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You would be best to upgrade to a more modern card and then run a 10.7 virtual machine in Parallels with the software you need. You would be able to restore a disk image of your current drive into the VM with disk utility. Otherwise you are going to be stuck with a card known for failure
Belatedly picked up your post which I appreciate very much. Given that 2010 iMac AMD GPU are much slower than the 2011 6970 2gb with only 512Mbs cache your suggestion is an attractive option. Putting the 2011 mac aside for the moment, I currently use a 2019 iMac with fast 2 GB NVME SSD and 32GB RAM which will assist VMware.

I have no experience of VMware. I have complete cloned Mac 10.7 and 10.10 o/s including all compatible Apps and my Account files available on individual HDD’s. I can drop HDD’s into dock and presumably, clone into VMware.

Is my understanding correct that I must first prepare iMac with API’s before I can purchase and run a commercially purchased VM software? or do VM software products offer install processes to enable mac to run VMware thus avoiding the installation of API’s via Terminal? https://developer.apple.com/documentation/virtualization/installing_macos_on_a_virtual_machine

• Would I be able to install VM on the 2019 iMac and run Lion o/s in VM on same machine?
• Is it better to run Macos 10.7 VM on dedicated external bootable drive?
• Would I be better off using Boot Camp to run the older 10.7 Macos?

I want to be sure I use the best approach.

Your thoughts would be appreciated.
Cheers.
 
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imac 2011 27 rx5500xt mxm can use mac os in OCLP. But when I switch to Windows 10(OCLP), the screen goes black. Is there any solution?

Thank you everyone.
 
I am hoping somebody can lend me a hand with making a step to step guide. I've tried as much as a I can but it seems there are a few variables at this point and it would be great to get somebodies opinion.

I have an iMac 11,3 with a busted GPU. Since there is no display I am not able to install macOS High Sierra and OpenCore. Based on the main page, OpenCore released a compatibility bootloader which can be accessed by mashing esc on boot. This should at least allow me to confirm if my GPU bios flash worked or not (spoiler it did not work).

I purchased an M5100 to flash and replace the old GPU. First issue is that the memory type did not match any available BIOS. It is SKhynix MSGQ2H24AFR. I flashed the BFR GOP version as I saw somebody in a youtube with a similar situation.

I assembled the computer back together with no internal drive, plugged in a USB with the latest opencore and GOP injection, mashed esc on boot and have no display. Would somebody mind lending me a hand, I feel like I skipped a step here. Or maybe give me some troubleshooting steps.

Thanks!
 
Not quite sure what I did wrong but I flashed the SKhynix BFR version btw. M5100-EnableGop91-LVDS-HynixBFR to the videocard, since it has the BFR memory. (SKhynix, H5GC2H24BFR T2C 441V).

Accessed the videocard now again via SSH using GRML Linux. I'm not quite sure what vBIOS is need. I thought that the HynixBFR version was the correct one. Can't seem to connect to the Mac anymore. Getting: Connection Refused on Port 22.

Update 18/09/2023

Okay fixed the SSH connection. Installed multiple rom's:

  1. M5100-EG2_HynixBFR_adj.rom, did not work, no screen, no bootpicker, all black.
  2. M5100-EnableGop910-LVDS-HynixBFR.rom, did not work, no screen, no bootpicker, all black.
  3. M5100-GOP_HynixBFR.rom, does work, giving screen, can see the boot picker, but when booting into MacOS I've got a Yellow screen again, sometimes it's purple. Unless when I boot into Safe Mode. It is showing my GPU as an HD7xxx with 2GB vram tho.
@Ausdauersportler Have you got any ideas? Am I doing something wrong, am I missing out on something?
Hello, what processor is installed in your imac? I have the same problem, but there is one detail: the problem started after I updated my cpu, I have an imac 11.2 (21.5" mid 2010) with the original factory core i3, but when trying to update the pro core i7 860s processor this problem appeared, I suspected it was the modified vbios, but from your experience it seems not to be the case, I would try to restore the original vbios to see if it would have any effect.
 
