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

[Terros]

You have the one red light which is fine. The 2nd red light will come on when it it reading or writing data. From the pictures you uploaded everything looks fine. But I can't see the wires going to the top of the clip. Just make sure the red wire goes to the bottom left of the chip when viewing the MXM card/eeprom as shown in your earlier pic. When you click detect in "CH341 Programmer Black edition" do you at least see the 2nd LED blink for a second? It should then auto fill the manufacturer with 0FF (EEPROM not detected) etc or GD etc.

I should also add don't push the pins too far into the (ch341a) locking mechanism you should see a little bit of silver of the pins.

I think at least one pin isn't making contact, I can see it barely from the side which means it probably didn't retract in like the others

When I click detect I get this with my version of the software, if I scroll through the "Name" section on the left it doesn't appear like the "gd25q0t" you mentioned above.

It doesn't blink at all, just throws the below.

 

[highvoltage12v]

When I click detect I get this with my version of the software, if I scroll through the "Name" section on the left it doesn't appear like the "gd25q0t" you mentioned above.

It doesn't blink at all, just throws the below.

View attachment 885541

I was looking at pictures of my FLASHROM and YOUR FLASHROM. My flashrom shows the dot going towards the right side of my ch341A your CH341A wants the dot on the left side of your ch341a. Please rotate your GREEN PCB so pin 1 is closest to the USB socket!

I bet this is your problem.
[automerge]1577689647[/automerge]
Also once you get it to work "NAME" should say "GD25Q20" we are working with a 256k chip if a 512k chip is chosen you will have verify errors. make sure you erase the chip and verify blank before writing.

 

[Terros]

I was looking at pictures of my FLASHROM and YOUR FLASHROM. My flashrom shows the dot going towards the right side of my ch341A your CH341A wants the dot on the left side of your ch341a. Please rotate your GREEN PCB so pin 1 is closest to the USB socket!

I bet this is your problem.

So I flipped it, see picture.

When doing this and connecting the clip to the 780M, pluggin in the USB, the power light blinks quickly and the device shuts off, the Power light no longer lights up and the PC you hear the USB disconnect sound. If the clip comes off/disconnects the light comes back on.

You'll see in the one pic, the clip red wire is by the little white arrow on the BIOS chip.

Progress....?


This shows in Linux

 

[highvoltage12v]

So I flipped it, see picture.

When doing this and connecting the clip to the 780M, pluggin in the USB, the power light blinks quickly and the device shuts off, the Power light no longer lights up and the PC you hear the USB disconnect sound. If the clip comes off/disconnects the light comes back on.

You'll see in the one pic, the clip red wire is by the little white arrow on the BIOS chip.

Progress....?

So then it was right the first time around, puzzled why its not detecting. You sure the correct drivers are installed.


It has to manually be done right click on the device, "update drivers" choose from list, specify to windows "have disk" and select the INF from the directory.

If being done in Virtualbox are you sure the USB device is being passed properly from the host OS to the VM. I have never done flashing using a VM. But from what I know not all devices can be passed properly, especially Mac OS. They make a version of FLASHROM for Windows, i saw @Nick [D]vB post it. https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/2011-imac-graphics-card-upgrade.1596614/post-27844114

 

[Terros]

So then it was right the first time around, puzzled why its not detecting. You sure the correct drivers are installed.


It has to manually be done right click on the device, "update drivers" choose from list, specify to windows "have disk" and select the INF from the directory.

If being done in Virtualbox are you sure the USB device is being passed properly from the host OS to the VM. I have never done flashing using a VM. But from what I know not all devices can be passed properly. Especially Mac OS. They make a version of FLASHROM for Windows, i saw @Nick [D]vB post it. https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/2011-imac-graphics-card-upgrade.1596614/post-27844114

Nope, same thing uninstalled drivers, rebooted, reinstalled with have disk, rebooted.

Still nothing.

Maybe this GPU is really dead dead.....?

From the video I watched the "Run" light which idicates that the chip should be readable comes on even without drivers, but I could be wrong.

I'm currently using Windows and passing through to Linux and trying within Windows too

 

[highvoltage12v]

Nope, same thing uninstalled drivers, rebooted, reinstalled with have disk, rebooted.

Still nothing.

Maybe this GPU is really dead dead.....?

