Apple firmware updates: Power Mac G4 update pulled!; Update not for QuickSilvers?; More reader reports

Apple Power Mac G4 update pulled! Apple has removed the firmware update for the Power Mac G4 AGP. The KB article now links to the previous 4.1.8 update. There is no indication on why it was removed or what the consequences may be if you already installed the now-removed version.

Update: A posting from Apple in a Discussions Boards thread states: "The update has temporarily been removed as a precaution while we investigate the loss of sound reported by people with Mac OS 9.1." (Thanks, Andrew Wilson.)

Can't install on QuickSilvers? Larry Gottschalk tried to install the update on a Dual 800 Power Mac, and got an error message stating that it was not intended for this machine. Peter Kemp adds: "I received this message trying to update a QuickSilver 867MHz." Another reader confirms this for a QuickSilver 733MHz. Perhaps this relates to the reason this updater was pulled? Or more likely the firmware update is not intended for QuickSilver Macs: Eric Westby reports that his QuickSilver actually shipped with an even newer version of the firmware: 4.21f2. Terry Kopecky's G4 came with 4.24f1. See also this Apple Discussions Board thread.

Update: In this thread, Apple confirms: "All Power Mac G4 (QuickSilver) computers have version 4.2.x of the BootROM (firmware) and this is more recent than the 4.1.9 update available for earlier Power Mac G4 computers."

More reader reports Beyond that, we continue to receive reports about other issues with the recently released version 4.1.9 firmware updates (iMac, G4 Cube, Power Mac G4 AGP). The previously reported sound loss remains the only major issue (see one, two and three). But there are others:

RAM loss We have received occasional reports of a failure to recognize third-party RAM after updating (a problem that was a big issue with the earlier 4.1.7/4.1.8 firmware update). The problem may occur even if you were previously using the 4.1.7/4.1.8 versions successfully. In one case, reported on Apple's Discussion Boards, the problem was solved simply by switching the DIMM locations. Otherwise, try the DIMM First Aid application. If that fails, you will likely need to replace the RAM.

Resolution loss Several users have reported a loss of some or all-but-one monitor resolution options after installing the update. This may relate to the situation described in the KB article on the Studio Display, noted in an item below.

iSub fix Michael McGalliard writes: "I found that after I applied the Firmware Update 4.1.9 to my slot loading iMac DV SE, my iSub started working again! It had been intermittent or nonexistent, as described on your site a few weeks ago, since I upgraded to Mac OS 9.2.1."

Audio work-around For those having the audio loss symptom, and not wanting to update to 9.2.1, Harry Peat offers this work-around: "Connect a 3.5mm cable to the audio output at the back of the Mac (no need to connect it to anything at the other end) and audio will return to the internal speaker."

"Older" firmware updates on Mac OS X 10.1 update CD Dave Wells writes: "I have a copy of the 10.1 Update CD, and it does include firmware updates. However, they are version 4.1.8, which were released this spring, rather than the 4.1.9 installers released this week." We can confirm this is the case, at least for the 5G64 build version that we have been using.