Dvd firmware update?

I'm unable to burn a Philips DVD+RW 1-4x 4.7gb dvd. I get this error code: 0x80020063. I've downloaded SuperDriveFWUv2.0.dmg, but when I install I get a message saying no device needing this upgrade was found. Here's the info about my drive;
MATSHITA DVD-R UJ-846:
Firmware Revision: FB2U
Interconnect: ATAPI
Burn Support: Yes (Apple Shipped/Supported)
Cache: 2048 KB
Reads DVD: Yes
CD-Write: -R, -RW
DVD-Write: -R, -RW, +R, +RW, +R DL
Burn Underrun Protection CD: Yes
Burn Underrun Protection DVD: Yes
Write Strategies: CD-TAO, CD-SAO, DVD-DAO
Media: No
What do I need to do? Thanks!

chances are that if you change to a higher quality media your problem will be solved.
I suggest Maxell 16X DVD-R Media.
Be sure to take the time to read the packaging, make sure it says it burns at 1X,2X,4X,8X, and 16X.
this media is rated as one of the best.
http://www.digitalfaq.com/media/dvdmedia.htm
Don

Similar Messages

DVD Firmware update anywhere?

The optical drive to my powerbook generally works flawlessly, except for a few of the TV series in my collection. These seem to work fine in my DVD player from 2002, but they won't even mount with the PB's optical drive. Their foreign titles, which may have something to do with it, so I was wondering if there was some firmware update available that would fix this. I've religiously updated everything on my machine via Software Update, but that doesn't seem to help.
My drive specs are as below:
MATSHITADVD-R UJ-845E:
Model: MATSHITADVD-R UJ-845E
Revision: DMP2
Serial Number:
Detachable Drive: No
Protocol: ATAPI
Unit Number: 0
Socket Type: Internal
Perhaps that helps. If anyone thinks the could help and needs more specifics, please let me know. Thanks!

Either the DVDs are in a wrong region code (you can change the region code in Apple's DVD player a few number of times only) or they use some kind of anti-piracy protection that is not compatible with your Mac.
A firmware update may solve the issue, but it is also likely that you destroy your drive (and lose any warranty, if any) when updating the firmware.
There is no official firmware update provided by Apple nor by the original manufacturer. Anything you find on the Internet (especially such firmware modifications allowing to play DVDs with any region code) is probably unauthorized by the manufacturer.
In order to find such a firmware update, you may search through the Internet a bit, I don't think that anybody here can (will) assist you (especially since such posting would get deleted very quickly by one of the admins

Satelitte A660/07T - Blu-ray DVD firmware update

Hi
trying to play a new release Blu-ray disc via Satelitte A660/07T.
States that can't play and need to update firmware.
I can't find a specific download on the toshiba site for this model.
Any suggestions please would be great.

Hi
This is a Toshiba Australian notebook model.
Toshiba Satellite A660/07T (PSAW3A-07T00R)
Here you can find the drivers, tools and software for this unit:
http://www.mytoshiba.com.au/support/notebooks/satellite/a660/psaw3a-07t00r/download?os=25
Greets

IMac 400 MHz G3 DV - DVD Firmware

Hi,
I got hands on a :
iMac 400 MHz DV (G3 - M5521)
PowerMac2,1 (PowerPC 750)
Order No. M7493LL/A*
EMC: 1821
DHHS: LA
ATI Rage 128VR (2D/3D) AGP 2x (8MB VRAM)
Date Oct. 5, 1999
Disc Date July 19, 2000
I already updated the firmware to 4.1.9 and installed Mac OS X Tiger (10.4.11) and OS 9.2.2.
I currently have the Matshita 8184 (Panasonic) DVD ROM (SlotIn) with Firmware AA31.
I read there was a AA27 before and I also read that there is an update 1.0
When I tried to install Firmware Update 1.0, it said, it already got updated.
I even found Firmware Update 1.1 for the DVD ROM (fixes audio cd readability)
http://www.macworld.com/article/1021740/dvdrom.html
(but it clearly sayys only for 400MHz DV Special Edition. More about that in the next chapter)
I wanted to test the machine using your Apple Hardware Test, but I was told, that there never was a AHT for my 1999 machine.
I was also told that there was a "iMac 400 MHz DV Special Edition" in mid 2000, which supported the AHT (1.0.1 (?)) and its only difference to my iMac 400 MHz DV would be the ATI 128 Pro instead of a 128vr. (?)
Are there any other differences ? Would that AHT run on my machine then ? I ask because :
I read that AHT 1.1 might work on my machine as well :
Apple Hardware Test 1.1 for IMac G3,....?
So, questions would be :
1.) What other differences, except for the Graphics Adapter are between my iMac 400MHz DV and the iMac 400 MHz DV SE ?
2.) Is there a Hardware Test for my iMac ?
3.) Will the DVD Firmware Update 1.1 install on my Matshita 8184 (Panasonic) DVD ROM and which version would it be ?
Or does the iMac 400MHt DV SE has a differentr DVD ROM model and if so, which one ?
4.) Is there a way to choose between OS 9 and OS X on booting up ? Pressing "C" will only show the OS that I selected via StartVolume before.
Thanks for your time.
Regards,
iMac1999

