This article comprises the Read Me for the Power Macintosh G3 Firmware Update 1.1. This software was released by Apple on May 11, 1999 and is available for downloading from Apple Software Updates Online. Please use the following URL to access the article directly: http://asu.info.apple.com/swupdates.nsf/artnum/n11361

Description :

Improves PCI performance on all Power Macintosh G3 (Blue and White) Desktop systems. It is not necessary to install this on a Macintosh Server G3 running Mac OS X Server.

Note : G3 Firmware Update 1.1 installs the same firmware as G3 Firmware Update 1.0.2. If you downloaded G3 Firmware Update 1.0.2 and updated your firmware successfully, then it is not necessary to download G3 Firmware Update 1.1.

Note: This update works only on the Power Macintosh G3 (Blue and White). It does not work with the Power Macintosh G3 (Platinum).

About the Power Macintosh G3 Firmware Update

Install the Power Macintosh G3 Firmware Update on all Power Macintosh G3 (Blue and White) Desktop systems to achieve improved PCI performance. Follow these instructions. (You may want to print the instructions first.)

Important : Do not install the Firmware Update on Macintosh Server G3 with Mac OS X Server. See writers note at the bottom of this article.

Note : After you upgrade your firmware, you may need to restore some of your preferences because the updater resets the computer's parameter RAM (PRAM). For more information about setting preferences and about PRAM, see Mac OS Help in the electronic documentation installed on your computer's hard disk.

1. Double-click the Power Macintosh G3 Firmware Updater icon and follow the onscreen instructions.

2. Click the Shut Down button when a message appears telling you to shut down your computer.

Perform these steps after the computer has been shut down.

3. Hold down the Programmer's button on the front of the computer. (For more information, see the manual "Setting Up Your Power Macintosh G3" that came with your computer.)

4. Press the Power button on your computer or on the Apple USB keyboard while continuing to hold down the Programmer's button.

The computer starts up.

5. Release the Programmer's button when you no longer hear the tone. A progress bar appears at the bottom of the screen.

6. After your computer starts up, if the update process was successful, a message appears saying the firmware is up-to-date. Click OK.

If a message appears saying the update was not completed successfully, go back to step 1 and begin the update process again.

Writers Note: Since the Mac OS X Server bundle does not include Mac OS 8.5.1 or later on the hard drive, the Firmware Update does not run because it requires computer to start up from a re-writeable Mac OS 8.5.1 or later partition.

If you received Mac OS X Server bundled on the computer, and have a way to start up the server from a writeable 8.5.1 or later partition, you should be able to install the Firmware Updater.

There are no concerns installing the Firmware Updater on a Power Macintosh G3 (Blue and White) before or after installing the Mac OS X Server software.