Flashing R9 280X for boot screens/PCI System Information

[cococheaf]

the reason why people tell you to read the netkas pages is that you find all info there how to modify YOUR OWN ROM. Simple solutions may work, by flashing any rom. but to be sure that every thing works, you need to use the rom of your card. as simple as is. btw, afaik there is no 4k bootscreen support with 280x‘es.

 

[crystalidea]

Thanks for the reply, I'll try to flash it in the proper way as described on the netkas forum...

 

[cococheaf]

please, for your own insurance, only do that if you really understand what you do, what you can cause with a bad flash or when you know someone who is able to help you out if something goes wrong.

 

[crystalidea]

Thanks, I'm a developer so I keep my fingers crossed anyway, will do it a little bit later... will post the results.

 

[cococheaf]

so then

 

[ebuy05]

SUCCESS!

Don't know if it was using the ATIWinFlash ROM dump (with Netkas script) and/or flashing under Win7 that did the trick, but ATIWinFlash was able to successful program the new ROM and I now have boot screens! All I know is that with my 7970, I used the DarwinDumper ROM and Netkas script and that worked flawlessly. My assumption is that the factor for the 280X was Win7 vs Win10, but I'll never know the truth unless I have another 280X to flash.

Even though I have the latest Metal-compatible GPU in the form of the Sapphire Pulse RX 580, I find that I really need Boot Screens always available due to my intrinsic tinkering nature that sees a lot of dual-booting, both into older versions of OS X as well as multi-flavors of Windows, which sometimes gets into trouble where I absolutely need access to the boot picker screen without the hassle of swapping GPUs when needed; hence the use of 7970's and 280X's in my 5.1's as my primary video cards.

Besides, I haven't really noticed any performance degradation in my every day use with the 7970 vs RX 580; with the 280X is just a nominal bump in performance over the 7970, I probably won't notice any difference either.

Anywho, I can now confirm with absolutely certainty that the Club 3D R9 280X is indeed Mac-EFI friendly.

Hello Auggie,

I just got the exact same card that you successfully flashed for your Mac-EFI frindly boot screen.
I was reading the netkas forum but unfortunately, it seems that the site has been offline for the past few days and I really want to upgrade my stock card (an ATI HD 4870)

Would you mind sharing your ROM of which tutorial you used?

My Club 3D R9 280x (BIOS Part Number: 113-C38650-XTL) came with this BIOS version: 015.039.000.001
Was this the same as yours?

Thank you!

 

[Auggie]

Hello Auggie,

I just got the exact same card that you successfully flashed for your Mac-EFI frindly boot screen.
I was reading the netkas forum but unfortunately, it seems that the site has been offline for the past few days and I really want to upgrade my stock card (an ATI HD 4870)

Would you mind sharing your ROM of which tutorial you used?

My Club 3D R9 280x (BIOS Part Number: 113-C38650-XTL) came with this BIOS version: 015.039.000.001
Was this the same as yours?

Thank you!

I would follow the advice from the experts: Always mod your own ROM. I'll upload my modified ROM, but only for "educational" purposes. I don't recommend or condone using this ROM directly to flash your own card.

As far as current FW version, OS X doesn't seem to report it and Darwin Dumper gets stuck on initializing screen under 10.14.6 beta, so I would have to boot into Windows to check.

 

[ebuy05]

I would follow the advice from the experts: Always mod your own ROM. I'll upload my modified ROM, but only for "educational" purposes. I don't recommend or condone using this ROM directly to flash your own card.

As far as current FW version, OS X doesn't seem to report it and Darwin Dumper gets stuck on initializing screen under 10.14.6 beta, so I would have to boot into Windows to check.

Thank you for your very fast reply, Auggie.

I want to follow your advice and try to modify my own Rom, but I’m having a hard time finding a tutorial now that the Netkas forum seems to be offline. Do you recall or have the steps your followed to modify your original and create your Mac EFI friendly rom?

Or if I create a backup of my own rom and put yours, I assume I could revert back to my original in case it doesn’t work, right?

There aren’t many Club R9 280x users around and it was great finding you here.
Thanks again for your help.

 

[h9826790]

Do you recall or have the steps your followed to modify your original and create your Mac EFI friendly rom?

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/help-overclocking-12-core-mac-pro.1762165/#post-19497121

 

[ebuy05]

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/help-overclocking-12-core-mac-pro.1762165/#post-19497121

Thanks a lot, h9826790!

