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

[Ausdauersportler]

Yes, I found this part: "All is working as intended if you can hold the "Option" key at startup and get a boot picker."
Not really pretty. Are there examples of NVIDIA cards where this doesn't occur?

for the black screen, there is a script mentioned from iFixit, but the commentlines says it's for Sierra. Also for Catalina?
the kext procedure is only for 2011


I'm stuck at the point where I need to add the board-id to the kext.
My board-id: Mac-F2238AC8.
Got into the kext, but the it's not clear where to add my board ID. In the <Dict> part there are keys mentioned, like my board ID.

I cannot believe it Please go back to the first post and search for "black screen" there. I did not mention ifixit.com or any other external site.

 

[JohannusNL]

I cannot believe it Please go back to the first post and search for "black screen" there. I did not mention ifixit.com or any other external site.

Thanks for taking time to help me on this one. But please, tel me a bit more than read page one.
It's not clear to me what to do. i'm not a noob, but the only thing I can find is to run a kext where I need to enter my board ID. now i'm stuck, because it's not clear where to enter my board-id in the kext file.

 

[Ausdauersportler]

Thanks for taking time to help me on this one. But please, tel me a bit more than read page one.
It's not clear to me what to do. i'm not a noob, but the only thing I can find is to run a kext where I need to enter my board ID. now i'm stuck, because it's not clear where to enter my board-id in the kext file.

Sorry, I gave up on this spoon feed thing. We are just a few people and cannot run each and every person here step by step through this. Please do as I told you and follow the instructions you will find in the single linked post on page #1 and post #1.
Whatever you found is not the one linked on page one...read carefully.

 

[JohannusNL]

Sorry, I gave up on this spoon feed thing. We are just a few people and cannot run each and every person here step by step through this. Please do as I told you and follow the instructions you will find in the single linked post on page #1 and post #1.
Whatever you found is not the one linked on page one...read carefully.

I don't need a step by step explaination. Just a finger pointing in the right direction, and more than 'read page1'.
it's clear to me that i need to patch the system with a kext file where i need to add my board-id. But in the article, mentioned at page1, about the black-screen issue, there is nothing about how and where.
What is it I don't see? When reading this thread i see that i'm not the only person who has difficulties on this issue. Im willing to help writing step by step tutorials or what to ever to help the community.

 

[Ausdauersportler]

I don't need a step by step explaination. Just a finger pointing in the right direction, and more than 'read page1'.
it's clear to me that i need to patch the system with a kext file where i need to add my board-id. But in the article, mentioned at page1, about the black-screen issue, there is nothing about how and where.
What is it I don't see? When reading this thread i see that i'm not the only person who has difficulties on this issue. Im willing to help writing step by step tutorials or what to ever to help the community.

Do you see some attached extensions ready to deploy each for a different MacOS version?

You are not the only person struggling on this black screen, 2011 sleep issue and the "legacy video patch" just because people ignore this! The next points on my favourite list: bad installation of a card on a heat sink, buying a dead card and complaining about that.

The longer and more complicated the first post becomes the more the people ignore the details (information theory basic or needle in a haystack problem). But for this reason one can search even this single post or the complete thread before cluttering it with the very same questions again and again.

 

[JohannusNL]

Do you see some attached extensions ready to deploy each for a different MacOS version?

Yes, the 10.5.6, Catalina.

 

[Ausdauersportler]

Yes, the 10.5.6, Catalina.

I see four attachments there. What ever you did, you did not read and searched the first post. When I go there, search for the single word "black" I get two links hits leading to the very same post. Try this, again!

 

[JohannusNL]

I see four attachments there. What ever you did, you did not read and searched the first post. When I go there, search for the single word "black" I get two links hits leading to the very same post. Try this, again!

