Generally upgrading any firmware disables the fan control(and other things) while it's performing the operation. My PC does the same thing, in fact even on reboot, even the video card fan controls disable themselves and ramp way up. So calm yourself.
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Mac Pro SMC Firmware Update 8-8-07
- Thread starter apfhex
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My fans only sped up for about 5 seconds tops while the firmware update was taking place. I finally got it to work by using my main administrative account. I think for some reason my user account had perma-declined the license agreement or something.
What did you want? I'm curious. No this update isn't "exciting" but neither is a security patch or well... most anything that comes through software update. You're not supposed to sound grateful... it's a patch not an enhancement.
Wow, not to sound ungrateful, but this is the only Mac Pro update to speak of from Apple? No new Apple Cinema Displays, towers, front row, nothing, just a "hey guys, we didn't forget about the most expensive product in our line, we have a fan update for you." Whooooop dee doo Apple, thanks.
What did you want? I'm curious. No this update isn't "exciting" but neither is a security patch or well... most anything that comes through software update. You're not supposed to sound grateful... it's a patch not an enhancement.
One very odd thing that happened with the update is that it fixed spotlight for me. I haven't had spotlight working at all since 10.4.10 and I tried everything under the sun. Now it works. Strange... Maybe the fans blew out all the Gremlins.
Well, let's see, after the recent Apple event Tuesday, the iMac's get a revision... again. Hell, they even got new KEYBOARDS. My Apple Aluminum Display is three years old, and part of the least updated Apple product line. Mac Pro's can't use Front Row, something a few of my friends in the professional photography business would like to use as a way of presenting slide shows/photo's/movies to clients.
As Mac Pro's are the most expensive product Apple sells in the pro line (aside from servers, etc), I'm just extremely disappointed that they keep neglecting updates in that department...
As Mac Pro's are the most expensive product Apple sells in the pro line (aside from servers, etc), I'm just extremely disappointed that they keep neglecting updates in that department...
I think the new keyboards probably work with the Mac Pro's. If you really want one. Not really sure what to tell you about the displays but a lack of updates to displays doesn't really have anything to do with the Mac Pro's. I know a lot of people use the across the whole Apple computer product line. It might be nice to see an integrated iSight into them though (which I would imagine is coming). I think the biggest problem with Front Row is that there is nothing to point the IR remote at. Maybe they can integrate that into the new screens or make the whole thing bluetooth.
Regardless I don't think they are neglecting the Mac Pro. It was updated to some extent in April. Also they did just add the ability to order one with hardware RAID which is something.
for those whom firmware update is not working... make sure you're running 10.4.10...
i'm still under 10.4.8 (for Audio production stability), so can't do this update.
i'm still under 10.4.8 (for Audio production stability), so can't do this update.
The thermal management systems on Mac Pros (etc.) are software controlled and when the system is in certain modes this software is inactive (updating firmware seems to be such a mode as well as during a small window of time while booting). The hardware is designed to detect this situation (not hearing form the software for a certain time period) and go into a "safe" mode that ramps up cooling, etc. to ensure that the system is safe from a thermal overload until you either shut it down or the management software comes back to life.
For example you can often trigger this by using the hardware test CD and running a system test (at least on PowerMac it used to do that).
That's only a problem if your keyboard is unexpectedly destroyed. I hardly ever use the remote on my iMac when using Front Row.
I can't explain why they won't let me put Front Row on my Mac Pro. I really wish they would, it would be useful from time to time.
Those are not updates. They added a 4th processor choice and a RAID card (that could have been bought before from 3rd parties). The Mac Pros themselves that came out in August of 2006 (1 year ago) has seen zero changes over the last 12 months.
Not that they really need them. They're still good machines at a good price. I don't think Apple really NEEDS to change anything at the moment. But I do challenge the idea they have been upgraded since their introduction. They really haven't.
To my surprise I had five software updates waiting for me. Among them Pro App update, two of them, and this SMC update. After I updated my MOTU PCI-424 audio interface no longer works. Tried installing MOTU drivers again, still nothing. It can't communicate with its audio interfaces. So right now, this amazing update from Apple stopped me from working, and I am on a pretty tight deadline. I hope I'll find a solution ASAP
To my surprise I had five software updates waiting for me. Among them Pro App update, two of them, and this SMC update. After I updated my MOTU PCI-424 audio interface no longer works. Tried installing MOTU drivers again, still nothing. It can't communicate with its audio interfaces. So right now, this amazing update from Apple stopped me from working, and I am on a pretty tight deadline. I hope I'll find a solution ASAP
if it's USB, you should know that 10.4.10 messed with USB power settings.
