Boot Camp Assistant cannot be used.

[mosx86]

Okay, so I thought that I might as well give this bootcamp nonsense a try. I've got a new 20-inch iMac CoreDuo @ 2GHz w/ 2GB of RAM. I run software update and my software is up to date and if I list the updates installed, it says that I've got the 5/18/06 iMac SMC Firmware Update v1.0.

I've just installed a fresh copy of Boot Camp Assistant and when I attempt to run it, I get the following error:

You must update your computer's firmware before using this setup assistant.

Am I missing something? Am I going to have to use the Firmware Restoration CD and reapply the SMC Firmware Update?

Also FYI, I've already set up a windows partition, so I just plan on using Boot Camp to create the driver disk. Has anybody else tried this?

Thanks!!!

[Satcomer]

Read this Boot Camp Beta: Requirements, installation, and frequently asked questions (FAQ) and you can answer your question.

[bobw]

Download and run this Firmware updater and see if it helps;

[mosx86]

Originally Posted by Satcomer

Read this Boot Camp Beta: Requirements, installation, and frequently asked questions (FAQ) and you can answer your question.

The FAQ is wrong.

I was able to get Boot Camp Assistant to work after installing the following update:

iMac (early 2006) Firmware Update 1.0.1
This firmware update is for iMac (early 2006) computers with Intel processors only. It now runs on localized systems that use languages that read right to left. released: 04/17/06

From the FAQ:

Search Apple Downloads to download and install the latest firmware update available for your Mac. Follow the onscreen instructions to complete the firmware installation.

However, this _is_ not the "latest firmware update available."

The latest firmware update available is:

iMac (early 2006) SMC Firmware Update
The SMC Firmware Update addresses intermittent boot issues with the Intel-based iMac (Early 2006). released: 05/16/06

As to whether Boot Camp will work on a pre-partitioned drive. No, it will not (according to Apple, at least).

So now the question is... By updating the firmware with an "older version" than the most current have I futzed it up? The machine appears to be working correctly, but... I think I'll be using: Firmware Restoration CD v 1.0 just to err on the side of caution. Ideas?

[fryke]

Hm. But the restoration CD will take you back to the oldest, the original firmware, right? How's that going to help you? You should get it to run using the newest firmware...

[mosx86]

Originally Posted by fryke

Hm. But the restoration CD will take you back to the oldest, the original firmware, right? How's that going to help you? You should get it to run using the newest firmware...

Just looked into this some more and apparently the CD can only be used on machines where the firmware update was interrupted. So it looks like no dice.

[DeltaMac]

the Firmware update (1.0.1) is now an older firmware update. This will not show up in the Software Update pref panel. Its main purpose is to allow access to EFI by software that requires a BIOS (so you can install Windows on a prepared partition). You cannot load Windows, or boot to Windows unless that firmware update is installed. You don't need to install that unless you are installing Windows. The newer SMC update does not affect Windows booting, shows up in the Software Update pref pane, and is recommended for all Mac users. It has other hardware fixes, and might also help with Windows use (perhaps the firmware update helps with system cooling, and other functions). The BootCamp software has not been updated since release, and of course listed info about the only firmware update available at the time, which provides Windows booting. It is still the latest firmware update, and still required to install Windows. The newer update is not named Firmware, but is named SMC firmware update (small detail, but there) The two firmware updates are independent of each other.

[dgurney]

The problem will persist. There are two firmware updates on the Apple site, the "SMC" one (and the meaning of "SMC" is totally unexplained) and then a larger one. I tried both, and got the same bullshit message from BootCamp Assistant claiming the firmware needed to be updated. But both updaters said that the machine didn't need the updates.