iM 4,1-14,4 2011 iMac Graphics Card Upgrade

[sonnenklar12]

I think the reason that the Catalina installer starts, and display's with no isseus is due to the fact that the legacy video patcher is not yet enabled inside the installer.
Installer MacOS GUI is not running with video acceleration at all, it's running in software rendering mode.
This is also the reason why the GUI within the MacOS installer is a little buggy in my opinion.
Of course correct me if I'm wrong on this one..

Anyway, I think your problems with your K1100M and Catalina could very well be due to Legacy video patcher, in combination with your type of card and Mac model.
of course I'm not sure, but perhaps @dosdude1 could clarify this for us..
Or help us in some way, to edit the Catalina patcher for 09/10 imac's to auto have Legacy video patcher disabled by default someway..

If I'm correct, I think currently only 2011 iMac's have this option disabled by default now with the Catalina Patcher.
In my opinion this is also worth it for 2010 IMac's, but not for 09 iMac's.
Since 09 imac's graphic cards work fine with Legacy video patcher..

I think I have the solution for this problem:

In the Catalina Patcher thread someone had the same problem in August to Catalina DP times that apparently was not resolved.

You could test this theory by replacing the replacement copies installed from the directories in "macOS Catalina Patcher/Contents/Resources/macOS Post Install/Contents/Resources/gfxshared".

frameworks/CoreDisplay
frameworks/OpenGL
IOSurface
kexts/AppleGraphicsControl.kext
kexts/AppleGraphicsPowerManagement.kext
kexts/AppleMCCSControl.kext
kexts/IOGraphicsFamily.kext
kexts/IONDRVSupport.kext
privateframeworks/GPUSupport.framework
privateframeworks/SkyLight.framework

with copies extracted with Pacificist from "Install macOS Catalina Beta/Contents/SharedSupport/InstallESD". Just reapply the 'legacy patches' with those Catalina copies and force rebuild the kernel cache.

You'll still have the Telsa patches installed but they shouldn't interfere with the Kepler card running properly. If you are worried, boot from the usb installer, delete the files below from
/System/Library/Extensions using the Terminal window and use the post install patcher (with no patches selected) to force rebuild the kernel cache.

GeForceTesla.kext
GeForceTeslaGLDriver.bundle
GeForceTeslaVADriver.bundle
NDRVShim.kext
NVDANV50HalTesla.kext
NVDAResmanTesla.kext

I had suggested awhile back that Dosdude1 add a 'Disable auto patching' option to the Catalina Patcher (primarily for the benefit of MacPro 5,1 users) which would create a usb installer with auto patching inhibited.

I will try now if it still works.

 

[FlorisVN]

I had initially posted the .plist change for the Catalina patcher, but it seems that may not work any longer as some have posted here? Unfortunately I don't have another machine handy to test with at the moment. Mojave should be fairly easy as you can manually select patches in the post-install procedure.

Ok thx I see.
I still hope there is a way for Mojave to auto deselect the legacy video patcher,
Would be nice just in case you accidentally have forgot to deselect it..

 

[geertv]

I would go with Mojave. Install that first using the patcher tool(make sure you deselect the legacy video card patch) and swap the card after that. If you really want to make it fool-proof, install high sierra first on a small partition and install mojave on the second one. So if you do a pram reset, even without a bootscreen, you will be back in High Sierra if something goes wrong with Mojave. And from there, you can select a different startup disk if needed. But Catalina should work fine too, but i believe its really buggy based on what i read online about it.

If i understand it correctly, the K1100M wil just work under High Sierra ? So wouldn't it be better to swap te card first and test without any further modifications ?

 

[FlorisVN]

If i understand it correctly, the K1100M wil just work under High Sierra ? So wouldn't it be better to swap te card first and test without any further modifications ?

I think it will also work fine under Mojave/Catalina.
But could perhaps suffer from the Legacy video patcher.. (the card wont need that patcher)

Since it works fine with built in Nvidia kepler drivers under HS, i wont see a reason why it should not under Mojave/Catalina.

But of course correct me if I'm wrong..

 

[FlorisVN]

Im wondering if High Sierra 2019-006 security update overrides the bootrom, or update the bootrom.
Can anybody perhaps confirm this.. ?

I highly doubt it will touch it, but who knows..

 

[NOTNlCE]

If i understand it correctly, the K1100M will just work under High Sierra ? So wouldn't it be better to swap the card first and test without any further modifications ?

