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

[Schprecher]

...

Oh Sorry Mr. nikey22. i just want show u mistake in last bios.

one for K3000M, and K3100M with H5GQ2H24BFR.

some guys from that forum, who downloaded bios for K3000M and K3100M with H5GQ2H24BFR
find same problem as me.

for K3100M with BFR Memory i find solution and gave it to members this thred.
NOT YOU HELPED THEM!

i think, if ithat bios not worked proper! why this bios can be downloaded and flashed?

if someone do something for others and its for free. its good and pps thank you for u work.

but if u see, people ask you for help , why u call they - BAD. if work do bad from YOU!

 

[Ausdauersportler]

Can someone please tell me what I'm doing wrong with the OpenCore install?

I downloaded Catalina Loader dmg and the 0.6.3 zip file. I managed to restore the Catalina Loader DMG to an SD card using SuperDuper (Disk Utility wouldn't even attempt to restore the DMG because it said it had no boot tables or something, and Balena Etcher gave the same errors but attempted to restore it anyway but failed).

Anyway, SuperDuper restored the DMG to the SD card, I copied the EFI folder from the zip over to it, and it shows up in System Preferences. But, whenever I try to select it as the boot drive, it comes up with an error message and won't do it.

This is the error message: "You can’t change the startup disk to the selected disk. Running bless to place boot files failed."

I've searched this thread but couldn't find anything about this error.

The balena etcher throws this error messages from day one. You may search read the announcement @Nick [D]vB made originally and if your find it download his image. I do not answer any longer because I uploaded and downloaded the image using the normal disk utility several times now. It is working!

Because we have to encrypt the image (and it is done with the disk utility, otherwise the attachments will be marked by google.com and deleted by a moderator or simply automatically) you have to use the disk utility to restore. I deleted the reference to the balena etcher from my post.

EDIT: You may use the original image and replace the EFI folder. I should work, too.

 

[Ausdauersportler]

I made a small app that fixes the color-depth issue at startup for some cards, like the 780M with @nikey22's ROM. After startup, start this app, the screen should turn black for a second and the colors/performance should be good to go. Appears to be working fine for me but obviously needs some testing first. Previously i had to put my iMac to sleep at least once or change screen resolution back and forth to fix this problem, now its a bit faster as i set it up in a way that it runs automatically on startup.

Download: https://github.com/passatgt/imac-color-depth-fix

Usage: just simply double click imaccolordepthfix to run. You can add it to your login items(system settings/users/login items), so it runs on a fresh startup automatically.

Added this to FAQ - Q14.

 

[Zorrogarcia]

The difficulty with winbond or 8-WSON chip (mostly in nVidia cards) is that they are fatter (broader) and much more difficult to be clipped with little legs exposed for contact in their surface mount. There is also less adjacent free room for manipulation of your blunt clip ends for secure fixation to the chip due to its wider size and close-by components which may hinder your clip application. It is said to be also less forgiving to bad flashing if poor contact. Hence, it is often suggested to better flash the nVidia card in situ in your iMac or Windows PC.

Perhaps those who have done so may share their personal experience in clipping winbond chips.

Yeah if someone who have done it could share his personal experience he will give me a really great help ..

Initially my purpose was to flash the gpu directly into a windows bootcamp partition. But the gpu ,when is installed , gives me the boot-loop-chime issue and i've tried all the solutions proposed in the " known issues article"... that's why my last chance is the CH341A 😓

 

[motorm3]

Added this to FAQ - Q14.

I try this on quadro k3100m it works but now different problems if I wanna open something on desktop on top bar if I click for example sound WiFi go anything there it's pink and hard to read full of wierd lines

 

[KennyW]

Yeah if someone who have done it could share his personal experience he will give me a really great help ..

Initially my purpose was to flash the gpu directly into a windows bootcamp partition. But the gpu ,when is installed , gives me the boot-loop-chime issue and i've tried all the solutions proposed in the " known issues article"... that's why my last chance is the CH341A 😓

If you got a Windows PC, the simplest is to put it in and flash directly from Windows then.

