Hands-On Report--Apple Issued Intel-Based Mac SMC Firmware Updates

Apple released SMC Firmware Update 1.0 for the Intel-based iMac (early 2006) MacBook Pro and Mac mini (early 2006). They are available via the Software Update application or as a stand-alone download from this Apple Web page.

According to Apple,

The SMC Firmware Update 1.0 is a System Management Control (SMC) firmware update for certain Intel-based computers, including iMac (Early 2006), Mac mini (Early 2006) and MacBook Pro (15-inch) computers.

The SMC Firmware Update addresses boot issues with the iMac, MacBook Pro and Mac mini.

Firmware updates have become less scary. There are no more small buttons to push nor holding down the power button until flashes or beeps happen on reboot. The process is simple and virtually automatic:

Your computer's power cord must be connected and plugged into a working power source.

1. Quit all other open applications.

2. Click Restart in the MacBook Pro SMC Firmware Update window and wait for your computer to restart.

The SMC firmware update starts automatically. A status bar indicates the progress of the update. During the update your computer fans will run at full speed, but will return to normal once the update completes.

Important: Do not interrupt the update.

Your computer restarts automatically when the update is completed and opens the MacBook Pro SMC Firmware Update.

3. Click OK. The SMC firmware is now up-to-date.

We updated the SMC Firmware on our MacBook Pro and iMac Core Duo with no problem. We don't know what it fixes, however, since we did not have a boot problem that we were aware of before applying the update. [Bill Fox & Dana Baggett]


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