Bluetooth Firmware Updater 1.2 (#5): Automatically installs after Mac OS X 10.4.4 update, problems; more

Automatically installs after Mac OS X 10.4.4 update, problems The Bluetooth Firmware Updater 1.2 is automatically launched and installed (after user execution) for appropriate systems after installing Mac OS X 10.4.4.

As such, users are experiencing some of the problems we reported earlier with this update after installing Mac OS X 10.4.4 -- particularly a loss of Bluetooth connectivity.

One reader writes:

"After the Mac OS X 10.4.4 update, a 'Bluetooth firmware updater' started up, did nothing for more than 30 minutes trying to update and did ordinary exit after which I lost Bluetooth capabilities). I'm trying with the Combo update to see if it make any difference."

Another reader adds:

"(After installing Mac OS X 10.4.4) an application started up -- the Bluetooth firmware updater. So I clicked the update and when prompted, entered my admin password and started reading news online, and when i checked after 5 minutes it said 'Status:Idle';

"After this, I tried launching 'bluetooth file exchange' but now my Mac tells me this app can only be used with a device -- I checked System Profiler-Bluetooth. It says 'no device.' i had one before the update. any ideas? oh. i have 17" powerbook, 1 GB Ram (2x 512)"

As previously reported, some users have success resetting the PMU (power management unit) to restore Bluetooth capabilities

PMU reset instructions for various portable models are found in Knowledge base article #14449. For most models it requires removing the unit's power supply and battery then holding the power button for at least 5 seconds, then replacing the battery and powering up the system.

Many desktop Macs' PMUs can be reset by disconnecting power for several minutes. Instructions for the Mac Mini and Power Mac G5 are also available.

In other cases, this issue can be resolved by resetting your Mac's PRAM (parameter RAM) via the following process:

1. Shut down your Mac
2. Turn your Mac back on, while holding down the Command, Option, P and R keys simultaneously.
3. 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.

Which Macs need the update We continue to track which systems need this update and which do not, as Apple did not make this information clear in its documentation.

It now appears the update is not needed the:

• 12" 1.5Ghz PowerBook
• 20 inch 2GHz iMac Rev A
• iMac G4 15 inch (USB 2.0 version)

Previous coverage:

• Bluetooth Firmware Updater 1.2 (#4): Failing PRAM zap, try resetting PMU; Which models need the update?; more
• Bluetooth Firmware Updater 1.2 (#3): Zapping PRAM can restore lost Bluetooth connectivity; more
• 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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