Even a dead GPU will have a working EEPROM, try using the nick dvb drivers+flashrom using cmd as admin. If not make sure you are pushing the clip enough onto the EEPROM while watching for capacitors near by.
i'm assuming you undid the rotation of the PCB, having the one red light means the ch341a is working, yes even without drivers. Drivers are needed to properly read/write.

 

[FlorisVN]

@Terros you can also flash the rom of your GPU, using Windows/Linux bootcamp with Nvidia nvflash..

 

[Terros]

@Terros you can also flash the rom of your GPU, using Windows/Linux bootcamp with Nvidia nvflash..

Hey dude, a few pages back I've already tried that. Is a Dell 780M (apparently) and I get 0 picture out the TB port or display. It should work in OSX High Sierra once it's past boot screen or blind in Windows but doesn't do that either. I've suspected a dead GPU since the day I put it in.

So long story short, guys here said it may have an incompatible bios causing the no display and I should try flash it with the clip etc and here we are :/

Even a dead GPU will have a working EEPROM, try using the nick dvb drivers+flashrom using cmd as admin. If not make sure you are pushing the clip enough onto the EEPROM while watching for capacitors near by.
i'm assuming you undid the rotation of the PCB, having the one red light means the ch341a is working, yes even without drivers. Drivers are needed to properly read/write.

Will give it a try and report back shortly

 

[Terros]

I offically give up with this card.

Tried so many different ways and things to the point where the clip no longer even stays clipped/connected. It just unclips off the chip or doesn't clip at all.

Sending the card back and going to order a new one from a different seller.

Thanks for all the help today @highvoltage12v really appreciated and maybe it will be of some help to others down the line.

 

[FlorisVN]

I offically give up with this card.

Tried so many different ways and things to the point where the clip no longer even stays clipped/connected. It just unclips off the chip or doesn't clip at all.

Sending the card back and going to order a new one from a different seller.

Thanks for all the help today @highvoltage12v really appreciated and maybe it will be of some help to others down the line.

Ok I see, i'm sorry for your problems.
Anyway, I suppose you have also tried reseatting the card in the MXM slot.. ?

and also enabled remote screen sharing on macOS, or used VNC/RDP on windows bootcamp and check if the card is being detected at all.. ??

 

[baller status]

Not sure if the pictures are any good.

Windows detects the USB (can also inject it into Ubuntu via VirtualBox with Flashrom), the chip is warm to touch.

Since I was getting 0 display out of the firewire TB port and to the local display, the guys here mentioned I should get the clip and flash it as I couldn't get display in Windows.

Hitting Capslock/NumLock etc with the card in wouldn't show a light on the KB almost like the machine was frozen.

Notice anything I may not be from the pictures perhaps @highvoltage12v ?

Did you run the setup 64 driver installer program? Can you find the CH341a in your device manager?

 

[Terros]

Ok I see, i'm sorry for your problems.
Anyway, I suppose you have also tried reseatting the card in the MXM slot.. ?

and also enabled remote screen sharing on macOS, or used VNC/RDP on windows bootcamp and check if the card is being detected at all.. ??

Yep, I've had the card 2 weeks now while waiting for my clip programmer to arrive in hopes that it would work.

When the card is in the iMac (tried numerous times with heatsink on/off, insulation etc) it never seems to get to Windows or OSX as the original 6970M works fine. When the 780M is in, I get no display and its almost like the machine is frozen as the keyboard lights don't work (Capslock/Numlock lights when pushed)

Did you run the setup 64 driver installer program? Can you find the CH341a in your device manager?

Yes, I can see it in Device Manager as well it showing up in VirtualBox Ubuntu VM. See below

 

[FlorisVN]

Yep, I've had the card 2 weeks now while waiting for my clip programmer to arrive in hopes that it would work.

When the card is in the iMac (tried numerous times with heatsink on/off, insulation etc) it never seems to get to Windows or OSX as the original 6970M works fine. When the 780M is in, I get no display and its almost like the machine is frozen as the keyboard lights don't work (Capslock/Numlock lights when pushed)



Yes, I can see it in Device Manager as well it showing up in VirtualBox Ubuntu VM. See below

I meant the nvidia GPU..

 

[Terros]

I meant the nvidia GPU..

Yeah that's what I was saying is I can't seem to boot into either OS's with the 780M in the iMac.

