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Battery Update 1.2 Released


Alex Oughton

Apple has just released Battery Update 1.2 via Software Update, to "improve battery functionality".

 

The update applies to the following notebook models:

 

* MacBook

* MacBook (Late 2006)

* MacBook Pro (15-inch)

* MacBook Pro (15-inch Glossy)

* MacBook Pro (15-inch Core 2 Duo)

* MacBook Pro (17-inch)

* MacBook Pro (17-inch Core 2 Duo)

 

The update requires Mac OS X 10.4.8 or higher to install, and battery firmware is updated the first time a battery is connected with the AC power plugged in.

 

Unfortunately, no information on specific fixes is available from Apple at this time.

 

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DONT DOWNLOAD THIS!!!

 

from macrumors:

 

Update: Macworld has posted a statement from Apple regarding the update. Apple has apparently recently identified an issue that was causing poor performance.

 

"We have issued a software update that is designed to improve battery performance, and consumers can receive a new battery free of charge if their battery continues to have performance issues after installing the software update, even if their computer is out of warranty," said Apple in a statement provided to Macworld.

According to Macworld, no safety issue has been identified; the update is limited purely to performance concerns.

 

Update 2: Apple has added another support page for the battery update. Highlights are:

 

* If, after installing the update, your computer continues to exhibit below symptoms, you may be eligible to receive free out-of-warranty replacement of your battery.

* The warranty on the batteries of MacBook and MacBook Pro systems with Core 2 Duo processors has been extended to 2 years from the date of purchase.

 

Symptoms of an affected battery:

* Battery is not recognized causing an “X” to appear in the battery icon in the Finder menu bar.

* Battery will not charge when computer is plugged into AC power.

* Battery exhibits low charge capacity/runtime when using a fully charged battery with a battery cycle count (as shown in System Profiler) of less than 300.

* Battery pack is visibly deformed.

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What if you download it and install it anyway (although your battery is not affected)? I did so (but didn't restart yet). Do I have to fear any negative consequences now?

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DONT DOWNLOAD THIS!!!

 

from macrumors:

 

Update: Macworld has posted a statement from Apple regarding the update. Apple has apparently recently identified an issue that was causing poor performance.

 

"We have issued a software update that is designed to improve battery performance, and consumers can receive a new battery free of charge if their battery continues to have performance issues after installing the software update, even if their computer is out of warranty," said Apple in a statement provided to Macworld.

According to Macworld, no safety issue has been identified; the update is limited purely to performance concerns.

 

Update 2: Apple has added another support page for the battery update. Highlights are:

 

* If, after installing the update, your computer continues to exhibit below symptoms, you may be eligible to receive free out-of-warranty replacement of your battery.

* The warranty on the batteries of MacBook and MacBook Pro systems with Core 2 Duo processors has been extended to 2 years from the date of purchase.

 

Symptoms of an affected battery:

* Battery is not recognized causing an “X” to appear in the battery icon in the Finder menu bar.

* Battery will not charge when computer is plugged into AC power.

* Battery exhibits low charge capacity/runtime when using a fully charged battery with a battery cycle count (as shown in System Profiler) of less than 300.

* Battery pack is visibly deformed.

 

There is nothing about that news entry that says not to download it, it says even after you download it, if it doesn't help, then you're still {censored}ed and Apple says you should call them and get your battery replaced even if it's out of warranty, and because of this issue they've increased the warranty time of batteries; none of that says that this update is bad, in fact, this update has so far increased my batteries performance...

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I cannot get it to install. I've run both Software Update and the installer you can download from the Apple website. The installer runs just fine, but after restarting, there is nothing new in the system configuration folder and I cannot find the Battery Update anywhere.

 

Any ideas?

 

I have a MBP 2.16 Ghz Core Duo. My Battery has been through 147 load cycles and is running at 61% capacity.

 

Thanks.

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I had these symptoms since august of 2006 and our local AppleCare just replaced my macbook CD battery.... and now its just a firmware glinch... wow... ten months in the discovery... nice thou

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Downloaded and installed with no issues... about the warnings, I have not seen poor performance since now but I'll do some bench just for checking.

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I cannot get it to install. I've run both Software Update and the installer you can download from the Apple website. The installer runs just fine, but after restarting, there is nothing new in the system configuration folder and I cannot find the Battery Update anywhere.

 

Any ideas?

 

I have a MBP 2.16 Ghz Core Duo. My Battery has been through 147 load cycles and is running at 61% capacity.

 

Thanks.

 

It's all about reading the instructions, ConMan.

 

Nothing new is supposed to appear. Your battery's firmware is silently and invisibly updated as soon as you connect it with the AC power attached, once the update has been installed on your computer.

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It's all about reading the instructions, ConMan.

 

Nothing new is supposed to appear. Your battery's firmware is silently and invisibly updated as soon as you connect it with the AC power attached, once the update has been installed on your computer.

 

Hmm. Well, I guess you were right. From the Apple page the original post link to, I got the impression that after a successful installation, a new item called "BatteryUpdater.bundle" would show up in the folder /System/Library/SystemConfiguration. But i guess it does not have to, because it's still not there. I just stopped worrying about it, and I was going to call Apple to get a new battery, but when I checked it today, my battery was up to 94% original capacity. So, for me, this update was well worth it.

 

I hope it works as well for everyone else.

 

Thanks.

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I can't be entirely sure, but some time ago I checked my battery status with coconut and I can't remember exactly what it was, but I'm sure that it was less than the 96% it's reporting now, since the update :star_smile:

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Would problems from this update occur right away or after a certain amount of time? I think I updated this about a week or two ago and only now it is showing symptoms of these battery problems.

 

It shows the "x" on the battery icon and it only runs off the power cable. When I click the little button on the battery though, it shows full battery life.

 

If I take it to my local Apple store, would they replace it right away?

 

Thank,

Mike.

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