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

[internetzel]

I started experimenting a little bit and when I plug in my boot drive using a data to USB adapter into a USB port and my open core usb into another USB port I am able to boot into the desktop. However in there the system freezes again and reboots.

I really think this is an opencore issue instead of a hardware issue.

Should the internal display do anything if open core was fully uninstalled by removing usb and doing a couple pram resets?

Thanks

sieuwe

OpenCore is responsible for providing a display driver for boot screens, the OS display drivers are responsible for the screens once the drivers are launched before logging in.
So in case the VBIOS has the right connector definitions for your board the OS should be able to drive both screens without any need for OpenCore.
A correctly configured OpenCore helps enabling brightness adjustment for certain cards.

 

[Johnny Sanzimippi]

[...]
I've just whiped my Big Sur partition once again, re-partitioned the drive, and I'm starting it all again with iMac Micropatcher from my High Sierra partition.
[...]

I went through all the process again, but nothing changed.
I still have full acceleration in Big Sur, smooth video playback, but when I launch a benchmark tool... looks like I have a GeForce 9400M on board, and that's really demotivating, since I've paid 65€ for my K1100M...

Do you have the original VBIOS

Ehm... I saved my iMac original ROM with ROMTool, then I followed the steps to flash the VBIOS on the card via SSH from my MacBook Air. I didn't explicitly said "save" in some way the old VBIOS before flashing the new one, so I guess that's gone forever... or it saved it somewhere automatically?

What if I try to re-flash che card via SSH a second time? do you think there's a chance to solve my problems, or it will probably only make them even worse?

 

[Andrey335]

Hi everyone
I have iMac 27 mid 2011 i7 with successfully installed 880m 8gb (nikey22 VBIOS). But the only problem is my iMac won't wake up from sleep. No any reaction on mouse or keyboard. Pressing power button gives short sound (1 second max) of spooling up hdd or fan and nothing happens. To power it I should pull the power cable out the wall.
I already tried smc and pram reset, freshly reinstall high Sierra, freshly reinstall Mojave (Dosdude1 patched, legacy gpu patch disable), nothing helps, same problem
The only thing that helped is change hibernatemode from 0 to 25, but still no reaction to keyboard or mouse, only power button and waking up is taking mach more time.
any ideas to bring back normal sleep mode with GTX880m?

 

[Ausdauersportler]

Hi everyone
I have iMac 27 mid 2011 i7 with successfully installed 880m 8gb (nikey22 VBIOS). But the only problem is my iMac won't wake up from sleep. No any reaction on mouse or keyboard. Pressing power button gives short sound (1 second max) of spooling up hdd or fan and nothing happens. To power it I should pull the power cable out the wall.
I already tried smc and pram reset, freshly reinstall high Sierra, freshly reinstall Mojave (Dosdude1 patched, legacy gpu patch disable), nothing helps, same problem
The only thing that helped is change hibernatemode from 0 to 25, but still no reaction to keyboard or mouse, only power button and waking up is taking mach more time.
any ideas to bring back normal sleep mode with GTX880m?

First post - install macOS section or common problems.

 

[Ausdauersportler]

I went through all the process again, but nothing changed.
I still have full acceleration in Big Sur, smooth video playback, but when I launch a benchmark tool... looks like I have a GeForce 9400M on board, and that's really demotivating, since I've paid 65€ for my K1100M...

Ehm... I saved my iMac original ROM with ROMTool, then I followed the steps to flash the VBIOS on the card via SSH from my MacBook Air. I didn't explicitly said "save" in some way the old VBIOS before flashing the new one, so I guess that's gone forever... or it saved it somewhere automatically?

What if I try to re-flash che card via SSH a second time? do you think there's a chance to solve my problems, or it will probably only make them even worse?

So, because nobody said so explicitly it is a good idea to overwrite data? Is this common sense? Are you sure the post about the Linux flash utility or the readme files did not mention how to save the original bios.

 

[sieuwe01]

OpenCore is responsible for providing a display driver for boot screens, the OS display drivers are responsible for the screens once the drivers are launched before logging in.
So in case the VBIOS has the right connector definitions for your board the OS should be able to drive both screens without any need for OpenCore.
A correctly configured OpenCore helps enabling brightness adjustment for certain cards.

I see. So without opencore the internal display will function fine. Just no bootscreen and no brightness control. I tought the internal display would do nothing without OpenCore.

I find it wierd that my GPU shows display sometimes and boot loops. But I suspect now this is because there is a small hardware problem on the GPU causing this behavior. I will buy another wx4130 to try. I really need the Final Cut Pro performance so I dont want to try an Nvidia card.