I have a lime-colored G3 iMac DV (400 MHz) from 1999. The iMac DV SE that shipped in 2000 had a 500 MHz processor, a 30 GB hard drive, a 4x DVD-ROM drive, the marginally better ATI Rage128 Pro GPU, and 128 GBs of SDRAM. It was available in Graphite or Snow. The internal DVD-ROM drive may have had a sequentially newer model number, than that used in the 1999 models. I wouldn't be concerned about updating the firmware in your DVD-ROM drive - it is what it is - a 15 year-old computer with similarly dated hardware. I didn't receive an AHT disk with mine, and have had no reason to run it anyway. If you would like a much more modern internal DVD±RW drive, you can buy one here for $149. Obviously, that exceeds the value of your iMac. With onboard FireWire ports, I have used external CD-RW and DVD±RW drives, rather than replace the internal drive. A common problem with those slot-loading optical drives occurs when the neoprene sleeved rollers (that pull in and roll out the disk) get dry/slick with age. This will cause slipping and is usually indicated when the disk repeatedly gets stuck, as the motor keeps churning to eject it. I maxed out the memory at 1 GB and installed an 80 GB hard drive, but that's all. As for the resolution setting, I wouldn't be concerned about using a 60 Hz refresh rate (and dealing with the annoying flicker). Just select the optimal resolution & refresh setting. The greater concern for component failure in those iMacs is its Power-Analog-Video (P-A-V) board, which is the heart of the system's power. Replacement requires previous experience with CRT repair, because of the potentially dangerous stored electrical charge that must be properly discharged in order to swap P-A-V boards. Finding a new "old-stock" P-A-V board would be difficult, if not impossible today. Installing a used part with unknown remaining service life could be a waste of money. If you wish to boot from your Tiger installation, you can press/hold down the "X" key when you power ON the computer. That model also supports using the Startup Manager, which you can read about here.

DVD Drive BAD - after 10.4.6. & Firmware Updates

After installing 10.4.6, then doing the Firmware Update 1.0 for the MacBook Pro I now have an extremely slow DVD drive.
I'm simply putting in CD/DVDs (Adobe, Macromedia, my own, anything...) and they takes ages to mount (3-4 minutes) or do not mount at all with the error saying the discs are unreadable by this system.
Everything was fine before, as I was installing applications fine...

Hi!
Good for you! Great.
Didn't work for me. My Superdrive doesn't read original CD-ROMS. No problems with DVDs and CD-R.
Since I migrated directly from my Intel iMac I didn't use any original CD since I reveived my MacBook Pro in February. Hope they'll send me an exchange. I can't send in the machine for days and/or weeks.
hmpf
Some kind of upset.
Greetings
plant

Is there a firmware update for burning at 16x with Matshita DVD-R UJ 845E?

Is there a firmware update for burning at 16x with Matshita DVD-R UJ 845E? I'm trying to burn a DVD using iDVD on my iBook. The blank DVD's are Memorex 16x (I've used Memorex 8x successfully in the past), the DVD drive is specified above. The finder tells me that the drive has reported an error "sense key=medium error/ sense code=0x73, 0x03" I couldn't find firmware updates in either Panasonic Matshita or Apple websites. Am I forever confined to 8x DVD-R's with this laptop?
ibook G4 Mac OS X (10.4.7)
ibook G4 Mac OS X (10.4.7)

