Apple today released MacBook SMC Firmware Update 1.1 which “improves the MacBook’s internal monitoring system and addresses issues with unexpected shutdowns. This update is recommended for all MacBook systems, including those that received warranty repair.”
If your MacBook shuts down randomly during use, Apple says this downloadable firmware update is now available that resolves this issue.
You can use the Software Update feature of System Preferences, or download the MacBook SMC Firmware Update v1.1 from Apple Software Download.
Note:
If your MacBook is running Mac OS X 10.4.6, you won’t be able to install the SMC Update until you update to Mac OS X 10.4.8.
MacBooks running Mac OS X 10.4.7 will be able to download and install the SMC Update, so it is not essential that you update your system software, although Apple always recommends updating to the latest version of the system software.
After this update has completed successfully, your SMC Version will be: 1.4f12.
Installation:
The updater application will be installed in the /Applications/Utilities folder.
Please follow the instructions in the updater application to complete the update process.
Here are the instructions within the updater:
To update the SMC firmware on your MacBook:
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 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 SMC Firmware Update.
3. Click OK. The SMC firmware is now up-to-date.
If these instructions appear on your screen again, the SMC firmware update was not successful. Repeat steps 2 and 3.
For detailed information on this update, please visit this website: http://www.info.apple.com/kbnum/n304308
More info and download link here.
Related MacDailyNews articles:
What is Apple doing about MacBooks suffering from ‘Random Shutdown Syndrome?’ – October 21, 2006
Apple to repair ‘random shutdown MacBooks’ free of charge – September 08, 2006
This rocks – first post!
excellent.
this shouldve been released months ago.
Sonuvabitch. This puts quite a crimp in my class action plans that would ultimately result in lining lawyers’ pockets while accomplishing little or nothing for myself and other consumers.
Excuse me, I have to get back to purposely scratching – uh, I mean, “normally using” my iPod nano.
That’s cool but really too bad. I talked my buddy into getting a MacBook around 3 months back and he loved it. Problem was he became frustrated with the random shutdowns and he finally got them to take it back. Bummer. Maybe I can talk him back into one now. Probably not though. Tough experience for a first time convert. 🙁
Carlo’s idea of an Apple Firmware update:
“If your MacBook shuts down randomly during use, a downloadable firmware update is now available that does not resolve the issue. We have not found a reliable solution to the problem. However, our customers believe we should release half-baked, untested updates as soon as possible compared to something reliable later.”
i’ve never had this problem. hopefully things go well *knock on wood after the update..
Having said that, the last update to the firmware made an AMAZING difference in cooling the Macbook…
No problem here either. Maybe I just don’t push mine hard enough.
I wonder how many Macbooks were affected by this?
If it was a large proportion of sales, then this is going to give a bad impression (lasting) to the new converts…not something we need now that Apple is sellling more Macs than ever
Hope not…..
I had a firmware update once.
Peterson, you ROCK!!!! But then again, I’ve had a lot to drink.
MW: “drunkoffyourass”: how do they do that???????
Re right…,
Why not? Apple releases half baked untested computers!
I hope that this works, and I’m glad I waited to take mine in….
There’s no way a software update can fix metled hardware. The heatsinks within macbooks experiencing RSS went bad because the insulation around the wiring (going from the heatsink to the logic board) melted. There’s no way in hell that a software update is going to fix melted wires. If you ask me, Apple either added or took out a line of code which disables a portion of the functionality of the heatsink. Personally, I’d like to know if my hardware has gone bad or not.
Out of the dozens of heatsinks I’ve replaced, I have YET to see melted wires…
Tom,
I’ve read elsewhere that the RSS was caused by an overly sensitive thermal sensor which caused the MacBook to shut down as a precaution. I don’t know how reliable the source was. I’ll look for it.
It seems like if insulation melted it’d be a permanent short which would always shut the Macbook down. Or, it would cause an intermittent short based on the wire’s contact with some component which would mean RSS would be affected by moving or jarring your MacBook. Just a thought, I’ll look for a reference.
Follow Up
It was in a blog posted on PC World by the editor. The quote is at the bottom under the heading, “Last Monday.” It reads, “The courteous Genius who gives it back to me provides more details on the defect: Some MacBooks have a heat sink sensor that malfunctions, thinks the system is overheating when it isn’t, and shuts down the machine thinking it’s preventing potential damage.”
So it’s from an Apple Store “Genius”. Take it for what it’s worth…
“There’s no way a software update can fix metled hardware. The heatsinks within macbooks experiencing RSS went bad because the insulation around the wiring (going from the heatsink to the logic board) melted. There’s no way in hell that a software update is going to fix melted wires. If you ask me, Apple either added or took out a line of code which disables a portion of the functionality of the heatsink. Personally, I’d like to know if my hardware has gone bad or not.”
As you say, the answer is simple, it’s probably a hack that just ignores a shorted sensor. Apple probably thinks it’s better to replace a few fried Macbooks that overheat because the Macbook can’t detect the problem rather than replace all the shorted sensors. I wouldn’t be surprised if it also more agressively throttles performance to try to keep temperatures down.
it wasn’t that firm…
Not only wasn’t it firm, it also shut down too quickly, too,
@ peterson’s wife
Perhaps the shutdown was to protect Peterson’s ware from the heat in your oven
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Peterson and Tom Cruise need to have a pay-for-view duel on MDN. I’d pay to see that.
Actually, Mini Petey, got me a real firmware update that satisfies me better than he does. Honey, could you buy me some more batteries!
I brought mine in last week. Got it back today with a “nothing wrong” message, was charged $90 because “it wasn’t a hardware issue”.
Called Apple, they had me reseat the RAM, push the power button unpowered for 5 secs. and then download the firmware update. Let’s hope this works. On top of that the place that did the job got frigging tape glue all over the yop of the case and some blue ink on the bottom.
Don’t take your Macs to Dutchess Multimedia center in Pleasant Valley,N.Y., they send the stuff to CT for repair, I don’t even know if it’s an Apple store but they are supposed to be an “authorized” Apple repair center. I let Apple know they suck and made them note the damage.