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February 19, 2008 3:00 PM PST

MacBook/Pro Keyboard Firmware 1.0 addresses first letter missing issue

by CNET staff

[Tuesday, February 19th]

Apple has released MacBook/Pro Keyboard Firmware 1.0, which addresses a longstanding issue where the first key press may be ignored if the computer has been sitting idle. Apple says the update also addresses some other issues.

We've extensively covered this issue:

The firmware update is available as an 875KB standalone download.

Per Apple's instructions: "The update package will install an updater application into the Applications/Utilities folder and will launch it automatically. Please follow the instructions in the updater application to complete the update process."

The update requires Mac OS X 10.5.2, and works with the following models:

  • MacBook (Late 2006)
  • MacBook (Mid 2007)
  • MacBook (Late 2007)
  • MacBook Pro (17-inch Core 2 Duo)
  • MacBook Pro (15-inch Core 2 Duo)
  • MacBook Pro (Mid 2007, 2.4/2.2GHz)
  • MacBook Pro (Late 2007, 2.4/2.2GHz)

Feedback? Late-breakers@macfixit.com.

Resources

  • MacBook/Pro Keyboard Firmw...
  • MacBook, MacBook Pro update 1.1 doesn't fix first-letter-missing syndrome
  • MacBook, MacBook Pro updat...
  • Sporadic missing letters ...
  • MacBook Pros: First typed ...
  • 875KB standalone download
  • Late-breakers@macfixit.com
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    Add a Comment (Log in or register) (12 Comments)
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    by JRG41 February 19, 2008 5:46 PM PST
    So..., those of us with old, decrepit PowerBooks which drop the first key stoke are outta luck?
    Reply to this comment
    by A. Nony Mouse February 19, 2008 5:46 PM PST
    <class="merchant"><span>&#62;</span><div class="datestamp"><i>This is a reply to a previous comment by JRG41</i></div></class><br />
    So, this cured my Macbook Pro's nasty habit of starting up and booting into OS X every time I press the power button. Now what? I have to wait for tomorrow to attempt a restore. &amp;*$@!!
    Reply to this comment
    by saronian February 19, 2008 5:46 PM PST
    <class="merchant"><span>&#62;</span><div class="datestamp"><i>This is a reply to a previous comment by JRG41</i></div></class><br />
    Don't know why Apple released a firmware app which only runs under Leopard. Seems like an unnecessary complication to force booting in 10.5.2 just to apply the patch.
    Reply to this comment
    by J.Doute February 20, 2008 1:57 AM PST
    My new Macbook running 10.4.11 also exhibits this behavior, but I can't run the updater.
    Reply to this comment
    by derekJAB February 20, 2008 1:57 AM PST
    <class="merchant"><span>&#62;</span><div class="datestamp"><i>This is a reply to a previous comment by J.Doute</i></div></class><br />
    ell, it still hasn't fixed it for me on a MacBook.
    Reply to this comment
    by stubaker February 20, 2008 5:59 AM PST
    I have a macbook and this firmware fixed all of the problems I was having. I could not even use Quicken 2007 and several other apps exhibited the missing first key problem.
    Reply to this comment
    by dickw February 20, 2008 6:43 AM PST
    This update crashed by Macbook Pro (late 2006) immediately after the progress bar appeared ("you need to restart your computer. . "). Fortunately, the keyboard still works. I may try the standalone updater later.
    Reply to this comment
    by seika7 February 20, 2008 9:57 AM PST
    Worked for me. I haven't noticed any missing keystrokes since I installed it on my 17" MacBook Pro (2.33 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo).
    Reply to this comment
    by ktappe February 20, 2008 10:55 AM PST
    I learned on another website that this update is for 10.5.2 only. Nice, Apple. Not only did you make it incompatible with the OS THAT SHIPPED ON THE HARDWARE, but you didn't say it required 10.5.2 in the release notes or even in the updater itself. The least it could do is put up a dialog saying "This update requires 10.5.2" but no, it just quits with nary a word.
    OK, so I reboot my MBP from a 10.5.2 volume and run the updater. And it does install and run. And Kernel panics just 1 second into the process.
    My keyboard is staying unpatched. Period.
    Reply to this comment
    by baddawg65 February 20, 2008 1:22 PM PST
    Why doesn't Apple fix this on 10.4.11 also? There are many, many people that have MacBookPro still running 10.4.11 so this affects us also. Many of us still haven't migrated to 10.5 yet for technical reason.
    However reading reports from other MacFitIt users this doesn't really fix this issue so why am I complaining.
    Reply to this comment
    by michael_codilla February 21, 2008 3:32 PM PST
    Installed update last night. Didn't have any noticable issues before the install.

    After update first thing I notice is adjusting the volume via keyboard. I don't get the audio feedback with the 'beep' sound although I get the visual change on screen that volume is getting adjusted. Volume works from internal speakers or headphones. Looks like just missing the feedback 'beep'.

    Wondering if anyone else noticed any issues after the update?

    Running a late 2007 model MBP 17in 2.4.
    Reply to this comment
    by rsirota.online February 21, 2008 4:22 PM PST
    For some reason, this keeps on installing even after I installed and rebooted:

    2008-02-19 15:47:51 -0600: Installed "Keyboard Firmware Update" (1.0)
    2008-02-20 13:58:10 -0600: Installed "Keyboard Firmware Update" (1.0)
    2008-02-21 14:56:26 -0600: Installed "Keyboard Firmware Update" (1.0)
    2008-02-21 15:47:46 -0600: Installed "Keyboard Firmware Update" (1.0)
    2008-02-21 15:48:25 -0600: Installed "iTunes" (7.6.1)
    2008-02-21 18:20:29 -0600: Installed "Keyboard Firmware Update" (1.0)
    Reply to this comment
    (12 Comments)
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