MacBook Pro EFI Firmware Update 1.5.1: Safari problems, general issues an fixes

[Thursday, May 1st]

Safari problems Users continue to report problems with Safari after applying MacBook Pro EFI Firmware Update 1.5.1. One reader writes:

"Another Safari 3.1 broken by EFI update on a MacBook using OS X 10.4.11.  Safari crashes upon opening.  Repairing permissions is no help."

There are a variety of causes for an inability to launch Safari, including:

• a corrupt general .plist file (delete ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.Safari.plist
• corrupt caches (delete the contents of ~/Library/Caches/Safari
• problematic plug-ins (look in /Library/Internet Plug-Ins and ~/Library/Internet Plug-Ins

Generally deleting (or temporarily removing from their current location) any of the aforementioned files will not result in the erasure of any important data. The launching problem will be solved and you'll only need to reconfigure a few settings.

One source of failed Safari launches, however, is more problematic. If the bookmarks.plist (~/Library/Safari/Bookmarks.plist) file becomes corrupt and prevents a Safari launch, the brute solution is to simply delete this file. This will, however, result in the deletion of all currently stored bookmarks.

There are two options if you don't want to lose your bookmarks:

• Move the file ~/Library/Safari/Bookmarks.plist to a different location then restart Safari, which will cause the creation of a new bookmarks.plist file. Then use a utility like PlistEditPro to extract your old bookmarks manually and re-enter them.
• As discovered by MacFixIt reader Art Robertson, navigate to ~/Library/Caches/Metadata/Safari/Bookmarks and find the file that is your default home page (you can do this by selecting "Get Info" in the Finder and looking under "More Info"). Sometimes launching this file will result in Safari being correctly able to access the page and properly launch.

General issues -- freezes and more MacFixIt reader Zachary Twist reports a variety of general issues after the update.

"My computer will completely freeze when I am playing songs in iTunes (with no other apps running) from my external hard disk.  I get the spinning beachball and I I can not quit force quit or do anything.  I just have to force shut down the computer; My IMAP account no longer connects to the server in Mail; All apps are much slower and less responsive."

MacFixIt reader Bruce has more serious issues:

"My computer didn't behave the way their instructions stated it would, no gray progress bar. Screen went blank and hasn?t lit up since. Can't boot up now either.

"Created and tried to use the Firware Restoration CD 1.7 but it doesn?t work either. I can't restore my MacBook Pro. I can't boot it up. Warn those who haven?t installed this pile of junk firmware update!"

More reports of problems:

• "My Macbook pro has been horrible since the firmware update. the trackpad jumps all over the place, the fix to ignore accidental input is not a solution, (too unresponsive).
• "The mbp keeps crashing, the mbp screen will stay dark when I unplug the external 30 inch apple display and I have to reboot or replug the external screen
• "My back keyboard light seems to shut off on its own, (usually on battery power). It is almost unusable now, and was perfect before the firmware update."
• "I downloaded and installed MacBook Pro EFI Firmware Update 1.5 last night. After the automatic restart, I received a message that I had no bluetooth installed and the wireless mouse will not function. When I tried to restart, it failed to do so. But the shutdown did work. After the shutdown, the computer will not restart, but the sleep light was on."

Potential fixes If you are experiencing general, apparently power-related issues after the update, try the following fixes:

Perform 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.

Shut down your MacBook Pro and remove its battery for 10 seconds, then re-insert it and boot the system.

Feedback? Late-breakers@macfixit.com.

Previous coverage:

• MacBook Pro EFI Firmware Update 1.5.1: problems booting; function keys broken; more
• MacBook Pro EFI Firmware Update 1.5.1 released

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