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

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The first post of this thread is a WikiPost and can be edited by anyone with the appropiate permissions. Your edits will be public.
madvinegar said:
You just saved the GPU's original bios. You did not flash the new one.
Click to expand...
AHHHHHH....THANKS, Madvinegar! Any suggestions on steps I can take to correct this?

Two more factors and questions:
1) First, I wasn't sure I was in the right folder when I flashed the GPU...I need to make sure I find out how to move around between folders while SSH'ing into the 27" when using the Linux USB stick! The video link isn't too clear on this! Any sources or suggestions welcomed!

2) Second, I got impatient & put the OEM GPU (AMD Radeon HD 6970M 2 GB) back into the machine and have since installed MacOS Monterey using OCLP. The System Firmware Version is still showing as "87.0.0.0.0", which is the version required by the ROM's. A question I have is: do I need to re-install stock High Sierra in order to put the K3000M back in, then SSH and flash it properly? Or, can I do this just by unplugging the SSD (since the System Firmware Version is still "87.0.0.0.0)?

I know this is a lot, and I'm GRATEFUL for any help and suggestions from everyone! Thanks for sharing your wisdom!!
 
hashbot said:
Is your memory chips AFR? or BFR? I just got a k4100m with AFR and the windows drivers will not load. artifacts and tearing with the @nikey22 BIOS from the table. If you have BFR chips, the rom on the post #1 table should work. It could be failing AFR card or the rom is not correct.

Does anyone know how to add AFR memory compatibility to the rom from post#1 ?
Click to expand...
am using correct version for vram, problem with start 40-60 sec stuck before its show login screen or desktop.
.
i need older version k4100m bios for check this out. from 2019 or 2020
 
PrazJunkie said:
AHHHHHH....THANKS, Madvinegar! Any suggestions on steps I can take to correct this?

Two more factors and questions:
1) First, I wasn't sure I was in the right folder when I flashed the GPU...I need to make sure I find out how to move around between folders while SSH'ing into the 27" when using the Linux USB stick! The video link isn't too clear on this! Any sources or suggestions welcomed!

2) Second, I got impatient & put the OEM GPU (AMD Radeon HD 6970M 2 GB) back into the machine and have since installed MacOS Monterey using OCLP. The System Firmware Version is still showing as "87.0.0.0.0", which is the version required by the ROM's. A question I have is: do I need to re-install stock High Sierra in order to put the K3000M back in, then SSH and flash it properly? Or, can I do this just by unplugging the SSD (since the System Firmware Version is still "87.0.0.0.0)?

I know this is a lot, and I'm GRATEFUL for any help and suggestions from everyone! Thanks for sharing your wisdom!!
Click to expand...
Find IP of your iMac– name: GRML or Apple Inc. I used a program called debookee.


Terminal commands (in italics):

ssh root@YOURIP
Replace YOURIP with the IP of your iMac
(Password: flash)

lsblk
(to find: /lib/live/mount/persistence/sdb2) - your usb name might be different, mine was sdb2

cd /lib/live/mount/persistence/sdb2/flash

./nvflash_linux --save Backups/Orig_K3000m.rom
(to backup your old bios)


./nvflash_linux --protectoff

./nvflash_linux -6 Quadro_Beta1.2/k3000m_v4.rom

Shutdown now



One important Note. The new GPU bios should be inside the "Quadro_Beta1.2" folder in the linux USB stick.
I see your GPU has three different BIOS roms in the 1st page. Make sure you select the correct one.
 
Last edited:
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madvinegar said:
Find IP of your iMac– name: GRML or Apple Inc. I used a program called debookee.


