14 DAY TRIAL // In light of Apple's releasing a slew of firmware updates for users of Late 2008 notebooks, we've put together this article to ensure that you have all the steps Apple recommends for a smooth update process in a single place.
Some firmware updates for Intel-based Macs may not be displayed automatically using Software Update, according to Apple. If they do not appear in Software Update, they must be manually downloaded. Should you be unsure whether your computer needs a particular update, simply download and open the update installer. It will alert you if the firmware update is already installed or not needed.
EFI firmware updates
First off, all Late 2008 MacBook models now have a new EFI firmware available for them. The respective firmware updates can be downloaded for free, either by using the links below, or by choosing Software Update from the Apple menu. Download MacBook EFI Firmware Update 1.3 (Free)
Download MacBook Pro EFI Firmware Update 1.6 (Free) Download MacBook Air EFI Firmware Update 1.1 (Free)
Installation steps
Making sure that your AC adapter is plugged in is one important aspect you need to remember. Apple warns that the Firmware Updater application will not run, unless the computer is connected to AC power.
Next up, you need to locate the appropriate update for your computer. Download it to your machine by clicking the update's title (links above). The download will place the disk image with an installer in your downloads folder or the location specified in Safari General Preferences. Apple points out that, if you download the disk image via Safari, Safari will notify you that an application is in the image. Click OK to continue.
If "Open safe files after downloading" is checked in Safari preferences, the disk image file will mount by itself. Should that preference not be enabled in Safari, double-click the disk image to mount it.
On the mounted disk image, you will see a file named MacBookFirmwareUpdate.pkg, MacBookProFirmwareUpdate.pkg, or MacBookAirFirmwareUpdate.pkg. Double-click the appropriate .pkg file to start the firmware update process. (The installer puts the Firmware Updater in the /Application/Utilities folder and opens it automatically.)
Read the onscreen instructions and click Shut Down to proceed with the update. The firmware image will be loaded onto your computer. Your machine will then shut down, but the update will not be installed until the next step.
Turn on your computer, yet do NOT hold the power button down. The screen will turn black and remain in that state for up to 40 seconds. A gray screen will appear, and a status bar will indicate the progress of the update. IMPORTANT: Do not unplug, shutdown, or restart your computer while the update is taking place.
Installation takes several minutes, so be patient and wait as your computer restarts after your firmware has been updated. After you log in, a dialog box stating that the firmware update has been successful will appear. Click OK to dismiss this dialog. That's it!
If there is an installation issue, or if your Intel-based Mac's hard disk isn't formatted with the GUID partition scheme, Apple offers additional details in the knowledge base article titled About MacBook EFI Update 1.3, MacBook Pro EFI Update 1.6 and MacBook Air EFI Update 1.1.
SMC firmware updates
There are three things to know here, according to Apple. First of all, as a user of a MacBook, you need to determine if an update is available. Then, you have to install the firmware update application that, in its turn, installs the SMC Firmware Update. In reality, it's much simpler than it sounds.
Installation steps
To determine if an SMC update is available for your computer, go through the instructions in the second paragraph above. Once you have downloaded the SMC Firmware Update for your machine (download links available just below), close any open applications.
Download MacBook SMC Firmware Update 1.2 (Free)
Download MacBook Pro 15-inch SMC Firmware Update 1.2 (Free)
Download MacBook Air SMC Firmware Update 1.1 (Free)
Double-click the SMC Update.pkg file and click Continue after reading the licensing agreement, then click Agree if you accept the terms. Click Install to install the update application. After the software is successfully installed, click Close to start the updater application (If you have inadvertently skipped this part, you can find the updater in /Applications/Utilities, says Apple).
Read the onscreen firmware update installation instructions, then click Restart to proceed. As your computer starts, the SMC will be updated. Apple points out that it is normal for your computer's fans to run at full speed during the update. They will return to normal speed once the process completes. The computer will restart again once the firmware update is done. IMPORTANT: As with the EFI updates, don't interrupt the update process in any way. Moreover, the SMC firmware update requires a Macintosh-formatted disk or partition. Apple advises users to skim through this knowledge base article for more information.
After your computer restarts a second time, you should see a message stating that the update was successful. Click OK to continue. However, if you see the message that you previously saw in step 7 (instead of a message that the update was successful), you will need to install the update again.
Concerning both EFI and SMC firmware updates, note that some USB devices may prevent firmware updates from installing correctly. Apple says that if you are having trouble installing an update, you should try disconnecting non-essential devices and use only an Apple keyboard, mouse, and display. Let us know how has this article helped you with the installation of firmware updates for your MacBook.