the apple logo...except this time there was no flash circle animation...I waited...waited for 3 minutes - still no circle, no anything. In fact the machine is stuck at the apple logo and won't get past that.

I've rebooted, turned the computer off and on again, and even sat there patiently waiting for it to slowly boot up - but now I can't get past the apple logo screen.

I've tried rebooting now about 20 times, it's currently been 14 minutes at the apple logo on the latest attempt - I think it's safe to say the firmware update has FUBAR'd my imac. :mad: dunno how I'm going to recover my data I can't even get into OSX!!

[Theraker007]

are the fans spinning faster than before?

theyre actually spinning slightly slower.. i had adjusted the fan speed manually with ifancontrol b4 the fix and now i put em back to default

[jmpage2]

Ya, the machine is somehow running cooler now. Previously the top of the Mac would be hot even with just light web surfing, email, etc.

Not it's actually cool to the touch a good 20-30 mins into power up.

The only thing I noticed is some trouble getting the Mac to sleep and I still have the popping speaker problem when the machine does certain things.

Other than that everything is great.

[Bad Paper]

My iMac w/ 4850 has never frozen. Should I install this update?

[jmpage2]

My iMac w/ 4850 has never frozen. Should I install this update?

My iMac never froze up either and I installed, primarily because it fixes a few other things too, and we don't always know everything Apple puts into such a fix.

[GamaFu]

After two days of using it after the update, it's been working great so far. No freezes yet, and the fan is not spinning any faster, or noticeably louder. Nor it experiences any noticeably slowdown. Booting time is fast as usual. I am impressed by Apple's fast respond, but I will wait a bit before I vote yes, just in case. ;)

[FoxHoundADAM]

I had two freezes on day one (loght use with safari and wifi with iPhoto). No freezes since or after the update.

[avihappy]

I think I'm gonna say it fixed it for me as well. Yay!

[Tymbo]

I have to say, I remember putting my hand on top of the imac pre-fix, and it I felt like I could cook some eggs on it.

Now I put my hand on top of it, and it's just warm.

[Hard-Hat-Mac]

Okay, so i got my imac back from the apple store. The same one that said it was a third party software issue causingthe crashes.

I go to install this EFI Firmware update, but before I do I check my Boot ROM to see what it was to make sure I can see the change.

It already has the "new" Boot ROM that Apple says it will after the update.

Should I still install or should I assume that they installed it and just neglected to tell me.

Does anyone know what the old Boot ROM was? Was it always the same for some people?

HHM

[avihappy]

Okay, so i got my imac back from the apple store. The same one that said it was a third party software issue causingthe crashes.

I go to install this EFI Firmware update, but before I do I check my Boot ROM to see what it was to make sure I can see the change.

It already has the "new" Boot ROM that Apple says it will after the update.

Should I still install or should I assume that they installed it and just neglected to tell me.

Does anyone know what the old Boot ROM was? Was it always the same for some people?

HHM

Here is what you do. Use software update to get the firmware. Software update will not install the update by itself. Instead, when it is done, it will automatically open the firmware updating program, which will then check to see if you have the firmware. If it already does, it will not let you continue with the update, and will probably give you a box saying "Your computer's firmware is up-to-date with version 1.4 of the iMac EFI Firmware Update.". So just try it. It won't let you get past the last step if you already have it.

[Dry Rot]

From now on, will new iMacs have this firmware update loaded on them when they are delivered?

[bajee]

any backstory for those show voted the firmware didn't fix the freezign problems?

I reckon the first 3 can be invalidated.. Now I see there are 8?

[jmpage2]

It should have been made a public poll with their name shown so that people couldn't pump up the votes.

[gk69gr]

update is available for me, will install now!

Ok so installed it, will turn on wifi now. so far no lockups but it's only been 2 min :D

Note to people who install. It's a little scary because when you turn the computer back on from installing the firmware, it emits a loud, high pitch that i couldnt control the volume of for about 3-5 seconds. then it stays black for 30 secs before installing with a progress bar. All these notes, except for the loud sound, is including in the notes so it's normal.

Next note: Before the update, I was unable to get safari, or software update to work through wifi. I can now do both!