Yes, That is what i ment, I see attachments, including the one that matches Catalina.
[automerge]1600416507[/automerge]

2011 iMac Graphics Card Upgrade

EDIT: 8/16/20 NEW AGC kexts have been added to change "board-id" to "board-ix" in the AppleGraphicsDevicePolicy binary. This has the same affect as "agdpmod=pikera" from Whatevergreen, this upload is for AMD users. "instant on" K3100m/k4100m/k5100m/780m etc cards need this kext to fix...

forums.macrumors.com

 

[Ausdauersportler]

Yes, That is what i ment, I see attachments, including the one that matches Catalina.
[automerge]1600416507[/automerge]

2011 iMac Graphics Card Upgrade

EDIT: 8/16/20 NEW AGC kexts have been added to change "board-id" to "board-ix" in the AppleGraphicsDevicePolicy binary. This has the same affect as "agdpmod=pikera" from Whatevergreen, this upload is for AMD users. "instant on" K3100m/k4100m/k5100m/780m etc cards need this kext to fix...

forums.macrumors.com

Happy for you, now install.

 

[JohannusNL]

Happy for you, now install.

Been there, done that. Didn't work.

 

[greensour]

This is an issue with framebuffer depth. Put the iMac to sleep and after you wake it up, it will restore itself to 24bit and everything looks fine and works smoother. I believe this is a known issue.

Also helps changing resolution to 1080p and back to 2k.

 

[JohannusNL]

I found this on ifixit, might help

To make a non-apple provided Nvidia graphics card work in macOS Sierra you need to do the following…

Start the computer in safe mode by holding shift.

Get your BoardID by running this command in terminal

echo "<result>$(ioreg -rd1 -c IOPlatformExpertDevice | awk -F'["|"]' '/board-id/{print $4}')</result>"

Open the AppleGraphicsControl Kext using this command

sudo nano /System/Library/Extensions/AppleGraphicsControl.kext/Contents/PlugIns/AppleGraphicsDevicePolicy.kext/Contents/Info.plist

Use the arrow keys to go down until you see <key>ConfigMap</key> followed by a bunch of keys and strings.

LOOK FOR YOUR BOARD ID…

IF IT IS LISTED: Change the string to <string>none</string>

IF IT IS NOT LISTED: Add it in the same format as the ones listed.

Save the file by pressing Ctrl+O, then enter.

Exit by pressing Ctrl+X

Rebuild the kernel cache using the following two commands:

sudo kextcache -system-prelinked-kernel

AND

sudo kextcache -system-caches

The modified kext installer doesn't work for me. I'm working on this one now. But I got the same error when rebuilding the KextCache
"Kext with invalid signature"

 

[JohannusNL]

Is it maybe because the bundle signature key in <dict> is like this?
<key>CFBundleSignature</key>
<string>????</string>

 

[JohannusNL]

Other packages has the same key, so it's not

 

[JohannusNL]

CSRutil, all disabled.

 

[JohannusNL]

I'm able to update the kext in the system/lib/ext/ folder. Weird thing is that when patching the kext like being told in the explaination, it's not overwritten. I can see it when viewing the file in nano, untouched.
When rebuilding the cache, it got into an error: kext with invalid signature (-67054) allowed, like it's okay. But it's not. Kext is not being updated and even with a manual edit with nano on the kext in the system/lib/ext folder the boot remains black, unless using the option-key or reset-nvram.

 

[Ausdauersportler]

The modified kext installer doesn't work for me. I'm working on this one now. But I got the same error when rebuilding the KextCache
"Kext with invalid signature"

I do not comment on other website entries. Please use the Catalina extension provided and install it in the same the sleeping extensions have to be installed on your 2011, first post, too.

 

[JohannusNL]

I do not comment on other website entries. Please use the Catalina extension provided and install it in the same the sleeping extensions have to be installed on your 2011, first post, too.

Step by step
" To install this kext unlock your System partition using Hackintool, drag the kext on-top of the kext utility icon let it install/timeout with an error. Open terminal and enter "sudo reboot" skipping this step may leave your iMac hanging at the desktop (A Catalina issue)
How to install:
When booting you need to Hold Alt/Option to bring up the AppleBootPicker, then select the Catalina partition. Since the iMac's Screen is on when using AppleBootPicker the Macs screen will remain on the entire boot process allowing you to log in and then proceed to install the Patched AppleGraphicsControl Kext."

