[KenV]

Has anyone installed the G5 firmware update (v. 5.1.8f7)? How did it go? Has anyone heard any problems associated with this update? I'd like to install the update, but think I will hold off until there's enough people who have installed it to make sure there aren't any surprise crashes associated with it.
KenV

[Grant_G]

Are you talking about the one from a few weeks ago? If so, no problems here that I'm aware of. There was a thread about it at the time -- you could find it by searching "G5" and "firmware." There's nothing in SWUpdates now, so I'm up to date.
G

[JohnVL]

I downloaded the upgrade Wednesday night. After it downloaded it went right back to the screen I started with and asked if I wanted to down load it. I did it again. When the upload finished, there was a 5-10 second delay and then a window gave instructions for the installation of the upgraded firmware. I followed the instructions a number of times but it did not work. I held the power key on and never heard the noise nor saw the flicker power light at all.
It is installed in Applications under Utilities. I deleted the file then went to Apple's web page, downloaded it and after that it installed perfectly.
I have experienced no problems. But tonight when I wanted to download the iPod update, the 20 MB file had problems in the downloading. (This is twice in two days). I again went to the Apple the site and the download went well. I installed it and it worked just fine.
I don't know if the "Software Update" is faulty or if it's just these last two updates happen to have peculiar problems. I've never had a problem before with the software update option.

[JackMac]

I passed on this because it seems to be for a specific (June 2004) generation of G5s. I am staying with 5.1.5f1 for now.

[Grant_G]

Thanks. I decided to look further into it too, and Apple's information about this update is sketchy at best. It says for further information to go to the regular support site, but that just gives very general information about firmware. I have downloaded 5.1.8f7 updater, but don't know if I should try it or not (mine's the original G5 1.8 sp). Many times an Apple installer will say if it applies or not, so perhaps I'll give it t whirl and see.
[Edit] Confirmed. The updater will NOT work on my G5.
G

[denisincalif]

Software Update just told me about this firmware update this afternoon. I had no trouble downloading it from Software Update. It installed without any difficulty.
Admittedly, I have only been using the new firmware a couple of hours. But so far so good.

[icerabbit]

The updater installed fine on the DP 2.5 G5.
Because of this firmware my machine now runs louder with more frequent and higher speed fan activity. Just browsing the internet & email I can now experience fans going into full speed - which never happened before, as all it would do is hum briefly. Now I can be online, scroll a web page and the fans will kick into high fan speeds. If there's one good and at the same time odd thing, it's that it doesn't do it constantly. (scroll same multiple page document again and fans stay at a regular level)
MacFixit has many reports about fan and other issues with firmware upgraded G5 (june 2004) .

[JohnVL]

I've had none of the fan issues but it does wake itself up from sleep. It did this before the firmware update, too, but otherwise I don't sense much of a change. From reading MacFixit, I seem lucky.
John

[RobCS]

I seem to be having a similar problem since installing the firmware update. I have my G5, monitor and LsCie external hard drive plugged into a Belkin UPS. Since installing the firmware upgrade I've noticed that the UPS beeps several times during start up, almost as if the G5 is pulling more power than it did before the upgrade. Also, I noticed last night that when I tried to connect to a work related web mail site (that wouldn't connect), the UPS beeped until I backed off the page. I don't know if this is a coincidence, or whether it's an issue for Apple or Belkin. The UPS never beeped during startup prior to the upgrade.