Terminal commands (in italics):

ssh root@YOURIP
Replace YOURIP with the IP of your iMac
(Password: flash)

lsblk
(to find: /lib/live/mount/persistence/sdb2) - your usb name might be different, mine was sdb2

cd /lib/live/mount/persistence/sdb2/flash

./nvflash_linux --save Backups/Orig_K3000m.rom
(to backup your old bios)


./nvflash_linux --protectoff

./nvflash_linux -6 Quadro_Beta1.2/k3000m_v4.rom

Shutdown now



One important Note. The new GPU bios should be inside the "Quadro_Beta1.2" folder in the linux USB stick.
I see your GPU has three different BIOS roms in the 1st page. Make sure you select the correct one.
Click to expand...
Thanks! I'll give it a shot this week. MUCH APPRECIATED!!
TM
 
Hello,

I considering to buy a K1000m or K2000m. Which one should i take both around the same price.
Which one has the better performance?
Both are from HP

Do i just need to Flash the custom Bios on it and Drill the Holes trough the Bracket? Im Afraid of taking the X Bracket off because of the Glue.

Thank you :)
 
nikey22 said:
@xbox3605
I've seen this happen before with other members, it seems the rom is missing some Samsung vram straps. I've patched this one, please try it out. Thanks!
Click to expand...
Hi, unfortunately is the same, after the flash i did pram smc reset but no change was made its still show me 4 gb
 
Greyday23 said:
Hello,

I considering to buy a K1000m or K2000m. Which one should i take both around the same price.
Which one has the better performance?
Both are from HP

Do i just need to Flash the custom Bios on it and Drill the Holes trough the Bracket? Im Afraid of taking the X Bracket off because of the Glue.

Thank you :)
Click to expand...
I got the k2100m. It is better than the k1000m for sure.
I got one from Dell. I don't know if the HP ones will work OK because they have a different BIOS. Hopefully when you flash the new modded BIOS via ssh, they will work OK but better to confirm this with some member here who got an HP nvidia card.
To take the bracket off you can use a hair dryer to warm a little the glue and then use a small screw driver to push gently the X bracket out of the GPU from the opposite side.
 
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nikey22 said:
@xbox3605
I've seen this happen before with other members, it seems the rom is missing some Samsung vram straps. I've patched this one, please try it out. Thanks!
Click to expand...
k3100 , k4100, k5100 have problem with windows 10, black screen on login. some cards wait 30-40 sec, some stay in blackscreen more than 2-3 min.

nikey22, can u please send older version k4100 from 2019 year
or can u made k4100m_eg2 version like 780m_eg2 version
this better work with windows and opencore. thank you.

please help us.
 
madvinegar said:
I got the k2100m. It is better than the k1000m for sure.
I got one from Dell. I don't know if the HP ones will work OK because they have a different BIOS. Hopefully when you flash the new modded BIOS via ssh, they will work OK but better to confirm this with some member here who got an HP nvidia card.
To take the bracket off you can use a hair dryer to warm a little the glue and then use a small screw driver to push gently the X bracket out of the GPU from the opposite side.
Click to expand...
The k2100m has a much higher price in my country.

Idk if i should go for the k2000m or the k1000m...

I tried the trick with the hair dryer on another card of mine but it didnt worked. The glue sticked way to much hope that it works on the NVidia one.
 
bahersaleh said:
My 2011 27” imac with k3100m has no display and only 2 leds indicator on , I tried to use usb pen method to flash , but when i try to ssh my imac it gives me port 22 : operation timed out like shown in pics . My imac online and have an ip adress on router page , any help pls
Click to expand...
Anyone help me pls
 
Ausdauersportler said:
Just check the tables on the first post and take your pick!
There is only one GPU family left with full support on Monterey and no sleep/wake issues…
@Nick [D]vB advertised these cards as the most future proof ones.
You will find the cards yourself.
Click to expand...
Which card is that, I've looked at the 1st post and there's no mentions of the sleep/wake issues under known issues/ problems. I expanded the entire 1st post and only found this section regarding sleep/wake but I was primarily looking at nvidia kepler cards:
  • add support for AMD GCN cards (M4000, WX5170M/M5100, W6170M/M6000/M6100, and more). These will not offer VideoToolbox Support for Video Editing (4K HEVC and 4K H.264) but may will be more future proof than NVIDIA Kepler cards. All these cards break sleep/wake in iMac12,x (mid 2011)!