My own limited experience with GPU cards that don't POST or go into boot loops can't be solved by flashing. There could be some hardware ID problems that are unknown to us, although the developers here are investigating deeply into that.

Hope you can have a good success in flashing it to work.

 

[Ausdauersportler]

Yeah if someone who have done it could share his personal experience he will give me a really great help ..

Initially my purpose was to flash the gpu directly into a windows bootcamp partition. But the gpu ,when is installed , gives me the boot-loop-chime issue and i've tried all the solutions proposed in the " known issues article"... that's why my last chance is the CH341A 😓

Before wasting more time on a possibly already dead card check this card in another PC system!

And please add a signature to your account containing your current hardware. I is annoying to guess what system we are exactly talking about.

 

[motorm3]

@Ausdauersportler, You were correct about "fun on eBay". Got around to installing one of the two K3000M cards today into VELMA (2009 iMac). Based on labels both are HP cards ("vbios: 80.04.33.00.2E") It was my first time needing to dremel a heatsink, or to flash over SSH using linux USB method; both those steps went smooth. I used @nikey22 's latest ROM. Unfortunately, after reboot the machine's internal display did not light, nor did an external monitor. Both had worked prior with a K2100M. Was that the same results you ran into?

UPDATE: Perhaps I spoke too soon. I had not attached the SSD for I thought I would see a boot screen, or the linux USB generate a display. I put in a Win10 DVD and the internal display sprang to life. Looks like I should be able to attach the SSD, boot to Mojave and perform Nikey22's post install steps. I must have mis-understood; had though I would see a boot screen by just holding [Option] and/or booting on OC during start regardless of the HD being present. Perhaps this is a success story, and I was too quick to accept failure. .

Got it to boot my pre-installed Mojave partition off the SSD, and show on the external display, so will proceeding with post-install brightness control change, and keep playing to see if I can get the internal display to work. Also the known "4GB bug" remains a concern (my card is 2GB). I will have to see if that actually presents an issue during use, while awaiting an update (fingers crossed):
View attachment 1681438

................................................................
I saved off the original bios, ran diffs, then flashed and ran verify. After reboot, I can still boot back to linux and see the K3000M in SSH, so should be able to flash again, or flash back. I'll wait a bit before re-installing the K2100M, incase you or others have a suggestion. Below is the transcript of the flash and verify:

Spoiler: nvflash_linux -6 Quadro_Beta1.2/K3000M_UGA.rom

ssh root@192.168.2.63
root@192.168.2.63's password:
Linux grml 4.19.0-1-grml-amd64 #1 SMP Debian 4.19.8-1+grml.1 (2018-12-11) x86_64
Grml - Linux for geeks

root@grml ~ # cd /lib/live/mount/medium/flash

root@grml /lib/live/mount/medium/flash # ./nvflash_linux --protectoff

NVIDIA Firmware Update Utility (Version 5.414.0)
Simplified Version For OEM Only
Adapter: Quadro K3000M (10DE,11BE,103C,176C) H:--:NRM S:00,B:01,D:00,F:00

Identifying EEPROM...
EEPROM ID (C2,2012) : MX MX25L2005 2.7-3.6V 2048Kx1S, page
Setting EEPROM software protect setting...
Remove EEPROM write protect complete.
root@grml /lib/live/mount/medium/flash # ./nvflash_linux -6 Quadro_Beta1.2/K3000M_UGA.rom

NVIDIA Firmware Update Utility (Version 5.414.0)
Simplified Version For OEM Only
Checking for matches between display adapter(s) and image(s)...

Adapter: Quadro K3000M (10DE,11BE,103C,176C) H:--:NRM S:00,B:01,D:00,F:00

WARNING: Firmware image PCI Subsystem ID (1028.15CD)
does not match adapter PCI Subsystem ID (103C.176C).