Well, I never experienced lock ups with my 2.93 iMac, although I never played games with maxed out options. I did play several HD movie trailers with no problem.
My problem is the Airport card,which will not work properly with Safari or Software Update. The transfer rates were very low, about 10-15 KB/sec, whereas I could download via Ethernet at 1.5 MB/sec. (and it's not my wireless router, cause my MacBook will download wirelessly at a very high speed).
Has anyone else (especially larrymarshall2 who commented on wifi problems) encountered similar problems, and were they resolved after the firmware update?
Thanks
George

[rikun]

Well, I am not sure whether it did fix the problem but yesterday night I got a rude shock. My pointer just stopped moving suddently while I was net-surfing and listening to music with iTunes, and my wireless mouse failed to work. Same with my wireless keyboard. Switching off and on the mouse won't work either. Although it was not a true freeze as the Itunes continue to play, it was as good as one.

It was not the first time above has happened.

[24usedtorock]

Well, I am not sure whether it did fix the problem but yesterday night I got a rude shock. My pointer just stopped moving suddently while I was net-surfing and listening to music with iTunes, and my wireless mouse failed to work. Same with my wireless keyboard. Switching off and on the mouse won't work either. Although it was not a true freeze as the Itunes continue to play, it was as good as one.

It was not the first time above has happened.

Should've plugged in a wired mouse or keyboard obviously to further troubleshoot.

[GonzoRob]

works a treat for me

thank you apple ! :)

[davemulheran]

does anyone elses imac run A LOT cooler now, after the update?

Pre update it used to get extremely hot

Post update.. not so fiery.. quite cool infact.

[24usedtorock]

It should have been made a public poll with their name shown so that people couldn't pump up the votes.

It is a public poll, are you oxygen deprived this AM?

Simply click the hyperlink under the # of votes and then whenever you re-visit the page the names are auto displayed.

[JayLenochiniMac]

It should have been made a public poll with their name shown so that people couldn't pump up the votes.

Not all were trying to pump up the votes; some were newbies who didn't know better or were too lazy to click to view results instead of taking a vote in order to view them. It's a non-scientific poll after all.

[Jammers]

There are a couple of posts on the Apple discussion forums where people say there machines are still freezing after the update albeit less often.

I've had no freezes in the 5 days since the update. Also got a free shuffle as a bit of compensation :cool:

[snouo79]

Fixed for me...

but I don't want to say "thank you Apple"...this is really a big mistake made by apple engineers.

[WATCHDOG]

+++

Seems as if egg-frying heatups correlated with the freezeups. ;)

Is this anything like how
Global Warming can make Climate Temps go down sometimes?
(oh? you didn't hear that one?) ;)

+++

What actually was the problem? Hot Component(s)? Wimpy Fan? Both?

In our Post Heat/Freeze problem Era,
are there any more unresolved '09 iMac issues?

Disobedient Pixels?

Something else not working sometimes?

+++

[davidmt]

Well, I am not sure whether it did fix the problem but yesterday night I got a rude shock. My pointer just stopped moving suddently while I was net-surfing and listening to music with iTunes, and my wireless mouse failed to work. Same with my wireless keyboard. Switching off and on the mouse won't work either. Although it was not a true freeze as the Itunes continue to play, it was as good as one.

It was not the first time above has happened.

I was one that reported/voted that the firmware fix did not work, as this is exactly what happened to me (although I didn't have any music playing, so it appeared like a true freeze). I have had this occur two times, but the second time I had the knowledge of the bluetooth mouse and keyboard problem. Sure enough, I put the iMac to sleep and both keyboard and mouse responded again.

I take back my negative vote.

[mrmackintosh]

It wasn't just the heat. I tried a fan hack, which cooled the whole innards down about 10°C still crashed. post firm- the temps are staying about the same and (fingers crossed) no crashing. Fan speeds are a little faster I can hear them now (not a bad thing) and iStat tells me so, but not really dropping the ° much. o, best part= not having to wait very long for the fix. what was it I was reading for the last iMacs 5 months? Other than the freezing seems to be running like a champ.
*knock*
*wood*