Apple Releases Fix for MacBook Pro Hard Drive Issues

[MacRumors]

Apple today released Hard Drive Firmware Update 2.0, addressing issues with certain hard drives on the latest MacBook Pros models. Apple had been reported last week to be working on the issue, which involves intermittent "beeping" noises and occasional brief system freezes on machines using 500 GB, 7200 rpm hard drives.

MacBook Pro Hard Drive Firmware Update 2.0 reduces certain infrequent noises made by 7200-rpm drives.

These drives shipped with the June 2009 MacBook Pro.

To complete the firmware update process, please follow the instructions in the updater application (/Applications/Utilities/Hard Drive Update.app).

The updater will launch automatically when the installation is complete.

New Hard Drive firmware will be: 0007APM2

As the issue was first gaining attention in the first days after release, it was judged to likely be stemming from the G-Force anti-shock protection mechanism found in the Seagate Momentus drives used by Apple. The G-Force mechanism is essentially redundant to Apple's own Sudden Motion Sensor technology included in its notebook computers, but it is unclear exactly what steps Apple took with this firmware update to address the issue.

Article Link: Apple Releases Fix for MacBook Pro Hard Drive Issues

 

[dissdnt]

Haha weird. I just got a macbook replacement today with that exact firmware version because of this click/beep thing.

So far so good.

 

[Mintin8]

About time!

 

[TuffLuffJimmy]

Thank god! No more random freezing!



Edit: FFFFFFFF apparently my computer doesn't need this update. I guess I'll just have to live with my random thirty second freezes.

 

[Porco]

Great news if it fixes it.

 

[z.j.c5]

Wish this worked on the 13" MacBook Pro!

 

[Achiever]

The article seems to imply that the firmware upgrade will not affect after market drives which are hearing this sound. If true, that's disappointing as many of the complaints came from folks using this exact drive but who installed it after market.

 

[Master Chief]

Thank god! No more random freezing!

FFFFFFFF apparently my computer doesn't need this update. I guess I'll just have to live with my random thirty second freezes.

And you see a spinning beach ball when that happens? Do you have any external drives connected?

 

[bob616]

i'm not getting the update.

 

[MacMan86]

And you see a spinning beach ball when that happens? Do you have any external drives connected?

Had hoped the update would apply to my June 09 MBP with a 7,200rpm, 320GB drive which has random freezing with the spinning ball, but it doesn't, so I'm not sure where that leaves me. I suppose a reinstall

 

[macjonny1]

This update is full of FAIL.

There are numerous reports of people that have bought this seagate drive aftermarket for the new MBPs and older MBPs, along with the non-Gforce version drive, along with other drives, that have this same issue and Apple hasn't done anything about that.eo

 

[doug in albq]

I think I will use Pacifist & Smultron to take a close look at this update. I am very curious as to their solution to this particular HDD issue, which is similar to the more-widespread issue of "soft-clicking HDDs" found in all types of modern laptop computers, whether running Mac OS, Windows, or Linux...

 

[RazorD]

Thank god! No more random freezing!



FFFFFFFF apparently my computer doesn't need this update. I guess I'll just have to live with my random thirty second freezes.

Mine say that after i turned it back end following the update (the docs say it'll say it updated successfully) - I'm guessing this is a bug, as it definitely did the flash.

 

[macjonny1]

This update is full of fail.

What about people who replaced their new or older MBP's drive with the seagate drives, both this one and the non-Gforce version drive who are having the problem as well.

 

[Blue Fox]

I'm sure Apple is working on fixes for the other hardrives and MacBooks being affected as well, they just got this done first and releasing it ASAP.

 

[aristotle]

This update is full of FAIL.

There are numerous reports of people that have bought this seagate drive aftermarket for the new MBPs and older MBPs, along with the non-Gforce version drive, along with other drives, that have this same issue and Apple hasn't done anything about that.eo

Wait a sec. Were you expecting them to fix this issue with after market drives?

 

[bozz2006]

yes, i'd hope they would offer a stand-alone, system-independent solution, for people like me who upgraded their unibody macbooks (or any other apple laptop) to the seagate 7200.4

 

[Master Chief]

Had hoped the update would apply to my June 09 MBP with a 7,200rpm, 320GB drive which has random freezing with the spinning ball, but it doesn't, so I'm not sure where that leaves me. I suppose a reinstall

This firmware update is set to fix the clicking noises only – don't tell me that you have set this energy saver preference: [V] "Put the hard disk(s) to sleep when possible."

 

[Bjohnson33]

I hadn't actually heard of this problem before. Hopefully most of you get some satisfaction from this update, although it sounds like some of you are still left out in the cold.

 

[Master Chief]

Wait a sec. Were you expecting them to fix this issue with after market drives?

I would say yes. At least when Apple is to blame for this ticking noise.

 

[zw-gator]

No update notice for me

 

[macjonny1]

Wait a sec. Were you expecting them to fix this issue with after market drives?

Yes, along with probably hundreds if not thousands of other people. There is no reason I shouldn't be able to pop the same drive into my older MBP and not have a problem. The problem lies with Apple's hardware. Are you to tell me that for every Apple you will ever own, you don't expect to be able to swap out the hard drive without an issue when you run out of space?

 

[lhotka]

I would say yes. At least when Apple is to blame for this ticking noise.

And how is Apple supposed to get the firmware from other vendors to update the drives? Keep in mind that Dell has the same issue with these drives too, so it's likely Seagate's problem.

 

[Amdahl]

I would say yes. At least when Apple is to blame for this ticking noise.

Maybe it isn't completely Apple's fault. Perhaps you should contact Seagate if you bought aftermarket?

 

[vader26]

so far so good... usually would have had several clicks and pauses in the last half hour - none so far after install.