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

[herrdude]

Thank you very much! Yes, it is definitely true that majority of the help is due to this forum. My list of required files are links in which go directly to the user's post here in this thread. This is so that they know who created/compiled the list of files and their post itself. None of my links go directly to the file itself, but rather the source of it.

Yes, it's good to point back to the thread but not just for the files. For example, your section "Fix Brightness Control" is loosely paraphrased on a small guide that I did in this thread. I don't say this because I am looking for some kind of glory. I say this because this is all possible thanks to many people. Their work has allowed you to write your succinct and complete guide.

I think the appropriate thing to do is put a blurb at the beginning of your page thanking everyone who contributed to this thread (including yourself) and pointing your readers here for more information.

 

[hwc]

Yes, it's good to point back to the thread but not just for the files. For example, your section "Fix Brightness Control" is loosely paraphrased on a small guide that I did in this thread. I don't say this because I am looking for some kind of glory. I say this because this is all possible thanks to many people. Their work has allowed you to write your succinct and complete guide.

I think the appropriate thing to do is put a blurb at the beginning of your page thanking everyone who contributed to this thread (including yourself) and pointing your readers here for more information.

I do agree with what you said and have made some changes to my write-up. I have added sentence directing to this forum/thread at the beginning, and have also put credit next to the files in which were shared by the poster. I did not read this entire thread and my process was actually only based on the very first post and the links directly from the first post.

The "Fix Brightness Control" procedure is actually based off of Nick [D]vB's post here.

Edit: @herrdude, I found the guide you are referring to, and do admit that it seems very close to yours. So go prevent any confusion or disrespect, I went ahead and reference in the "Fix Brightness Control" section to your post.

 

[herrdude]

I do agree with what you said and have made some changes to my write-up. I have added sentence directing to this forum/thread at the beginning, and have also put credit next to the files in which were shared by the poster. I did not read this entire thread and my process was actually only based on the very first post and the links directly from the first post.

The "Fix Brightness Control" procedure is actually based off of Nick [D]vB's post here.

Edit: @herrdude, I found the guide you are referring to, and do admit that it seems very close to yours. So go prevent any confusion or disrespect, I went ahead and reference in the "Fix Brightness Control" section to your post.

It is much appreciated that you made those changes. Also, as I said before, your guide will be very helpful. Thanks!

 

[hwc]

It is much appreciated that you made those changes. Also, as I said before, your guide will be very helpful. Thanks!

Nope, thank you and everyone here! Very grateful to have revived my iMac!

 

[itsthejb]

Hi all,

First of all, thanks to everyone for the excellent work on this thread. I'm now really cooking on my 2011 iMac with K610M on Catalina (and I hope also eventually Big Sur). Very small Q from me:

I've written the (new updated) Catalina Loader to a partition on my internal hard disk, and everything is working well. I'd like to rename the partition to something more low-key, e.g. "Boot", but as soon as I do this the drive disappears from Startup Disk. Renaming back to "Catalina Loader" makes it reappear. Do I need to change some other config somewhere so I can call it the desired "Boot"?

Hope someone can help with that quick one.

Thanks in advance

 

[ggwwzz11]

Yeah the first blank screen issue on boot is just how the original VBIOS was implemented. I believe parts of it came from the Mac Pro 5,1gtx680 so when used on an iMac, the VBIOS has a delay which doesn't match up with the iMacs initialization sequence. A new VBIOS will need to be created for this, but I don't want to nag/ETA anyone.

You can fix your long boot issue issue by going to System preferences/ startup disk and choosing your correct startup disk, this will massively improve boot times.

Thanks for the explanation around the initial blank screen.
On the other hands, unfortunately my iMac's sleep issue still unresolved by install the AppleGraphicControl kext.
It will come back the login if only a short sleep. but it will remain black screen (Not sounds heard on the background but machine is running) if it has been 15mins or longer sleep. Do you know the solution by any chance?

 

[stephle]

Thanks for the explanation around the initial blank screen.
On the other hands, unfortunately my iMac's sleep issue still unresolved by install the AppleGraphicControl kext.
It will come back the login if only a short sleep. but it will remain black screen (Not sounds heard on the background but machine is running) if it has been 15mins or longer sleep. Do you know the solution by any chance?

