PLEASE READ THIS ENTIRE DOCUMENT FOR INFORMATION THAT MAY AFFECT YOUR SPECIFIC COMPUTER.
Upgrade Details
This firmware is current as of October 20, 2011.
To Run the Update Tool (Mac running Bootcamp):
- Back up data to an alternate drive. This update is non-destructive for any SSD already containing an NTFS or FAT32 Partition (Bootcamp automatically does this). OWC has updated several drives without data loss, however we strongly recommended backing up all data on the SSD before performing this update.
- Connect SSD to a native internal SATA port.
- Boot into Windows XP/Vista/7
- All applications should be closed prior to updating the firmware.
- Launch the OWC Mercury 6G SSD firmware updater application. Upon launch, the Update Tool will automatically scan for connected drives. All discovered drives would be displayed in the drive list with a checkbox. Select the checkbox of the drive you would like to update.
- Once the target drive has been selected click the open button (...) and select the MP1-3.3.2.ffp file located in the OWC SSD Firmware Update Tool folder.
- Initiate the download by clicking "Update Firmware" A pop-up window will be displayed suggesting back up of data and reminding that the computer will be restarted after the update. Click "OK" if ready or "Cancel" to stop the update.
- After your computer restarts, open the OWC Mercury 6G SSD firmware updater application and verify that your Firmware Rev shows 332ABBF0.
To Run the Update Tool on a PC (Non-Mac users):
- Back up data to an alternate drive. OWC has updated several drives without data loss, however we strongly recommended backing up all data on the SSD before performing this update.
- Connect SSD to a native internal SATA port.
- Boot into Windows XP/Vista/7
- All applications should be closed prior to updating the firmware.
- Launch the OWC Mercury 6G SSD firmware updater application. Upon launch, the Update Tool will automatically scan for connected drives. All discovered drives will be displayed in the drive list with a checkbox. Select the checkbox of the drive you would like to update. Only one drive can be updated/selected at a time.
- Once the target drive has been selected click the open button (...) and select the MP1-3.3.2.ffp file located in the OWC Mercury 6G SSD Firmware Updater folder.
- Initiate the update by clicking "Update Firmware" A pop-up window will be displayed suggesting back-up of data and reminding that the computer will be restarted after the update. Click "OK" if ready or "Cancel" to stop the update.
- After your computer restarts, open the OWC Mercury 6G SSD firmware updater application and verify that your Firmware Rev shows 332ABBF0.
To Run the Update Tool on a PC (Mac users):
- Boot into Mac OS
- Back up all data to an alternate drive.
- Open the Disk Utility application by typing Disk Utility into the Spotlight search bar.
- Select your OWC Mercury EXTREME Pro or Pro RE SSD from the list.
- Navigate to the Partition tab
- Click the + button to add a partition
- Under Volume Information select MS-DOS (FAT) Format
- Click Apply, this will add the FAT32 partition.
- Remove your SSD and connect to a PC with a native internal SATA port.
- Boot into Windows XP/Vista/7.
- Download and save the update to your desktop.
- All applications should be closed prior to updating the firmware.
- Launch the OWC Mercury 6G SSD firmware updater application. Upon launch, the Update Tool will automatically scan for connected drives. All discovered drives will be displayed in the drive list with a checkbox. Select the checkbox of the drive you would like to update. Only one drive can be updated/selected at a time.
- Once the target drive has been selected click the open button (...) and select the MP1-3.3.2.ffp file located in the OWC SSD Firmware Update Tool folder.
- Initiate the download by clicking "Update Firmware" A pop-up window will be displayed suggesting back-up of data and reminding that the computer will be restarted after the update. Click "OK" if ready or "Cancel" to stop the update.
- After your computer restarts, open the OWC Mercury 6G SSD firmware updater application and verify that your Firmware Rev shows 332ABBF0.
- Reinstall SSD in your Mac.
- Open the Disk Utility app by typing Disk Utility into the Spotlight search bar.
- Select your OWC Mercury 6G SSD from the list.
- Navigate to the Partition tab
- Select the FAT32 partition you previously created.
- Click the - button to delete the partition
- Click Apply.
FAQ
No drives are discovered when I run the firmware update tool.
The Update Tool requires administrator privileges. No drives will be discovered if administrator privileges are not enabled.
If your account does not have administrator privileges enabled, please read the following:
Windows XP users: Log into an account with administrator privileges or contact system administrator.
Windows Vista/7 users: Right click on the OWC Mercury 6G SSD firmware updater icon and select "Run as administrator."
Make sure you are using a native internal SATA port. The updater cannot see SSD drives attached to 3rd party SATA expansion cards or enclosures.
I am trying to update the SSD in Parallels or VMware and it is not working.
The SSD firmware update will not work in a virtual machine environment. You must be booted into Windows in order to run the update at this time.
Why is it important that the SSD be partitioned for MBR or have a Boot Camp partition?
The firmware updater will only detect the SSD if it is partitioned for MBR. Applying a Windows partition using the Boot Camp Assistant will convince Windows that the drive is partitioned for MBR even when it is not, and the firmware updater will function normally.
Are there any known incompatibilities with the firmware?
The firmware UPDATER TOOL itself has been determined to be incompatible with Mac Pro model ID MacPro1,1; MacPro 2,1; MacPro 3,1
View how to determine your Model ID
If you do not have access to a different machine, you have the option of having us update the firmware on your drive OR choosing not to update the firmware. Please note that the primary update to this latest firmware revision corrected a hibernation issue for MacBook and MacBook Pro owners. Hibernation is not an Apple supported mode with Mac Pro/iMac/Mac mini models and therefore the firmware update is not an absolute requirement for Mac Pro/iMac/Mac mini owners. Should you wish for us to update the firmware, please contact our Customer Service department at 800-275-4576.
Requirements
- Booted into Windows XP/Vista/7 (Bootcamp or PC)
- Wired USB Mouse
- Administrative access in Windows.
- Available internal motherboard SATA port (expansion cards not supported).
- SSD must either be initialized with an MBR partition table or have a Windows partition applied through Apple's Boot Camp Assistant.
- OWC Mercury 6G SSD.
Supported
- EXTREME™ Pro 6G
- Electra 6G
Not Supported
- EXTREME™ Pro
- EXTREME™ Pro 3G
- EXTREME™ Pro RE
- EXTREME™ Pro 3G RE
- Aura Pro Express
- Aura Pro MBA
- Aura Pro 1.8
- Legacy Models
IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT YOUR DATA:It is always highly recommended that you backup your data. Your data must exist in multiple locations to be qualified as having a back up. Anytime a drive is being updated, upgraded or moved, there is a potential for data loss. This update is non-destructive for any SSD already partitioned for NTFS or FAT32 and while OWC has updated several drives with no data loss, we strongly recommended backing up all data on the SSD before performing this update. See the FAQ at the bottom if you are unsure if your drive is currently set for NTFS/FAT32.
PLEASE READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY BEFORE PROCEEDING.