No product is ever perfect, even Apple's wildly successful MacBook line. A number of vocal MacBook owners have been experiencing annoying random shutdowns, and fortunately, according to Apple, a fix is finally at hand. MacBook SMC Firmware Update 1.1 promises to fix the problem by adjusting the MacBook's internal monitoring system. Apple recommends the 417K download for all owners of MacBooks, even those units that have already gone through a repair process. You need to be running at least Mac OS X 10.4.7. And because this is a firmware update, remember to back up your data beforehand in case something goes wrong.
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In Snow Leopard, Option-clicking the Volume icon in the menu bar displays a list of sound input and output devices. Choose one to switch to it; it's much easier than using the Sound preference pane. Also, hold Shift and click the icon to set the system volume, which is separate from the general output volume.
Submitted by
Doug McLean
Published in TidBITS 853.
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Apple Issues Fix for MacBook Shutdowns
by Jeff Carlson 
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