MacBook SMC Firmware Update 1.1 - Random Shutdowns

Apple has released a new SMC firmware update for all MacBooks. This update improves the MacBook’s internal monitoring system and addresses issues with unexpected shutdowns. It’s recommended that all MacBook owners download and install the update, including those that received warranty repair for the random shutdowns.

More details about the update about Apple’s site.

Apple software update kills MacBook [Update]

[Update: Problem solved - Read solution at the bottom of the article]

Apple recently released an update for airport. The update is called “AirPort Update 2006-001” I decided to install it tonight on my 2.0GHz MacBook, when the auto updater popped up. After installation it asked to reboot.

I rebooted, but the system never came back up. Instead of the wonderful OS X desktop, all I saw was a white blank screen at first. It looked strange, and the longer I looked at it, I noticed that different colored vertical lines were starting to appear. After about a minute or so, there were hundreds of lines going down the screen.

I forced a shutdown by holding the power button, and booted up again. Same thing. Shit! So, knowing that the next step would be to reset the PRAM, I did just that. No luck.

MacBook users beware! The AIRPORT UPDATE 2006-001 could potentially kill your computer! Can anyone confirm if this has happened to anyone else?

Here are the screenshots

Ouch!

Update:

I called Apple this morning, and they were able to help me even without the extended AppleCare. They had me reset the MacBook’s PMU, which fixed the problem. The Apple tech said that this is a problem that Apple is now fully aware of. It’s been happening to people when they are rebooting or shutting down after updates, or even just completely randomly. It is a problem with the screen resolution, and currently, resetting the PMU is the only solution.

Here is the Apple article on resetting the MacBook PMU.

An Origami solution to the Apple MacBook TrackPad “squishy” Button Problem

More and more Apple MacBook users are complaining of a “squishy” or unresponsive trackpad button. Some of the Apple Macbooks have a very crispy and responsive feel when you click down the button on the trackpad, however some Apple Macbook owners are unfortunate to be stuck with a button that doesn’t press down quite right.

A recent visit to the Apple Genius Bar proved to be a completely unhelpful. After waiting 15 minutes past the time my appointment was scheduled for, an Apple “Genius” looked at my issue.

After I explained the issue to the Apple “Genius”, he proceeded to rather vigorously push down on my Macbook’s trackpad button repeatedly. After performing this 10 seconds test, it was his professional decision that there was nothing wrong with my Macbook. He asked me to show him how it was not working. I tried to explain to him that it felt different, and that it didn’t “click” quite like the rest of the MacBooks I had played with. Once again, he starts to push down on the button repeatedly, and finally tells me that it feels just right to him, just like the rest of the MacBooks.

This was my only experience with the Apple Genius Bar. I felt like it was a complete waste of time, as the “Genius” didn’t bother to try to understand my problem. I felt very rushed, and the whole experience was very unprofessional and disappointing.

Now, on to the custom solution to this annoying problem. Screw you Apple, we figured it out ourselves!

Someone on the Apple discussion forums posted a solution. Place a piece of paper underneath the battery cover, where the trackpad button is.

After testing this solution out with various lengths and widths of paper, I believe we have found the perfect solution.

Step #1 - Cut a piece of paper about 1/8 of an inch wide, and 4 inches in lenth.

Step #2 - If you want to be creative, take this piece of paper and follow these steps to make an Origami Paper Star (Thanks Erik!). Make sure to skip the last step. Alternatively, just fold the piece of paper in a square.

Step #3 - Unlock the battery with a coin, and remove it.

Step #4 - Place your Origami Star or square in the middle, as you see illustrated in the picture. Make sure it’s as centered as much as possible, and carefully put the battery back in and lock it.

Now, go test out your trackpad button. You should have a nice crisp click, almost anywhere you click. It should feel very responsive.

Feel free to play around with the size of the paper. If you want a tighter click, make it a little thicker. If you want a looser click, make it thinner.

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A Dangerous solution to the MacBook discoloration issue

After much discussion, it looks like there might be a solution to the Apple MacBook discoloration issue, which we reported on earlier in the week. Unfortunately this solution does not come from within Apple, but from user trial and error.

Some users are using nail polish remover, to remove the stains from their laptops. Although they are using non-acetone nail polish remover, this still seems like a dangerous short-term solution to this problem, as it may end up destroying the casing of the MacBook over time. Also be aware that the hard drive and memory are located underneath the casing, which is very close to areas where the discoloration appears. We would be very hesitant to apply any chemical over that surface area.

The MacBook discoloration issue seems like it is going to be a reoccurring problem, and without a permanent solution from Apple, it’s probably not worth risking your brand new $1100+ Apple MacBook, by applying harmful chemicals to it’s casing every time this problem occurs.

Apple MacBook discoloration issues

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If your brand new MacBook mooing isn’t enough of a problem, now there are reports of a casing discoloration issue. It appears that there are more than a few people on Apple’s support site, who are experiencing this issue.

The symptoms of this problem first seem to appear after about 2-3 weeks of use of the Macbook. As you can see in the image to the left, most commonly, yellowish-redish spots appear on the plastic where the palm rests, and on the trackpad button. These spots cannot be removed by any cleaning solution, and seem to only get worse over time.

Macbook owners are speculating that this is the result of the plastic not being able to handle the amount of heat that the Macbook displaces. The Apple Genius Bar has not been able to help anyone so far, as they have not seen this issue before in any of their product lines.

If you are starting to see this problem appear on your MacBook, join the discussions over at Apple’s website. Hopefully, Apple will come up with some solution sooner rather then later, but I just don’t see how they will be able to do anything other than replace the affected laptops.

Apple admits to MacBook problem

If your brand new Apple MacBook seems to be running really hot, you might want to check to see if there is a clear piece of plastic covering the rear vent, and remove it.

Apple has released an official statement about this problem on their support site, which only affects some MacBooks.

Some MacBook computers may appear to be running too warm, with the fan running consistently and heat emanating from the top and/or the bottom of the computer.

If this happens with your MacBook, check the rear vent of the MacBook to make sure it’s not blocked.

Some MacBooks may have left the factory with a thin piece of clear plastic covering the rear vent. This is used in the factory to prevent dust from getting into your computer. If your MacBook has the plastic still over the vent, simply remove and discard it.

Oops! It took Apple quite a while to admit to this problem.

Source: Gizmodo

Apple MacBook “Moooing” sound identified and explained.

A brave Apple MacBook owner took it upon himself to find out exactly where the “Moooing” sound heard in a lot of the new MacBooks is coming from. By taking apart his brand new Apple MacBook computer and removing some of the casing, he was able to confirm everyones suspicions that the sound is indeed coming from the system’s fans.

It seems that the fans turn on at a specific temperature, like they are suppose to, but only stay on for a few seconds, as the temperature very quickly drop by a few degrees. The “Moooing” sound that is heard is produced by the fans turning on and airflow starting to move through the MacBook enclosure.

It’s entirely possible that Apple had intended to make the fans hyper-sensitive, to avoid draining extra battery power, and to keep the MacBook as quiet as possible. However, if this is something that really is a problem, Apple should be able to fix it by changing the temperature at which the fans go on or off, with a firmware update.

Update: Here is the discussion of this issue over at Apple.com