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Reset SMC to fix Bluetooth problems after OS X 10.6.7 update

After updating your OS you may find a number of small issues with programs not functioning properly or some system services not working. As we noted earlier, some people have had difficulty with iTunes freezing after updating to OS X 10.6.7, but in addition some other people have found their Bluetooth devices such as the Magic Mouse and Magic Trackpad have not been able to connect.

When these types of issues occur, sometimes basic resets can clear the problem and cause the system to properly recognize the available services. The basic resets are to restart the computer (using … Read more

Random shutoff results in 'shutdown cause' error

Though the OS X operating system is very robust at handling software-related crashes and hangs, there are times when a problem may be beyond the scope of the operating system's abilities to manage and the system can either crash or freeze. When this happens, the system may show some clue in the system console, but likely it may only be a brief but repeating message that mentions something like the following:

Dec 20 13:33:23 localhost kernel: AppleSMU -- shutdown cause = 3

What is happening here is the system's power manager (called the Power Management Unit or &… Read more

Apple releases MacBook (Pro) SMC firmware update 1.4

Apple has released a couple of firmware updates for the system management controller (SMC) in the 2007-2008 MacBook and MacBook Pro systems. These are the systems that were available before the aluminum "unibody" systems were released.

The update addresses problems that prevented the systems from charging with the newer power adaptors with the "L-shaped" magsafe connector.

The downloads are about 880KB in size, and should be available through Software Update for relevant systems, but can also be downloaded from the following Web pages.

MacBook Pro SMC Firmware Update 1.4

MacBook SMC Firmware Update 1.4… Read more

Apple releases Leopard and Snow Leopard Security Updates, and iMac Firmware updates.

Apple has released a couple of security updates, for both Snow Leopard and Leopard systems. In addition, there are a couple of firmware updates available for the 27-inch iMac, which will update the system management controller and EFI firmware. These updates should be available through Software Update for applicable systems.… Read more

Apple stabilizes new Mac notebooks

Apple has released several new firmware updates aimed at solving problems with its latest batch of notebooks.

Updates are available for all three Mac notebooks released in October: the new MacBook Pro, MacBook, and MacBook Air. In usual fashion, Apple didn't provide a whole lot of detail about the issues that are corrected by the EFI firmware updates, other than to note that they "improve the stability" of those new systems.

The company also released firmware updates for the SMC (system management controller) chip inside Mac notebooks, which helps regulate power consumption among other things. Those updates &… Read more

Cooling a MacBook Pro with smcFanControl

A few months ago a friend recommended smcFanControl, and I've been cool ever since. Cool as in temperature, not cool as in Mark Shuttleworth.

Macs are awesome, of course. This goes without saying. But it also goes without saying that you can fry eggs on the MacBook Pros (and the Powerbook G4s before them). I have third-degree burns from long blogging sessions.

Enter smcFanControl.… Read more