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iM 4,1-14,4 2011 iMac Graphics Card Upgrade
- Thread starter MichaelDT
- WikiPost WikiPost
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To anyone who has done this upgrade on a 2011 27" iMAC Please respond if you have more reasont info or a better way to flash the K3100 M or K4100M cards
I would think that is the IP address for your router. Is your iMac with the K3100m connected with a network cable? You should be able to go into your router settings and find out what is the real IP address of this iMac.
YES I have ET Cable attached to BOTH iMACs from the router
I can see the MAIN iMAC IP address .192.168.0.17
But I do not see the Nvidia iMAC IP address
I can see the MAIN iMAC IP address .192.168.0.17
But I do not see the Nvidia iMAC IP address
Did you try your Linux USB on your main iMac? Just to check that it's working properly.
To ease the task of identifying your iMac, set a fix IP address to it.
Go to System Preferences/Network/Configure IPv4/Using DHCP with manual address or Manually
That makes life much easier even when you switch your iMac off and come back later as the IP address remains the same.
When you successfully connect to your iMac via SSH, you will be asked for a password.
"FLASH" is it.
When you reconnect to the same iMac later, you will encounter an error in the authentication key.
Just read the online error message.
Choose Go/Go to Folder... in top menu in Finder.
Type in the indicated host file path to reach it, then delete it.
You can then re-login via SSH by generating a new key automatically.
Well I put the 6970M back in & attached to the router
I was able to get the IP address of > 192.168.0.20
For this 2011 27" iMAC
Then I reinstalled the NVIDIA K3100M in it AGAIN
With no HD or SSD enabled & the USB flash drive plugged in
& the Ethernet connected to the router
I opened up terminal on my main iMAC
Punched in > ssh root @192.168.0.20
STIIL DID NOTHING ????????????????????????
I was able to get the IP address of > 192.168.0.20
For this 2011 27" iMAC
Then I reinstalled the NVIDIA K3100M in it AGAIN
With no HD or SSD enabled & the USB flash drive plugged in
& the Ethernet connected to the router
I opened up terminal on my main iMAC
Punched in > ssh root @192.168.0.20
STIIL DID NOTHING ????????????????????????
You can log into the router management page and check what devices are connecting, together with their IP address.
Booting from Mac OS get you one IP address, moving to another OS may get you another IP address.
You need to boot from the Linux USB both time (with the old and new GPU) to fix the IP address.
It's simple as that.
Last edited:
I have a NETGEAR C7000 NIGHTHAWK
And the management page only lets you change the password
So that's no help
And the management page only lets you change the password
So that's no help
Kenny
I got the IP address for the other iMAC
It has the K3100 M in it &
The flash drive & ethernet are connected
BUT the SSH is still not working
So I can flash the card
Any ideas ?
Well I tried that several times
But it defaults to the NETGEAR GENIE
Which only let's you change the password
But it defaults to the NETGEAR GENIE
Which only let's you change the password
DUDE
IF you restart & hold option are you able to boot into the USB fash card ???
You have to assigned a fixed IP address to your iMac when you put back your old GPU into it.
With DHCP alone your iMac IP address will change every time you switch it off and reconnect to a network.
So just simply noting your iMac's IP address is of no use.
Provided you have done so, and disconnected all internal or external drive connections except for your LinuX USB flash drive, your iMac should boot with a chime with your new GPU. No boot sound may mean no POST or faulty card. That I can't help.
Just wait for few minutes before the Linux is loaded up in your iMac before you SSH to it from another computer.
You can actually place your iMac LCD panel aside without putting it back during the flashing.
Sometimes it is helpful to connect an external monitor to the video out (?DislayPort) of your iMac as you may surprisingly see active output on the external display.
