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Apple Addresses MacBook Air Issues With Firmware Update
- Thread starter T4R06
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It may have been "rare" but it was common enough for Apple to release a fix. It affected my brand new MacBook Air last month (enough so that I had to return it after 3 days to get a replacement). I figured it was some sort of firmware issue since it happened sometimes but not others, but it had gotten so bad I couldn't wait for a fix. Based on the poll I started last month, quite a few others here had the same issue.
My 13" MBA that was working perfectly does not boot up anymore, any attempt at start or hard reboot does not show any activity on the screen and the screen stays black. If this was the 'rare' issue that this update fixed, how can I apply this EFI fix? When it does not even boot, how would it download and start install?
I bought the MBA on 11 Nov, so may not have the latest version of the OS (which includes this fix)
I bought the MBA on 11 Nov, so may not have the latest version of the OS (which includes this fix)
I also just updated the firmware along with the VMWare Fusion via the Apple Menu -> Software Update. Everything went smoothly and it took less than 5 minutes along with the loud sound. I've been fortunate enough to not have encountered any of the problems posted here and I hope that won't change soon.
Mine did the exact same thing. I assume it reverted back to the original firmware because when it restarted I ran software update again and it showed the same update needed to be installed.
Tried it again and it went through fine.
if you can borrow a friends mac..try buring a firmware restoration cd...
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2213
humm maybe there's not one for macbook air?
edit: lastest i can find is 1.9 and it shows only macpro
http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1320
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LOL that firmware update beep was louder than the usual firmware update beeps. Then again, I've never done one on a MBA.
I know - can you imagine?! A computer operating system/consumer electronics product firmware needing an update! It's atrocious, no other company has to do this. Apple's quality continues to drop through the floor and they continue to have lost all interest in computers. They haven't released a new model/update in over six weeks - obviously they need my advice on how to run their company and make it profitable. And everyone who buys an Apple product and has the audacity to like it? Well, they're just fan boys drinking the Apple Kool-Aid.
</sarcasm>
damn didn't fix the broken backlight on my keyboard lol
Remember though as quoted by Mr Ives in the new MacBook Air video that there was no compromise in the new MacBoook Air - Ya thanks Johnnie, maybe they just forgot to add it!
I missed out on the alarming beep. On restarting, my Air just sat silent with a blank screen. I had to hold the on button down for a few seconds to coax it into action. A pathetically quiet and brief 'blip' sounded rather than this magnificent beep I have been hearing about and then the firmware update went under way.
I feel cheated and wronged.
I feel cheated and wronged.
Wow! Poor guys. Ordered mine on Sunday. Shipped from Shanghai on Monday. In New Jersey now, and will be delivered tomorrow.
It sounds like the issue I was having with my first MacBook Air that I returned. Since I got a replacement 3 days later, obviously I can't say whether this update fixes the issue, but with that one, eventually if I pressed the power button or flipped the lid open and closed it would start up. One time it took nearly an hour (I tried every few minutes). If you can't get it started up, I'd set up a Genius Bar appointment for today and have them attempt to install it.
I did mine yesterday and it went fine.
Here is what to expect:
1. After click on button to reboot. It also recommend plug in power. I didn't since my bat level is at 85%. I recommend plug-in also.
2. You will hear a first loud beep, even my son said: that was loud...
3. Few sec later you will hear normal OS boot sound with with white screen for a sec, then reboot
4. #3 repeat
5. #3 repeat (I think this was the last one, It could have been one more time)
6. OS boot normally to desktop, back up and running. Everything is fine.
I did started to panic when the step #3 started at the third time. I stayed calm and let it do its thing. (DO NOT Interrupt until you see the desktop). I think the reason it reboot few times is: fewer firmware were updated. System, Video, etc...
UPDATE: If you see step #3 repeated couple of times, that means your MBA won't update the firmware. You MUST plug in AC power in order to update firmware successfully.
Here is what to expect:
1. After click on button to reboot. It also recommend plug in power. I didn't since my bat level is at 85%. I recommend plug-in also.
2. You will hear a first loud beep, even my son said: that was loud...
3. Few sec later you will hear normal OS boot sound with with white screen for a sec, then reboot
4. #3 repeat
5. #3 repeat (I think this was the last one, It could have been one more time)
6. OS boot normally to desktop, back up and running. Everything is fine.
I did started to panic when the step #3 started at the third time. I stayed calm and let it do its thing. (DO NOT Interrupt until you see the desktop). I think the reason it reboot few times is: fewer firmware were updated. System, Video, etc...
UPDATE: If you see step #3 repeated couple of times, that means your MBA won't update the firmware. You MUST plug in AC power in order to update firmware successfully.
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Didn't get any of that. Downloaded and elected to restart later. Put the machine to sleep while I found a quiet office. Restarted - black screen, no activity. Held the power button down - blip - firmware update screen went up. Rebooted after update and restarted with no fireworks. No reboot loops, no squawking, nothing much, really.
All in all, apart from my first black screen, a very meh update in terms of excitement.
Looks like everyone's MMV.
This was the only issue I had with my Air since getting it, and it only happened to it three times in over a month, still, it bugged me, so I'm glad it's fixed.
On the other hand, that beep made me spill my coffee.
D.
On the other hand, that beep made me spill my coffee.
D.
HP once released a fix for a kernel issue on HP-UX after I had had it on 1 box, 1 time and was the first to report it. Companies that learn about software bugs, no matter how rare the occurence might be, tend to issue fixes. Nothing surprising there and nothing that implies any kind of commonality.
This isn't fix isn't for your issue, just bring it in for repair under warranty, it's obviously just dead.
They still didn't fix crap. Still have a sleep issue here. Issue being when hibernatemode is set to 3 (which is default) when the computer wakes itself up in order to go into deep sleep it kernel panics. Then at that point it's frozen with a black screen and it chews thru the battery like it was turned on. I then have to force a shutdown and a bootup. I send the crash report to apple every time.
Way to fix NOTHING!
If I set my hibernatemode to 0 then all is fine - I get no crashes.
Way to fix NOTHING!
If I set my hibernatemode to 0 then all is fine - I get no crashes.