Not quite sure what I did wrong but I flashed the SKhynix BFR version btw. M5100-EnableGop91-LVDS-HynixBFR to the videocard, since it has the BFR memory. (SKhynix, H5GC2H24BFR T2C 441V).

Accessed the videocard now again via SSH using GRML Linux. I'm not quite sure what vBIOS is need. I thought that the HynixBFR version was the correct one. Can't seem to connect to the Mac anymore. Getting: Connection Refused on Port 22.

Update 18/09/2023

Okay fixed the SSH connection. Installed multiple rom's:

  1. M5100-EG2_HynixBFR_adj.rom, did not work, no screen, no bootpicker, all black.
  2. M5100-EnableGop910-LVDS-HynixBFR.rom, did not work, no screen, no bootpicker, all black.
  3. M5100-GOP_HynixBFR.rom, does work, giving screen, can see the boot picker, but when booting into MacOS I've got a Yellow screen again, sometimes it's purple. Unless when I boot into Safe Mode. It is showing my GPU as an HD7xxx with 2GB vram tho.
@Ausdauersportler Have you got any ideas? Am I doing something wrong, am I missing out on something?
Please head to the first post, check the GPU tables, look up the M5100 post and read about needing OpenCore. Use the GOP vBIOS, there is no other one.
 
I am hoping somebody can lend me a hand with making a step to step guide. I've tried as much as a I can but it seems there are a few variables at this point and it would be great to get somebodies opinion.

I have an iMac 11,3 with a busted GPU. Since there is no display I am not able to install macOS High Sierra and OpenCore. Based on the main page, OpenCore released a compatibility bootloader which can be accessed by mashing esc on boot. This should at least allow me to confirm if my GPU bios flash worked or not (spoiler it did not work).

I purchased an M5100 to flash and replace the old GPU. First issue is that the memory type did not match any available BIOS. It is SKhynix MSGQ2H24AFR. I flashed the BFR GOP version as I saw somebody in a youtube with a similar situation.

I assembled the computer back together with no internal drive, plugged in a USB with the latest opencore and GOP injection, mashed esc on boot and have no display. Would somebody mind lending me a hand, I feel like I skipped a step here. Or maybe give me some troubleshooting steps.

Thanks!

First check:
Could the newly flashed GPU got you to the log-in screen of the GRML USB with the internal display?

Second check:
We assume you prepared the USB with OpenCore Legacy Patcher EFI on another Mac computer. In that case, did you select the option manually (iMac model 11,3; AMD GPU) or automatically?

Third check:
Can you edit the config.plist file manually to change the boot mode to verbose, with the boot menu delay time 120s? (I often use Opencore Configurator app to do this, very convenience GUI)

If all the above are checked, when booting the iMac from the OCLP USB, I assume you can verify the result of your flashing work without any key pressed or mashed. The internal display would display a fast flow of thousands of text lines, then finally the boot menu.
 
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What firmware should I use for the S7000X?
S7100X-6930-LVTMA-GOP or S7100X-6939-LVTMA-EnableGop?

Hello, if you need a GOP ROM here you have one (no native Boot Screen, only OpenCore).

I've taken best results together with an early A1312 (2009/2010) with Core i5 and an early
compatible (!) OCLP version. Mostly I prefer that with any additional attributes on newer
OCLP versions + newer macOS versions + BIOS versions the Video Power of the patched
MXM cards (like my W6170 & S7100) goes down with max. power draw of 55 watts & reduced
frame rates !!!

I cannot explain "before" and "after" but it's not an interesting recycle process anymore
- "of course" a 12 y.o. computer isn't fast enough to handle the newest macOS Versions...

Wish you best luck to try and a minimum valley bench of 1800 pts !

;) MANUAL MAC FAN ACCERLERATION from 2500 rpm ONLY ! ;)

Look here...
 

Attachments

  • S7100X_6939_imac GOP.zip
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Did you install windows in UEFI or Legacy mode?
Most likely UEFI and he hit he HD3000 problem which has been described including the fix in the OCLP Windows installation docs…

On my RX5500XT based iMac12,2 both macOS and Windows 10 UEFI work well (except there is no brightness control possible using Windows since we cannot mod the vBIOS and my OpenCore hack applies only to macOS).
 
