Trying to update EFI and SMC versions

Tarek · May 5, 2015

For some reason I cannot get the Apple Hardware Test to run on my computer, which is why I went online and tried to find out what the problem might be.

I came to the conclusion that my computer needs an EFI Firmware Update in order to fix that: "This update enables Lion Recovery from an Internet connection on MacBook Pro (Mid 2010) models.".

I downloaded that update and also the latest SMC version that addresses some battery issues, but for some reason neither of them is installing and they just give me an error saying "This software is not supported on your system.".

I am no longer running Lion, of course, but I am running the latest version of Yosemite (10.10 if I am not mistaken), could that be it?

I do not know where the DVDs that came with my laptop are, and I believe that I will not have to actually search the whole house for them since there must be other options for this!

Thank you guys!

lclev · May 5, 2015

Are there problems that necessitate updating the EFI and SMC? Posting what they are might be useful in providing more help.

I gather you have a 2010 15" Macbook Pro that you have updated to Yosemite. I assume you have checked to see what versions of EFI and SMC your Mac is running in the About this Mac -> system report -> hardware section and the version numbers are lower than the updates you downloaded. I ask this as updates of EFI and SMC I believe should normally be taken care of automatically through app store updates.

At this point your Lion DVD's will not help you since you are running Yosemite unless you plan to reinstall Lion and wipe Yosemite.

To reinstall Yosemite you now have to do an online recovery and download a fresh install of Yosemite unless you created an install USB of Yosemite.

Lisa

Tarek · May 5, 2015

Thanks for your reply, Lisa. Yes, I was actually following an article on Apple's website since I do not have experience with such things. The versions on my Mac are older than the ones I tried to install, but for some reason they are NOT being installed. Could it possibly have to do with my laptop running Yosemite whereas it came with Lion as default? I see that the updates were made in 2012 which is when Lion was still the latest OS.

The reason I am trying to do all of this is that so I can run the Apple Hardware Test since I feel like there is something wrong with my laptop. It has become sluggish and slow even though I don't have a lot of data on it and I usually restart it every day or two in order to clear cache and all of that; I always thought running a hardware test was a good idea, since on my older '08 Mac it revealed that my model has a Graphics Card problem which Apple replaced for free since it was a factory problem.

lclev · May 5, 2015

I understand what you are doing and the obvious solution is to upgrade the SMC and EFI if you want to run AHT but I am not finding any solutions. Maybe someone on here will jump in with some ideas.

I do have a few suggestions that might improve performance. Have you tried repairing permissions or the hard drive? Try downloading and run Onyx using the automation tab.

Titanium Software - Home

Be sure to get the correct version for Yosemite. See if it helps. Since you don't offer specific issues other than the inability to run AHT, that is the best I can do.

Lisa

Tarek · May 5, 2015

I would like to thank you, Lisa, for your time and effort, I truly appreciate it. I have used OnyX in the past and I totally forgot about it when I performed a clean installation of Yosemite. I am downloading it at the moment and will see if it can help fix those problems.

Thank you again and I hope you have a great day!

lclev · May 5, 2015

Hopefully it will at least get your mac running better. I was hoping someone else had a solution as to why you can not update your SMC or EFI.

Lisa

Tarek · May 5, 2015

I really hope someone can enlighten me about that as well. I successfully ran the automation process in OnyX and I installed CleanMyMac, hopefully it should improve things even more.

I also read about something called "purging", which basically uses inactive memory in the RAM, so I ran that process in terminal and hopefully things will improve even more!

lclev · May 5, 2015

You do not need CleanMyMac and it can potentially cause you more issues than it will help. Search this forum and you will see a whole host of posts on using cleaning apps. Onyx does what it does only safer and better plus is recommended here a lot.

Purging won't hurt anything but really, Yosemite does an excellent job managing memory.

Lisa

pm-r · May 5, 2015

I didn't notice any reason mentioned that you needed to even run Apple Hardware Test and I'd strongly suggest to quit "mucking around" and attempting to download stuff you have no real understanding of, and just leave any "updating" stuff to your Software Update (App Store) and save as lot of hassles.

And now I shudder when I read you just "installed CleanMyMac". Have you not read anything and please don't say you got everything fixed by "downloading and installing MacKeeper"!!! ;(

As for you wanting to run Apple Hardware Test, have you read Apple's support article?:
https://support.apple.com/kb/PH18765?locale=en_US

And BTW? Are you actually having any troubles with your Mac you're trying to fix??? $:\$

harryb2448 · May 5, 2015

If this is a 2011 MBP the only EFI update for that model is version 2.7. Like other software updates, you can only install the correct version EFI and SMC for your particular model so maybe you have already have the update.

Do not run any cleaning software other than Onyx, and ignore the above comments from pm-r - let him shudder to his heart's content.

Tarek · May 5, 2015

harryb2448 said:
If this is a 2011 MBP the only EFI update for that model is version 2.7. Like other software updates, you can only install the correct version EFI and SMC for your particular model so maybe you have already have the update.

Do not run any cleaning software other than Onyx, and ignore the above comments from pm-r - let him shudder to his heart's content.

I had no idea that CleanMyMac causes more problems than anything - I uninstalled it. I ran OnyX and things seem to be smoother and faster now. I also verified and repaired the hard disk from Disk Utility just in case.

This is a mid-2010 MacBook Pro with the following:

MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2010) MacBookPro6,2 MBP61.0057.B0F (EFI 2.6) 1.58f17 (SMC 1.7)

And I just double checked and "System Information" and it turns out I already have those versions installed, which is why it wouldn't install in the first place - I know this is very stupid of me so my bad guys!! It still won't boot into the AHT, though.

Thanks for your input.

pm-r · May 5, 2015

harryb2448 said:
If this is a 2011 MBP the only EFI update for that model is version 2.7. Like other software updates, you can only install the correct version EFI and SMC for your particular model so maybe you have already have the update.

Do not run any cleaning software other than Onyx, and ignore the above comments from pm-r - let him shudder to his heart's content.

Your latter comments make no sense at all harryb2448 regarding the comments and any shuddering comments I mentioned.

bobtomay · May 5, 2015

I believe you both are saying exactly the same thing - Use Onyx - Do Not Install Any Other "Windows" Style Cleaning Software.

harryb2448 · May 5, 2015

Tarek what operating system came with the computer? If OS X.6 or ealier you have to use the oriiginal DVD that came with the computer ~ that is the greay colored discs, disc two that contains AHT. For later systems you can use the Boot + D procedure.

https://support.apple.com/en-au/HT201257

pm-r · May 5, 2015

Tarek said:
I had no idea that CleanMyMac causes more problems than anything - I uninstalled it. I ran OnyX and things seem to be smoother and faster now. I also verified and repaired the hard disk from Disk Utility just in case.

This is a mid-2010 MacBook Pro with the following:

MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2010) MacBookPro6,2 MBP61.0057.B0F (EFI 2.6) 1.58f17 (SMC 1.7)

And I just double checked and "System Information" and it turns out I already have those versions installed, which is why it wouldn't install in the first place - I know this is very stupid of me so my bad guys!! It still won't boot into the AHT, though.

Thanks for your input.

Now that you seem to have got everything working and under control, if you ever need to run Apple's software checking tools, and it seems that you've misplaced the SL 10.6.3 install and Apple Hardware Test disks for your Mac, and I gather you have upgraded to Yosemite, you should be able to run the later builtin Apple Diagnostics tools.

To do so, just boot up from a cold start but press and hold your D key. But you shouldn't even have to unless something drastic is happening with your MBPro.