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Mac Upgrades/Mods | Storage | Video | Audio/Home Theater | Tips/OS Updates/WiFi
= Recent Updates/Articles =

OWC SSD Firmware Update Info (541ABBF0, Mar. 5th, 2014)
From a reader mail today - Thanks Greg. (Didn't spot this earlier but see OWC notes below first.)
"Just noticed OWC released a new firmware update for their SSD's on March 5th.
(2nd note on D/L page below.)
Did the update via USB flash drive, no issues.
(I've got two 120GB Extreme Pro 6G SSDs in a late 2012 mac mini, Raid 0)
-Greg

Firmware Download page says:

  • If your OWC SSD Firmware revision contains xxxA12F0 or xxxA13F0, then xxx365A12F0 or xxx365A13F0 is the most up-to-date revision, current as of October 20, 2011.

  • If your OWC SSD Firmware revision contains xxxABBF0, then 541ABBF0 is the most up-to-date revision, current as of March 5, 2014."

    (D/L page also has info on requirements, instructions, and step-by-step install video)

  • The zip download has flash instructions and a DMG, but I didn't know what this was to address so I asked OWC about it. (If you're not having any problems, the old 'If it ain't broke, don't fix it' is often a good rule to follow.)

    "Since last fall, the OWC firmware update utility has been universal and the online guide/info is detailed to make it as easy as possible to determine whether or not you currently have the latest firmware on the applicable OWC SSD Model.

    Recently firmware version 5.4x was posted with support for OWC SSDs which use the Sandforce 2181/2281/2282 processors. This update primary includes support for newer flash types, but also includes support for one of our 240GB Electra 3G SSD models that was prior limited to 5.0.7 revision firmware.

    Who needs 5.4.x? It is highly recommended for anyone currently with firmware 5.0.5 or lower. if you are running 5.0.6 or later, there is no truly pressing requirement - although we do recommend that users of Aura Pro and Mercury Extreme Pro 6G drives who haven't already updated to 5.2.x, update for best performance.

    In general - if not sure and just want to have the latest firmware on your drive, the utility will identify your drive and only do an update that is correct and suitable for the drive(s) you have. The site shows how to check your current firmware version via About This Mac - and if you are already on a 5.2.x or later version, there is zero reason to update.
       We do expect another future firmware update to be available later this year which may do some things related to performance enhancements, if there are benefits - that will be one we push information for update out on. Otherwise - things quiet and all good. :)
    -Larry (OWC)

    (3/12/2014) Update: A report from a reader early Wednesday AM:

    "I have an OWC 240GB Electra 3G SSD in my Mac Pro 3,1 using an OWC carrier. (2.5" drive sled) I had previous flashed it to version 5.2.2 (522ABBF0) so when this version came out, I downloaded it and tried to upgrade again. The installer said my SSD needed to be flashed, appeared to be successful but when I reboot, I still have version 5.2.2. If I rerun the installer, it says I need to be flashed again. I've reported the issue to OWC.
    -Rick"

    Thanks Rick. Let me know if they are able to help resolve this. (Although from Larry's comments above, doesn't seem to be any need to update your v5.2.2 SSD.)

    (3/13/2014) Update (more feedback): (Info in Dave's report below revised again 3/15)
    Confirmation from a Reader that first wrote on this update (above), verifying his two Extreme 6G SSDs were updated (via USB flash drive) to 541 firmware:

    (Follow-up on 541 update to Extreme Pro 6G SSDs in Late 2012 Mac Mini)
    I've attached two screen shots of each OWC SSD taken in system profiler showing that both were updated with the newest firmware. I do not use trim, as shown also on the screenshots.
    -Greg.
    (only posting 1 screenshot as both show v541)

    Thanks Greg, just wanted to confirm the update after Rick's post above on his v522 Electra 3G. (And was curious if you'd done any Trim enabler mods.)

    Other replies from Electra 3G owners about the 541 update. (Unlike Rick's Electra that had v522 firmware, these had earlier 507 firmware):

    "(5.0.7 firmware Electra 3G in Mid-2009 MacBook Pro)
    You asked if anyone has had success in updating the firmware on an OWC Mercury Electra 3G SSD. I have a 2009 MacBookPro5.4, with a 480GB Electra 3G SSD installed. SSD was in revision 507ABBF0 prior to update. After update, it is 541ABBF0. Update went flawlessly.
    (Did you use a USB flash drive or a burned disc?-M.) I used a USB flash drive.
    Thanks as always for the great information on your site. -Peter

    Thanks Peter. (Odd that Apple's doc on How to identify MacBook Pro models doesn't list a 5,4 (maybe typo as a 5,3), but everymac lists it as Mid-2009 15" C2D 2.53Ghz. Apple doc lists the same MC118xx/A as (another) 5,3 model.) Peter later confirmed his MacBook Pro is a 5,4 so the apple doc listing as 5,3 must be a typo.

