upgrading USB3 firmware on MAC MONTEREY system (2018 mini)

[wfriedwald]

Mac Mini 2018
OS Monterey 12.3.1
startup drive 250GB SSD, 152GB currently available
32 GB RAM, rarely am I using more than 15-20 GB maximum at any point

Okay, I have been having a lot of problems with crashes etc (ZOOM + VLC = crash!)
rather than recap all of them, you can check out this thread:

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/strange-slow-down-and-audio-issue-mac-mini-2018.2343422/

(and also to get a visual look at my system from the outside, I started a photo gallery here
USB JUNGLE (FLICKR photo album)

USB Jungle

Explore this photo album by Will Friedwald on Flickr!

flic.kr

But I thought I would ask this question independently, it's kind of a "standalone question."

From a windows-using friend:
"Have you ever checked for updated firmware for any of those usb hubs or usb drives?"

I don't know that I have!

Can anyone help? With the MAC OS, is it recommended to periodically update the USB3 firmware? And if so, how do I do that?

Thanks for any suggestions / feedback.

W

 

[DeltaMac]

The mini firmware, or drivers for the USB bus, would be done during system software updates.
Of course, when you install system updates, you would usually be encouraged to disconnect any external devices that are not Apple-brand (keyboard/mouse will be OK, if third-party.
Those would mean going to the manufacturer's web site for whatever brands of external devices you might typically be using. Check on that site's support information to see if there are any downloads for the model of device that you might have.
And, it might be worthwhile checking at those manufacturer's support sites for software downloads, and you might find something that you can use. Look for macOS versions of that download, as it can be frustrating if there are download, but for only Windows, or even Linux-only.

If you don't find any downloads for any of your external devices, you might like to reinstall the macOS Monterey system, particularly if you have always updated your system (when updates were available to your system) and never have done a system reinstall/reload.
You can do that reinstall from your Recovery system - or you can boot to an external installer that is for your current macOS system. Maybe you already have made one of those installers.
One big advantage for you with a reinstall, is that will check for current firmware updates for your Mac mini, and automatically install that update, if needed. That's a bonus beyond the reload of your system that would also be completed.

 

[wfriedwald]

thank you!

several responders have encouraged me to reinstall the entire MAC OS MONTEREY system. It's a dramatic step, but increasingly looking like the best option.

follow-up question: Does this literally mean blanking the hard drive and starting from scratch, including re-installing all my programs and like that?

Anyhow, thanks for the feedback - I'm highly grateful!

w

 

[DeltaMac]

The reinstall, as I posted above, booting to your recovery system, then choosing "Reinstall macOS", does not mean blanking (erasing/formatting) the drive. It is simply reinstalling the system, which will place all the correct system files, in the correct locations. It is just a reload of the system. That reload should not disturb your files and apps, and will end up looking exactly the same (same background, and same locations for everything) as before doing that reinstall. You have a new install of the system, and that's all.
And, you would use your "renewed" system for a day or two, checking that your problems have been fixed - or work much better (or no change at all).
I often suggest that "reload", as it is much less intrusive, takes less time, and sometimes is all you need to get your Mac working as you expect.

If you don't know how to boot to recovery system - Restart, holding Command+r. You will boot to a Utilities window with a list of choices, one of which will be Reinstall macOS Monterey. That's it... The reinstall will download the full system install, then reinstall that same system. The time will depend on the speed of your internet connection at first, then the actual reinstall will also take some time. Most Macs will be done after about 45 minutes to an hour. Then you try some of your tasks to see if the issue is fixed (or at least working better.)

 

[wfriedwald]

hey, thanks! this is the best idea I have heard yet. thank you again!

 

[wfriedwald]

okay, so I did it, I made the re-install. It went very smoothly. We shall see if it helps. thank you again!