Finaly, it worked. the devil is in de details. the explaination, as above is not chronological and not realy clear about the exact steps. It's not dummy proof, I can tell. I would suggest the following;
Prerequisites:
- hackingtool (link)
- Kext Utility (link)
- the right kext file (catalina-link) etc
Put those file on your desktop.

How to install:
- Boot your imac holding the Alt/Option key
- Start hackingtool
- Disable GateKeeper, by clicking the Home-icon, thirth from the right at the bottom
- Important: do not continue installing/patching kext on HackingTool, but move the Kext file on your desktop onto the Kext utility icon, also on your desktop.
Wait until complete.
- Reboot using terminal, run sudo reboot

 

[Ausdauersportler]

Step by step
" To install this kext unlock your System partition using Hackintool, drag the kext on-top of the kext utility icon let it install/timeout with an error. Open terminal and enter "sudo reboot" skipping this step may leave your iMac hanging at the desktop (A Catalina issue)
How to install:
When booting you need to Hold Alt/Option to bring up the AppleBootPicker, then select the Catalina partition. Since the iMac's Screen is on when using AppleBootPicker the Macs screen will remain on the entire boot process allowing you to log in and then proceed to install the Patched AppleGraphicsControl Kext."

Finaly, it worked. the devil is in de details. the explaination, as above is not chronological and not realy clear about the exact steps. It's not dummy proof, I can tell. I would suggest the following;
Prerequisites:
- hackingtool (link)
- Kext Utility (link)
- the right kext file (catalina-link) etc
Put those file on your desktop.

How to install:
- Boot your imac holding the Alt/Option key
- Start hackingtool
- Disable GateKeeper, by clicking the Home-icon, thirth from the right at the bottom
- Important: do not continue installing/patching kext on HackingTool, but move the Kext file on your desktop onto the Kext utility icon, also on your desktop.
Wait until complete.
- Reboot using terminal, run sudo reboot

It is chronological, because we all here had this kext installation issues all the time. Only people coming in late and do not know nothing about MacOS administration are going to struggle. Did you really read the first post?

Q: Is this easy? I need a quick fix for my iMac!
A: Not necessarily. This "fix" is more of a "mod" to revive our iMacs. Depending on your scenario, it will require a full iMac disassembly, knowledge of BIOS flashing, dremel tools, heatsink modification, careful handling of logic board components, etc. With the used/grey market for many of these cards, other issues may pop up as well. Please inform yourself before undertaking this process.

We cannot make this complicated operation dummy proof. And this is not the helpdesk. Searching the thread for answers is one task you have to do. And finding answers, too. This is valid for all internet search requests...

Last: You will need the knowledge you just discovered all the time now again because you are using an unsupported platform. There is easy and magic way to come around this fact. Instead of trying to achieve a new world record in deploying a new GPU one should plan more carefully a complex task like this.

 

[JohannusNL]

It is chronological, because we all here had this kext installation issues all the time. Only people coming in late and do not know nothing about MacOS administration are going to struggle. Did you really read the first post?

Q: Is this easy? I need a quick fix for my iMac!
A: Not necessarily. This "fix" is more of a "mod" to revive our iMacs. Depending on your scenario, it will require a full iMac disassembly, knowledge of BIOS flashing, dremel tools, heatsink modification, careful handling of logic board components, etc. With the used/grey market for many of these cards, other issues may pop up as well. Please inform yourself before undertaking this process.

We cannot make this complicated operation dummy proof. And this is not the helpdesk. Searching the thread for answers is one task you have to do. And finding answers, too. This is valid for all internet search requests...

Last: You will need the knowledge you just discovered all the time now again because you are using an unsupported platform. There is easy and magic way to come around this fact. Instead of trying to achieve a new world record in deploying a new GPU one should plan more carefully a complex task like this.

