System Management Controller: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 04:11, 14 May 2015

Revision as of 21:47, 23 June 2015

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The '''System Management Controller''' ('''SMC''') is a subsystem of [[Intel]] processor-based [[Macintosh]] computers. It is similar in function to the older [[System Management Unit|SMU]] or [[Power Management Unit|PMU]] of non-Intel Macintosh computers.<ref>[http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=303725 Apple general documentation on SMC Updates]</ref>

==Overview==

The SMC has roles in controlling thermal and power consumptionmanagement, battery charging, video mode switching, [[Sleep mode|sleep and wake]], [[Hibernation (computing)|hibernation]], and [[Light-emitting diode|LED]] indicators. It also enables enforcement of the Mac OS X End User License, allowing it to identify when it is running on non-Apple hardware.<ref>{{cite web|title=Interview with Andy Hall, Product Manager for Oracle VM VirtualBox|url=http://twit.tv/floss130}}</ref>

Apple releases occasional model-specific updates to SMC firmware which correct bugs and defects in the system.<ref>[http://support.apple.com/kb/index?page=search&q=SMC+update Search of SMC update information in Apple's knowledge base]</ref>

Corrupted SMC firmware, whatever the cause, is not entirely uncommon{{vague}} and may lead to operational problems. Resetting the SMC may resolve certain issues with:<ref>[http://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201295 Intel-based Macs: Resetting the System Management Controller (SMC)]</ref>

===Fans===

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*Computer running slowly despite low [[Load (computing)|CPU load]]

*Long "Bounce" times for application icons in the dock.

===External displays and [[Photodetector|Ambient Light Sensing]]===

===Video===

*Unexpectedly switching into or out of target display mode for external displays.

*Unexpectedly switching into or out of target display mode.

===Port Illumination===