Secret Firmware Update Lets Late '08 MacBooks Use 8GB of RAM

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Posted March 5, 2011 at 1:06am by iClarified

OWC has discovered that a 'secret' firmware update has enabled access to 8GB of RAM on late '08 MacBooks.

In late 2009, an EFI Firmware Update was released to address the buzzing noises coming from the optical drive. However, it seems that somewhere along the line, Apple changed this update without notating it anywhere.

Whether any other elements were affected by this change is undetermined, but it did change memory addressing; with the later version of the update installed, you could address a full 8GB in Snow Leopard. Unfortunately, Software Update doesn’t show this version as being different from the previous one, so users wouldn’t be notified if they had already updated their firmware to the older version.

This discovery applies to the following MacBook models:
● MacBook 13.3" 2.0GHz and 2.4GHz
● MacBook Pro 15" 2.4GHz (All)
● MacBook Pro 15" 2.53GHz model w/ExpressCard Slot (Late 2008)
● MacBook Pro 15" 2.8GHz model w/ExpressCard Slot (Late 2008)

Check your BootROM version in System Profiler and make sure its MBP51.007E.B05 for MacBook Pros and MB51.007D.B03 for MacBooks.

If your BootROM doesn't make the numbers above, download and install the "secretly" updated firmware from here:
● MacBook Pros (MacBookPro5,1): MacBook Pro EFI Firmware Update 1.8
● MacBooks (MacBook5,1): MacBook EFI Firmware Update 1.4

Finally, make sure you are on Snow Leopard 10.6.6 then upgrade your RAM to 8GB. I'll be doing this first thing tomorrow morning!

Secret Firmware Update Lets Late '08 MacBooks Use 8GB of RAM

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Daniel - March 7, 2011 at 1:37pm

Saw this post today. Im currently running 2x2GB DDR2 (4 GB total) on my Old Mac Book Pro Core 2 Duo (Silver Keys). Wont let me do the update as it says i dont need it. My bootroom version is MBP41.00C1.B03. So i went to my local computer store today and figured it try my luck...they only had one one 4gb DDR2 chip in stock so i bought it anyways and ordered the second to arrive next week sometime....Happy to say I just put the one 4gb chip along with one of my old 2gb for a total of 6gb and System Profiler is recognizing all 6gb no problem!!!! Computer is considerably faster. Will keep you all posted when i drop the other 4gb in next week for a total of 8!!! YEEEEHAAAAA!!!!

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Daniel - March 7, 2011 at 3:10pm

Ok...update....just had my first crash....screen and mouse froze after about two hours of running normally, browsing, watching videos, music, etc. The computer also got quite hot just before the crash so im guessing the processors were working their asses off.... Restarted the computer and everything is fine again. Im guessing the RAM did it but not sure.

Khan - March 7, 2011 at 8:21am

Guys I have MB51.007D.B03 Can i get 8 GB RAM on my MacBook?

khan - March 7, 2011 at 8:27am

My MB is 2.0GHz

Gustavo Albornoz - March 6, 2011 at 1:41pm

Please, a tutorial would be great, I'm trying to update, but i'm getting a message,"this computer does not need this update"

Pedro G. - March 7, 2011 at 11:32am

dude.. just buy the ram and put it on.. SENCILLO :P

haimoon - March 5, 2011 at 6:26pm

My Macbook Pro throw an announcement said that: This computer does not need this update. How can I install this update? Thanks

TS - March 7, 2011 at 12:22am

If you MB or MBP already has the required FW, there's no need to update it. Just buy the 2x4GB RAM and you're all set!

goober - March 5, 2011 at 3:12pm

I'm calling shennanigans on this - the updater will not work on my Mac Book Pro5,1 (Bootrom MBP51.007E.B05) on 10.6.6. Says no need to update.

TS - March 7, 2011 at 12:16am

You already have the required FW. No need to run the update.

deepdark - March 5, 2011 at 12:44pm

I have this system: Model Identifier: MacBookPro5,1 Boot ROM Version: MBP51.007E.B05 Do i need to flash with this? MacBook Pro EFI Firmware Update 1.8 OR just to buy 2x4GB ram? thanks..