Or does someone here live in the Netherlands and is willing to test my GPU if I come and bring it?

Thanks

Sieuwe

 

[Penguin322]

is there a breakdown on how roms are made? i have a k600 card i really want / need a bootscreen for to use on my macpro, i appreciate it's a totally different system so any pointers would be appreciated

 

[Umarx]

SALUTE to all the patient supporters and their guidance, to you Ausdauerportler for helping me come this far.

I got that sweet booted moment after formatting the SSD and clean installing High Sierra and booting with external display first using the next-to-firewire port. WX4130 is recognized as RX 460 so the vbios was done correctly.

Next was to attach the internal display and it lit up after a while giving me login screen on external and logging in to desktop on the internal. (Attached)

Now with opencore the boot finishes with red screen taking over and it asks for login password and the beach ball takes over till I restart and all that happens on a red screens (attached). What could be holding this to go further, need expert help if possible.

Respect and thanks again to all for helping.

 

[Johnny Sanzimippi]

So, because nobody said so explicitly it is a good idea to overwrite data? Is this common sense? Are you sure the post about the Linux flash utility or the readme files did not mention how to save the original bios.

"Everyone makes mistakes that's why pencils have erasers".
I'm not familiar with Linux shell, so I was following a YouTube guide to flash with Linux stick, just to be sure that I was doin' it correctly. The guy skipped the "save old VBIOS" part, so I thought maybe it wasn't that big of a deal.
Now I know it was, and looks like the law doesn't admit ignorance.

I now have a crippled card for unknown reasons and have to live with it. Fine.

Thanks for lesson learned, if there's gonna be a next time, I'll be much more cautious.

 

[Ausdauersportler]

"Everyone makes mistakes that's why pencils have erasers".
I'm not familiar with Linux shell, so I was following a YouTube guide to flash with Linux stick, just to be sure that I was doin' it correctly. The guy skipped the "save old VBIOS" part, so I thought maybe it wasn't that big of a deal.
Now I know it was, and looks like the law doesn't admit ignorance.

I now have a crippled card for unknown reasons and have to live with it. Fine.

Thanks for lesson learned, if there's gonna be a next time, I'll be much more cautious.

I hope your magic eraser brings back the lost vBIOS file.

You have not crippled the card and it is still unclear why the card is acting in this way. I assume the vBIOS does not really fit but you destroyed successfully all the bridges behind you. So there is no way back to check the performance with the original (which was good according to your own tests!).

You may get another vBIOS from techpowerup.com and check it. If you find one (most likely Dell versions) which runs with your card and performs as good as the other ones you may upload it. You will not have an EFI Boot screen or brightness control and face all the seven problem listed (no, not on YouTube) on the first post.

 

[globetribe]

SALUTE to all the patient supporters and their guidance, to you Ausdauerportler for helping me come this far.

I got that sweet booted moment after formatting the SSD and clean installing High Sierra and booting with external display first using the next-to-firewire port. WX4130 is recognized as RX 460 so the vbios was done correctly.

Next was to attach the internal display and it lit up after a while giving me login screen on external and logging in to desktop on the internal. (Attached)

Now with opencore the boot finishes with red screen taking over and it asks for login password and the beach ball takes over till I restart and all that happens on a red screens (attached). What could be holding this to go further, need expert help if possible.

Respect and thanks again to all for helping.

Could you detail a little bit what you are using as OpenCore and which step you performed after booting up in HS.
On my end I use catalina loader 0.57 to get a boot screen w/o the second screen connected. That was the first step for me before stabilizing the setup and running benchmark

 

[passatgt]

I'm wondering if it would be possible to upgrade the display with a 4k panel 🤔

 

[lee5434]

There is a ready to use kernel extensions called AppleBacklightfixup.kext included in a package installer mentioned on post #1 in the „install new macOS versions“. No need to edit it manually, but all you need to do is reading all the sections on post #1 carefully.

Thanks for the information. However, I did a search on "install new macOS versions" but could not find it. Could you please provide the link to that post? Thanks.

 

[herrdude]

I'm wondering if it would be possible to upgrade the display with a 4k panel 🤔

No, no way. The dimensions, the connectors, etc. are all different. 2011 was the last year of the thick bezel iMacs.

 

[Ausdauersportler]

Thanks for the information. However, I did a search on "install new macOS versions" but could not find it. Could you please provide the link to that post? Thanks.

I am really tired of such answers!! Please re read carefully. I am not starting spoon feeding ...

