firmware

A number of events happen when you boot your Mac that activate the hardware and load the system software. Understanding these and some of the behaviors that the system might show when problems occur during these steps can help determine what you should do if your system will not boot properly.

Powering up Upon pressing the power button on your system, computer components such as hard drives, add-in cards, and other controllers receive power and start initialization routines to ensure that their hardware is working OK. If these components are all in working order, then they will assume a "… Read more

Apple has released an update to iTunes, bringing the latest public release of the software to version 10.5.2. This update contains small fixes for an audio distortion problem that may happen when playing or importing audio from some compact discs. Beyond this fix, the program contains some undocumented iTunes Match refinements.

The update should be available via Software Update for most users, but can also be downloaded directly from the iTunes 10.5.2 download page. (Note: some browsers are currently still showing the page for version 10.5.1, but Apple's link will still direct you … Read more

commentary If you're one of those people who thinks a manufacturer actually should finish a gadget's software before putting it on sale, it's time to get a grip.

Because in the electronics world, those days are gone.

Today's exhibit: Amazon will update the Kindle Fire software in the next two weeks to address shortcomings in a product on the market for only a month.

I certainly don't like it when new products fall short. But it's time to be practical here, because the situation isn't going to get better anytime soon.

And, perhaps … Read more

Sony's new PlayStation 3 firmware--version 4.00--ushers in new functionality for the console by making it a hub for the upcoming PS Vita handheld.

After spending several years in version 3, Sony has elevated to version 4 in the latest PlayStation firmware that went live around the world yesterday. The console is now a media, backup, and update hub for the Vita handheld.

Specifically, now gamers have the ability to copy music, videos, images, games, and other apps between the PS3 and Vita. This is mostly unimportant now, but will be a nice touch later when the … Read more

MacFixIt Answers is a feature in which we answer questions e-mailed in by our readers.

This week people wrote in with questions about OWC's SSD firmware updaters for Mac systems, the chances of Apple offering Snow Leopard for virtualization, and details on 16GB RAM support in MacBook Pro systems. We continually answer e-mail questions, and though we present answers here, we welcome alternative approaches and views from readers and encourage you to post your suggestions in the comments.

NOTE: The "contact us" box for e-mailing us will hopefully be back soon, but until then please use the … Read more

Apple has released an update for its latest MacBook Pro systems that resolves an issue where systems running under wall power may unexpectedly shut down under heavy workload if the battery is at low levels. Apple does not specify exactly what revisions of the MacBook Pro this update is for, but it will only install on those for which it applies.

The update is a small 730KB download either from Software Update or from the Update's Web page, and requires OS X 10.6.8 or OS X 10.7.2 or later. The update will require you to … Read more

Apple has released a few updates for the EFI firmware in various Mac models from early 2011, which include new features and address a couple of prominent problems on the new devices. Firstly, the update enables Lion Internet Recovery for some systems that have not had it enabled (such as the early 2011 iMac), while improving its reliability in systems that already had it enabled.

Additionally, the update addresses a number of problems with Thunderbolt, including the performance of Target Disk Mode and compatibility issues with Apple's Thunderbolt Display.

The updates require OS X 10.6.8 or later, … Read more

MacRumors is reporting the availability of a new firmware update for Apple's discontinued 24-inch LED cinema displays, which addresses intermittent flickering when the displays are connected to Thunderbolt Macs. The update was privately issued to some users who contacted Apple support about the issue, and in a discussion thread at the Apple support communities one of these users posted a link to the update after having received it via emial correspondance with Apple's second-tier support.

Apple Discussion user "spunky_lausanne" describes the interaction:

The average consumer probably isn't thinking right now about installing custom firmware on Amazon's Kindle Fire, but I know the first thing a bunch of you wondered was, "Wow, a $199 Android tablet with a dual-core processor; is this thing rootable?"

Well, at least according to one Amazon rep I spoke to at the launch event, it is--and apparently Amazon isn't putting up any measures to stop people from doing it.

Call it confidence (or arrogance), but Amazon seems to feel that it's giving consumers--and even more hard-core Android enthusiasts--enough attractive features to keep … Read more