Hello
so your problem mainly comes from the fact that the vbios used is not compatible with the 2010 version

the slow start-up is due to this first problem and that the use of the uga is also slow

in response to speculations

this is a gtx680 uga
and there is no part of macpro, uga identical to the one i used in the k5000m

native uga support in our imac was obvious

neamoins nick made a nice discovery
the use of coreeg2 allows to launch a gop instead of uga but needs edid praser

in summary the imac 2009 and 2010 have a different topology and the rom compatible with the 2011 models are not with the 2009 2010

I have a 2009 model and I am working on a solution for these models

))

 

[highvoltage12v]

Thanks for the explanation around the initial blank screen.
On the other hands, unfortunately my iMac's sleep issue still unresolved by install the AppleGraphicControl kext.
It will come back the login if only a short sleep. but it will remain black screen (Not sounds heard on the background but machine is running) if it has been 15mins or longer sleep. Do you know the solution by any chance?

This Guide is for Fixing sleep, install all the kexts and plugins, make sure you download the correct folder for Mojave and Catalina. Go to GITHUB to download the newest Whatever Green and Lilu, use them not mine, it's best to use the most up to date.

 

[Roman78]

So.. wtf is going on... just noticed on post 1, there is native Brightness Control on the K4100M, K5000M, K3100M and the GTX 780M all ready. Next please K1100m and the K3000M.

Damn... i just sold the GTX 780M

 

[Rhino_60]

Hi to all,
I've successfully replaced my i5 CPU and standard graphic card on my iMac 21.5 mid 2011 with an i7 CPU and a K2100M graphic card.
I haven't installed OpenCore on my "new modded iMac", but now I've a problem with upgrading my OS High Sierra 10.13.6 software : after downloaded sw upgrade from App Store, system automatically reboots, and it will creates a new partition disk called "MacOS Installer" that try to install a new upgraded OS system ...
At this point I stop the upgrading process shutting down system (holding rear power button), reboot system holding ALT button in order to choose correctly the original system disk that there is not upgraded!
I don't understand why the upgrading process try to create a new disk partition instead of upgrade the existent one!
Has anybody have found the same problem .... and eventually will give me a possible solution ?
Thanks!

 

[stephle]

So.. wtf is going on... just noticed on post 1, there is native Brightness Control on the K4100M, K5000M, K3100M and the GTX 780M all ready. Next please K1100m and the K3000M.

Damn... i just sold the GTX 780M

I have for the k3000 to test
And May be k1000 k1100 for test

but i'm on vacation when i come home do you want to take the test?

 

[mazz0]

In the #1 post if you click on k2100m -> brightness control -> yes it will take you to a post by @highvoltage12v where he uploaded a kext with the fixed brightness values, then you can use that kext in @Ausdauersportler or nicks opencore image to get the correct values, check first @Ausdauersportler image as I think is updated with the newest kexts.

Thanks for the link.

I installed this yeterday. I didn’t reboot as I had some files copying over from another computer, so I left the machine running. When I looked today it had rebooted, and now shows the attached error on startup (“Error: Aborted returned from boot.efi”). That’s when running from the loader, if I start Catalina directly it just displays the symbol, no text.

I’m guessing it’s re-install time, but does anybody have any troubleshooting tips on this one? Anything obvious I might have done wrong?

 

[highvoltage12v]

Thanks for the link.

I installed this yeterday. I didn’t reboot as I had some files copying over from another computer, so I left the machine running. When I looked today it had rebooted, and now shows the attached error on startup (“Error: Aborted returned from boot.efi”). That’s when running from the loader, if I start Catalina directly it just displays the symbol, no text.

I’m guessing it’s re-install time, but does anybody have any troubleshooting tips on this one? Anything obvious I might have done wrong?

You didn't open terminal and "sudo reboot"?

What you can do is boot back into your installer, re-run the "post install" patches, but right before reboot. There is a CHECK BOX that must be clicked that says "force rebuild caches".
Just doing this will prevent reinstall.

Yes Catalina has issues installing kexts, it stalls rebuilding Kext cache.

 

[Cordonblu]

Thanks for the link.

I installed this yeterday. I didn’t reboot as I had some files copying over from another computer, so I left the machine running. When I looked today it had rebooted, and now shows the attached error on startup (“Error: Aborted returned from boot.efi”). That’s when running from the loader, if I start Catalina directly it just displays the symbol, no text.

I’m guessing it’s re-install time, but does anybody have any troubleshooting tips on this one? Anything obvious I might have done wrong?

You should always reboot after messing with kexts/oc.

 

[highvoltage12v]

You should always reboot after messing with kexts/oc.