First, welcome to the discussions.
Sorry, No Firmware update to allow you to burn at 16X.
The drive you have is only capable of burning at 8X.
You will also find that for the most part when you recieve errors that it is more often than not attributed to MEDIA.
There are so many problems with the cheaper media they are to numerous to cover.
DVD is not at all like CD burning, in that the technology as well as the Optical Drives used, seem to be touchy, and require the use of good Media. This will allow you trouble free burning without errors.
http://www.digitalfaq.com/media/dvdmedia.htm
You will also find that the reason that DVD-R Media works the best, is because it is the most wirely used and recognised in both Computers and Players.
If I may suggest. There are several 16X DVD's on the market.
Take your time and look at the back of the Jewel Cases and read. You will see that the better Media will tell you that it will burn at 1X through and including 16X, if your drive is capable of handleing these speeds. I prefer Maxell 16X DVD-R Media in the individual Jewel Cases. This Media burns at the slower speeds on the older Superdrives that will only burn at 1X or 2X.
Like many others I have learned my lessons the hard way.
Cheers Don

Is there any way to get firmware update for my DVD-RW Drive from Ultra 40?

Hi, I have Sun Ultra 40 Workstation which comes with Matshita DVD-RAM drive.
While I do enjoy working on my U40 workstation, its DVD-RAM drive is wll pretty bad.
It just fails to burn DVD/CD-R/RW media too often.
Yes, I got it serviced, but it's just the same.
So my final hope is to get the latest firmware, becuase latest firmware often solves such media compatability issues.
Mine has D100 firmware and I find other people who has the same drive on different system have D101, D200, D201 firmware.
So does anyone know how to contact Sun to get the latest firmware for my DVD-RAM drive?
I did contacted Matshita for this matter and they tell me to contact Sun. But I cannot even find email address for Sun Support or any. sigh...
Thanks.
Sang

Hello Sang,
I have Sun Ultra 40 Workstation which comes with Matshita DVD-RAM drive.
Mine has D100 firmware and I find other people who has the same drive on different system have D101, D200, D201 firmware.
So does anyone know how to contact Sun to get the latest firmware for my DVD-RAM drive?
I did contacted Matshita for this matter and they tell me to contact Sun.
I did review the Full Components List for the Ultra 40. The only DVD drives listed (Part No. 370-7970) are Panasonic UJ-485 and Teac DV-W28SLA-093. Both aren't capable of reading or writing DVD-RAM.
In some countries Panasonic uses Matshita as brand name.
I did a search on SunSolve with the keywords DVD firmware.
Sun supplies only firmware updates for two DVD readers: Toshiba DVD 1401 (fixes: unable to boot from Solaris 8 DVD) and Toshiba SD-C2732 (fixes: returns incorrect data).
I was unable to update the firmware of the SD-C2732 (Sun part) with the Sun patch. The drive was attached to an Ultra 10 (with an adapter). I ended attaching the drive to a PC and using a DOS boot floppy with the Toshiba flash program and the Sun firmware.
Regarding you problems with the drive: Have you tried another brand of media. The Ultra 40 is under warranty (GA date was February 14, 2006).
Use the contact information from your other thread.
If you search the net for firmware you can locate sites that offers region-code-free firmware for several drives. Usually they provide a flash program (requires creation of a DOS boot floppy). Using these programs/firmware voids your warranty. Maybe you can not revert the firmware upgrade.
These slimline drives have no jumpers, the installed firmware (of the drive) determines if the drive is master, slave, uses cable-select (CS) or reversed CS.
Michael

GSA-H60L DVD Writer Firmware Update Question

Hello all.
i have a dvd writer here that needs to be updated.
The model number is HL-DT-ST DVD-RW GSA-H60L.
The trouble is that the firmware updater needs a Windows Vista 32 bit system to work, but i don't have one available at this time.
Is there a workaround for this?
Thanks.

Hello hesdeadjim,
Welcome to the HP Forums, I hope you enjoy your experience! To help you get the most out of the HP Forums I would like to direct your attention to the HP Forums Guide First Time Here? Learn How to Post and More. I understand that you have a DVD writer that needs to be updated, and I would be happy to assist you! To begin, I will need to ask you a few questions:
What is the Product and Model Number of your desktop computer?
What version of Windows do you have installed on your computer?
Has your computer completed all of its important Windows Updates?
Is this an on-going, or recent issue?
Have you updated all of your HP drivers using the HP Support Assistant?
Did your DVD writer come with your computer, or was it a later addition?
Please re-post with the necessary information, this way I will be able to research this further for you. I look forward to your reply!
Cheers!
MechPilot
I work on behalf of HP
Please click “Accept as Solution ” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution.
Click the “Kudos, Thumbs Up" on the right to say “Thanks” for helping!

