SMC Update, it seems to work
Hi, just a short post written on what I could call my new Macbook. Mine is a week 21 bought in late May and ’til September, I never encountered RSS. Then I downloaded the 1st SMC update (back in September, if I’m not mistaken) and that’s when things turned pear-shaped. RSS started to kick in and the laptop crashed at least twice a day (which was probably not so bad, compared to others).
That brings us to last Friday (27 oct), when I visited my local Apple service provider who ordered a heat controller to replace the one in my computer. Then, when I came home, I saw that there was a new SMC update which, allegedly, fixed the issue. I installed it (after the system crashed at least 15 times in a row, a record for me) and everything seems to run fine since then. I’ve just run the RSS test for 7-8 minutes after waking up the system from extended sleep; that’s when I would usually get the problem. During the test, the temp went from 18°C (ie, 65°F, yeah, I’m in Europe) to 77°C (170°F) which the fan turning on. Now I’m back at the average operating temp, 40°C (170°F) and not a single crash.
So I’ll wait for another few days but I guess I’ll have to call my local Apple Care and tell them I won’t be needing their part. Which means I won’t have to go without a MacBook, waiting for it to be fixed.
Good job Apple, at least for now.
October 31st, 2006 at 3:27 pm
it does not work for everyone and if you think the problem is solved in a few days you are not thinking
October 31st, 2006 at 5:33 pm
I had the problem of it crashing seconds after waking from extended sleep (over night mostly). The SMC update from Oct 27 seems to have fixed my Macbook as well. Not a single RSS since, but my fan does seem to be on much more. RSS hadn’t happen more than twice prior to the Septmember update, and when it did it wasn’t after sleeping, it was after light internet use where the temperature wasn’t especially hot (150 F).
October 31st, 2006 at 9:17 pm
yes, increasing evidence is the SMC update has solved the problem, a good read is here showing that Apple is no longer physically working on the machines unless the firmware has been installed.
http://www.macfixit.com/article.php?story=20061030234354714
So, glad this problem is wrapping up. YES, there will be a few stragglers that either have issues totally unrelated to RSS, or haven’t run the update, but still unknowingly complain, but looks like the issue has been resolved in a pretty quick amount of time. Good work Apple!
os11
November 1st, 2006 at 8:01 pm
os11 & follerec- Can you all tell me how hot your processors are running and how fast your fans are blowing after installing the SMC update? I’ve been using FanControl 1.1 for some time now, which has given me extensive control over these two factors:
http://www.lobotomo.com/products/FanControl/index.html
What do you think? I like it because it’s a nice tool to have when my macbook gets too hot for my lap. Although, I’m sure it doesn’t help my fan last any longer…
November 1st, 2006 at 8:51 pm
I held off for the longest on having my BlackBook repaired. It started exhibiting RSS after the August SMC fan management firmware update. Since then, I always believed the solution was software or firmware based rather than hardware.
That assumption is turning out to be right. Since I installed the recent update, not a single random shutdown.
My fan does not appear to behave strangely. On the contrary, my machine is quieter than it’s ever been.
Now, I just wish I could find a way to revive my built-in iSight, which stopped functioning in August at the same time I updated the firmware. It doesn’t show up in System Profiler. I guess I will need a trip to the repair shop anyways.
November 3rd, 2006 at 6:02 am
I installed the update last night on my MacBook which has been having shutdowns since the Airport firmware update though my shutdowns have become pretty constant only in the last two weeks. My computer ran fine for an hour or so after I ran the firmware update but it’s resumed crashing again.
November 3rd, 2006 at 2:56 pm
Is anyone elses Macbook *SLOWER* than it was without the patch? Mine is terribly slow now. It is actually lagging as I type this and I only have two apps open.
November 3rd, 2006 at 5:44 pm
Mine has worked flawlessly since the update, and I have evenn tried to stress it.
November 23rd, 2008 at 2:32 pm
Hi I like your post “SMC Update, it seems to work” so well that I like to ask you whether I should translate into German and linking back. Greetings Engel