Sudo reboot, but yes with kexts. I state it at the end of all my guides.
"A Catalina issue"™

 

[ggwwzz11]

Hello
so your problem mainly comes from the fact that the vbios used is not compatible with the 2010 version

the slow start-up is due to this first problem and that the use of the uga is also slow

in response to speculations

this is a gtx680 uga
and there is no part of macpro, uga identical to the one i used in the k5000m

native uga support in our imac was obvious

neamoins nick made a nice discovery
the use of coreeg2 allows to launch a gop instead of uga but needs edid praser

in summary the imac 2009 and 2010 have a different topology and the rom compatible with the 2011 models are not with the 2009 2010

I have a 2009 model and I am working on a solution for these models

))

Thanks for your kind clarify. Even it's pretty difficult for me to understand, But it's definitely interesting to know though
I ordered my graphic card online with vbios flashed already which just plug and play
Basically you are saying the rom of GTX770 from Nick isn't compatible with 09 10 models good enough compare to 11 ones, right?

The boot screen kicked in quite fast and in early stage (show after chime, but the native boot screen with Apple GPU shown immediately after press power button) before install Mojave/Catalina via dosdude1's patcher.
And now both macOS versions have blank screen in early stage.

However, I'd definitely like to improve that. So please post out if you have any solution, Thanks

 

[ggwwzz11]

This Guide is for Fixing sleep, install all the kexts and plugins, make sure you download the correct folder for Mojave and Catalina. Go to GITHUB to download the newest Whatever Green and Lilu, use them not mine, it's best to use the most up to date.

In fact I saw this particular post before, but I didn't apply since it's stated for 2011 models exclusively.
However, Do I need to do all the steps exactly the same as your instruction since I can't enable Airplay because I believe mine isn't a sandy bridge CPU (i7 870)
And I can't find the GITHUB links for those kext. Would you mind show me the links? Your help is much appreciated

 

[stephle]

Thanks for your kind clarify. Even it's pretty difficult for me to understand, But it's definitely interesting to know though
I ordered my graphic card online with vbios flashed already which just plug and play
Basically you are saying the rom of GTX770 from Nick isn't compatible with 09 10 models good enough compare to 11 ones, right?

The boot screen kicked in quite fast and in early stage (show after chime, but the native boot screen with Apple GPU shown immediately after press power button) before install Mojave/Catalina via dosdude1's patcher.
And now both macOS versions have blank screen in early stage.

However, I'd definitely like to improve that. So please post out if you have any solution, Thanks

OK I did not enter your problem I thought I saw a black screen at startup

but if you understand the black screen when starting the system, is that correct?

start button
apple logo
loading bar
and nothing more?
access to the system anyway or not at all?

 

[Lam Le]

I have for the k3000 to test
And May be k1000 k1100 for test

but i'm on vacation when i come home do you want to take the test?

I wait until u go home for the test.

 

[Maxino]

I have an iMac 11,1 (27" 2009) with a WX4150, I can successfully install Catalina 10.15.5 but not 10.15.6. The iMac firmware was updated with High Sierra in the past, but the patcher gives me the warning I have to update the firmware again. The system works flawlessly with 10.15.5 and boots APFS correctly.


Installing 10.15.6 completes the first files copy, then the system reboots as normal. But during the second install screen with the apple logo, the indicator touches the 40-50% then an error pops up saying the system is not compatible.


Actual Boot ROM Version: IM111.0039.B00 (is it the latest?)


I can't reinstall High Sierra to reflash the firmware as per apple rule, since the new GPU is not recognized and the old ATI 4850 is definitively dead, the OfficialAPFSFWUpdate.dmg linked into the Catalina Patcher installs, but no firmware updates occurs at reboot.

I don't have more ideas, so I'm asking for help. Thank you!

 

[Pascal Baillargeau]

I have an iMac 11,1 (27" 2009) with a WX4150, I can successfully install Catalina 10.15.5 but not 10.15.6. The iMac firmware was updated with High Sierra in the past, but the patcher gives me the warning I have to update the firmware again. The system works flawlessly with 10.15.5 and boots APFS correctly.


Installing 10.15.6 completes the first files copy, then the system reboots as normal. But during the second install screen with the apple logo, the indicator touches the 40-50% then an error pops up saying the system is not compatible.


Actual Boot ROM Version: IM111.0039.B00 (is it the latest?)


I can't reinstall High Sierra to reflash the firmware as per apple rule, since the new GPU is not recognized and the old ATI 4850 is definitively dead, the OfficialAPFSFWUpdate.dmg linked into the Catalina Patcher installs, but no firmware updates occurs at reboot.

I don't have more ideas, so I'm asking for help. Thank you!

I don't understand why you can't install High Sierra?
Make a bootable High Sierra 13.13.6 installer on a flash drive, and boot from this flash drive to install high sierra on new partition or a new disk (to keep your 10.15.5 OS).
Then in high sierra the firmware upgrade will occurs.