Wait.... first off going from 4 to 8 processors is an update... same with adding a BTO RAID card....
Secondly your first post seemed to be complaining about lack of Mac Pro updates and now you're saying they don't need to update them? You just want them updated for the sake of being updated?
I'd rather they stay the same so I have the latest and greatest longer!
As someone who is venturing into the design industry, I can say from experience a lot of people exclusively use Cinema Display's with their Mac's, and a lot of architects who use AutoCAD in Windows use Cinema Displays with their PC's, they're just a superior product.
However, all of the Mac line-up, with the exception of their most expensive line, the Mac Pro, have built-in iSights and IR sensors. Translation, Mac Pro owners don't have access to the Front Row application.
Certainly this isn't a deal breaker, but it begs the question "Why?". Why take away a feature on the highest end product line that even the Mac Mini has? The reason I mention this with displays is because that is the next logical step, to either incorporate built-in sensors in the display or revamp the tower to incorporate an IR Sensor.
However, the displays haven't been overhauled since early 2004. In the mean time, Apple has revamped the iMac a few times, Mac Mini, software suites, even the keyboard and mouse.
Of course the displays are significant, Apple doesn't want to sell a Mac Pro tower with the intention of losing the display sale to another company, which is precisely why they make Cinema Display's in aluminum in the first place, to go WITH the Mac Pro systems.
In short (and a rather unnecessary lengthy explanation), the display's are long over due for a revamp. After neglecting them and the pro line for so long, I was a bit surprised the only update we received was a software "firmware" update. Insult to injury...
Just my .02 cents...
I wish Apple would provide more details as to what these updates actually do. "Adjusts the fan behavior".. Yes, adjusts it how? Faster? Slower?
I already run SMCFanControl to force my fans to have a bottom speed of 1000 RPM. At the expense of a *tiny* bit more noise, the inside of my Mac Pro runs a lot cooler. This is likely to result in greater reliability down the road.
Why can't they tell us what these updates do? Apple seems to have an obsession with remaining vague and mysterious about this sort of thing. We should get a detailed list of bugfixes if we want them.
-Z
I already run SMCFanControl to force my fans to have a bottom speed of 1000 RPM. At the expense of a *tiny* bit more noise, the inside of my Mac Pro runs a lot cooler. This is likely to result in greater reliability down the road.
Why can't they tell us what these updates do? Apple seems to have an obsession with remaining vague and mysterious about this sort of thing. We should get a detailed list of bugfixes if we want them.
-Z
LOL this post made me laugh. It's cute. I can see it now:
"Software update: self-cleaning tool for Mac Pro".
Very Joan Crawford... lol
Wait.... first off going from 4 to 8 processors is an update... same with adding a BTO RAID card....
Secondly your first post seemed to be complaining about lack of Mac Pro updates and now you're saying they don't need to update them? You just want them updated for the sake of being updated?
I'd rather they stay the same so I have the latest and greatest longer!
Um, I think you're confusing his posts with mine...
As for the update, no, they weren't. Intel introduced quad-core processors from the same chip line. All Apple had to do was sell them along with the dual core processors. In fact, I can go out to any computer supply store and buy two quad core Intel chips and replace the dual core processors in my Mac Pro today, and viola, I have an octo Mac Pro.
In short, those "updates" came from Intel, not Apple. The Mac Pro itself is a year old this month.
The displays (I know, i know, I need to shut up about the displays already LOL), are over three years old, and Mac Pro users still don't have full access to all of the ready features available on the remainder of the Apple line-up...
I was also pretty surprised about the lack of Front Row when the Mac Pro first made the scene. When I asked the guy at the Genius Bar as to whether one could actually load it into a MP and just use the keyboard.....he actually told me that he didn't know it wasn't built in!
I don't think incorporating the IR into the Cinema display makes much sense, since all macs, excluding the MP already have this. I'd think that the solution could simply be a little white node on the desk that connects via USB on the keyboard. I mean, it's only an IR sensor, so it can just be a tiny square with a cord on it, and then releasing a free download of Front Row for Mac Pro users. But, knowing Apple, that little white node could cost $30
I don't think incorporating the IR into the Cinema display makes much sense, since all macs, excluding the MP already have this. I'd think that the solution could simply be a little white node on the desk that connects via USB on the keyboard. I mean, it's only an IR sensor, so it can just be a tiny square with a cord on it, and then releasing a free download of Front Row for Mac Pro users. But, knowing Apple, that little white node could cost $30