Firmware update to read 8x dvds?

I have a 2x dvd burner in my superdrive, but I can't read memorex 8x, and I need to burn these by tomorrow. Anyone know the firmware updates? do they exist?

Most Powerbooks, until rcently were sold with DVD-R Superdrives. To burn a DVD you reallly should get DVD-R. I find that tdk DVD-R work really well (the 8 speed ones) and they are very cheap from circuit city - I think $17 for 50 last time I got them. Although your drive may not be able to write to them at 8 speed, they should allow you to burn the fastest speed possible. Different discs are coded differently. When I first purchased Memorex 4x DVD-R for my old machine, I was only offered 2x speed maximum. I discovered that it was to do with how the disc was coded. I switched to tdk and had no problems.
If you go to the Apple menu, click on "About this mac", More info, and then disc burning in the system profiler, it will tell you what drive you have and the write protocols it supports. You can then get more specific help.
I hope that helps.
Best of luck.

Superdrive Firmware Update 2.1 hosed your DVD-RW? Here's howto restore it.

I have successfully restored the firmware on a UJ-857 that was hosed following the infamous Apple Superdrive Firmware Update 2.1, thanks to the procedure & flashing utility posted by "ben11" on http://forum.rpc1.org/viewtopic.php?t=42953&sid=7a19b1238543a5e4a43d12770bbd27c1
Please read the instructions carefully before proceeding.
Hello,
+After some private message exchanges it seems I was able to help some people in this situation (inclduing the original poster). I wrote a simple utility to perform a very basic flash to the drive - doing that may be able to recover the situation, but my flash utility performs almost no checks and is generally much more basic than the framework which, for example, the standard Apple Superdrive updaters have used.+
+So, if your drive is in a similar situation this may be able to help. But only try if you feel you've exhausted every other possibility, such as having the drive replaced. This flash process may not work for you, or in the worst case it could conceivably leave your drive is a worse state than before. It is of coursed not endorsed by anybody, in particular not Apple nor the drive manufacturer (or anybody at rpc1.org either).+
+As I wrote, compared to the standard updaters this utility makes few checks on the drive status - so unless your drive has really lost its standard operating firmware, often because of an interrupted flash, don't use this rather than a more featured updater.+
+Simple flash utility archive:+
+http://rapidshare.com/files/57312123/SimpleFlash.zip.html+
+There is the terminal based utility (and source code) - along with copies of the HAEA, HBEA, KBVB, KCVB (RPC1 patched) firmwares for the UJ-857 and UJ-857D.+
_+Basic Instructions+_
+You need to download the "SimpleFlash.zip" file, unpack it and then run it using the terminal. e.g. assuming you have downloaded the archive file to your desktop you can unpack like this:+
+ben11s-computer:~ ben11$ cd Desktop+
+ben11s-computer:~/Desktop ben11$ unzip SimpleFlash.zip+
+ben11s-computer:~/Desktop ben11$ cd SimpleFlash+
+to use the utility you start it using ONE of the following commands:+
+./simple_flash 0 UJ857-HAEA-MBP-rpc1.dat+
or
+./simple_flash 0 UJ857-HBEA-MB-rpc1.dat+
or
+./simple_flash 0 UJ857D-KBVB-MB-rpc1.dat+
or
+./simple_flash 0 UJ857D-KCVB-MBP-rpc1.dat+
+(choose according to the firmware you need, see below)+
+It will prompt you to answer if you want to continue - to which you can type 'yes' or 'y', if you want to go on. The flash should start and will take about 30 seconds after which the utility should say "Finished". At this point I recommended you restart your Mac. If all has gone well your drive should be responding again.+
_+Choosing the Firmware+_
+The firmware included are the ones that the "Apple Superdrive 2.1" update offered for Matshita drives - except the ones in this archive have RPC1 patches. If you don't want RPC1 you could go back to standard firmware using the updaters posted in other threads on this forum after your drive is responding again.+
+In principal the utility would also flash other matshita UJ-8xx drives, but suitable firmware data files are not included for them.+
+HAEA, HBEA are for UJ-857+
+KBVB, KCVB are for UJ-857D+
+If your drive previously had:+
+HAC1 or HAE4 use HAEA+
+HBE4 use HBEA+
+KBV9 use KBVB+
+KCV9 use KCVB+
+If you don't know the previous firmware revision you had then: As far as I know firmware revisions HAEA & KCVB are used in the Macbook Pro, HBEA & KBVB are used in the Macbook. Choose according to which model of mac and which model of drive you have.+
+The optical drive should not accept a firmware corresponding the wrong drive model, but for a given model the various revisions may have slight differences, perhaps because of different physical constraints on the hardware - so try to pick the appropriate revision.+
+Good luck.+