 

[Ausdauersportler]

I have an iMac 11,1 (27" 2009) with a WX4150, I can successfully install Catalina 10.15.5 but not 10.15.6. The iMac firmware was updated with High Sierra in the past, but the patcher gives me the warning I have to update the firmware again. The system works flawlessly with 10.15.5 and boots APFS correctly.


Installing 10.15.6 completes the first files copy, then the system reboots as normal. But during the second install screen with the apple logo, the indicator touches the 40-50% then an error pops up saying the system is not compatible.


Actual Boot ROM Version: IM111.0039.B00 (is it the latest?)


I can't reinstall High Sierra to reflash the firmware as per apple rule, since the new GPU is not recognized and the old ATI 4850 is definitively dead, the OfficialAPFSFWUpdate.dmg linked into the Catalina Patcher installs, but no firmware updates occurs at reboot.

I don't have more ideas, so I'm asking for help. Thank you!

The warning has been added by @dosdude1 because so many people ignored the docs he wrote, I know exactly how he feels. When installing a new MacOS on an iMac with an AMD Polars card you obviously using the Catalina Loader spoofing the iMacPro1,1 board ID. After the first stage of the installation (copying the files to the disk partition or container you have chosen) you have to pull the SD card and let the installer reboot into the partition without the OpenCore. This works normally without any problem. After finishing the installation put the SD card back and choose it again as the startup item.

In fact I saw this particular post before, but I didn't apply since it's stated for 2011 models exclusively.
However, Do I need to do all the steps exactly the same as your instruction since I can't enable Airplay because I believe mine isn't a sandy bridge CPU (i7 870)
And I can't find the GITHUB links for those kext. Would you mind show me the links? Your help is much appreciated

Then you do no need all the sleep extensions at all, it is for 2011 models, only. Please read the post @highvoltage12v made and please, please read the post #1, again and again!

 

[Ausdauersportler]

I have an iMac 11,1 (27" 2009) with a WX4150, I can successfully install Catalina 10.15.5 but not 10.15.6. The iMac firmware was updated with High Sierra in the past, but the patcher gives me the warning I have to update the firmware again. The system works flawlessly with 10.15.5 and boots APFS correctly.


Installing 10.15.6 completes the first files copy, then the system reboots as normal. But during the second install screen with the apple logo, the indicator touches the 40-50% then an error pops up saying the system is not compatible.


Actual Boot ROM Version: IM111.0039.B00 (is it the latest?)


I can't reinstall High Sierra to reflash the firmware as per apple rule, since the new GPU is not recognized and the old ATI 4850 is definitively dead, the OfficialAPFSFWUpdate.dmg linked into the Catalina Patcher installs, but no firmware updates occurs at reboot.

I don't have more ideas, so I'm asking for help. Thank you!

Go to this website, download the High Sierra Patcher, use it just to download the Apple High Sierra Installer. You do not need a patched High Sierra because your system is supported by Apple.

Follow the instructions Apple made how to create a High Sierra USB installer (createinstallmedia....), use the USB installer to reinstall High Sierra on your iMac.

Then apply ALL updates Apple is offering for High Sierra until you got the firmware upgrade to a number 63.0.0.0.0. Now you can download the Catalina Patcher and follow the @dosdude1 docs ... if you chose to read them.

 

[Maxino]

I don't understand why you can't install High Sierra?
Make a bootable High Sierra 13.13.6 installer on a flash drive, and boot from this flash drive to install high sierra on new partition or a new disk (to keep your 10.15.5 OS).
Then in high sierra the firmware upgrade will occurs.

Me too, I did what you said in High Sierra, but the screen does not turn on. And with opencore, it turns on, but when installer is supposed to shows up, the screen turns off and using VoiceOver is a mess

you have chosen) you have to pull the SD card and let the installer reboot into the partition without the OpenCore. This works normally without any problem. After finishing the installation put the SD card back and choose it again as the startup item.

Ok, I'll try. So what you are saying is the firmware update warning comes up even if the firmware is already updated?

 

[Ausdauersportler]

Thanks for the link.

I installed this yeterday. I didn’t reboot as I had some files copying over from another computer, so I left the machine running. When I looked today it had rebooted, and now shows the attached error on startup (“Error: Aborted returned from boot.efi”). That’s when running from the loader, if I start Catalina directly it just displays the symbol, no text.

I’m guessing it’s re-install time, but does anybody have any troubleshooting tips on this one? Anything obvious I might have done wrong?

This is really funny.

Why the hell you let your system doing file transfers without disabling sleep (energy saver system pref pane)? Now you are really wondering why the system went to sleep and crashed, again.