Pedro G. - March 5, 2011 at 12:49pm

Just buy the 2x4gb modules.

deepdark - March 5, 2011 at 12:52pm

thanks...

Pedro G. - March 5, 2011 at 12:30pm

I have been using my Unibody MBP 2.53 w/ express card (Late 08) with 8GB ram for almost a month.. not even a glitch! if u want to know what kind of ram to buy try this one.. its cheap and it works flawlessly =] http://www.amazon.com/Kingston-Modules-1066MHz-KTA-MB1066K2-8G/dp/B001PS9UKW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1299346060&sr=8-1 and YES.. i spent like two days doing research on the web before i bough them, almost everybody said that it would only recognize 6gb... but a couple of people got it to work with 8gb (i'm one of those ;) )

Paul - March 6, 2011 at 7:22am

Have you noticed any difference in performance? Is it worth the upgrade? Cheers,

Pedro G. - March 6, 2011 at 10:24am

yup! I also swap the original 320 GB 5400rpm drive with a 750 GB 7200rpm drive... so YES i can see a difference. But that's just up to the software u use! i mean do u use photoshop or illustrator for example? in those u can feel the difference right away. but system wise is a little harder to note... specially if u had 4gb of ram before you put the 2x4gb modules. I hope this helps u out.

Daniel - March 5, 2011 at 11:48am

"This computer does not need this update." Thats what I get when I try to install. I have the right macbook model, SL 10.6.6 and everything! ???

Macaholiq8 - March 5, 2011 at 8:10am

Anyone got the upgrade? Mine is the same but I can't seem to install the updated version. It says I already have this update.

deepdark - March 5, 2011 at 4:45am

i already have this bios Boot ROM Version: MBP51.007E.B05 i will try the 8 gb of RAM

deepdark - March 5, 2011 at 4:53am

hmm cant install this EFI update MacBookProEFIUpdate1.8 how to install it manually?

Mellon - March 5, 2011 at 4:07am

Dang it. Just bought me 4GB of ram. That means that I will have to buy another 8GB :( Btw, has anyone tested it and have proof of it really working?

Pete - March 5, 2011 at 3:57am

I just put 8gb in my Macbook 5,1 yesterday to give it a try then I read this post this morning. I have the correct boot rom version and it see's the full 8gb no problem :-)

Henri - March 5, 2011 at 3:08am

uhh?? I got the same screenshot as in the post but my update says that it doesn't need this update??????????

Frank - March 5, 2011 at 3:33am

Did u read the article. Apple already released this firmware update but then secretly updated it without changing the version number. That is why u must reinstall it manually.

redwings7907 - March 5, 2011 at 3:48am

how do you manually install? my installer gives me the same message, and when i click ok, installer quits.

TheDarkMaster - March 5, 2011 at 6:31am

As is said in the article, you will not be able to upgrade becase the firmware detects the same version as the old one. Or, maybe, you already have that firmware installed and you don't know!

Chris - March 5, 2011 at 10:35am

How does one re-install this firmware manually?

Alex - March 5, 2011 at 11:35am

How do I reinstall this update if I'm not sure if I have the correct version of the update already installed?

Gustavo - March 6, 2011 at 2:35pm

How do I manually reinstall this update?

Alexey - March 5, 2011 at 2:18am

how's about MacBookPro4.1? tell me pls

lepaka - March 5, 2011 at 2:04am

My MacBook Pro 2.4 have the boot ROM MBP31.0070.B07 - So no chance for this update? ! Thnaks

Mat - March 5, 2011 at 4:39am

Same here on my 2.4ghz 2008 MBP

Jeremy - March 5, 2011 at 1:23am

Will that work with my iPhone too?

Frank - March 5, 2011 at 2:47am

I think that was a joke

Its Me - March 5, 2011 at 10:18am

i have 8Gb on my iPhone