My K1100M "just worked" with High Sierra after I flashed the correct VBIOS. So yes, you could swap the card first and go from there! I think many have mentioned before, but it is always a smart idea to have a small partition or container volume with High Sierra in case you need to reset back into a functional system for troubleshooting, etc.

 

[BuKandar83]

No did not change

 

[highvoltage12v]

Im wondering if High Sierra 2019-006 security update overrides the bootrom, or update the bootrom.
Can anybody perhaps confirm this.. ?

I highly doubt it will touch it, but who knows..

From now on with Macs that are bootrom patched, I will be installing updates like this in Target disk mode over thunderbolt with another Mac to prevent the EFI from being updated. I'll extract the 2019-006 later to see if any other firmware is included.

 

[FlorisVN]

No did not change
View attachment 873752

ok thx for confirmation..
But I do see you are not using Nicks bootrom patch, and therefore it's little unsure for me if the bootrom has been touched at all, which could make the EFI mod break..
[automerge]1572518912[/automerge]

From now on with Macs that are bootrom patched, I will be installing updates like this in Target disk mode over thunderbolt with another Mac to prevent the EFI from being updated. I'll extract the 2019-006 later to see if any other firmware is included.

This is a good idea, and would be great for the community if somebody can extract the updates, and tell us if the firmware will be touched..
Great idea !

 

[highvoltage12v]

Here are the results from the .scap firmware updates I have extracted from the 2019-006 security update.
iMac 10,1:215.0.0.0.0 Date: Fri Jun 14 14:58:29 2019
iMac 11,1: 63.0.0.0.0 Date: Thu Jun 13 23:58:51 2019
iMac 11,2 99.0.0.0.0 Date: Thu Jun 13 23:10:16 2019
iMac 12,1 87.0.0.0.0 Date: Fri Jun 14 00:41:24 2019
So Apple has not changed anything with the EFI firmware updates since June 2019. I still will do my Security updates in Target disk mode. Is it possible for Apple to Reflash the EFI again if the checksum of a patched EFI doesn't match up with a stock one? I get those "Your computer has detected a potential problem" Messages once a week now which im so proud of.

 

[trigger2k19]

Hi all,
since the thread allready has reached 134 pages i wanted to ask some several quesations hopefully easy answered:

- I want to use a "DELL Nvidia GeForce GTX 780M 4GB DDR5 MXM 3.0 Type B for Alienware" as replacement for the graphics card in my 27" iMac (27-inch, Mid 2011), is the ok ?
- Wich Graphics card BIOS frome wehre i have to install if needed ?
- Is the bios problem (no choice of bootdrive at startup) solved ?
- Shall i install the webdriver before i start the dosdude vcatalina install procdure ?
- I have also a bootcamp, how do i have to proceed for installing the nvidia driver ? should I instrall before upgrading under Win 7 ?

Thx for help
Trigger

 

[highvoltage12v]

Hi all,
since the thread allready has reached 134 pages i wanted to ask some several quesations hopefully easy answered:

- I want to use a "DELL Nvidia GeForce GTX 780M 4GB DDR5 MXM 3.0 Type B for Alienware" as replacement for the graphics card in my 27" iMac (27-inch, Mid 2011), is the ok ?
- Wich Graphics card BIOS frome wehre i have to install if needed ?
- Is the bios problem (no choice of bootdrive at startup) solved ?
- Shall i install the webdriver before i start the dosdude vcatalina install procdure ?
- I have also a bootcamp, how do i have to proceed for installing the nvidia driver ? should I instrall before upgrading under Win 7 ?

Thx for help
Trigger

For answers to questions 1,2 and 3 they are here: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/2011-imac-graphics-card-upgrade.1596614/post-27787298
To fix the boot screen issues, your iMac should be on firmware 87.0.0.0.0 and you need to learn how to use a ch341-a to Patch your iMac's firmware, this will allow the boot screen to show up when alt/option is held.

Nvidia web drivers aren't needed anymore and aren't available on Mojave/Catalina. Try and see if you can install the Nvidia drivers in Windows, I don't think it will install without detecting the hardware first. More importantly I recommend creating a functioning Team Viewer account that automatically logins for you on startup, as well as enabling automatic login on Windows for the iMac.

