Firmware Update for Macintosh

Can I update the firmware on my hard drive if it is installed in a Mac?

Yes, however it must be an Intel-based Mac (i.e. MacPro and iMac - with Intel inside). There are other models of Macs that have Intel processors such as the MacBook and MacBook Pro notebooks as well as the Mac Mini, but these drives have notebook (2.5 inch) drives which are not affected.

I have a PowerMac.  Can I update the firmware on my hard drive?

Older Macs that are PowerPC-based (PowerMac G3, G4, G5 and iMac G3, G4, and G5) are incompatible with the FreeDOS operating system which is required to perform the update.

How to find your drive’s serial number and model number in Mac OS X

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  1. Choose the Apple from the menu.
  2. Choose “About this Mac”
  3. Choose “ More Info…”
  4. Choose the drive type: Serial ATA
  5. Highlight  the appropriate drive listed under the bus.
  6. Below you will see the Model and Serial number of the highlighted drive.

 

Instructions for updating firmware on an Intel based Mac.

  1. Download and burn the Firmware ISO that has been provided to you by Seagate for your drive(s)
  2. Burn the ISO to a CD. Click here for Apple's instructions on this procedure
  3. Insert the freshly burned CD back in to your Mac.
  4. Reboot
  5. After the chime, press and hold the Option key on the keyboard.
  6. Once you see the Apple with the spinning gear beneath, release the Option Key.At this point the system will come to a screen with pictures of hard drives and a CD; the CD should be named Seagate.
  7. Click on the CD
  8. Click on the arrow pointing to the right.
  9. At this point FreeDOS will boot. Follow the on screen instructions. Click here for a walkthrough of the FreeDOS update procedure.

Note: If your keyboard does not respond within FreeDOS, use a wired rather than a wireless keyboard.