Apple offers fix for iMac's Radeon HD 4850 freezing issues

[AppleInsider]

A rare weekend software update promises to cure system freezing issues in early 2009 iMacs equipped with an ATI Radeon HD 4850 graphics chipset.

Released on Saturday, iMac EFI Firmware Update 1.4 (1.7MB) specifically addresses the hard lock-ups that occur at random and leave iMac users with the custom-order graphics with no choice but to reboot their systems to regain a usable computer, regardless of whether they're using Mac OS X or running Windows in Boot Camp.

It also mends problems owners have encountered which prevent the systems from waking properly from sleep when using Boot Camp, Apple says. The update requires Mac OS X 10.5.6 or later.

The company hasn't explained what has caused the problems, which have triggered lengthy discussions on Apple's support forums and, though producing different symptoms, have drawn parallels with an earlier ATI graphics freezing issue from 2007.

[solipsism]

Good luck iMac owners.

[iCarbon]

Dammit, when are they going to send out the update that fixes my external monitor misery with my new-release macbook pro on the dual-link DVI adaptor?!?!?!!!!?!!!

I can barely work.

-z (sorry to be turning into a troll, but I hate being unable to get work done with my $3K computer)

[macxpress]

Originally Posted by iCarbon

Dammit, when are they going to send out the update that fixes my external monitor misery with my new-release macbook pro on the dual-link DVI adaptor?!?!?!!!!?!!!

I can barely work.

-z (sorry to be turning into a troll, but I hate being unable to get work done with my $3K computer)

You spent $3,000 on an iMac?

[zenatek]

Originally Posted by macxpress

You spent $3,000 on an iMac?

He said Macbook Pro.

[macxpress]

I guess thats what you get for posting MacBook Pro shit in an iMac thread.....

[mdriftmeyer]

Originally Posted by macxpress

I guess thats what you get for posting MacBook Pro shit in an iMac thread.....

But of course.

[MacTel]

This is a normal occurance in the industry. DELL Inspirons and Latitudes we had constantly crashed for months before they finally rectified the issue with firmware and driver issues. Sometimes things slip through quality control and this was one that caused users and Apple support much headache.

[garyindenver]

Just got my new 4870 from Apple for my early 2008 MacPro. Aperture won't run. Says the card doesn't meet the min. requirements. Huh?? WTF?

[tennisplaya20042]

Originally Posted by garyindenver

Just got my new 4870 from Apple for my early 2008 MacPro. Aperture won't run. Says the card doesn't meet the min. requirements. Huh?? WTF?

mac os x 10.5.7 has all the drivers for the card. the card really wont work until you update to 10.5.7

[wizard69]

Makes you wonder what exactly was causing the problem. Being an EFI update they could be adjusting any number of chips. So I hope this does not impact performance.

Not that Ive got an iMac, rather a MacBook Pro. Even that could use some driver work.

[ascii]

Has anyone tried this yet? It is appearing in my software update but I am extremely reluctant to install. Last time I installed a firmware fix for graphics issues was my 2008 Mac Pro, and it made the fans permanently louder from then on.

[nikon133]

Originally Posted by MacTel

This is a normal occurance in the industry. DELL Inspirons and Latitudes we had constantly crashed for months before they finally rectified the issue with firmware and driver issues. Sometimes things slip through quality control and this was one that caused users and Apple support much headache.

True. My HP laptop was occasionally dropping wireless and only reboot would bring it up again. Other people were complaining about the same issue on this specific notebook.

Not a big deal as it would happen up to twice a month (in my case), and would not freeze/crash system, so I was able to save whatever I'm working at and reboot... but still.

Half a year after notebook was released (and some 4 months after I have purchased it), new drivers were released by Intel and that sorted problem.

But... beside being one of the first HP notebooks based on new Montevina platform, my notebook was also $700 one.

Maybe it's only me, but for premium product with premium price, I'd expect better testing and quality control...

[nikon133]

Originally Posted by garyindenver

Just got my new 4870 from Apple for my early 2008 MacPro. Aperture won't run. Says the card doesn't meet the min. requirements. Huh?? WTF?

Any updated drivers available..?

[melgross]

Originally Posted by garyindenver

Just got my new 4870 from Apple for my early 2008 MacPro. Aperture won't run. Says the card doesn't meet the min. requirements. Huh?? WTF?

Apple has been calling, or sending e-mails to people who received the boards. They say that the boards were sent out too soon, and that the software wasn't yet ready.