Hello.
I read a lot of stories on this issue, but no one was exactly like mine. However, since I bumped into your post yesterday I decided to give a try to the "ben11" flash solution.
I'm writing here so others can others can find the info (also I'm writing it here since I have an Apple ID but I'm not interested in subscribing to "The Firmware Page Forum", from "ben11" comes from).
So, here it is.
Of course in the beginning, that is June '07, It was the Firmware Update 2.1.
From there, I was capable to burn CD's at 24x even after the update, but suddenly, the week before the past one or so, I couldn't burn a couple of CD's and a DVD. In that moment I couldn't check the issue in detail. I just thought it could be that my Mac was too busy or something. All I was getting was a completed recording phase and then a failing verifying phase. Sometimes with a 80020063 error code.
The past week I successfully wrote a disc at 8x, but another one, and all the subsequent failed with the same conditions: recording succeeded, verification failed.
Then I read your post. I tried a couple of recordings more for control. I was able to record my iPhoto collection at 1x in a DVD with no problem. Then I tried writing data again in a CD at 24x and it failed, as I was expecting.
I applied the flash utility to the (MATSHITA DVD-R UJ-857D/KCVB) unit and voila! At 24x my data was recorded and verified successfully!
Thanks a lot and kind regards from Mexico.
Julián

CD/DVD Drive Firmware Update

If you are looking for a CD/DVD or Blu-ray drive update then use Imgburn to find the update if available.
Download and install Imgburn (it's a freebie). Uncheck the ASK Toolbar installation.
Launch Imgburn and click on Mode and select Discovery.
Be sure that Destination is set to the target CD/DVD drive needing the firmware update.
Then select: Tools ---> Drive ----> Check for Firmware updates.
Firmware updates generally are released for media compatibility issues but also can correct other drive problems.
You can also go directly to FIRMWARE HQ.
HP DV9700, t9300, Nvidia 8600, 4GB, Crucial C300 128GB SSD
HP Photosmart Premium C309G, HP Photosmart 6520
HP Touchpad, HP Chromebook 11
Custom i7-4770k,Z-87, 8GB, Vertex 3 SSD, Samsung EVO SSD, Corsair HX650,GTX 760
Custom i7-4790k,Z-97, 16GB, Vertex 3 SSD, Plextor M.2 SSD, Samsung EVO SSD, Corsair HX650, GTX 660TI
Windows 7/8 UEFI/Legacy mode, MBR/GPT

Hi,
I can't sign on to ROXIO either on my main PC using W7 64 bit. I have to reboot to W7 32 bit. It's the only forum that I have the problem.
Did you try burning a DL disk with your data as an ISO file on the hard drive using Imgburn?
Go into Device Manager and right mouse click on the optical drive and select properties. Now select details and then hardware IDs. What do you see for VEN and DEV (vendor and device)? Sometimes the hardware IDs and be used to locate firmware updates.
HP DV9700, t9300, Nvidia 8600, 4GB, Crucial C300 128GB SSD
HP Photosmart Premium C309G, HP Photosmart 6520
HP Touchpad, HP Chromebook 11
Custom i7-4770k,Z-87, 8GB, Vertex 3 SSD, Samsung EVO SSD, Corsair HX650,GTX 760
Custom i7-4790k,Z-97, 16GB, Vertex 3 SSD, Plextor M.2 SSD, Samsung EVO SSD, Corsair HX650, GTX 660TI
Windows 7/8 UEFI/Legacy mode, MBR/GPT

16x DVD-R Media and 106D Firmware Update??