 

[FlorisVN]

Here are the results from the .scap firmware updates I have extracted from the 2019-006 security update.
iMac 10,1:215.0.0.0.0 Date: Fri Jun 14 14:58:29 2019
iMac 11,1: 63.0.0.0.0 Date: Thu Jun 13 23:58:51 2019
iMac 11,2 99.0.0.0.0 Date: Thu Jun 13 23:10:16 2019
iMac 12,1 87.0.0.0.0 Date: Fri Jun 14 00:41:24 2019
So Apple has not changed anything with the EFI firmware updates since June 2019. I still will do my Security updates in Target disk mode. Is it possible for Apple to Reflash the EFI again if the checksum of a patched EFI doesn't match up with a stock one? I get those "Your computer has detected a potential problem" Messages once a week now which im so proud of.

Thanks for clearing up !
I have fixed this issue about the message : "Your computer has detected a potential problem"

I will look up my solution on what I did.
But I used a posted here from @Nick [D]vB , I remember I have deleted only a .plist file which trigers this deamon..
Thats all..

Will take a deeper look into that again, will come back to that..

 

[trigger2k19]

For answers to questions 1,2 and 3 they are here: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/2011-imac-graphics-card-upgrade.1596614/post-27787298
To fix the boot screen issues, your iMac should be on firmware 87.0.0.0.0 and you need to learn how to use a ch341-a to Patch your iMac's firmware, this will allow the boot screen to show up when alt/option is held.

Nvidia web drivers aren't needed anymore and aren't available on Mojave/Catalina. Try and see if you can install the Nvidia drivers in Windows, I don't think it will install without detecting the hardware first. More importantly I recommend creating a functioning Team Viewer account that automatically logins for you on startup, as well as enabling automatic login on Windows for the iMac.

Hello highvoltage12v,
thanks for the answer and the thread !
Regarding your statement "Nvidia web drivers aren't needed anymore and aren't available on Mojave/Catalina." does this means booting up Catalina loads the right nvidia drivers ?

 

[wiruzdk]

I tried both on my 21.5 iMac 2010 with Quadro K1100M. Both upgrade from Mojave, as well as reinstallation from the iMac. With automatic post-install patching, but also with manual patching, after the automatic post-install patching has been 'switched off'.

but how did you you switch off the automatic post install of the legacy driver ?

 

[BuKandar83]

ok thx for confirmation..
But I do see you are not using Nicks bootrom patch, and therefore it's little unsure for me if the bootrom has been touched at all, which could make the EFI mod break..

Yes you'r right, i didn't mod my vrom nor bootrom to Nick version

in future i will

 

[FlorisVN]

Hello highvoltage12v,
thanks for the answer and the thread !
Regarding your statement "Nvidia web drivers aren't needed anymore and aren't available on Mojave/Catalina." does this means booting up Catalina loads the right nvidia drivers ?

Mojave/Catalina just use the build-in MacOS Nvidia kepler drivers for our compatible nvidia cards.
So indeed on Mojave/Catalina we wont need Nvidia web drivers.
If you really need them, for your workflow and need Nvidia CUDA than run MacOS High Sierra !

I hope this clears up your answers a little bit..

 

[Murometc]

To fix the boot screen issues, your iMac should be on firmware 87.0.0.0.0 and you need to learn how to use a ch341-a to Patch your iMac's firmware, this will allow the boot screen to show up when alt/option is held.

Hello.
Please tell , which algorithm for obtaining the firmware EEPROM ver. 87.0.0.0.0?
Is having this firmware version a prerequisite?

 

[sonnenklar12]

but how did you you switch off the automatic post install of the legacy driver ?

There is a file called "CatalinaPatcherFlags.plist" in the main directory of the patched Catalina USB stick. In this file should be under "shouldAutoApplyPostInstallPatches" automatic patching regulate. In my case, with the iMac 21.5 2010, it did not work. He still patches automatically, though set to false.
At least I think it's there for that.

 

[highvoltage12v]

Hello.
Please tell , which algorithm for obtaining the firmware EEPROM ver. 87.0.0.0.0?
Is having this firmware version a prerequisite?

Just install the latest security update in High Sierra and your iMac will/should have the latest firmware. Yes i'm saying 87.0.0.0.0 is a prerequisite so your iMac doesn't rewrite your EFI Firmware in the future. You will be dumping,modding and reflashing your own EFI.
Here is an example of where to look in System Profiler. And here is where the information is found in a .scap file in HEX edit.

