Can't seem to fix EFI firmware this time.

Hello,

I have an early A1297 which is giving me the EFI beeps.

I have a proper problem description in prose which took a while to write but I seem to be limited to very few characters here!

I’ve tried :

• long press power
• EFI FW restoration CD

Briefly yours,

Noah

I’ve had it from new and it’s been a faithful servant. First to me and then to my daughter at University. It deserves to live...

Over the many years it spent with me it has produced the “firmware tones of death” on three separate occasions, each time a long press on the power button has revived it. My daughter says this has happened a few times while it’s been under her stewardship. Unfortunately it’s getting old and this is no longer working.

After a whole evening searching I’ve ended up here as it seems to be the place to find answers.

To be clear, the blowers spin up to low speed, the display remains dormant and the song begins.

I can’t find the serial number. It’s not on the bottom of the case nor inside the case. There seems to be no record of the original 3 year apple care contract, so I can’t find it online either.

The motherboard is 820-2390-A. I’m guessing I’m going to need to know the serial number to get further help so that’s the first thing I need help with please.

Next, I’ve Tried the firmware restoration CD 1.7, 1.8 & 1.9. After one chorus it chews on the disc for while before spitting it out and resuming its chant.

Which do you recommend? Am I barking up the wrong tree?

Next, I’m concerned that perhaps at this age the prom has had too many cycles and I notice that there is a healthy community of amateur perma-brickers based around the sale of replacement EFI chips. Am I venturing into that territory if the restoration CDs is not working?

In summary:

Can you tell me where the serial number is?

Can I find a record of my serial number on the drive if I mount it up somewhere else?

Which, if any, EFI firmware restoration CD should I be using?

Am I really in the territory of replacing MX-12G25L3205DM2i ?

(Please hold the warnings, Honestly, I do know and I also hope the answer is “no”.)

I now throw myself on the mercy of the court, thanks for any assistance you can offer.

Noah