Apple iMac EFI Firmware Update fixes several issues to improve the stability of iMac (Early 2011) computers and is recommended for all users.
This update improves the reliability of booting from the network, addresses an issue that can prevent HDCP authentication after a reboot, and resolves an issue with boot device selection when a USB storage device is hot-plugged.
The Apple Support document about 'iMac EFI Firmware Update 1.9' (https://support.apple.com/kb/DL1498) addresses iMac (Mid 2011) computers; there is no mention in that document of iMac (Early 1011) computers.
Why this confusion in this MacUpdate Download page?
ALSO found in my software update for MID-2011 imac models(i have the 27 inch 3.4 ghz quad core i7,lion 10.7.3 installed 1 gigs ram and radeon 6970M 2 gig)
This update is not only for iMacs with the Radeon card.
It also shows up in the Software Update Panel from iMacs with NVIDIA cards.
That's for the freezing issue in Boot Camp.
So the requirements are a bit misleading...
If you read the requirements on Apples website they say 10.5.6 or later.
Not 10.5.6 or later with the Radeon card.
When it does not show up in the Software Update Panel your iMac should not need it.
But if you want to be sure you can download the firmware manual.
The EFI Firmware updates are 'smart' and will not run if not needed on your hardware!
So there is nothing to be afraid of. The update will only run on those iMacs that realy need the update!
It's even possible that some NVIDIA iMacs see the update in their Software Update Panel and others not, based on the serialnumber of the hardware and when they are exactly build (lotnumbers).
Sorry - yes - should have been more explicit. What I was trying to imply is that not all machines with nVidia cards will see the update because it likely doesn't apply to all of them (like mine). I'm sure it checks machine ID and possibly hardware configuration (but more likely just the model) when it determines what to show you in SW Update.
I was really intending to tell people not to worry if they don't see it - they probably don't need it. But as you say, trying to install it should cause no harm on a machine that won't take it - it just won't install.
Apple is sometimes lazy about properly identifying which updates apply to which Mac models. Your Macs are "Late 2006" models, and even though the display size is different, the logic board, etc. are similar enough so that this firmware update applies to both. If the firmware update wasn't appropriate for your Mac model, its installer wouldn't have installed it. Any problems that occur after any firmware update aren't due to a mismatch between the firmware update and a given Mac model, but due to bugs in either the firmware update itself (which means both some 17" and 20" models may experience similar problems), or your System software, leftover cache files (clear them out using something like Leopard Cache Cleaner), etc.
I just doublechecked your Mac's firmware numbers, and you're right, the model ID shown in the firmware version that the updater has installed on your Macs, doesn't match your Mac's official model name (17 Inch Late 2006 CD)--IM51 is the model ID for the 17" and 20" with a Superdrive, and IM52 is what you'd normally expect with a 17" CD model. Also, IM51.0090.B03 isn't one of the numbers Apple shows at http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1237, even for non-CD models--it shows IM51.0090.B09 as being what firmware update 1.2 installs for both the 17" and 20" Late 2006 models (which is a further oddity--if you installed firmware update 1.3 and got firmware IM51.0090.B03, it seems that the 1.3 update might install a variation of the 1.2 update on models that don't support the 1.3 update). But since the 17" Late 2006 CD model is just a 17" Late 2006 model with a Combo drive instead of a Superdrive, their logic boards are probably identical, or close enough (maybe the only difference was the model ID originally in their firmware), or some production runs may have used these two logic boards interchangeably. So, it's likely that these inconsistencies aren't anything to worry about. Still, it's debatable whether it was a good idea or a bad one, for the updater to change your Mac's model ID to a technically different model's. It's even possible that your 17" CD model's firmware originally showed IM51 as its model ID, if it contained a non-CD model logic board all along.
There are currently no troubleshooting comments. If you are experiencing a problem with this app, please post a comment.
Please login or create a new MacUpdate Member account to use this feature
Watch Lists are available to MacUpdate Desktop Members Upgrade Now
Download and auto-install
using MacUpdate Desktop. Save
time moving folders and cleaning-up.
Apple iMac EFI Firmware Update fixes several issues to improve the stability of iMac (Early 2011) computers and is recommended for all users.
This update improves the reliability of booting from the network, addresses an issue that can prevent HDCP authentication after a reboot, and resolves an issue with boot device selection when a USB storage device is hot-plugged.
+3
Why this confusion in this MacUpdate Download page?
+3
-1
-166
Why can't apple ever get this right??????
-8
Ikir reviewed on 23 Feb 2012
+58
I did the EFI-firmware-upgrade and everything is working fine!
+58
I have got the 24" iMac with the NVIDIA GeForce 9400M videocard.
+2
+24
It also shows up in the Software Update Panel from iMacs with NVIDIA cards.
That's for the freezing issue in Boot Camp.
So the requirements are a bit misleading...
If you read the requirements on Apples website they say 10.5.6 or later.
Not 10.5.6 or later with the Radeon card.
Greetz.
+19
My current boot ROM version is IM61.0093.B07, for what it's worth.
...so as usual - YMMV.
-c
+24
But if you want to be sure you can download the firmware manual.
The EFI Firmware updates are 'smart' and will not run if not needed on your hardware!
So there is nothing to be afraid of. The update will only run on those iMacs that realy need the update!
It's even possible that some NVIDIA iMacs see the update in their Software Update Panel and others not, based on the serialnumber of the hardware and when they are exactly build (lotnumbers).
Greetz.
+1
+19
I was really intending to tell people not to worry if they don't see it - they probably don't need it. But as you say, trying to install it should cause no harm on a machine that won't take it - it just won't install.
c
+4
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1237
+141
-1
My Boot ROM Version now says: IM51.0090.B03
Which would be right if i had a 20-inch late 2006.
But i have a 17-inch late 2006 CD.
So what now?
+4
i have the same problem.
my rom says IM51.0090.B03 but, i have a 17inch.
it is supposed to be IM52....
my imac keeps crashing.
+42
+42
I just doublechecked your Mac's firmware numbers, and you're right, the model ID shown in the firmware version that the updater has installed on your Macs, doesn't match your Mac's official model name (17 Inch Late 2006 CD)--IM51 is the model ID for the 17" and 20" with a Superdrive, and IM52 is what you'd normally expect with a 17" CD model. Also, IM51.0090.B03 isn't one of the numbers Apple shows at http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1237, even for non-CD models--it shows IM51.0090.B09 as being what firmware update 1.2 installs for both the 17" and 20" Late 2006 models (which is a further oddity--if you installed firmware update 1.3 and got firmware IM51.0090.B03, it seems that the 1.3 update might install a variation of the 1.2 update on models that don't support the 1.3 update). But since the 17" Late 2006 CD model is just a 17" Late 2006 model with a Combo drive instead of a Superdrive, their logic boards are probably identical, or close enough (maybe the only difference was the model ID originally in their firmware), or some production runs may have used these two logic boards interchangeably. So, it's likely that these inconsistencies aren't anything to worry about. Still, it's debatable whether it was a good idea or a bad one, for the updater to change your Mac's model ID to a technically different model's. It's even possible that your 17" CD model's firmware originally showed IM51 as its model ID, if it contained a non-CD model logic board all along.
-39
Bolobar rated on 29 Feb 2012