[melgross]

Originally Posted by ascii

Has anyone tried this yet? It is appearing in my software update but I am extremely reluctant to install. Last time I installed a firmware fix for graphics issues was my 2008 Mac Pro, and it made the fans permanently louder from then on.

I suggest that you wait a few days, and check:

http://www.xlr8yourmac.com/

and

http://www.macfixit.com/

Over the next few days, to see how others have fared with this.

[camroidv27]

Originally Posted by italiankid

Slip quality control?

Have you seen the LCDs in the iMacs?

From the 20" to the 24" - they are worse than last year.

The ones made in January have a yellowish tinge.
The ones made in Feb/March have a blueish tinge.
The ones made in April have both issues in one panel...

The backlighting on the iMacs are just horrible.

Dust under the iMac glass too... Gotta love the Apple quality control!

And this is the main reason I won't spend the money on Apple's "premium" (I meant designer though) computers anymore. When we pay as much as we do, we expect it to work decently well.

They used to have good QC, what happened? I've noticed a big change when we went to intel, but I don't know how much of that is really it.

[brlawyer]

Originally Posted by camroidv27

And this is the main reason I won't spend the money on Apple's "premium" (I meant designer though) computers anymore. When we pay as much as we do, we expect it to work decently well.

They used to have good QC, what happened? I've noticed a big change when we went to intel, but I don't know how much of that is really it.

Bullshit patrol alert!!!

Apple still has, by far, the best QC in terms of customer opinions, support request and return rates. To judge them based on anecdotal evidence and opinions posted in support forums is nonsense.

Besides, my 24" iMac has a flawless LCD with no issues whatsoever...people should stop presuming that their problems are everyone else's problems...issues will ALWAYS happen even if you buy the most expensive article from the most renowned maker. This does NOT necessarily mean they are any worse than before, unless you REALLY show objective statistics to back that up.

[Quadra 610]

Originally Posted by italiankid

Slip quality control?

Have you seen the LCDs in the iMacs?

From the 20" to the 24" - they are worse than last year.

The ones made in January have a yellowish tinge.
The ones made in Feb/March have a blueish tinge.
The ones made in April have both issues in one panel...

The backlighting on the iMacs are just horrible.

Dust under the iMac glass too... Gotta love the Apple quality control!

Let me ask you a question.

Why do you bother to even use a Mac and admit to owning them?

Just use an affordable Windows-based PC and problem solved. Just switch.

All you do is troll and complain about Macs.

Yet, this is in your sig:

iMac 20" 2.66 2008/9 model
Nano 3rd/4th gen
iPhone 2G/3G

If you CLEARLY dislike Apple and Macs so much, then . . . WHY DO YOU EVEN OWN THESE PRODUCTS? Just sell them. No more worries, no more stress.

It seems pretty stupid of you to have them in your possession and constantly troll about them. Does it make sense to hang on to, and discuss something you dislike that much? There is an ocean of PCs out there for you to pick and choose from, and they have nothing to do with Macs, and they run Windows.

The result:

No need for you to come in here and complain, which means no more headaches on your part. You'll be a satisfied user, which you cearly are not. The only kind of person who keeps using something they dislike and who then takes the time and trouble to complain about it is someone who is mentally ill.

Fair?

[ckh1272]

Originally Posted by italiankid

Why? I love the OS system and got lots of software for it.

Apple has to improve on the hardware aspect. They have gone backwards IMO!


I will continue to complain as freedom of expression until something is done (I have voiced my opinion to Apple and they are well aware of it)

In the end you will get a quality product at premium price because of ME

...someone certainly has a high opinion of themselves!! I understand the whole love of the OS and investment in software. I think what some of the users are stating is that you seem to have a had a lot of problems with Apple products and combined with your posts, you come off like most of the people that were having the red ring of death problems with their Xbox 360s. There were people stating that they were on their fifth or tenth (for example) 360!! I'm sorry, but if I can't get a satisfactory product by the third time around, then maybe I should consider other options. Apple is no exception to this. I have had VERY little in the way of problems in the sixteen years I have owned Apple hardware, so I am good with that. In your case, it sounds like you need to explore some other options since Apple seems to be causing you so much grief though. Just something to consider. Some companies tend to notice problems more when people just stop using their product. It is a known fact in the retail world.

