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PowerPC Mac Firmware / Boot ROM Updates

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The first post of this thread is a WikiPost and can be edited by anyone with the appropiate permissions. Your edits will be public.
AphoticD

AphoticD

macrumors 68020
Original poster
Feb 17, 2017
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An old version of Mactracker once had links within the app to the latest Apple Boot ROM / Firmware Update, if it was available. This information is no longer listed and I can't seem to find a comprehensive table of all the old updates.

To assist anyone looking for these updates, I propose we make this a sticky, Wiki post to record links to known Firmware updates.


I'll start (in no particular order). Please feel free to sort and tidy up as we go...


Power Mac

Power Mac G3 (Blue & White) Firmware Update 1.1

Power Mac G3 (Blue & White models with Ultra2 SCSI Card only) Firmware Update 1.2
(note: can be updated with Mac OS 8.6)


Power Mac G4 (AGP, Sept 1999–May 2000) Firmware Update 2.4

Power Mac G4 (AGP "Sawtooth" / Macintosh Server G4) Firmware Update 4.2.8


Power Mac G4 Cube Firmware Update 4.1.9


Power Mac G5 (2003) Firmware 5.1.4

Power Mac G5 (Late 2004 1.8GHz SP) Firmware Update 1.1
Power Mac G5 (Late 2004) Firmware Update v 1.1 › ...
This update is only for the 1.8 GHz, single-processor Power Mac G5 (Late 2004) computer and supports installation on Mac OS X 10.4.3 or later. Also improves the reliability of your Power Mac G5, especially after it has been inactive for two hours.
Click to expand...

Power Mac G5 SP (Single Processor) (2003–mid 2004) Firmware 5.1.5 f2
Power Mac G5 Uniprocessor 5.1.5 f2 Firmware Update › ...


iBook

iBook G3 (clamshell models without FireWire) Firmware Update 2.4

iBook G3 (all clamshell models) Firmware Update 4.1.7


iMac

iMac G3 (Slot loading) Firmware Update 4.1.9
iMac Firmware Update 4.1.9: Information and Download

iMac G3 (Tray loading) Firmware Update 1.2

iMac G3 (slot loading, pre-26 May 2000) Firmware Update 2.4


PowerBook

PowerBook G3 (models with FireWire only) Firmware Update 2.4

PowerBook G3 (models with FireWire only) Firmware Update 2.7

PowerBook G3 (Pismo) Firmware Update 4.1.8


PowerBook G4 (Titanium 550MHz - 667Mhz [Onyx]) Firmware Update 4.2.9


Components

Apple SuperDrive (models equipped with the Matshita/Panasonic UJ-835) firmware Update 2.0
(relevant for certain aluminium PowerBook G4 models, iMac G5 models, and Mac mini G4 models)


CPU upgrades

Sonnet Encore/MDX G4 Duet CPU Firmware Updates
http://www.sonnettech.com/support/kb/kb.php?cat=314&expand=&action=a3#a3
(installed from either Mac OS X 10.3-10.4 or Mac OS X 10.5)

Sonnet Encore/ST G4 Duet CPU Firmware Updates
http://www.sonnettech.com/support/kb/kb.php?cat=315&expand=&action=a3#a3
(installed from either Mac OS X 10.3-10.4 or Mac OS X 10.5)

Sonnet Encore/ST G4 CPU Firmware Updates
http://www.sonnettech.com/support/kb/kb.php?cat=316&expand=&action=a3#a3
(installed from either Mac OS X 10.3-10.4 or Mac OS X 10.5)

Sonnet Encore/ZIF G3 & G4 CPU Firmware Update
http://www.sonnettech.com/support/kb/kb.php?cat=317&expand=&action=a3#a3
(installed from Mac OS X 10.3-10.4)

Sonnet Harmoni G3 CPU Firmware Update
http://www.sonnettech.com/support/kb/kb.php?cat=318&expand=&action=a3#a3
(installed from Mac OS 8 or Mac OS 9)



[Note: Unless otherwise noted, all the G3 and G4 firmware updates for models released 1998–2002 must be run from Mac OS 9 — typically 9.1 or higher.]
 
