Apple Releases MacBook Pro EFI Firmware Update 2.8

Oh good. I've noticed my screen flicker sometimes but just thought it was me. Hopefully this will fix that.

By flicker I mean it sort of goes black for a split second.

My (non pro) late 2008 started doing this in ML

I thought it was just me, it flickers intermittently and I thought the graphics card was dying.

Finally!

This has been a known issue with hundreds upon hundreds of posts on Apple's support forums since the computer came out in 2008. I'm impressed it only took 3.5 years to release a fix. Let's hope it actually fixes it and doesn't create any new problems.

So far so good! The flicker was annoying enough that I just set my computer to "higher performance" (the 9600M GT chip) and left it there forever. Not a single flicker since the update.

My workaround didn't bother me because most of what I do benefits from the extra graphics horsepower to some extent or another, but on those rare occasions that I can't be plugged in and just wanted to surf for the internet or write or whatever (like on an airplane), the loss of battery life and extra heat has been a pain in the… lap.

Hmm, i hadn't really noticed any issues, but I updated fine without an issues.

if you notice ur screen flickered you should take it to the apple store and have them run a test to check ur logic board. It will require for you to check the computer in because that test takes about 1h!

BTW, on my 2011 MBP, after the EFI for it was installed successfully, it kept updating it (2 more times). I don't know if it'll do it again. Anyone??

I don't think my 2008 MPB has had any flickering issues, surprisingly. Download it just in case?

My Late 2008 MacBook Pro started exhibiting this problem a few months ago. I took it to the Apple Store and they installed a new logic board.

I have this problem too occasionally. Didn't think there's ever be an update to fix it, though.

What is with all these firmware updates coming out lately? We barely ever used to see firmware updates for devices past their warranty expiry, now there seems to be an update for every model made since '08! Perhaps Tim is authorising them whereas Steve wouldn't.

Good on Apple for targeting this for all of the recent OSs.

I sold my late '08 MBP a couple of years ago because after a logic board replacement, I was convinced the Nvidia GPU was flawed and going to mess the bed. Apple seemed to imply I was making it up and was not eager to do a replacement again.

I guess after three years of complaints, they decided to fix it :/

I can't believe this…
They resolved my issue after just 3.5 years, and after I had to change twice my logic board…. and it was just a firmware issue!

This time apple deserves both my esteem and a great, great shame.

Esteem because you update the firmware for a 3.5 years old product, shame because it took them all this time.

… I hope this resolves the stupid flickr, at least.

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How cool is that that they push out an update for a 4 year old machine. I'm sure people must be happy about this!

This latest firmware update

I downloaded that update last night and instead of a restart I just shut it down when I was through with my 13" 2011 entry-level MBP. When I started it today it was acting very weird at startup. I pushed the power button as I normally do to start it up and it didn't do anything at all for a little while. I thought I had maybe done something wrong. I thought that maybe I hadn't hit the power-button like I thought I had or maybe I did not press it in far enough and so I pressed it again and it started up like it had been asleep and the 2nd press woke it up. But it was the gray startup screen. The chime sounded, once, twice, three times and finally four times before it actually came on. Once it finally came on it acted normally. Was this strange behavior caused by the firmware update? And is that normal behavior? Thank you, in advance for any feedback or replies.

I noticed this happening about a year ago, and just assumed the computer was getting old... Happy days!

Maybe this is what I notice when brightness is low. Guess I'll try it and see what happens

WOW finally! My MBP on the 9400M GPU flickered every minute or so. People would notice it flicker too. I'm glad they pushed out an update for this!

I have a late 2008 MBPro and when using the 9400M graphics it flickers. Actually it's way more than a flicker, it's like the screen blanks out for a moment only to come back on immediately. Sometime it's once in a while, sometimes like a madman and won't stop, but it's totally random to me.

I've had clients ask me about it, and got tired of making excuses for Apple, so now I just tell them Apple quality is not what it used to be.

I really hope this helps.

I thought it was a hardware issue.

I am very glad that Apple came out with a firmware fix for this.

Now I can run my MBP cooler and have a better battery life without the damn blink, blink , blink!

Hallelujah

LarryC said:

Was this strange behavior caused by the firmware update? And is that normal behavior? Thank you, in advance for any feedback or replies.

Click to expand...

The "strange behaviour" was caused by you ignoring the firmware update instructions. They specifically state you must not turn off your computer during the update. You're lucky you didn't brick your machine. Normally the machine makes a low tone when the update has started, then a grey screen appears with an Apple and a progress bar. Sometimes the computer restarts after, sometimes it continues straight into startup.

And how many years it took that this got fixed?
I have two 2008 MPB's and both have same issue. Let's see will this fix 'em.

About time, Apple! Took you long enough to fix it, eh? I thought I was going crazy thinking Apple will never deliver the software esp. this flicker issue :\