Mac Pro SMC Firmware Update 1.1 (#3): Problems with startup, fix; Display issues, fix; more

Problems with startup, fix Some users have reported problems starting up after applying Mac Pro SMC Firmware Update 1.1. This issue can sometimes be resolved by disconnecting all external USB devices then re-attempting startup.

MacFixIt reader Randall Calvert writes:

"Upon restarting, I got the white screen, the Apple logo, and the little 'clock' icon -- and then the Gray Screen of Death, 'You need to restart your computer.' This happened several times. On two of about eight tries, I got completely restarted, but then the Gray screen again. Finally I came across the instructions about possible conflicts with 'Some USB and FireWire devices.' Upon unplugging all these, I was able to restart. First time I plugged USB hub (with all devices) back in, Gray Screen again. Second time, success (so far...)."

Display issues, fix It appears that some users are experiencing issues with graphic distortion after applying the Mac Pro SMC Firmware Update 1.1. One reader writes:

"I installed the firmware update and everything was fine. the next day a portion of what was on my main monitor was actually stretched across both monitors and I could not see or reach my dock or my menu. The image of what I could see of my desk top was over zoomed and the pixels were displaying very large. I thought I had accidentally zoomed in but I had not. "

This issue can sometimes be resolved by performing a PRAM/NVRAM reset as follows: shut down your Mac, then start it back up while immediately holding the following keys: Command, Option, P and R. Hold the keys down until the computer restarts and you hear the startup sound for the third time.

Fan activity We previously reported that the Mac Pro SMC Firmware Update 1.1 -- as indicated by release notes -- modifies fan behavior for the machine. Some users noted that fans rev at very high speed for about 1 minute whenever the computer is brought out of sleep. Users are continuing to report this behavior -- which appears to be normal. It may be important to not interrupt the fans while they are throttling, as MacFixIt reader Sebastian did with problematic results:

"The update was no problem. But after my mac pro went for the first time in sleep-mode and wake up again, I recognized some strange fan behavior. The fans of the Mac Pro (2,66 GHz, 3 GB RAM, Radeon X1900XT, 500 GB Samsung HD and 160 GB Western Digital HD), not of the Radeon, spin faster and faster for 50 seconds or a bit longer depending how warm the heatsink was at wakeup. Another problem came up when I shut down the Mac Pro immediately after wake up from sleep before the the fans starting to spin faster. The Mac Pro froze, and did not shut down. I reset the Parameter RAM and push the little button on the Mainboard, but the Problem did not vanish. Maybe someone else got the same strange behavior after the SMC-Upgrade."

Feedback? Late-breakers@macfixit.com.

Previous coverage:

• Mac Pro SMC Firmware Update 1.1 (#2): Fan speed differences in effect; USB issues
• Mac Pro SMC Firmware Update 1.1 released: Adjusts fan speed

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