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LightBulbFun

LightBulbFun

macrumors 68030
Nov 17, 2013
2,809
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London UK
AphoticD said:
An old version of Mactracker once had links within the app to the latest Apple Boot ROM / Firmware Update, if it was available. This information is no longer listed and I can't seem to find a comprehensive table of all the old updates.

To assist anyone looking for these updates, I propose we make this a sticky, Wiki post to record links to known Firmware updates.


I'll start (in no particular order). Please feel free to sort and tidy up as we go...


PowerBook G4 Titanium 550MHz - 667Mhz (Onyx) Firmware Update 4.2.9

Power Mac G3 (Blue and White) Firmware Update 1.1

Power Mac G4 Cube Firmware Update 4.1.9

Power Mac G4 (AGP) "Sawtooth" / Macintosh Server G4 Firmware Update 4.2.8

iBook G3 (Clamshell) Firmware Update 4.1.7

iMac G3 (Slot loading) Firmware Update 4.1.9

iMac G3 (Tray loading) Firmware Update 1.2




All of the above installers must be run from Mac OS 9 (typically 9.1 or later).

:apple: :apple: :apple:
Click to expand...

ah yes this is a very good idea, (do wonder why the Mac tracker removed the links)

I will say make sure you link to not only the direct download for the firmware update, but from the Apple Support page it came from like I have done with the Tray loading iMac firmware update I have added

so just incase either of the link locations change we have a way to them still etc (plus the Apple support page tells you what changed with the firmware update which can be handy sometimes :) )

and make sure the apple support page link is linked without any language settings on the end so it auto detects the language for whoever is clicking on it
 
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MartinNobel

MartinNobel

macrumors newbie
Aug 14, 2020
12
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Australia
There's a big batch of Open Firmware update files that was hidden in an AppleInternal CD or DVD. I forgot what CD it was though, but it had files for PowerMac G3 B&W, G4 Cube. G4 PCI, iBook G3, iMac G3 Tray + Slot loader and PowerBook G3 Pismo.
 
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M

Macbookprodude

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Jan 1, 2018
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Wasn’t there an update to the 1Ghz titanium model ?? Mac tracker took them down given it’s over 20 years. Sadly,
 
M

Macbookprodude

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Jan 1, 2018
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Certificate of Excellence said:
What about way-back-machine-ing all the links and files from Mactracker?
Click to expand...
That is probably where all those links came from. I got a lot of good stuff with way back - I even went back to 2000 and when way back was in development, I thought it was great idea - was I right.. now we need to find a way to physically go way back.. time travel.
 
DearthnVader

DearthnVader

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Dec 17, 2015
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Macbookprodude said:
That is probably where all those links came from. I got a lot of good stuff with way back - I even went back to 2000 and when way back was in development, I thought it was great idea - was I right.. now we need to find a way to physically go way back.. time travel.
Click to expand...
The past is gone my friend, we can only move in one direction in time.
 
MartinNobel

MartinNobel

macrumors newbie
Aug 14, 2020
12
20
Australia
I just ran multiple Old World PCI PowerMac ROMs through BBEdit and here's what I discovered in terms of OF versions:

Open Firmware 1.0.5: PowerMac 7200, 7300, 7500, 7600, 8500, 9500, 8600, 9600
Open Firmware 2.0: Performa / PowerMac 5400, 6400,
Open Firmware 2.0f1: PowerMac G3 Beige
Open Firmware 2.0.1: PowerBook 3400c, G3 Kanga and G3 Wallstreet
Open Firmware 2.0.3: PowerMac 5500, 6500, TAM
Open Firmware 2.4: Later PowerMac G3 Beiges
Open Firmware 3.1.1: PowerMac G3 B&W

One particular thing I've noticed is that versions 1.0.5 and 2.0 have a Toolbox ROM where the Happy Mac is in black and white, not the color form used in later OF versions.
 
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DearthnVader

DearthnVader

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Dec 17, 2015
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Red Springs, NC
Macbookprodude said:
Speak for yourself. I am studying quantum physics and Einstein's theories. Its interesting and I believe one day man will be able to travel back in time, though going forward is easier.
Click to expand...
It's just hard to think of all the paradoxes of being able to travel to the past.

We can see the past in the night sky, there is just nothing we can do to change it.
 
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