OK
So now I have to put the 6970M back in & assign it a FIXED IP ADDRESS
Then put the NVIDIA K3100M back in &
try to SSH AGAIN
I shall hook up an eternal monitor &
leave the screen off this time
What a freakin ordeal
BUT I need to learn this
I have 3 other 2011 iMACs to upgrade
Peace MR MIKE
So now I have to put the 6970M back in & assign it a FIXED IP ADDRESS
Then put the NVIDIA K3100M back in &
try to SSH AGAIN
I shall hook up an eternal monitor &
leave the screen off this time
What a freakin ordeal
BUT I need to learn this
I have 3 other 2011 iMACs to upgrade
Peace MR MIKE
No pain no gain
Now I know almost every screw and connector inside my iMac, having opening and closing it for more than a dozen of times 😆
I actually bought a few more heatsink bracket/bezel to ease swapping of GPU without having to change it from one to another. Just take off 3 screws and pull the heatsink temperature sensor plug and then free to go. I also bought extra ODD temperature cables to attach to the 3 pipe heatsinks for connection to the ODD sensor plug.
I am looking for a connector to that GPU heatsink temperature sensor plug to bring it out for easier connection without reaching deep into the narrow space every time I swap the GPU. So far still can't find a ready made cable yet ...
Anyone knows what's the code name for that connector type ?
KENNY you da man
I have been working on MACchines for 25 years
I have had these 27 2011s apart > TOTALLY ALOT
I actually have a 2.7 GHz upgraded
It has a Xeon E1275 3.4 GHZ & a NVIDIA K3100 ( 4 GB VRAM )
With 32 GB of RAM & a 512 SSD & 2TB Storage HD
IT IS SLAMIN'
I have MOJAVE on it & a ton of software
I have this 3.4 GHZ & 2 > 3.1 GHz IMACs
I want to set up the same
I agree with the set up of the video cards & heatsinks etc
It would have been nice if APPLE had put the 3 screws &
the sensor plug on the outside
BUT NOoooooooo
Thanks for your help
I shall talk later
Going to bed now
Peace MR MIKE
I have been working on MACchines for 25 years
I have had these 27 2011s apart > TOTALLY ALOT
I actually have a 2.7 GHz upgraded
It has a Xeon E1275 3.4 GHZ & a NVIDIA K3100 ( 4 GB VRAM )
With 32 GB of RAM & a 512 SSD & 2TB Storage HD
IT IS SLAMIN'
I have MOJAVE on it & a ton of software
I have this 3.4 GHZ & 2 > 3.1 GHz IMACs
I want to set up the same
I agree with the set up of the video cards & heatsinks etc
It would have been nice if APPLE had put the 3 screws &
the sensor plug on the outside
BUT NOoooooooo
Thanks for your help
I shall talk later
Going to bed now
Peace MR MIKE
Oh, I now see that you have the iMac 2011 as compared to my 2010 which is much more user friendly in swapping the GPU.
Have a good sleep to face your adventure tomorrow 🤗
And best wishes with good luck !
No pain no gain
I am looking for a connector to that GPU heatsink temperature sensor plug to bring it out for easier connection without reaching deep into the narrow space every time I swap the GPU. So far still can't find a ready made cable yet ...
Anyone knows what's the code name for that connector type ?
Just cut the wire at the middle, and use a couple of male - female electrical wire plug. It's convenient for repeatable use, but looks ugly.
I use a good pair of curved twitzer for connecting/disconnecting the sensor cable. I must use a head-light to see inside, though.
For me, installing the MXM card is an issue, I have to loosen all the screw of the logic board to install the MXM card at the right angle and get it tightly fit to the slot, or else it just gets down half-way and make no contact with the logic board.
But I thought you have the iMac 2010 the same as mine in your signature ?
The screws are outside for easy access, unlike the 2011 which are under the logic board beyond simple reach.
There is a distinct cling/clutch to push the last few mm of the GPU card into the MXM slot.
To make room for the 3 pipe heatsink more comfortably, I have trimmed the horizontally lying plastics passing the bundles of SATA cables right underneath the GPU to allow more manipulation of the GPU.