 

[FlorisVN]

Yeah that's what I was saying is I can't seem to boot into either OS's with the 780M in the iMac.

ok strange, I see.
As far as I know the iMac will even bootup withouth a GPU at all, or a GPU with wrong vbios.
MacOS will still boot.
I could be wrong of course, but I thought I am correct here..

Anyway, I hope you will get a nother GPU soon.
In my opinion a new metal compatible GPU is worth it, specially for i7 2011 27" imac's..

 

[Terros]

ok strange, I see.
As far as I know the iMac will even bootup withouth a GPU at all, or a GPU with wrong vbios.
MacOS will still boot.
I could be wrong of course, but I thought I am correct here..

Anyway, I hope you will get a nother GPU soon.
In my opinion a new metal compatible GPU is worth it, specially for i7 2011 27" imac's..

Yup agreed and it is the i7 27'.

I think safe to say this GPU is dead, before it would have 2 lights on the mobo, chime etc

Now just 1 led on and no chime with that 780M in when booting.

Tempted to just go RX580 now but with the drama had with this 780M, it's put me off a bit.

 

[highvoltage12v]

Yup agreed and it is the i7 27'.

I think safe to say this GPU is dead, before it would have 2 lights on the mobo, chime etc

Now just 1 led on and no chime with that 780M in when booting.

Tempted to just go RX580 now but with the drama had with this 780M, it's put me off a bit.

If you have any old GPU laying around or motherboard, they all have EEPROMs on them. I suggest you experiment with them and your ch341a untill you are able to get an EEPROM to read. It's quite a valuable tool to have. I think everyone here can agree it takes a few tries just to get the clip to sit on properly to read.

 

[Terros]

If you have any old GPU laying around or motherboard, they all have EEPROMs on them. I suggest you experiment with them and your ch341a untill you are able to get an EEPROM to read. It's quite a valuable tool to have. I think everyone here can agree it takes a few tries just to get the clip to sit on properly to read.

I'll continue to try on my 6970M 2GB, even though the USB is behaving similar to the 780M with the 6970M.

Maybe I have a faulty clip too.

 

[Terros]

Tried a different machine now, Windows 7 and USB2 ports thinking it may be a USB3 issue.

No luck on the 6970M either.

Has there been any recent luck with an 980M in the 27' iMac?

 

[nikey22]

@Terros
Try getting a Pomona clip, its more accurate and for the novice, no offense intended, its actually a more forgiving clip. Agree with highvoltage12v, practice, practice, practice on old motherboards, video cards, even some hard drives have these SPI EEPROMs. This is a skill you need to get down.
The red wire on the green PCB board ALWAYS points towards the black lever. The older flashrom programs had the chip orientation wrong in their pictures.

I need to purposely screw up one of my installations and overwrite Kexts from a stock install to see which ones specifically break Metal/acceleration I'm pretty sure it's the openGL.framework Would it be worth it to create a post on this?

yes please! I have a running database of golden nugget posts that I constantly refer to. I've read pages 1 to page 162.

@Terros, go for the RX580, we all really need to be moving towards the AMD cards again if Apple's intentions in the future are any indication.

 

[highvoltage12v]

yes please! I have a running database of golden nugget posts that I constantly refer to. I've read pages 1 to page 162.

Okay I'll go break a 2010 install now. It may take a few hours to complete.

 

[Terros]

@Terros
Try getting a Pomona clip, its more accurate and for the novice, no offense intended, its actually a more forgiving clip. Agree with highvoltage12v, practice, practice, practice on old motherboards, video cards, even some hard drives have these SPI EEPROMs. This is a skill you need to get down.
The red wire on the green PCB board ALWAYS points towards the black lever. The older flashrom programs had the chip orientation wrong in their pictures.

@Terros, go for the RX580, we all really need to be moving towards the AMD cards again if Apple's intentions in the future are any indication.

I must be seriously rubbish at this if I can't this thing to pick up.

What's weird is I hear the USB disconnecting and light going off, even though everything is connected in the correct orientation when I put the clip on the gpu.

I left it for awhile while doing some work and came back to find the MXM card was actually warm, as if current or something was running through it from the clip.

RX580 sounds awesome...if I can ever get this clip to work....

 

[highvoltage12v]

I am creating a guide that will be linked to the first page to help people fix 2010/09 iMacs which have been patched with the "Legacy Video Card Patch" from the Dosdude1 installer.