I just picked up some Memorex 16x DVD-R discs and was wondering if there is a firmware update needed for the G5 Superdrive.
I checked for firmware updates here and could not find anything, but as I have found out in the past, this does not mean there isn't one.
Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Gary

Thanks for the reply Chris.
Just cause we're level 3 or 4 doesn't necessarily mean we know what we're talking about.
Ah, but the alter I have erected for level 3 & 4 promises all prayers are heard, if not answered....
I haven't tried the 16x media yet, but like 4x media and lower becoming extinct since the introduction of 8x, I am sure 16x media will dominate within a couple months. As such, I just wanted to make sure the new media was not going to frag my 4x Super drive.
I checked my drive through System Profiler and got the following:
Model:     PIONEER DVD-RW DVR-106D
Revision:     A606
Serial Number:     CHDL009866WL
Detachable Drive:     No
Protocol:     ATAPI
Unit Number:     0
Socket Type:     Internal
I checked out the latest update link you provided, but it does not say what the revision is, so I don't know if I have the most resent. Although I haven't had any issues the 4x Superdrive using 8x, I have had several failures with the 8x burner in a Pioneer 8x DVD Recorder set top unit.... same vender so I anticipate possible problems.
Anyway, thanks for the response.
Gary

Macbook4,1 10.6.8 and firmware update - what went wrong?

Macbook 4,1 2008 2.4Ghz (not unibody). I recently reformatted my hard drive and reinstalled 10.6 from the Retail DVD and all seemed to go well. The MB was working fine up to that point. I then set up the MB (network, date and time, etc.) and repaired permissions.
I then checked Software Update and downloaded and installed the recommended updates to 10.6.8.
Again, all seemed to go fine. System booted and I repaired Permissions again. I went to the Apple web site, a couple of other web sites, and Software Update found another update to install: Firmware. Though I don't remember what version.
I clicked OK and it installed.
Upon reboot, it seemed to install okay.
But then I left the Macbook and it went into Sleep.
I didn't come back to it again until the next day.
When I pressed a key to wake it, I got what I now know is the screen that appears after you wake it from SAFE SLEEP. As per this Apple KB article: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1757.
And this is where the problems started.
After the MB woke to the Safe Sleep screen, which shows the desktop a little "out of focus", the progress bars started filling in from left to right, BUT before they completed, the screen went BLACK.
And it has had a problem with black screen ever since. I can boot the MB from internal or external HD or from DVD, and it seems to boot fine. Boot chime, Apple logo, spinning wheel, then at the point where it pauses, blue screen, then goes to desktop, instead the screen goes black.
It finishes booting, but seems to go into Sleep.
I can wake it by pressing a key, but the screen either comes on and goes black again after 10 seconds, or I get the Safe Sleep wake screen, and then it goes black after 10 seconds.
And at boot or when waking the MB, the front LED flashes 5 times. There are no error beeps.
I've tried changing RAM, but problems remain.
So what's all this? Any ideas?
The display doesn't seem dead, as it works to boot and wake. The MB works fine with external monitor.
It's weird, but I can't think of anything apart from the Firmware update. The problems started right after installing it.
Unfortunately, this model of Macbook doesn't have a Firmware Restoration image to download and burn to CD. It is the ONLY Mac at this point that doesn't have this!
I called Apple support and even bought the 49 Euro Pay Per Incident service, which proved to be the same as throwing 49 Euro out the window. The only "technical" support they provided was to Reset the SMC, which you can find out about FOR FREE at the Apple website. And which I'd done anyway. I'd also reinstalled the MacOS. Don't want to beef too much, but sheesh, you've already got a Macbook that might need costly repairs, and they make you pay 49 Euro BEFORE they even ask you about the problem and what you've done to try to solve it. I'm tempted to say "ripoff". I mean, if all they can offer you is the advice to reset the SMC - which Apple offers for free at their website - then that's pretty poor service for 49 Euro, to say the least.
Apart from the wasted 49 Euro, I'm pretty peeved about the Firmware update (or so it seems) wrecking a perfectly working 2008 Macbook. I don't know how to convince Apple of this, but I'm certainly going to try.

Thanks for the reply.
Re. the Displays setting, the Macbook display isn't recognized and mirroring isn't an available option.
I've scoured the net and the idea of replacing the PRAM battery may be something to try. I read a post by a guy with a Macbook logic board screwed up by a Firmware update, which he solved by replacing the PRAM battery, as when you disconnect it you reset the logic board.
Which capacitor?
No luck so far with talking to Apple. I will try to get hold of someone a little more tech savvy and/or in a position of authority, as it seems that the Firmware is the culprit. Obviously a million other things could go wrong with a Macbook, but given the timing here it looks like the Firmware. Firmware updates can and occasionally do screw up a computer, as most manufacturers will warn you before you apply the update: PC makers, printer makers, etc. And they probably warn you that it's all your responsibility if anything goes wrong. But re. the Apple Firmware update:
1) it came thru Software Update
2) there was no warning
3) to make things worse, there's no Firmware Restoration image that I can burn to a CD to reflash the logic board: this is the only Apple computer that doesn't have a Firmware Restoration option
I'll try to get thru to a manager and convince him/her that the firmware may have been the cause.
Do you think an authorized Apple tech might have access to some way to do a firmware restoration? Something not avaiable to mere mortals? Because if not, the only solution looks like a new logic board.