    And another report on a v5.0.7 firmware Electra 3G in a Late 2011 Macbook Pro 17" 2006 MacBook Pro 1,1. (It wasn't clear from the first sentence, but the SSD is actually in the 2006 MacBook Pro, which isn't listed as compatible with the updater on OWC's firmware update D/L page. The oldest MBP listed (to boot from updater) is a late 2008/MacBook Pro 5,1.)

    "(v5.0.7 Electra 3G in 2006 MacBook Pro. Comments Updated again 3/18.)
    no luck with the update. Updater written to a dvd would not boot on a macbookpro8,3.
    (Were you able to try a USB flash drive?-M.)
    winxp updater failed every time on a macbookpro1,1. (first time with a red x, next three attempts locked up the mbp.) Spent an hour chatting with OWC, only suggestion was to rma the drive. drive is currently at 5.0.7.

    (Update: Dave later said he was able to boot from a USB flash drive (w/updater) using the Macbook Pro 8,3 but not with the 2006 MacBook Pro 1,1 which has the SSD installed. (Again, It's not in the updater's supported models list.) He also asked about temporarily installing the SSD in the MBP8,3 to update it. That's his call of course and IMO would depend on if you have had any problems with its current firmware. If not, I'd leave well enough alone.-M)

    (3/18/2014 update - SSD swapped/updated in later MBP)
    The installer on a usb stick did boot the MacBookPro8,3.
    (SSD then swapped into MBP 8,3 for updating via USB flash drive)
    Electra 3G 240GB is back in the MacBookPro1,1.
    Seems to have worked, revision has been updated.
    -Dave"

    Glad it finally worked out.

    I have an early Crucial M225 SSD and was never able to flash it from updater discs or PC bootable USB flash drives I made. (2009 Mac Pro at the time.) 3 times I had to remove it and use a homebrew PC to update it using a bootable flash drive. (Each time requiring reformatting the SSD for PC use.) Still have it, but no longer used.
      

    Apple TV 6.1 Update (info) (Updated for revised Apple info on 3/13/2014)
    (Update for 2nd/3rd generation Apple TVs.)

    Main menu Customize your Apple TV by hiding items from the main menu.
    AirPlay
  • Adds a security option to require that iOS devices or Macs be verified with a one-time, onscreen code before using AirPlay. Requires iOS 7.1 or later on an iOS device or a Mac with Mac OS X 10.9.2 or later.
  • Adds support to allow an AirPlay device to discover Apple TV over Bluetooth in environments where multicast or Bonjour traffic is blocked on the network or the AirPlay device is on a different subnet. Requires iOS 7.1 or later on iPhone 4s or later, iPad (3rd generation or later), iPad mini (1st or 2nd generation), or iPod touch (5th generation) and Apple TV (3rd generation).
  • Remote app
  • View your purchased TV shows and movies in the Remote app and tap to play them instantly on Apple TV.
  • Create and play iTunes Radio stations.
  • Requires Remote app version 4.2 or later.
  • Stability and performance Includes general performance and stability improvements.

    Today's apple doc updates includes security fixes in Apple TV 6.1 and a Remote app setup guide. I don't own a newer (Gen2/Gen3) Apple TV but you can check for feedback in Apple's Apple TV forum. (And for anyone that missed it/has trouble restoring after an update problem, here's a previous post with Tips for Problems/Errors Restoring an Apple TV via USB Cable.)
      

    Posts/Tips on OS X 10.9.2/External Displays, MacBook Air Black Screens, More:
    (Tips may not help everyone but posting as a FYI and anyone affected can reply there.)

    Reader reply to thread(s) above:

    "I was severely affected by the "Mid-2013 Macbook Air screen goes black" problem, but OS X 10.9.2 fixed it. Also, I have a recent NEC EA244WMi and it works great via miniDP to DVI.
    Kind Regards, Mattia"

    Thanks Mattia.
      

    New/Updated Apple Support/How-To/Troubleshooting Articles:
    (the links/articles below are from March 2014 and may not be valid in the future.)

    (There was also a revision to a doc about Java updates available for OS X on August 28, 2013 but it must have been footnotes or other boilerplate changes as the last OS X Java updates I'm aware of were Java 7 Update 51 on 1/14/2014 and Java 6 Update 65 on 10/15/2013.)
      

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    Listing/links of updates, DIY mod/upgrade articles, tips and reviews you may have missed.
      
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