Bluetooth Firmware Updater 1.2 (#3): Zapping PRAM can restore lost Bluetooth connectivity; more
Bluetooth Firmware Updater 1.2 (#3): Zapping PRAM can restore lost Bluetooth connectivity; more
Zapping PRAM can restore lost Bluetooth connectivity Yesterday we reported on a number of cases where Bluetooth connectivity is lost after applying the recently released Bluetooth 1.2 firmware updater.
When users experience this problem, generally, the menu icon indicates that Bluetooth is not available. Apple System Profiler reports - No information found, and System Preferences no longer displays the Bluetooth control in the Hardware area.
In many cases, this issue can be resolved by resetting your Mac's PRAM (parameter RAM) via the following process:
- Shut down your Mac
- Turn your Mac back on, while holding down the Command, Option, P and R keys simultaneously.
- Allow the startup chime to repeat twice, or listen for your Mac to perform a restart process twice, then release the keys.
After resetting your PRAM, Software Update may indicate that you once again should apply the Bluetooth firmware updater, which you should abstain from doing if you were having problems after the first application.
One reader writes:
"I too had the problem of Bluetooth disappearing after applying the firmware upgrade to my 1.33ghz Aluminum PowerBook. I let AppleJack loose on it afterwards and zapped the PRAM and it was back again. I did however check for further software updates afterwards and it listed the bluetooth firmware updater once again for my machine, so I'm not it was even updated. But at this point I don't much care. It worked fine before the update, broke, and I got it working fine afterwards. At this point, I'm not thrilled about trying it again.
Another reader, Angelos Angelopoulos writes:
"I have restored the original bluetooth version by zapping the p-ram then shutting down the powerbook for a few hours and then starting up again as it didn't respond after only just a restart.
"I won't be trying the bluetooth firmware updater again until I see positive results from the majority of other users or there's a revised updater that actually works."
Firmware revisions differ -- higher on models that don't need update Yesterday after updating your Bluetooth software with the 1.2 updater released on January 4th your Apple Bluetooth Software version should be 1.6.6f22, and the firmware version should be 2.1586 (2.1586).The firmware revision number varies from model to model, and may actually be higher on some systems that do not require the update as indicated by Software Update and the standalone installer. For instance, some systems that do not require the update display firmware version 3.1792 (3.1792).
Both of these version numbers are accessible in the System Profiler application (located in Applications/Utilities or by going to the "About this Mac" pane and clicking "More Info...") then navigating to the Bluetooth tab.
Similar problems? E-mail us at Late-breakers@macfixit.com.
Previous coverage:
- Bluetooth Firmware Updater 1.2 (#2): Bluetooth no longer working; crashes; not necessary for some listed Macs; more
- Apple releases Bluetooth Firmware Update for Mac OS X 10.4.3
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