 

[Umarx]

Could you detail a little bit what you are using as OpenCore and which step you performed after booting up in HS.
On my end I use catalina loader 0.57 to get a boot screen w/o the second screen connected. That was the first step for me before stabilizing the setup and running benchmark

My humble advice is to grab a pen and paper to list down steps from 1st page and respective links and filter them for AMD as nvidia instructions might confuse you.

First Boot
My first boot after changing the WX4130 card was without internal display, external monitor was plugged in next to firewire port (left). This boot was without CL USB, to check, I got black boot screen and got HS login screen after a while for the login password. It logged me in and I checked the graphic specs (as screenshot was attached).
This was exactly as Ausdauerportler guided for AMD cards.

Furthermore, I installed the internal screen and kept the external also attached, rebooted again to check without CL USB in HS. This brought both screens to login directly (no boot screen) and it logged in and gave desktop.

Catalina Loader Boot
Edit: Before booting into CL, I selected Catalina Loader USB flash disk as my default startup drive, in system preferences.
This time I used the CL USB (details attached) and I got boot choice screen after some time. I chose the HS drive and came to red login screen only on external display (as attached previously). I am not able to pass this screen as it gives beach ball eternal spin once I login.

I suspect HS needs to be updated, which I will try and update.

 

[Andrey335]

First post - install macOS section or common problems.

But sir, installing High Sierra (which I have clean installed) section says only to install black screen option package which I done with no luck (sip disable, all packages checked). I have 880m so second point about install the iMacPro1,1 version of the AppleIntelSNBGraphicsFB.kext doesn't refer to me (it is for amd) and I didn't try it
Q2 (Sleep is broken and QuickSync is not working ) in some common OS problems section also doesn't refer to me, as now I try to use Hight Sierra.
What should I try next? thank you

 

[Ausdauersportler]

Sorry, there is no such iMacPro1,1 AMD extension in the High Sierra Package.

Did you read the heading of the post where you found the package you used?
Did you read the description at all?

 

[bluecrowHH]

My humble advice is to grab a pen and paper to list down steps from 1st page and respective links and filter them for AMD as nvidia instructions might confuse you.

First Boot
My first boot after changing the WX4130 card was without internal display, external monitor was plugged in next to firewire port (left). This boot was without CL USB, to check, I got black boot screen and got HS login screen after a while for the login password. It logged me in and I checked the graphic specs (as screenshot was attached).
This was exactly as Ausdauerportler guided for AMD cards.

Furthermore, I installed the internal screen and kept the external also attached, rebooted again to check without CL USB in HS. This brought both screens to login directly (no boot screen) and it logged in and gave desktop.

Catalina Loader Boot
This time I used the CL USB (details attached) and booted with option pressed and I got boot choice screen after some time. I chose the HS drive and came to red login screen only on external display (as attached previously). I am not able to pass this screen as it gives beach ball eternal spin once I login.

I suspect HS needs to be updated, which I will try and update.

Furthermore, I installed the internal screen and kept the external also attached, rebooted again to check without CL USB in HS. This brought both screens to login directly (no boot screen) and it logged in and gave desktop.

How to do that?

@ Ausdauersportler: Here is my result for I7 860s, WX4130 @ Imac 2010 21,5.

 

[bluecrowHH]

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 DisplayPort Output.

I'm uploading a patched AppleGrapahicsControl.kext that is now necessary as of 10.15.4, the symptoms after this update are a blank screen but system sounds are heard when holding down the Escape key, as well a loss of any Displayport output. The cause of this is Apple Clamping down on 3rd party kexts from loading, this mainly affects hackintosh users, but affects us as our iMacs are no longer a supported platform.

What does this patched AppleGraphicsControl.kext do to allow 2009-2011 iMacs to properly boot? We now need our board ID's to be added to the AppleGraphicsDevicePolicy.kext within AppleGraphicsControl.kext, this allows the kext to properly load on boot, before this wasn't necessarily needed. I have so far all known 5 board ID's that are supported on our thread.

iMac12,2	(27-inch Mid 2011)	Mac-942B59F58194171B
iMac12,1	(21.5-inch Mid 2011)	Mac-942B5BF58194151B
iMac11,3	(27-inch Mid 2010)	Mac-F2238BAE
iMac11,2	(21.5-inch Mid 2010)	Mac-F2238AC8
iMac11,1	(27-inch Late 2009)	Mac-F2268DAE

Thanks to @Ausdauersportler for the helping/testing for this kext.