 

[Murometc]

highvoltage12v

Just install the latest security update in High Sierra and your iMac will/should have the latest firmware. Yes i'm saying 87.0.0.0.0 is a prerequisite so your iMac doesn't rewrite your EFI Firmware in the future. You will be dumping,modding and reflashing your own EFI.

Thank you for the answers.
The situation is somewhat different.
I'm not at all worried that some kind of update for iMac Mac OS will change EFI Firmware.
For one simple reason.
Mac OS will not be installed on this iMac.
Never again.
My question should be interpreted as follows:
What EFI Firmware should you have so that Nick [D] vB patches have maximum efficiency. Screen loading speed and so on.
If it (ver. EFI Firmware) matters for patches.
Thanks.

 

[highvoltage12v]

highvoltage12v

Thank you for the answers.
The situation is somewhat different.
I'm not at all worried that some kind of update for iMac Mac OS will change EFI Firmware.
For one simple reason.
Mac OS will not be installed on this iMac.
Never again.
My question should be interpreted as follows:
What EFI Firmware should you have so that Nick [D] vB patches have maximum efficiency. Screen loading speed and so on.
If it (ver. EFI Firmware) matters for patches.
Thanks.

I would still say to go with firmware 87.0.0.0.0 as this is what everyone here is using, as for the speed of the EFI screen loading. I don't think it makes a difference of what firmware you use. Maybe keep your iMac on an older firmware so you don't have the newest Spectre and meltdown patches which supposedly slow down your iMac? In the grand scheme of things if you are concerned about the 'speed' of the EFI screen, now is not the optimal time to be concerned about this because as it stands now, you have to press ALT on the keyboard for the EFI screen to show up at all. This is still a beta and WIP. The EFI patches to the EEPROM won't change over time to fix this just the Nvidia VROM in the future. If you are running Windows 10 or Linux in EFI mode vs legacy, there were talks of another module being to the iMacs EFI to allow audio while booted in EFI @Nick [D]vB briefly mentioned it. If I'm still not answering your questions I'll tag @FlorisVN and @Nick [D]vB in because I don't think we are at the EFI "efficiency" yet that you want. But the progress has moved along so much that I'll daily drive these patches on my iMac and satisfied with the progress so far.

 

[Murometc]

highvoltage12v
I installed both Nick [D] vB patches.
There is a boot screen, and a disk selection screen.
It's good.
I can’t even imagine what a huge work the active participants of the forum did. THANKS to them for this work.
I don’t know which version of firmware EFI. AIDA_64 can show it?
I know that the latest operating system was LION.
I think that in those days there were no concepts about the vulnerability of specter and meltdown.
One thing. In the Device Manager, the Intel_HD_2000 video adapter is not displayed. He is simply not there.
I think the reason for this is because Windows_10 is installed in BIOS / Legasy mode.
Thanks.
P.S. The time interval from the ON button to the WINDOWS splash screen is approximately 20 seconds. I will clarify later.

 

[hijglander]

Im wondering if High Sierra 2019-006 security update overrides the bootrom, or update the bootrom.
Can anybody perhaps confirm this.. ?

I highly doubt it will touch it, but who knows..

I dumped the bootrom before and after patching to High Sierra 2019-006, both files are 100% the same.
(used the diff command).

 

[FlorisVN]

highvoltage12v
I installed both Nick [D] vB patches.
There is a boot screen, and a disk selection screen.
It's good.
I can’t even imagine what a huge work the active participants of the forum did. THANKS to them for this work.
I don’t know which version of firmware EFI. AIDA_64 can show it?
I know that the latest operating system was LION.
I think that in those days there were no concepts about the vulnerability of specter and meltdown.
One thing. In the Device Manager, the Intel_HD_2000 video adapter is not displayed. He is simply not there.
I think the reason for this is because Windows_10 is installed in BIOS / Legasy mode.
Thanks.
P.S. The time interval from the ON button to the WINDOWS splash screen is approximately 20 seconds. I will clarify later.

Intel HD graphics are not visible, and somewhat disabled for OS use.
As far as I know, the intel iGPU graphics on these iMac 2011 models, can only be used for background video rendering and airplay mirroring and such.
But cannot, and cannot be seen as a dedicated GPU, nor canit be used in that way.
MacOS also does not show the intel iGPU, only dedicated graphics..

Correct me if I'm wrong on this one of course..