[CDRBurr]

Originally Posted by garyindenver

Just got my new 4870 from Apple for my early 2008 MacPro. Aperture won't run. Says the card doesn't meet the min. requirements. Huh?? WTF?

I have an early 2008 MacPro, and recently bought an Apple Cinema Display 24". Of course, on Apple's advice, I had to upgrade my video card to a 4870, and what a beast it is. The display is brilliant, but iPhoto '09 has problems, VMWare Fusion will not run, the machine will not enter sleep mode, etc., etc. After several conversations with Apple, I am left with the admission they released the card before the software was ready, but they "expect it to be available for download" any day now. One tech told me that 10.5.7 will be out "within two weeks."

[Quadra 610]

Originally Posted by italiankid

Why? I love the OS system and got lots of software for it.

Apple has to improve on the hardware aspect. They have gone backwards IMO!


I will continue to complain as freedom of expression until something is done (I have voiced my opinion to Apple and they are well aware of it)

In the end you will get a quality product at premium price because of ME

Right.

http://forums.appleinsider.com/searc...8&pp=25&page=4

[melgross]

Originally Posted by italiankid

yet Apple is taking their time

No they're not. They said that some cards were sent out too early be mistake. software takes its own time. You can be sure that whomever authorized the sending out of those cards has had a good talking to.

This is embarrassing to Apple. It's not something they would have wanted to happen.

[melgross]

Originally Posted by italiankid

It is because Apple is getting bigger and most of there products are made in China.

I've seen this here before, and it's just as much nonsense now as it was then.

Apple, as most all other computer manufacturers, has had their computers made in china for a decade or so. That has nothing to do with anything other than having them cost less than they would have.
Dell, until recently, has made its own computers here, and in Europe. Their quality has never been anything to brag about.

Apple is having no more problems now that in years past. Every time they have some problem I read this about them having more problems than before. And that's going back to the time when their computers were made here.

I don't mind paying a premium price for something, as long as it's a PREMIUM product.

If not, you will hear me complain until they justify the price.

You have the right to complain, but I suspect that you will always find something to complain about. Some people it seems, just like to complain.

I don't like it when Apple has problems any more than you do, likely less, as I have a fair amount of stock. but I realize that all companies have problems, and that some of it is beyond their control.

I have two 24" iMacs from 2008 here, and neither one has a monitor problem. We have more than a few in the photo labs in my daughters school, as well as 20" models, and their monitors are fine as well. I checked them carefully once this problem became known. But it affected a bunch of models around a certain time, and that's it. It's not as though all of these machines were affected. Apple took care of those who had the problem. Not every manufacturer would have even bothered to do that.

This iMac has been the same design since 2007 through 2009 and the same issues with the LCD appear only worse. Does it take 2+ years for Apple to make the changes? I thought for sure with a new product launch in March they would fix the LCD but they didn't. Beats me!

Again, this isn't really true.

Look, all monitor lines from all manufacturers have problems. mostly, people don't even notice them, or care. It often seems that Mac users are much pickier than most PC users, because I've seen plenty od PC monitors with visual problems that people haven't mentioned to me. I don't bother to even tell them about them when I see them, because why worry them with something they don't notice?

I have seen a couple of iMacs with "bad" monitors. But bad by what standard? Almost all monitors have a certain amount of off color, or unevenness in backlighting. How much it too much? If you have to look for the problem in order to find it, then it's likely not too much. I know people who don't see problems in products until they read about them. Then they notice it. It that REALLY a problem? Likely not.

[TenoBell]

Yes people pose the assumption that Apple didn't have many problems before. Now they have more than ever, this isn't true at all. When dealing with consumer electronics problems happen.I think people just like to jump on Apple more than anyone else about it.

How could you have sampled a large enough selection of iMac's to observe serial numbers starting with W have more issues than serial numbers with YM or QP? I don't believe you could possibly have. If you did, you sir have absolutely waaaaay too much time on your hands.

Originally Posted by italiankid

It is because Apple is getting bigger and most of there products are made in China.

I noticed that the iMacs with the serial number starting with "W" have more issues than "YM" or "QP"

[TenoBell]

That's par for the course with monitors. They all produce slightly different images. You could have a group of monitors that cost $10,000 each, if you look hard enough they will all have some type of difference in the way they produce color or contrast. Its pretty much impossible for two monitors to produce the exact same image.

As Mel said earlier it comes down the differences being close enough to not make much difference or being too different to be usable.