I was just planning on leaving high sierra on there. I really just want an iMac without having to hard restart 3-4 times before mouse and keyboard are functional.

Thanks,
 
panduhsaur said:
Which card is that, I've looked at the 1st post and there's no mentions of the sleep/wake issues under known issues/ problems. I expanded the entire 1st post and only found this section regarding sleep/wake but I was primarily looking at nvidia kepler cards:
  • add support for AMD GCN cards (M4000, WX5170M/M5100, W6170M/M6000/M6100, and more). These will not offer VideoToolbox Support for Video Editing (4K HEVC and 4K H.264) but may will be more future proof than NVIDIA Kepler cards. All these cards break sleep/wake in iMac12,x (mid 2011)!


I was just planning on leaving high sierra on there. I really just want an iMac without having to hard restart 3-4 times before mouse and keyboard are functional.

Thanks,
Click to expand...
There are three tables of cards, check the other AMD family. But you are probably better suited with a cheaper NVIDIA card like the K1100M.
 
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no one care, if work windows 10 or its doesnt.
why drivers stuck on logon.
all just want to know - how can i flash card and how i can not stuck in mud.

and i want to ask all stuff in that thread, why in FAQ no information about STUCK windows 10 after
nvidia drivers installation goes it on black screen, and what pps can do with this situation.
 
Hi, what would be the reason that an iMac12,1 would boot but not show an image on the display? I've made sure that the display is connected and the 4 leds all lit up when I powered on the iMac, indicating that it sees both the display and the graphics card, my question now is, which one might be the culprit, the display or the motherboard? I've bought this iMac second hand (obviously) for cheap and it has some marks of rust on the right and upper left part of the display, yet the iMac chimes when I turn it on.
 
MrZupp said:
Hi, what would be the reason that an iMac12,1 would boot but not show an image on the display? I've made sure that the display is connected and the 4 leds all lit up when I powered on the iMac, indicating that it sees both the display and the graphics card, my question now is, which one might be the culprit, the display or the motherboard? I've bought this iMac second hand (obviously) for cheap and it has some marks of rust on the right and upper left part of the display, yet the iMac chimes when I turn it on.
Click to expand...
If you've already successfully flashed the GPU. Then try replacing the Backlight Inverter board, that was the part that was giving issues on mine.
 
madvinegar said:
Find IP of your iMac– name: GRML or Apple Inc. I used a program called debookee.


Terminal commands (in italics):

ssh root@YOURIP
Replace YOURIP with the IP of your iMac
(Password: flash)

lsblk
(to find: /lib/live/mount/persistence/sdb2) - your usb name might be different, mine was sdb2

cd /lib/live/mount/persistence/sdb2/flash

./nvflash_linux --save Backups/Orig_K3000m.rom
(to backup your old bios)


./nvflash_linux --protectoff

./nvflash_linux -6 Quadro_Beta1.2/k3000m_v4.rom

Shutdown now



One important Note. The new GPU bios should be inside the "Quadro_Beta1.2" folder in the linux USB stick.
I see your GPU has three different BIOS roms in the 1st page. Make sure you select the correct one.
Click to expand...
It worked! I had to alter some things slightly, but I was able to get it flashed! I reverted back to stock High Sierra, and might change to Catalina using DosDude patcher, instead of Monterey using OCLP. I'm undecided.
But at least my GPU is flashed! THANKS for your help, Madvinegar!
 
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Hi, everyone! Just flashed an NVIDIA Quadro K3000M on a 2011 27", using Nikkey22's ROM and Curtis Gross' YouTube video (and some help from forum user Madvinegar!)
QUESTION: Do I HAVE to perform the Post-installation Requirements: ???
I already have Genuine Native Boot Screen & Brightness Control - is it ESSENTIAL to do the rest? Oh, and I'm not sure why, but I have no chime on startup (but I have regular audio within High Sierra).
Thanks all - GREAT forum!
TM
 
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