Please press 'y' to confirm override of PCI Subsystem ID's: y
Overriding PCI subsystem ID mismatch
Current - Version:80.04.33.00.2E ID:10DE:11BE:103C:176C
GK104 Board - 2051b501 (Normal Board)
Replace with - Version:80.04.6B.00.03 ID:10DE:11BE:1028:15CD
NVIDIA Quadro K3000M by nikey22 (Normal Board)

Update display adapter firmware?
Press 'y' to confirm (any other key to abort): y
Identifying EEPROM...
EEPROM ID (C2,2012) : MX MX25L2005 2.7-3.6V 2048Kx1S, page
Storing updated firmware image...
................................................................
Verifying update...
Update successful.

Firmware image has been updated from version 80.04.33.00.2E to 80.04.6B.00.03.


A reboot is required for the update to take effect.

root@grml /lib/live/mount/medium/flash # ./nvflash_linux --verify Quadro_Beta1.2/K3000M_UGA.rom

NVIDIA Firmware Update Utility (Version 5.414.0)
Simplified Version For OEM Only
Adapter: Quadro K3000M (10DE,11BE,103C,176C) H:--:NRM S:00,B:01,D:00,F:00

Identifying EEPROM...
EEPROM ID (C2,2012) : MX MX25L2005 2.7-3.6V 2048Kx1S, page
Reading adapter firmware image...
Current - Version:80.04.6B.00.03 ID:10DE:11BE:1028:15CD
NVIDIA Quadro K3000M by nikey22 (Normal Board)
Compare with - Version:80.04.6B.00.03 ID:10DE:11BE:1028:15CD
NVIDIA Quadro K3000M by nikey22 (Normal Board)

ERROR: Size difference between file(262144) and adapter firmware (216064)

View attachment 1681366

View attachment 1681369View attachment 1681371

So is there a new better bios for these cards quadro k3100m

 

[deniss1711]

For K3000M with last new bios, strapping modding not working.

Only K3100M with H5GQ2H24BFR need to be modded with strap config.

Ok, thank you for this information. This machine can wait.

 

[motorm3]

I made a small app that fixes the color-depth issue at startup for some cards, like the 780M with @nikey22's ROM. After startup, start this app, the screen should turn black for a second and the colors/performance should be good to go. Appears to be working fine for me but obviously needs some testing first. Previously i had to put my iMac to sleep at least once or change screen resolution back and forth to fix this problem, now its a bit faster as i set it up in a way that it runs automatically on startup.

Download: https://github.com/passatgt/imac-color-depth-fix

Usage: just simply double click imaccolordepthfix to run. You can add it to your login items(system settings/users/login items), so it runs on a fresh startup automatically.

So is this normal behaviour fo quadro k3100m to be like this on startup and after screen sleep back to normal would be good to see app like this for this card so it does it for you on boot up.

 

[motorm3]

This issue has been discussed here though not highlighted in the first post.
It is related to the low bit depth (? 8 or 16) on first activation of the GPU in OSX.
With sleeping and rewakening, the OSX graphic drivers will take over into full effect (24 bits) in eliminating that issue.

Have you read the post a few pages back whereby some users made a small application for loading as startup item to address this problem? Again NO easy fix. Wait for developers work on the vBIOS if any. You have to accept that limitation at the time being.

Maybe some kind soul can go through the 400+ pages of information and adds a Q&A session in 1st page on the problems raised and whether solutions are there ... but it is a daunting task 😔
I personally also miss some important info of interest spreading among the 10000+ posts

So this is a normal behaviour for the quadro k3100m first thing on boot up and after screen sleep back to normal

 

[Nguyen Duc Hieu]

Good point, though the CH341A only requires a free USB port (i.e. laptop) and they are more easily obtained. I had been wondered if these “PCI-E to MXM3.0” adapters would work, so thanks for answering that. Do you plug it directly to the motherboard’s PCI-E 1X slot, or use a riser with “stable power supply” as your link recommends? If so which riser do you use/recommend? Perhaps something like this?