Originally Posted by italiankid

Considering the office bought 10 units all having different serial numbers, I noticed a difference between them. Some units have a yellowish or blueish tinge on either side. So that is how I know

[TenoBell]

Did you attempt to recalibrate the color profiles to bring the white point more into white? You can freely adjust the gama in system preferences.

Originally Posted by italiankid

I got an iMac with a blueish tinge the whites look blueish lol

[steveH]

Originally Posted by italiankid

yet Apple is taking their time

What, you want to them to rush something out without adequate testing?

It takes time to do things right.

Unless you're sole interest is in more things to complain about, the which seems more and more likely as time passes.

[steveH]

Originally Posted by Quadra 610

Let me ask you a question.

Why do you bother to even use a Mac and admit to owning them?

Just use an affordable Windows-based PC and problem solved. Just switch.

All you do is troll and complain about Macs.

Yet, this is in your sig:

iMac 20" 2.66 2008/9 model
Nano 3rd/4th gen
iPhone 2G/3G

As one who recently bought a 24" iMac and 24" LED Cinema display, I would argue that his complaints are without solid basis.

But then, I don't buy computer equipment to b1tch about it here.

[steveH]

Originally Posted by italiankid

I got an iMac with a blueish tinge the whites look blueish lol

So calibrate the display already!!

[melgross]

Originally Posted by italiankid

I got an iMac with a blueish tinge the whites look blueish lol

As others have said, calibrate the monitor.

I hate to think that I have to tell you this, but EVERY monitor you buy, other than high end professional graphics monitors is "bluish" from the factory, and don't try to say otherwise, because if you do, it will only show that you really don't know what you're talking about.

Manufacturers, from computer monitor manufacturers, to Tv manufacturers, set their monitors at a high color temp. (usually around 9,300 k) and high contrast, with higher saturation.

Why?

Because the average customer doesn't know any better, and likes brighter screens, which setting it bluer allows, as well as high contrast and saturation, so the image will "pop".

Is this good? No it's not. Does that matter? Nope! They do it anyway.

Computer monitor manufacturers, Apple included, do less damage on the high saturation and contrast front that do Tv manufacturers.

But it's a simple engineering problem that setting a monitor to 6,500 D, or esp. 5,000 D brings down the possible brightness. As most people work in bright rooms, they want brighter monitors.

In fact, very few monitors can even be calibrated to the 5,000 D standard, which is why the industry settled on 6,500 D.

[melgross]

Originally Posted by italiankid

I did with Huey Pro and and it sucked more.

Then it wasn't done right. All monitors can be calibrated.

[camroidv27]

Originally Posted by brlawyer

Bullshit patrol alert!!!

Apple still has, by far, the best QC in terms of customer opinions, support request and return rates. To judge them based on anecdotal evidence and opinions posted in support forums is nonsense.

Besides, my 24" iMac has a flawless LCD with no issues whatsoever...people should stop presuming that their problems are everyone else's problems...issues will ALWAYS happen even if you buy the most expensive article from the most renowned maker. This does NOT necessarily mean they are any worse than before, unless you REALLY show objective statistics to back that up.

Tell that to my three broken MacBook Pros. All three of them Apple admitted to causing the problems. All three being QC issues. True, they didn't replace the last one because it was out of warranty. (I guess I should have spent the extra 300 I didn't have on the Apple Care to have gotten a 4th MBP.) Also, the last MBP that I got had a defective battery. Apple did replace that too. iPod Nano, defective gloss coat (though I solved it myself with packing tape over the screen). I don't treat my Apple's poorly, they treat me badly instead!

Yet, my G4 mac mini runs great, 24/7! My Quadra 810av still runs perfectly well too for a 12 year old machine! I also would point you to this website: http://appledefects.com/ And I do realize that it hasn't been updated it two years. But still...

When we pay so much for the machines, they should work properly. I had three that all failed, and I see a huge line of laptops coming back to my local Apple Store for serious issues (I ask people what's wrong with their machines).

Please people, don't discount that there are people who have had serious issues with their devices. People do, and they have a right to say something about it!

(Admittedly, I have to say that for the most part, the Apple people in the store are friendly and helpful. They do seem to care about your plight. Thank goodness for that... I just wish they weren't overworked with defective products!)