Macbook 2008 4,1 serious problems after 10.6.8 and 1.4 firmware update

I'm having a problem with my 2008 2.4Ghz Macbook. After doing a fresh install of 10.6.0 with a Retail DVD, the MB was working perfectly, absolutely no problems at all. I then ran Software Update and installed all the recommended updates to 10.6.8, and I only noticed in passing that there was a Firmware update to do too, as reported by Software Update. I ran that as well and, IIRC, it was applied after fully updating to 10.6.8 and after rebooting twice. The MB rebooted, ran the Firmware update (which seemed to complete fine, as the progress bar completed normally against the grey screen), then rebooted. Again, IIRC, after running the Firmware update, and I'm now at 10.6.8, I started a Repair Permissions and left the MB for a while. It was the next day, maybe 15 hours later, when I went back to the MB and it was in Sleep. I pressed a key to wake it and this is when the weirdness started.
The screen was "fuzzy", sort of out of focus, though I could see the desktop, and what I could see was: the Disk Utility window open on Repair Permissions (which had completed normally) and several Vertical Segmented Bars running across the bottom part of the screen, at about the height where the Firmware Update progress bar was. These bars were filling in from left to right. IIRC, it may have looked a little like when you wake from Deep Sleep (or Hibernate, or whatever it was called). Like when you Wake from Sleep after the battery has run out and then you plug the AC adapter in.
Anyway, before the Vertical Segmented Bars progress was completed, the screen went black. Pressing keys didn't bring the desktop back.
I did a forced shutdown, reset the SMC, then rebooted. No startup chime. The Superdrive, hard drive and fans spun up, but the screen remained black. After a few reboots, I got a desktop back, and tried to reinstall from both an external HD (with Restored disk image) and the Retail Snow Leo DVD. Both times, the MB booted to the startup screen: with the external HD, I held down Option and chose the Snow Leo install; with the DVD, the MB started normally while I held down the C key. The boot started from the HD and the DVD, but after about 60 seconds, with Apple logo and the spinning "cog wheel", the screen went black. And seemed to shut down. With the external FW hard drive, the drive made a loud click, its LED went off, then it came back on after a few seconds, as if it had lost all power to it, then the LED lit up when power returned to it from the shut down MB. Anyway, the installs failed.
I then attached the 2.4 MB to another MB (2.1) in Target Disk Mode and it booted fine into TDM. It showed up on the 2.1's desktop, I ran Check Disk and it checked out okay. I then looked under Startup Disk and the 2.4's disk was listed there, with 10.6.8.
I then booted the 2.1 from the 2.4's disk and it booted fine. I ran check Permissions, and a huge list of permissions to repair came out. At this point, I've left things as they are. The 2.1 is booted from the 2.4, the latter used as external boot HD.
I then replaced hard drive and RAM. Tried to boot from DVD and install, got to Apple logo and spinning cog wheel, but after about 2 minutes the screen went black.
I then connected an external monitor and rebooted from the DVD. The external display received a video signal and I got to the Snow Leopard install screen. All this time the Macbook display has remained BLACK.
I went to Disk Utility and reformatted the new drive, then started the installation, which completed fine. The Macbook runs normally connected to the external display.
Any thoughts?
Why would the Macbook display work fine at boot (Apple logo, etc.), but then cut out after about 2-3 minutes?
Why would the Macbook screen remain black while I got a video signal on an external monitor?
Does this sound heat-related in some way? I should note that while booting from the DVD and now installing Snow Leopard, the fans are going pretty fast.
I just want to point out that this was an absolutely pristine, impeccable Macbook until these recent problems. It is in fantastic condition, none of the usual chips out of the top case and trackpad area. After the latest fresh install of 10.6.0 it was perfect upon reboot. Fast, perfect Airport and Bluetooth, FW and USB worked perfectly with a FW drive and USB mouse I hooked up. The update to 10.6.8 via Software Update seemed to complete fine.
Then all the problems started AFTER THE FIRMWARE UPDATE.
I don't know how much stock can be put in the firmware update being the cause of the problems, but the sequence here would bear that out. These are also somewhat unusual problems, at least in my experience.
One of the odd things was when I first went to wake the Macbook after the firmware update: the "fuzzy", out-of-focus screen and the segmented progress bars. And it was just before the segmented bars completed progress from left to right that the display cut out and went black. And from that time on, I've had the aforementioned problems.
Any ideas or links to similar problems would be greatly appreciated, e.g. possibly firmware related, or where the Macbook screen works but goes black after a couple minutes. And now that I've been able to connect to an external monitor, it would seem that the video signal is okay too.
Thanks.