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Most likely UEFI and he hit he HD3000 problem which has been described including the fix in the OCLP Windows installation docs…
I used UEFI to install Windows 10 and solved the problem of HD3000. I can enter Windows normally with an external screen, but the built-in one cannot. Can you give me any advice? thank you all
 
First check:
Could the newly flashed GPU got you to the log-in screen of the GRML USB with the internal display?

Second check:
We assume you prepared the USB with OpenCore Legacy Patcher EFI on another Mac computer. In that case, did you select the option manually (iMac model 11,3; AMD GPU) or automatically?

Third check:
Can you edit the config.plist file manually to change the boot mode to verbose, with the boot menu delay time 120s? (I often use Opencore Configurator app to do this, very convenience GUI)

If all the above are checked, when booting the iMac from the OCLP USB, I assume you can verify the result of your flashing work without any key pressed or mashed. The internal display would display a fast flow of thousands of text lines, then finally the boot menu.
Thank you for replying!

I tried step 1 and got no display. I believe this means the GPU flash was incorrect. Would you be able to point me to the correct bios for my card? (iMac 11,3, AMD M5100 with hynix memory ending in AFR)
 
Thank you for replying!

I tried step 1 and got no display. I believe this means the GPU flash was incorrect. Would you be able to point me to the correct bios for my card? (iMac 11,3, AMD M5100 with hynix memory ending in AFR)
You need to download the M5100 AFR GOP vBIOS version from the GOP sub folder on the GitHub I manage….you cannot miss it. Both my signature and the first port of this thread containing the documention will guide you there.
 
You need to download the M5100 AFR GOP vBIOS version from the GOP sub folder on the GitHub I manage….you cannot miss it. Both my signature and the first port of this thread containing the documention will guide you there.
Thanks Ausdauersportler! I only see M5100-HynixAFS-GOP.rom and M5100-HynixBFR-GOP.rom. No AFR rom. Is it somewhere else?
 
I'm about to embark on an upgrade of my second 2011 iMac 27" with a WX7100. I did my other iMac a long time ago when the GPU failed with a K3100M.

I see some posts that say I need a copper shim for the heat sink and some that say the WX7100 doesn't need it. Recommendations? Which size should I buy if I need one?
 
...

I see some posts that say I need a copper shim for the heat sink and some that say the WX7100 doesn't need it. Recommendations? Which size should I buy if I need one?
I've done two WX7100 cards and used a thin copper GPU on the second one. That said, the first one I did is in a machine I use daily and it has never given me any problems. I did use a generous glob of K5-PRO on all the non-CPU contacts during both installs and I suspect that helps spread the pressure out and prevent contacts that could result in a short with the 3-pipe heatsink. Here is a picture of the one I did with the shim which already has a thin coat of paste on both sides.
https://forums.macrumors.com/attachments/img_6864-jpg.1746287/
 
thanks, I have the same K5 goo for the non-GPU parts. It looks like I can do without the shim so I'm going to go for it.

Now comes the big disassembly. (this is also one I use in my business which is very dusty so I suspect I'm going to have a lot of cleaning to do)
 
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So close.... so far

Got it installed, system boots, fired up the GRML usb stick, logged in and flashed

reboot, the GRML console now comes up on the screen! yay! But no start screen, just black until the grml boot sequence starts. MacOS does not boot (installed version is straight up High Sierra with no patches since this system is supported by High Sierra)


when I flashed:

old SSID: 17B1 (same as the new one)
old PN: BR19143.001, new PN: SWBRT951.001
Dev ID: 6C70 (same as new)
Product Name: Dell/Compal Crane 17 ELLESMERE XT/GL A0 GDDR5 256MX32 8GB 300e/300m (same as new)
old Bios: 015.050.000.001.019413
new bios: 015.050.000.000.000951
DevID 6C70 (same as new)

I did reset the PRAM, made no difference


When I downloaded, I downloaded the GOP BIOS from the "spoiler" list, but I looked tonight on GitHub and see that there are three different BIOS for this card. Is there another one that I should try? What's the difference?
 