Let's not complicate things. the MXM card does not drive any monitor, so it's doesn't need much power, just enough for Windows to recognize it.
It's convenient when you use atiwinflash or nvidia winflash.
I used atiwinflash and tried the Dell WX4150 vBIOS, atiwinflash refused to flash the card with some error message about sub system mismatched. Tried another WX4170 GOP rom and it worked.
If I had used the CH341a clip, it would have forced the flashing and render an unusable card.

 

[nikey22]

for K3100M with BFR Memory i find solution and gave it to members this thred.
NOT YOU HELPED THEM!

i think, if ithat bios not worked proper! why this bios can be downloaded and flashed?

if someone do something for others and its for free. its good and pps thank you for u work.

but if u see, people ask you for help , why u call they - BAD. if work do bad from YOU!

"work do bad from YOU!", really?

If I created a "BAD" product, then leave and don't use it! I am not claiming that these ROMs are perfect. They will need work to get them perfect. That is why it is fun; That is how progress is made. You are the only one that is constantly begging me for an instant solution and calling my work "dark" and "bad". Please grow up!

For K3000M with last new bios, strapping modding not working.
Only K3100M with H5GQ2H24BFR need to be modded with strap config.

Wrong.
Have you tested this? Do you have proof? Or are you just telling people to rip their hardware apart and see if the changes work?

You don't need to modify the hardware to get this to work. It just requires a BIOS mod to adjust for various GDDR5 ram latencies for different die generations. I've already made a K3100M custom mod for people who have sent me a personal request by messages to do that. And it works without any hardware mod.

 

[BadBiscuit]

If I created a "BAD" product, then leave and don't use it! I am not claiming that these ROMs are perfect. They will need work to get them perfect. That is why it is fun; That is how progress is made.

Don't let one person's remarks sour you. I try to assume the best of people, for I know tone and jokes can be misconstrued in text. My purchase of K3000M cards was made with full knowledge that it was a work in progress and I very much appreciate your work. These cards are attractive because they are one of the few that can still be found at a reasonable price, though I'm sure once the bios is perfected that will change.

Many thanks!

 

[Schprecher]

"work do bad from YOU!", really?

If I created a "BAD" product, then leave and don't use it! I am not claiming that these ROMs are perfect. They will need work to get them perfect. That is why it is fun; That is how progress is made. You are the only one that is constantly begging me for an instant solution and calling my work "dark" and "bad". Please grow up!


Wrong.
Have you tested this? Do you have proof? Or are you just telling people to rip their hardware apart and see if the changes work?

You don't need to modify the hardware to get this to work. It just requires a BIOS mod to adjust for various DDR5 ram latencies. I've already made a K3100M custom mod for people who have sent me a personal request by messages to do that. And it works without any hardware mod.

i made this mod for 3 cards with H5GQ2H24BFR .

Please take two cards K3100M with diffirenet bios version by default with original rom.
one for H5GQ2H24AFR and H5GQ2H24BFR.
look on the point of attached file, where strap resistor to change VRAM ID.

for K3100M with H5GQ2H24BFR - strap VRAM ID is 24,5Khom default.
for K3100M with H5GQ2H24AFR - strap VRAM ID is 33,4Khom default.

ur version bios modded for K3100M only for version with VRAM ID 33,4Khom.
This rule is write in GPIO sectoion in ROM, something like in AMD.

i think two guys from that theme, tell for u his result for getting change strap for H5GQ2H24BFR.
we will see, who was be wrong.

and last. I am friendly for u. i want to help u solve problem with damn K3000M and K3100M card.
for K4100M and K5100M no problem dude.