How to install when your iMac boots with a Blank screen? (assuming your LCD works just fine)

When booting you need to Hold Alt/Option to bring up the AppleBootPicker, then select the Catalina partition. Since the iMac's Screen is already on when using AppleBootPicker the iMacs screen will remain on the entire boot process allowing you to log in and then proceed to install the Patched AppleGraphicsControl Kext.

To install this kext
1. unlock your System partition, open terminal enter

sudo mount -uw /
killall Finder

2. drag the kext on-top of the kext utility icon let it install/timeout with an error.

3. Open terminal and enter "sudo reboot" skipping this step may leave your iMac hanging at the desktop (A Catalina issue)


Make sure to unzip the kext to a new folder, so there aren't any "1" or "2"... at the end of the AppleGraphicsControl.kext filename. Remember the is replacing the System Kext in System/Library/Extensions and must be done using Kext Utility linked here http://cvad-mac.narod.ru/index/0-4.

I dont understnd this post. Im working with internal screen on due to connection with an external. Where do I have to start and proceed? Thank you.

 

[Andrey335]

Sorry, there is no such iMacPro1,1 AMD extension in the High Sierra Package.

Did you read the heading of the post where you found the package you used?
Did you read the description at all?

Yes, I did carefully read whole post#1 before posting. maybe some misunderstanding here.
Again, iMac27 gtx880m by nikey22, clean High Sierra.
Upgrade you (Mac)OS on the metal capable iMac>Install High Sierra section:To avoid the black screen issue install this package. I did it with no luck (sip disable, all packages checked)
"If you are using High Sierra with an AMD GPU using OpenCore as explained above on an iMac 2011 you need to install the iMacPro1,1 version of the AppleIntelSNBGraphicsFB.kext, too. Otherwise your system will not be able to sleep and panic on wake!" - I didn't try it because I have nvidia
Some common macOS problem and solutions>Q2: Sleep is broken and QuickSync is not working on my iMac 2011 in Mojave and Catalina, how do I fix this? solution also doesn't suit for me because I use High Sierra now. What should I try now?

 

[globetribe]

Furthermore, I installed the internal screen and kept the external also attached, rebooted again to check without CL USB in HS. This brought both screens to login directly (no boot screen) and it logged in and gave desktop.

How to do that?

@ Ausdauersportler: Here is my result for I7 860s, WX4130 @ Imac 2010 21,5.

As simple as it is described. With WX4130 secondary screen turns the main screen on after pressing ON. If you are using a single OS on your iMAC it will launch after some time with black screen. Catalina Loader is just used there to get a boot screen

My humble advice is to grab a pen and paper to list down steps from 1st page and respective links and filter them for AMD as nvidia instructions might confuse you.

First Boot
My first boot after changing the WX4130 card was without internal display, external monitor was plugged in next to firewire port (left). This boot was without CL USB, to check, I got black boot screen and got HS login screen after a while for the login password. It logged me in and I checked the graphic specs (as screenshot was attached).
This was exactly as Ausdauerportler guided for AMD cards.

Furthermore, I installed the internal screen and kept the external also attached, rebooted again to check without CL USB in HS. This brought both screens to login directly (no boot screen) and it logged in and gave desktop.

Catalina Loader Boot
This time I used the CL USB (details attached) and booted with option pressed and I got boot choice screen after some time. I chose the HS drive and came to red login screen only on external display (as attached previously). I am not able to pass this screen as it gives beach ball eternal spin once I login.

I suspect HS needs to be updated, which I will try and update.

Did you set Catalina Loader as the boot drive in settings >> start-up disk ? doing so will launch OC at startup which will show automatically the boot screen. No need to press option key.

 

[Umarx]

As simple as it is described. With WX4130 secondary screen turns the main screen on after pressing ON. If you are using a single OS on your iMAC it will launch after some time with black screen. Catalina Loader is just used there to get a boot screen



Did you set Catalina Loader as the boot drive in settings >> start-up disk ? doing so will launch OC at startup which will show automatically the boot screen. No need to press option key.

yes, I missed mentioning that here, will do edit. Thanks

 

[globetribe]

Any change with another version of the Catalina Loader ?

what I suggest:
- boot in HS w/o Catalina Loader
- reboot
- try multiple PRAM reset
- reboot in HS
- insert new Catalina Loader with proper config.plist
- reboot and cross finger.

link to Catalina Loader post: here

 

[Ginoga77]

Hi, i have this card k5100m, i wont install on imac 27, i5 3,1 ghz 2011.I will mod its heat sinks, it’s everything ok, this Rom works fine?