MacBook Pro (2011) bricked after firmware 1.7 update

bootfirmwaremacbook pro

I allowed AppStore to apply the newest firmware update to my MacBook Pro, which seemed to work fine, until the final restart. At this point, the machine just shut down. I waited for quite a while, assuming it was doing something (despite no power LED) before trying to switch it on using the power button.

The machine now won't start. If I press the button, the screen does absolutely nothing, and the power led briefly turns on, and dims after about 5 secs. At the same time, my DVD drive attempts to power up, and continues trying to read for a rew seconds before dying as well.

I've tried the following:

  • Testing the mains charger, it was OK
  • Trying to start the machine with/without charger
  • Tried to reset the SMC, but nothing seemed to happen other than the same above
  • Burned DVD of firmware update for 1.7/1.6 and inserted into DVD. DVD took disc for 1.7, then won't give it back (and nothing else happened)

Suggestions welcome, and my thanks in advance.

Best Answer

I had to perform the SMC reset twice after this exact thing happened just now. After the second reset, it booted and finished the firmware update.