Can't update firmware on Tangerine iMac

philbotphilbot
Posted:
in Genius Bar edited January 2014
I've got an old iMac running 8.6 but I'd like to put 9.2 on it. The OS installer tells me I need to update the firmware to do this.



I've got the latest firmware from Apple, run it and reboot. I hold in the programmers button while the mac lets out a tone, then it begins updating.



Problem is, the bar gets about a third the way across and stops. I've left it over an hour and it never finishes.



I've updated 3 other iMacs with no problems.



Does anyone have an idea how i can get this Mac to update??



(I've tried reseting the PRAM).

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 10
    kelibkelib Posts: 740member
    I would try and download the firmware update again. The file can be corrupted or something. Make sure the update is compatible with the iMac you are updating
  • Reply 2 of 10
    alcimedesalcimedes Posts: 5,486member
    you might also want to try zapping the pram, then running the update.



    also, try booting with extensions off, then run the update.



    another thing to try would be to remove any USB devices, other than the keyboard/mouse.



    if it still doesn't work, take off the keyboard and mouse as well.



    let us know how it goes.



    [ 03-06-2002: Message edited by: alcimedes ]</p>
  • Reply 3 of 10
    ghost_user_nameghost_user_name Posts: 22,667member
    Be sure you have the correct one. The most current update may not ne the correct one for the tray loading iMacs. Read the fine print. It may say something like "slot loading machines only". In which case you have to dig around for the correct one for the tray loaders.



    it seemed to me that firmware updates for the tray loaders eneded a while ago. Long before 9.2.
  • Reply 4 of 10
    philbotphilbot Posts: 240member
    I tried everything and the thing won't update!



    All it does is get a little way across, and the screen shows a flashing disk/question mark.



    I've updated 3 other imacs using the same update, 2 of which were original bondi blues - now all happily running 9.2.



    Any more suggestions?
  • Reply 5 of 10
    alcimedesalcimedes Posts: 5,486member
    have you tried disk warrior, or disk first aid on the HD? it's possible that there's something wrong with it that's puking out the update. also, try pulling out an extra RAM you might have added after the initial purchase, see if it updates with only the factory RAM installed.
  • Reply 6 of 10
    ghost_user_nameghost_user_name Posts: 22,667member
    Maybe pull the battery and let it sit. Then pram zap the night away and try again. Reset the cuda chip too? I don't know, just throwing stuff out there.
  • Reply 7 of 10
    philbotphilbot Posts: 240member
    I've tried running Norton, Disk Warrior and Techtool,



    I've unplugged everything,



    and I've zapped thr PRAM.



    Still all I get is the progress bar start a little, and a flashing disk/?



    All I can try now is removing the battery, but that's gonna have to wait a day or two. <img src="confused.gif" border="0">
  • Reply 8 of 10
    alcimedesalcimedes Posts: 5,486member
    have you tried the apple support forums on their web page? they have message boards devoted to their various lines, you might want to give that a try. otherwise, i'm fresh out of ideas.



    you did redownload it, right?
  • Reply 9 of 10
    philbotphilbot Posts: 240member
    yep, I downloaded it again but still no joy.



    I've trawled apple support but it seems I'm alone in this.



    Basically I've followed all the correct procedures.



    I'm considering copying 9.2 on from a disk image and seeing what happens... <img src="confused.gif" border="0">
  • Reply 10 of 10
    alcimedesalcimedes Posts: 5,486member
    well, at this point i'd say back up everything, reformat and reinstall. do the firmware first, then copy stuff back. other than that, i have no more ideas. sorry.



    -alcimedes
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