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Hi I am not sure if you have tried to install an OS higher than High Sierra before and if you have been using Open Core Legacy Patcher?
I had the same problem I had been using Ventura 13.6 and OCLP 0.6.8. and then I upgraded my graphics card to AMD Radeon Pro wx4150 4 GB and I tried to clean install High Sierra so many times to reinstall the High Sierra that came with my mid 2010 imac 27 inch and then the mac would not accept High Sierra, the mac would just stop when using my USB to install High Sierra. Part of the OCLP is stored in the memory and if you had a newer OS before it may cause the USB install to crash or just cause the computer to freeze.
It also may have to do with your new graphics card wanting a newer OS than High Sierra.
The reason I wanted to install High Sierra was to see if I could run an OS without OCLP to see if OCLP was conflicting with Adobe Acrobat as I always had crashes of Adobe Acrobat on Ventura.
So then I installed Big Sur with OCLP and Adobe Acrobat has no more crashes. So it was not the fault of OCLP.

But I will see with Sonoma after Tuesday when OCLP 1.0.0 the latest comes out for support for Sonoma, because Adobe did say they released a new version over the last few days.

A question for you, did you flash the BIOS firmware which I think is on the logic board using Flashrom? If so how did you get around the problem of the GRML tool keep asking about which chip to flash as it says there are at least 6 or so and it sometimes says the chip is write protected - how did you get around that?

Have you tried to flash the VBIOS, which is for the chip on the graphics card? This I did with same tool GRML and worked perfectly, I have an AMD Radeon Pro wx4150 and the best VBIOS I found on Github was WX4150_EnableGop.rom for my card. I have boot screen, I can press Alt/Option and get all boot pickers if necessary.
Not sure if you can find the EnableGop ROM for your card on Github try it and put it into the GRML tool in the right directory.


Sorry for giving my life story, but maybe you can take something away from what I wrote.
 
OK, I tried the other two BIOSs on github labeled WX7100_1243_EnableGOP and WX7100-EnableGOP_Alt_VRAM

some progress. Both show up the Mac boot screen, both allow the boot picker. Also, both fail to boot the existing MacOS High Sierra disk that I had in the machine. It gets about half way and the screen goes black. fans still running at normal speed.

So I built a new external boot drive with the High Sierra installer on it. booted that. Again boot picker worked, selected the install disk and it started to boot. About half way through the progress bar, screen black with the power still on, fans running, etc.

grml boots fine every time, but I suspect that it's not loading a graphics driver and just using the BIOS to put stuff on the screen


I'm SOoooooo close! any suggestions?

It's a WX7100 labeled Ver 1.1 on the card, this one specifically.

 
Well, Apparently High Sierra doesn't know what a WX7100 might be. I loaded an old USB stick with Catalina (using DOSdude's patcher) and the system is up and running. reporting that the GPU is "Radeon Polaris" in system report

Thanks to all of the hard work that everyone here has done, it allows us to breathe new life into these older, and otherwise perfectly capable pieces of hardware.


BTW, the "final" version of the VBIOS that I loaded was WX7100-EnableGOP_ALT-VRAM in case anyone runs into the same issues that I had.
 
I think that High Sierra cannot use a metal enabled GPU. So you may have to go with a newer OS like you did with Catalina. Why don't you try Big Sur, Monterey or Ventura. The Open Core Legacy Patcher is far more advanced than DosDude, I would try that.
Also did you flash the BIOS firmware using flashrom, which is differrent from the VBios flash on your WX7100 graphics card as you did with WX7100-EnableGOP_ALT-VRAM?
About the name appearing as Radeon Polaris- that can be changed to reflect AMD Radeon Pro WX7100. I tried to do it using some instructions off MacRumors but I could not do it. There is nothing wrong with your choice of VBios, it is just the way Apple names the cards, but as I said it can be changed. If you find out how please let me know. That is a really nice card you have an MXM B type card. I got the one just below it the AMD Radeon Pro WX4150 4GB.
It is a great idea to change the CPU as well. I bought the Intel Core I7 870 and it's going well.
 
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