Author Topic: Firmware update? (Read 3253 times)

LR827 · « **on:** May 09, 2003, 11:58:00 PM »

I don't know why anybody updates anything. Something is working very well, and then we go and buy a new OS and poof! It all starts to fall apart.

Well, I have my old original turquoise iMac, updated to 8.6. I updated it to 9.0 because I wanted Appleworks 6 on it. Now I purchased a CD on eBay with the 9.1 & 9.2 upgrades.

Now the HP DJ 812C printer won't print any application except the desktop & whatever web page I am viewing. I addressed that on another string or two, and am hoping the upgrades to 9.2 will cure that.

But now when I try to install the 9.1 upgrade, it tells me that my "firmware is out of date," and I should check to Mac OS CD for "CD extras" to find the proper upgrade for the firmware, so I can then upgrade the OS (are you with me?)

So, I found the "CD extras" folder on the Mac OS 9.0 install CD, but I have no clue what to open & use to upgrade my firmware? Nothing says "firmware."

I wrote to the guy who sold me the 9.1-2 upgrade CD's and he referred me to the Apple website for an upgrade. Now there, when I search for "iMac Firmware update" I see something about SuperDrive firmware updates & Airport firmware updates, but I don't know exactly what I need.

Help. Thank you.

Mrious_be · « **Reply #1 on:** May 09, 2003, 12:01:00 PM »

I once updated my firmware to and now i can say it wasn't that hard.
But first of all, i would search Apple's support pages to the last firmware available for your type of computer.
If you found it, there's an "how to install" document probably, it's pretty easy to follow.
I uses the "programmer's" button on mine, so i guess it's the same on yours.

Mrious_be · « **Reply #2 on:** May 09, 2003, 12:04:00 PM »

quote:
Originally posted by LR827:
Now there, when I search for "iMac Firmware update" I see something about SuperDrive firmware updates & Airport firmware updates, but I don't know exactly what I need.

You don't need those ones, you really need to find the firmware for your computer.
Thing is... i had it but already throwed it away
But, i needed it to install Jaguar so i'm kinda thinking you might not need a new firmware anyway (was it needed for Os9.x???)

pendragon · « **Reply #3 on:** May 09, 2003, 01:04:00 PM »

Lorraine, I think the reference you are looking for is Knowledge Base Document 88010 http://docs.info.apple.com/article2.html?artnum=88010

HTH

Harv

LR827 · « **Reply #4 on:** May 09, 2003, 09:09:00 PM »

Harv, thanks, I'll try that. I don't know why I couldn't find it, I guess I gave up too soon. Maybe that is what Mrious_be needs, too? Thanks to both of you for your help. I'll let you know if I ever find my way back to a working computer & printer!!

LR827 · « **Reply #5 on:** May 09, 2003, 09:29:00 PM »

Well, that didn't work -- "This update is for specific iMac models and will not work on this computer."

1. Is there a different firmware updater that might work?

2. Can you tell me where in the "CD extras" on the OS 9 install CD I can find the updater?

3. Is it possible that 9.0 won't work on this iMac at all? Or that the printer will never work on 9.0?

pendragon · « **Reply #6 on:** May 10, 2003, 06:51:35 AM »

Lorraine, Sorry the help wasn't.

A few years ago, I bought a Rev B iMac for my granddaughter (now in Colorado) and did the firmware update, but as I recall, it did not pertain to printing and my synapses have since been updated (or deleted).

Re finding the link, I too was directed elsewhere when first I visited the Apple site. I only found it through some Google searching.

A couple of thoughts. Well, OK, musings...
* That your printer will print some things and not others I find very strange.
* Low End Mac has some great links on iMacs that may well be of benefit http://www.lowendmac.com/imacs/index.shtml...acs/index.shtml

Perhaps some kindhearted iMac user will come to the rescue.

Harv

LR827 · « **Reply #7 on:** May 10, 2003, 08:19:10 AM »

Thanks, Harv. I found another link, in the Apple.com iMac support section -- an earlier firmware update, I believe.

I haven't tried it yet -- my daughter got home from Indiana last night and she had the audacity to go to sleep in her old bedroom! Hmmph! Now I have to wait for her to wake up before I can toss her out & get back to my ... uh, her... iMac! (But she is so sweet & beautiful sleeping!! They never get too old for us to love looking at them asleep, eh?)

Okay, back on track. Here is the firmware update for iMac 1.2 (the one you sent was for 2.4). I'll let you (and the whole world, who of course, read this forum!) know how it works:

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=60384

kelly · « **Reply #8 on:** May 10, 2003, 09:37:24 AM »

Lorraine. The link you posted last applied to NetBooting.

You don't care about that.

From it though there's a link to:

iMac: When to Install Available Updates

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?ar...m=58174#iMac266

Everything is there somewhere.

Just a matter of figuring out which ones.

kelly · « **Reply #9 on:** May 10, 2003, 09:45:24 AM »

Try this one first.

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=60408

Fiona · « **Reply #10 on:** May 10, 2003, 10:00:03 AM »

I upgraded from OS8.6 to 9.1 over a year ago, with the help of a cyber friend in Georgia. When I got the upgrade firmware message, I emailed him and told him that I know I am old but do they have to unsult me...

LR827 · « **Reply #11 on:** May 10, 2003, 04:23:03 PM »

Thanks, kelly. I did successfully upgrade the firmware with the link I posted -- paper clip, long tone & all. Then I went back to the 9.1 upgrader CD and tried to install it. It went well for about a minute, even fixing some problem it found along the way. Then I got this message:

QUOTE

Problems were encountered reading the source file, "Installation Tome." Installation cannot continue."

1. Do you think that I installed the improper Firmware upgrade -- and if I install the link you sent me, it might fix it?

2. For Fiona27: Very funny! Firmware sounds like something we should be installing under our drawers!

Fiona · « **Reply #12 on:** May 11, 2003, 07:25:06 AM »

I'm thinking Bras.

tacit · « **Reply #13 on:** May 12, 2003, 12:32:03 PM »

The "problems reading 'installation tome'" error is not the result of bad firmware. This is a very common and well-documented bug in the Installer.

The fix is easy. Zap your PRAM and install again. The error is caused by corrupt information in your PRAM.

If that doesn't work, disconnect all external devices except the keyboard and mouse, zap again, and install again.

LR827 · « **Reply #14 on:** May 12, 2003, 01:01:46 PM »

Thanks, tacit.

This string has gotten somewhat confusing, and I'm not sure if I put in every step -- but let me summarize:

The firmware update 1.2 seemed to work. Once I completed that, I was able to begin the 9.1 installation okay. At least, it didn't tell me I needed to update something else first.

After about 15 seconds of humming along, it said, "A problem was found but has been repaired," and then it continued to hum along.

Finally, after about 30 seconds, it said there was a problem with the Installation Tome source and installation could not continue.

I went back to the Apple knowledge base, problems with "Installation tomes" and it said, first, try wiping the CD on the underside, with a clean dry cloth, from spindle toward the outer rim.

As soon as I turned it over, I saw little specks on it. I tried to wipe them off, but it wouldn't work at all. I wrote back to the guy whom I bought the CD from, and he is sending me another one. Hopefully, that one will work!

But I appreciate all of the advice & links here -- they have been very helpful, AS USUAL!

News:

Author Topic: Firmware update? (Read 3253 times)