[solipsism]

Originally Posted by camroidv27

Tell that to my three broken MacBook Pros. All three of them Apple admitted to causing the problems. All three being QC issues. True, they didn't replace the last one because it was out of warranty. (I guess I should have spent the extra 300 I didn't have on the Apple Care to have gotten a 4th MBP.) Also, the last MBP that I got had a defective battery. Apple did replace that too. iPod Nano, defective gloss coat (though I solved it myself with packing tape over the screen). I don't treat my Apple's poorly, they treat me badly instead!

Yet, my G4 mac mini runs great, 24/7! My Quadra 810av still runs perfectly well too for a 12 year old machine! I also would point you to this website: http://appledefects.com/ And I do realize that it hasn't been updated it two years. But still...

When we pay so much for the machines, they should work properly. I had three that all failed, and I see a huge line of laptops coming back to my local Apple Store for serious issues (I ask people what's wrong with their machines).

Please people, don't discount that there are people who have had serious issues with their devices. People do, and they have a right to say something about it!

(Admittedly, I have to say that for the most part, the Apple people in the store are friendly and helpful. They do seem to care about your plight. Thank goodness for that... I just wish they weren't overworked with defective products!)

I think you are reading too much into brlawyer's post but then concluding the same thing. He didn't say that Apple is flawless, just that they have the best QC, which for the big vendors seems to be true. But they are far from being without issues, no CE product is. Your issues of having multiple issues is anecdotal just as someone who states that they have been using Macs for years and have never had a problem. The fact is the there will be people with no issues and some with multiple, with most people falling somewhere in the middle with an occasional issue.

[TenoBell]

This assumes that just because you didn't have problems that no one had problems with their G4 Mac mini or Quadra 810av. At the same token most MacBook Pro owners are having no serious problems.

Originally Posted by camroidv27

Yet, my G4 mac mini runs great, 24/7! My Quadra 810av still runs perfectly well too for a 12 year old machine!

[tundraboy]

Anecdotal evidence:

1 . . . is a valid cause to complain about your Mac's defects.

2 . . . is not sufficient nor even necessary for assuming that a significant proportion of people who have your model Mac has the same problems as you.

3 . . . usually makes for interesting reading in message posts.

4 . . . but provides near zero information on what problems you are likely to encounter if you purchase a Mac.

5 And certainly 10 iMacs of different production dates is in no way, not even when flying monkeys come out Dick Cheney's arse, a statistically meaningful sample size.

[hittrj01]

Originally Posted by italiankid

u sound like a machead... everything Apple is perfect... Hate to break the news to you.... It's not!

You sound like a Microsoft employee (or a 3rd grader, either one)... everything Apple is junk... Hate to break the news to you.... It's not!

[teckstud]

Originally Posted by camroidv27

And this is the main reason I won't spend the money on Apple's "premium" (I meant designer though) computers anymore. When we pay as much as we do, we expect it to work decently well.

They used to have good QC, what happened? I've noticed a big change when we went to intel, but I don't know how much of that is really it.

The big change occurred once the iPhone got all the R&D etc. Macs got thrown under the bus.
Apple Computer Inc., specializing in Macs, became an electronics company specializing in phones, crap apps and "hobby" AppleTV's- Apple Inc.

[melgross]

Originally Posted by italiankid

Apple is just like any company now... they are no longer considered a premium product like BOSE.

They need to adjust their prices to reflect the new Apple!

Bose? That was a joke, right? Bose is real junk.

[camroidv27]

Originally Posted by italiankid

I don't work for Microsoft.

I own tons of Apple products.

I complain when I see fit. I see fit with some of the products they make.


Thanks

I am right there with you. I don't work for Microsoft (and I really don't like their products either!) I have some Apple products, and used to support them in the past.

My biggest problem are the people who are putting us down for complaining, when we do have every right to do so. I've complained to Apple themselves and do know of my issues. All I got was a "It will cost 400 dollars to replace the logic board on your laptop." even after they claimed fault. And I've known quite a few other people with issues too. I also have known people with no issues, and to them, I hope things stay that way!

I guess AppleInsider forums really aren't the place to say this kind of thing. Very unwelcoming crowd at times.

So I continue to complain, because I feel that I was wronged. I lost very hard earned money on that machine (starving artist comes to mind). And this is just me warning others that things are not as perfect as it may appear.

Back to the topic actually: I really do hope they fixed the ATI freezing issue for those iMac owners... Apple does owe them that much! But that should have been caught before the iMac left the prototype arena.

As for Bose? They too are just a label, or at least that's how I am reading that post.