PowerMac G5 Firmware Update (5.1.4)

MacRumors · Dec 15, 2003, 04:37 PM

Apple has posted a PowerMac G5 firmware update (5.1.4):

Quote:

This firmware update provides changes for initializing and running your Power Mac G5. It provides some performance improvements for some PCI-X configurations, patches a security hole and improves fan behavior in Open Firmware.

The update appears in Mac OS X's software update for PowerMac G5 owners. This update was previously anticipated by ThinkSecret.

gandalf55 · Dec 15, 2003, 04:40 PM

WoooOOOoo HoooOOoOOOoo

Makosuke · Dec 15, 2003, 04:44 PM

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.

Gymnut · Dec 15, 2003, 04:49 PM

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

StealthRider · Dec 15, 2003, 05:32 PM

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

ddbean · Dec 15, 2003, 05:40 PM

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

SpY2K · Dec 15, 2003, 05:41 PM

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.

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

robotrenegade · Dec 15, 2003, 05:45 PM

Quote:

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.

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

jouster · Dec 15, 2003, 05:46 PM

Quote:

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?

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?

ddbean · Dec 15, 2003, 05:50 PM

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?

Tiauguinho · Dec 15, 2003, 05:52 PM

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

AppleMatt · Dec 15, 2003, 06:40 PM

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

BillClinton · Dec 15, 2003, 06:55 PM

Quote:

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

Is your current Firmware 5.1.4fo?

dho · Dec 15, 2003, 07:04 PM

Quote:

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

What chirping noise?

could we have a sample

Sun Baked · Dec 15, 2003, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by dho
What chirping noise?

could we have a sample

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

drewman · Dec 15, 2003, 07:24 PM

Quote:

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?

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

drewman

Tiauguinho · Dec 15, 2003, 07:54 PM

Quote:

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

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.

Photorun · Dec 15, 2003, 07:59 PM

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

mammal · Dec 15, 2003, 08:04 PM

Quote:

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

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

Tiauguinho · Dec 15, 2003, 08:15 PM

Quote:

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

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.

Booga · Dec 15, 2003, 08:53 PM

Quote:

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

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".

From Win to Mac · Dec 15, 2003, 09:12 PM

Quote:

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.

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

jcook793 · Dec 15, 2003, 09:14 PM

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.

Chris Marks · Dec 15, 2003, 09:31 PM

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.

Doga · Dec 15, 2003, 10:00 PM

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?

Dec 15, 2003, 05:32 PM	#5
StealthRider macrumors 65816 Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Cincinnati, OH	Um, bad news for the Big Mac cluster. Wow. You have any idea how long it'll take to firmware flash/update 1100 G5s? __________________ Midshipman 2/c, USNR

Dec 15, 2003, 05:40 PM	#6
ddbean macrumors regular Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Thousand Oaks, CA	any takers yet? OK, I'm waiting to hear how this goes on a Dual 2 Ghz with 9800 card before I try it. __________________ ************************ [2008] Drobo 2TB [2006] 17" MBP [2005] 1st gen Mac Mini [2003] 1st gen Dual 2.0 Ghz G5

Dec 15, 2003, 05:50 PM	#10
ddbean macrumors regular Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Thousand Oaks, CA	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? __________________ ************************ [2008] Drobo 2TB [2006] 17" MBP [2005] 1st gen Mac Mini [2003] 1st gen Dual 2.0 Ghz G5

Dec 15, 2003, 05:52 PM	#11
Tiauguinho macrumors 6502a Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: The Netherlands	Well, no problems here, but I really had huge hopes for a fix on the chirping noise... it's still here... damn __________________ Join MR Folding Team (3446)

Dec 15, 2003, 06:40 PM	#12
AppleMatt macrumors 68000 Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: UK	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 __________________ Avatar by edesignuk. Fold for team MacRumors.

Dec 15, 2003, 04:40 PM	#2
gandalf55 macrumors 6502 Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: boston	WoooOOOoo HoooOOoOOOoo

Dec 15, 2003, 04:44 PM	#3
Makosuke macrumors 68040 Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: The Cool Part of CA, USA	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.

Dec 15, 2003, 04:49 PM	#4
Gymnut macrumors 68000 Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Hawaii	Any update is good news I guess despite the fact I don't even have a G5.

Dec 15, 2003, 07:59 PM	#18
Photorun Banned Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: NYC	This firmware I believe is not needed for the 1.8 G5 DP machines, they already have this.

Dec 15, 2003, 09:14 PM	#23
jcook793 macrumors regular Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Cincinnati, OH	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.

Dec 15, 2003, 09:31 PM	#24
Chris Marks macrumors newbie Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Columbus Ohio	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.

Dec 15, 2003, 10:00 PM	#25
Doga macrumors member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Near Montréal	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?

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