 

[Pacific1972]

thank u so much, it's really useful! one question, can u explain me what means (technically talking) "Some BIOS chips (e.g. win-bond type) cannot be flashed easily in this way, especially the nVidia Quadra Kxxxx series GPU" as @KennyW has said ?
i've read about lot of people with issues flashing the winbond 25X20CLNIG chip😖 ( maybe is that what Kenny wanted to say to me)

i'm really sorry for being a burden, but that's really new for me 😊🥶

Hmm, I've read now about SOP and WSON Chips - the clip is not for
both kind of BIOS Chips - if I understand your question correctly ?

By getting experience with CH341A it gaves some BIOS Chips, which
are not been identify correctly by the CH341A software (some newer
and few old BIOS chips but you can soldering old chips out and new
in (look on ebay for that supported BIOS Chips) !

For most BIOS Chips you must often download a Datasheet !

Look at the links from my last post and be sure to identify the correct
BIOS Chip (I think 5V instead of 3.3V is EEPROM) !

👋🙂

 

[MarcoC]

I’m trying to repair a 2011 iMac 21.5” changing the faulty GPU.
I have bought a Quadro k2100m for the HP Zbook. Unfortunatly, after the installation and the PRAM reset, iMac keeps rebooting just after the classic bong and third diagnostic LED is off.
Question: is there a specific k2100m GPU that I should look for (DELL?) or any type is a good one? Thanks

 

[Timmyt1000]

well I would like to thank you all for the incredible resource. this is my first time trying this. i look forward to the fun and frustrating project

 

[ezugaru]

I’m trying to repair a 2011 iMac 21.5” changing the faulty GPU.
I have bought a Quadro k2100m for the HP Zbook. Unfortunatly, after the installation and the PRAM reset, iMac keeps rebooting just after the classic bong and third diagnostic LED is off.
Question: is there a specific k2100m GPU that I should look for (DELL?) or any type is a good one? Thanks

For what i have read here, both should work. Did You already flashed the Card?

 

[MarcoC]

For what i have read here, both should work. Did You already flashed the Card?

No I didn’t yet. I was expecting to see something on the screen (not the noot screan, clearly). Should I flash it in advance?

 

[ezugaru]

No I didn’t yet. I was expecting to see something on the screen (not the noot screan, clearly). Should I flash it in advance?

Bro, You didnt read the 1st post, right? You have to flash the Card prior to reassembly your imac....now You have to tear it apart again..

 

[Ausdauersportler]

No I didn’t yet. I was expecting to see something on the screen (not the noot screan, clearly). Should I flash it in advance?

Get the Linux flash utility working and flash the card via this software. You really need to read the docs and forget the spoon feed thing. We cannot guide your remotely through every step just because you did not make a short plan in advance.

Read the first post, please.

 

[gnommak]

I was expecting to see something on the screen (not the noot screan, clearly).

You need to create Linux boot USB. Then put it in iMac and do a blind boot to Linux with connected Ethernet cable.
After connect over ssh from other computer and flash video card to support Mac.

 

[Ausdauersportler]

Metal benchmarks on post #1 - About graphics card performance​

Some days ago a new spoiler section about the performance of our new cards have been added. It contains a small table with download links of the software, upload links for your own results and view links to study what other people with other cards have achieved. Please run these tests on your one and upload results! Sharing is important! Easy way to collaborate!

Of course these benchmarks are always "synthetic" or "artificial" and do not reflect the real world experience. For browsing and Safari the smallest and cheapest card will be good enough, for some games there is never a good enough...

BTW:
I have another RX480 (which is a 4GB WX7100) only working in 2009 and 2010 iMac models, the fastest card you currently can get. Drop a private message if interested (Europe).

 

[Zorrogarcia]

Before wasting more time on a possibly already dead card check this card in another PC system!

And please add a signature to your account containing your current hardware. I is annoying to guess what system we are exactly talking about.

I'm sorry. i thought to have already added it but i did it in the wrong place ( section about and not signature ) 😅

i hope that the gpu isn't dead , i don't have another pc with an mxm slot to test if it works, moreover i can see that i'm not the only one with this issue with a k2100m and if the mojority of gpus are dead only who is lucky can do this upgrade, isn't it?