Its not me telling it needs to be a quick solution. and i red it all. but in my opinion, no offence, there is some critical detail missing. this whole thread is filled with questions regarding missing detail, and true also questions about known things in the #1 page. instead of telling people reading the first page I would recommend to add a bit more detail to make everyone able to do this job. everyone happy
thanks for trying helping me out btw.

 

[Ausdauersportler]

Its not me telling it needs to be a quick solution. and i red it all. but in my opinion, no offence, there is some critical detail missing. this whole thread is filled with questions regarding missing detail, and true also questions about known things in the #1 page. instead of telling people reading the first page I would recommend to add a bit more detail to make everyone able to do this job. everyone happy
thanks for trying helping me out btw.

There are people coming through all this with a single success message. It is not my goal to make everyone happy.

 

[herrdude]

Its not me telling it needs to be a quick solution. and i red it all. but in my opinion, no offence, there is some critical detail missing. this whole thread is filled with questions regarding missing detail, and true also questions about known things in the #1 page. instead of telling people reading the first page I would recommend to add a bit more detail to make everyone able to do this job. everyone happy
thanks for trying helping me out btw.

Just to let you know that @Ausdauersportler and I spent a few days cleaning up the first post in order to reduce the clutter in this thread. For sure, it can be improved upon, like anything. That being said, I have been following this thread daily for a long time and the problems you encountered are rarely, if ever, raised here. Unfortunately, 90% of the problems people post here are 1. people who do not read the first post OR 2. hardware problems (graphic card problems, motherboard issues, etc.) which we are not in a position to troubleshoot. @Ausdauersportler has really helped keep this thread on topic. Kudos to him. I am sure he has pulled out all of his hair because of the number people who do not even bother to read the first post!

Cheers!

 

[JohannusNL]

Just to let you know that @Ausdauersportler and I spent a few days cleaning up the first post in order to reduce the clutter in this thread. For sure, it can be improved upon, like anything. That being said, I have been following this thread daily for a long time and the problems you encountered are rarely, if ever, raised here. Unfortunately, 90% of the problems people post here are 1. people who do not read the first post OR 2. hardware problems (graphic card problems, motherboard issues, etc.) which we are not in a position to troubleshoot. @Ausdauersportler has really helped keep this thread on topic. Kudos to him. I am sure he has pulled out all of his hair because of the number people who do not even bother to read the first post!

Cheers!

True, and I’m not commenting or complained my on that at all. My kudos too for all that effort.
My feedback, support to this community, is that there are some small flaws in the detail. I’m aware that you all started from scratch and it’s a proces to make all perfect. For me it feels like that we need to sort it out with chapter1 and fragments of information that are scattered around at some points. To keep everyone happy, or make this community more efficient and you guys away from newbie help request like mine, it might help to look at such.
About updating the kext, its just not clear.

 

[internetzel]

True, and I’m not commenting or complained my on that at all. My kudos too for all that effort.
My feedback, support to this community, is that there are some small flaws in the detail. I’m aware that you all started from scratch and it’s a proces to make all perfect. For me it feels like that we need to sort it out with chapter1 and fragments of information that are scattered around at some points. To keep everyone happy, or make this community more efficient and you guys away from newbie help request like mine, it might help to look at such.
About updating the kext, its just not clear.

Well, in fact not explaining every step in detail and instead using a language only experienced users understand helps to scare off those who shouldn't even bother trying to upgrade their graphics cards.
So maybe the first post should in fact be made even more cryptic...?

 

[JohannusNL]

Well, in fact not explaining every step in detail and instead using a language only experienced users understand helps to scare off those who shouldn't even bother trying to upgrade their graphics cards.
So maybe the first post should in fact be made even more cryptic...?

Language? at some points it written in very bad English. Well, it al depends on what you want with this topic. Helpful, or just arrogant that you have the knowledge you don’t want to share.
bye bye