Mac Pro EFi and SMC firmeware

[Robertb66]

I have a Mac Pro 2.1.
The system does run fine but I have been checking out some software that would speed up the system even more (wrong)

No my fans run at a minimum low speed of approx 1.100 RPM instead of the 600 RPM it use to do.
The software is gone and the system does work fine but my fans stay at this higher speed.

I have run a RVmem reset on the Mobo but it does not help.
I have downloaded the 1.4 firmware Restoration CD of the Apple site and try to install this.

The manual states you have to hold the power button for a long time till the sleep LED will start blinking short and then long and then short. The CD/DVD will open. insert the CD with the firmware and after a long sound release the power button and the installation will run.

Well this does not work in my case.

Does any one know a way how to do this on a MAC PRO 2.1?

thanks,

 

[harryb2448]

The only way to really speed up a system is upgrading the CPUY's which can be done on a Mac Pro 2.1. Is it a 2.1 or a 1.1 with the firmware upgraded? To solve your problem try smcFanControl which can manually set fan speeds.


http://www.eidac.de/

 

[Robertb66]

I have tried fancontrol but that does not bring the fan speed down.
Forget about the all the rest that I have written what is the cause of the problem.

What I want to do is ac clean EFi SMC installation.
It only seems that the way it is been described is not working for a Mac Pro.

by holding the power button.
I'm wondering how is or needs to be done by a Mac Pro.

thanks,

 

[bobtomay]

Could be it's not working because the Boot ROM version for the Mac Pro 2,1 is EFI 1.2.

EFI 1.4 is for the '09 model Mac Pro.

 

[harryb2448]

Well if it is a Mac Pro 1.1 or 2.1 this is the firmware for it. Download and run according to the instructions and as bobtomay says you got the wrong update. You cannot use the 2009 update on an earlier model.


Mac Pro SMC Firmware Update 1.1

 

[Robertb66]

You are right that this is the right firmware update.
But when I down load it en start it i get the message that a update is not required as my system already has this version.

What I like to do is to install this version new but the update method does not allow this.

It seems that with the Firmware restoration CD 1.4 this would be possible.

http://support.apple.com/downloads/Firmware_Restoration_CD_1_4

See above link

If one of you knows a way to force the system to update or how to use the restoration CD it would be great.




thanks,

 

[harryb2448]

No it is not possible. If you force it, and do not think this is possible as your machine does not match the later model specs, you may well have a deceased Mac Pro. As I said earlier if you want a faster Mac Pro purchase new CPU's.

For a 2.1, and that is what it will remain regarding firmware, will run both Intel X5355 2.66GHz and X5365 3GHz Quad Core CPU's but they ain't cheap.

 

[bobtomay]

It looks like that CD may have the firmware for quite a few different Macs on it.

Still, it states:

You can only use this to restore the firmware after an interrupted or unsuccessful update.

It pretty much tells you straight out, it's not going to work on a machine with a functioning firmware on it aready.
And specifically states it can't be used to restore to a previous version of firmware.

Not going to say it would be impossible to use it, but you're probably going to need to hack the installer to get it to work.

 

[Robertb66]

harryb,

I'm not wanting to make my Mac Pro faster.
It can stay as it is. It is just that the fans (air flow) run faster then they use to and the system makes more noise.
I like to bring the noise down by setting the SMC firmware to it's original settings.

So the question is:
How do I reset or reload the SMC firmware on the Mac Pro.
A Firmware update does not work as the system already has the last Firmware version it needs to be something to force it to reload the firmware or do something like a firmware recovering like with the CD as in my previous post.

Some one a idea

 

[harryb2448]

Suggest you go to this link and download and run as directed. It should install the correct firmware. If you get the unable to install then you are up to date. By the way when you go into Apple System Profiler (About this Mac) Hardware Overview, what does it say regarding Boot Rom Version and SMC Version?

My updated Mac Pro states the following:-

Hardware Overview:

Model Name: Mac Pro
Model Identifier: MacPro2,1
Processor Name: Quad-Core Intel Xeon
Processor Speed: 2.66 GHz
Number of Processors: 2
Total Number of Cores: 8
L2 Cache (per Processor): 8 MB
Memory: 16 GB
Bus Speed: 1.33 GHz
Boot ROM Version: MP21.007F.B06
SMC Version (system): 1.7f10

Here is the link:-


http://support.apple.com/downloads/Mac_Pro_SMC_Firmware_Update_1_1

 

[Robertb66]

Harryb,

The link does work but I get the message that i'm already up to date.

My Mac is a 1.1 not a 2.1 as I wrote before.

SMC version: 1.7f10
Boot ROM Version: MP11.005C.B08

I think the Firmware Restoration Cd is the only way to go.
The thing is that the power button does not function as it has been written in the manual for the Firmware restoration.

Would there be a other way to do a reset of the firmware so it is back to default settings?

 

[harryb2448]

You will not be able to update the SMC version period.

Does the Mac Pro boot up in its current format? If so I think where you are is where you stay. I did put the Quad Core Intel X5355 CPUs in my Mac Pro 1.1, and could then upgrade the Boot ROM firmware so it reads MP21.007F.B06. The 21 at the start is for a 2.1 Mac Pro, which is why yours is 11 for 1.1.

The Boot ROM firmware update for me was to have the Apple System Profiler show the Quad-Core Intel Xeon and 8 cores. It does nothing in itself to improve the machine.

 

[Robertb66]

Harryb,

I have also swapped CPU's on my Mac Pro 1.1
I have now 2 XEON E5345 fitted.
But the fan problem was already from before the CPU upgrade.

Can you explain a bit more to what you did to get your system to read Mac Pro 2.1.

t could be that with that I would get my fan speed back to the lower 600 rpm instead of the 1.100.

Thanks,

 

[harryb2448]

Robert read the author's, MacEFIRomGo to netkas.org. Join up and download the update from their web site and run according the the directions. Have read the E5345 have the fan problems whereas the X5365/5355 do not as they were the Quad Cores for the Mac Pro 2.1 which is practically identical to the Mac Pro 1.1.


Mac Pro 2006-2007 Firmware Tool Released


Robert read the author MacEFIRom first post about SMC. Regardless what you do the SMC Version is going to stay at v.1.7f10.