Just to update.
After leaving the Macbook unplugged and without battery for a few days. I reset the SMC and, with no battery installed, I've just now rebooted and:
1) the first time, it booted, but no chime, and when the display turned on, once again I got the "out of focus" desktop AND the segmented vertical bars on the desktop (and the bars were filling in from right to left); the display went black after about 10-15 seconds;
2) I shut down and swapped some different RAM, then reset the SMC again and booted without battery. This time I got the boot chime and the Macbook booted to the Apple logo screen and spinning cogwheel. After about 2 minutes, the cogwheel stopped spinning, as if to boot to the desktop, but then the display went black. The front light started to pulse after about 10 seconds, and the Macbook appeared to be in Sleep.
3) I woke the Macbook from sleep by hitting a few keys and this time it went to the desktop. This is the first time it's gone to the desktop since the problem started.
I had enough time to see that everything appeared normally on the desktop, such as the time and date, Airport was connected, etc. And then the display went black again, after about 10 seconds.
At this point, I can now always get to the desktop, but the display goes black after about 10 seconds. I have just enough time to press a few keys and the Macbook does respond.
4) I shut down and reinserted the battery. Here's where new problems show up.
With the battery inserted, and the Macbook in sleep, if I hit a key, the DVD spins up as the Macbook is waking, BUT now the front sleep indicator light FLASHES (blinks) 5 TIMES. No beeps.
The Macbook still gets to the desktop, like before, and the screen goes black after 10 seconds.
I found some info on the Apple site re. 5 flashes (Article 21502):
If you don’t hear beeps, but the sleep indicator light flashes five times when you start it up or wake it from sleep, its battery may need service. Take the battery to an Apple Authorized Service Provider, such as an Apple Retail Store.
For more information, see the Apple Support article below.
You can continue using your computer before you service the battery. Use a different battery, or connect the computer’s power adapter and plug it into a power source.
Note:If you use your computer without a battery or with a faulty battery, you could lose all unsaved changes if it’s unplugged while it’s on.
BUT, the battery is not defective, as it works okay in another Macbook.
I should also point out that the problem with the 5 indicator light flashes or with the battery did not exist before the 10.6.8 and the Firmware 1.4 updates.
Any ideas?

HT1237 Searching for an EFI Firmware update to enable Lion Internet Recovery on MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2010)

Hi All,
My Mid-2010 Apple MacBook Pro 15-inch started having random kernel panics lately (more than 1 month of random kernel panics now), usually associated with request such as "open new tab in Safari" etc.
Since I installed 2x4GB RAM modules from Crucial when I bought my MBP (they are +- 2 years old now) and also exchanged my DVD-drive for an extra SSD that now runs the system (fully updated 10.7.4) I have a feeling that those kernel panics might be HW related.
I wanted to run Apple Hardware Test but found out that it is no longer supported on Lion. Since I don't have any optical drive to install AHT from (also I don't have the CDs with me atm), I found out that I can install an EFI Firmware update that enables internet-based (?) AHT.
At http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4904# , the link from MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2010) links to MacBook Pro EFI Firmware Update 2.6 which is for Early 2010 models only and doesn't allow me to run the installation process. I'm looking for an EFI update to enable Apple Hardware Test on my Mid-2010 Apple MacBook Pro 15-inch.
Is there an update that can do this? Is there a wrong hyperlink on Apple page or am I searching for a wrong update?
Also, even though this should probably be in a separate topic, can anyone please point me to the right direction for a good Apple Kernel Panic how-to-read-those topic?
Thank you very much in advance.

Hey Cris from London,
I would try out the recommended steps in the following link:
OS X Mavericks: If your Mac runs slowly
http://support.apple.com/kb/PH13895
Let us know if any of the steps within resolved the issue.
Welcome to Apple Support Communities!
Take care,
Delgadoh

Dvd firmware update?

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