1. 1. Using another Mac: download Kext Utility from here http://cvad-mac.narod.ru/index/0-4 download Hackintool from here http://headsoft.com.au/download/mac/Hackintool.zip download and unzip my files from here https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gefiM7iDledurrHvYnvAtp4YGiWG-SbF/ and copy them with Hackintool and kext utility to a flash drive.​
2. Move my files to the desktop, Open Hackintool, move to the Tools tab and click on the GateKeeper icon, enter your password and Finder should restart, this unlocks the System Partition.

   
3. Navigate to /System/Library/Frameworks/ select the OpenGL.framework and drag it into a blank area within the Frameworks Folder. Finder will request to replace the existing file, select "Replace". DO NOT REBOOT

   
4. Navigate to /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/ select the GPUSupport.framework and drag it into a blank area within the PrivateFrameworks Folder. Finder will request to replace the existing file, select "Replace". DO NOT REBOOT

   
5. To fix permissions on both replaced frameworks, we need to open terminal and enter the following:

   sudo chmod -R 755 /System/Library/Frameworks/OpenGL.framework &&
   sudo chown -R 0:0 /System/Library/Frameworks/OpenGL.framework &&
   sudo chmod -R 755 /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/GPUSupport.framework &&
   sudo chown -R 0:0 /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/GPUSupport.framework

   DO NOT REBOOT.
   

   
6. Move Kext utility into the "UNDOING DOSDUDE1 Video patches" folder and drag all 5 kexts onto the kext utility icon, Kext utility will install the kexts, replacing the Legacy kexts. Then give a timeout warning, this is normal. You can now reboot your iMac.
   
   

Due to the file upload limit on Macrumors, I had to post the ZIP file to Google Drive.

UNDOING DOSDUDE1 Video patches .zip

drive.google.com

 

[highvoltage12v]

Post 1 has been updated after the red warning text for Catalina users.

Tomorrow I will write the Sandybridge HD3000 Quicksync/Airplay guide, will also update post 1

 

[TurboCaca]

I am creating a guide that will be linked to the first page to help people fix 2010/09 iMacs which have been patched with the "Legacy Video Card Patch" from the Dosdude1 installer.

1. 1. Using another Mac: download Kext Utility from here http://cvad-mac.narod.ru/index/0-4 download Hackintool from here https://www.tonymacx86.com/threads/release-hackintool-v2-8-6.254559/download download and unzip my files from here https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gefiM7iDledurrHvYnvAtp4YGiWG-SbF/ and copy them with Hackintool and kext utility to a flash drive.​
2. Move my files to the desktop, Open Hackintool, move to the Tools tab and click on the GateKeeper icon, enter your password and Finder should restart, this unlocks the System Partition.View attachment 885780​
3. Navigate to /System/Library/Frameworks/ select the OpenGL.framework and drag it into a blank area within the Frameworks Folder. Finder will request to replace the existing file, select "Replace". DO NOT REBOOT View attachment 885781​
4. Navigate to /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/ select the GPUSupport.framework and drag it into a blank area within the PrivateFrameworks Folder. Finder will request to replace the existing file, select "Replace". DO NOT REBOOTView attachment 885783​
5. To fix permissions on both replaced frameworks, we need to open terminal and enter the following:

   sudo chmod -R 755 /System/Library/Frameworks/OpenGL.framework;
   sudo chown -R 0:0 /System/Library/Frameworks/OpenGL.framework;
   sudo chmod -R 755 /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/GPUSupport.framework;
   sudo chown -R 0:0 /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/GPUSupport.framework

   DO NOT REBOOT.
   View attachment 885784​
6. Move Kext utility into the "UNDOING DOSDUDE1 Video patches" folder and drag all 5 kexts onto the kext utility icon, Kext utility will install the kexts, replacing the Legacy kexts. Then give a timeout warning, this is normal. You can now reboot your iMac. View attachment 885785View attachment 885789

Due to the file upload limit on Macrumors, I had to post the ZIP file to Google Drive.

UNDOING DOSDUDE1 Video patches .zip

drive.google.com

Thanks a lot. I'm overwhelmed with so much information. I have a mid 2011 27" iMac with a GTX770 running Mojave with DosDude patch. Can I directly update to Catalina with normal system update?

Greets from Barcelona