The link for your old thread is excellent and very descriptive.

Getting the device ID is easy. But unfortunately I feel like a newbie stuck in your next step: how can I “run the fixrom script”?

Again, my research on this fixing script for my existing Club R9 280x ROM EFI points to the Netkas forum that has been down.. Unless I can find these instructions somewhere else, I’m at a loss(

I really appreciate the support!

Cheers from Canada.

 

[h9826790]

Thanks a lot, h9826790!

The link for your old thread is excellent and very descriptive.

Getting the device ID is easy. But unfortunately I feel like a newbie stuck in your next step: how can I “run the fixrom script”?

Again, my research on this fixing script for my existing Club R9 280x ROM EFI points to the Netkas forum that has been down.. Unless I can find these instructions somewhere else, I’m at a loss(

I really appreciate the support!

Cheers from Canada.

It the source site is down, may be you can send Netkas a PM, and see if he can give you a direct link to download that FixROM package. He is a member in this forum.

 

[startergo]

Again, my research on this fixing script for my existing Club R9 280x ROM EFI points to the Netkas forum that has been down.. Unless I can find these instructions somewhere else, I’m at a loss(

It the source site is down, may be you can send Netkas a PM, and see if he can give you a direct link to download that FixROM package. He is a member in this forum.

#629

 

[Auggie]

I want to follow your advice and try to modify my own Rom, but I’m having a hard time finding a tutorial now that the Netkas forum seems to be offline. Do you recall or have the steps your followed to modify your original and create your Mac EFI friendly rom?

If the above responses to your inquiry find you still wanting, here are my quick notes I used to update and flash my own ROM (I'm hoping all is clear and accurate, but can't be certain):

1. Install GPU
2. Disable SIP (Command-R, Terminal, csrutil disable)
3. Launch DarwinDumper (right-click->Open to circumvent unidentified developer notice); may need to quit and relaunch if stuck “Initialising…”
4. Select only BIOS Video
5. Click Run (dump will automatically be saved into root folder of DarwinDumper and revealed in Finder)
6. Copy ROM file to “bundle” folder and rename as 6798.rom
7. Ensure entire path to ROM script contains no spaces; otherwise, this will cause script errors
8. Search and replace both 7950mac.efi and efiromheader.rom files “7950” with “7970” (or “HD 7950” with “R9 280X”)
9. Launch Terminal and change directory to the script (i.e. cd to “bundle” folder)
10. ./makerom.sh --efifile=7950mac.efi --romfile=efiromheader.rom --originalrom=6798.rom --devid=6798
11. Ensure there are no errors in output, such as “directory not found”
12. The new ROM should be created under 6798.rom.efi.rom
13. Copy new ROM to “”atiflash_284” folder on Windows drive
14. Boot into Windows
15. Launch ATIWinflash.exe
16. Select the new ROM to flash with
17. Reboot to confirm functionality
18. Boot to OS X and re-enable SIP (optional, but gives me peace-of-mind to have it on)
19. Connect monitor(s) to each port to confirm functionality.

For steps 1-12, I had placed the "bundle" folder on the desktop to make it easier to perform the Terminal commands.

I've also attached the relevant files used to perform all the necessary procedures, except a hex editor (I used Hex Fiend). If you get stuck, I'll try to provide additional guidance, depending upon my schedule.

 

[ebuy05]

If the above responses to your inquiry find you still wanting, here are my quick notes I used to update and flash my own ROM (I'm hoping all is clear and accurate, but can't be certain):

1. Install GPU
2. Disable SIP (Command-R, Terminal, csrutil disable)
3. Launch DarwinDumper (right-click->Open to circumvent unidentified developer notice); may need to quit and relaunch if stuck “Initialising…”
4. Select only BIOS Video
5. Click Run (dump will automatically be saved into root folder of DarwinDumper and revealed in Finder)
6. Copy ROM file to “bundle” folder and rename as 6798.rom
7. Ensure entire path to ROM script contains no spaces; otherwise, this will cause script errors
8. Search and replace both 7950mac.efi and efiromheader.rom files “7950” with “7970” (or “HD 7950” with “R9 280X”)
9. Launch Terminal and change directory to the script (i.e. cd to “bundle” folder)
10. ./makerom.sh --efifile=7950mac.efi --romfile=efiromheader.rom --originalrom=6798.rom --devid=6798
11. Ensure there are no errors in output, such as “directory not found”
12. The new ROM should be created under 6798.rom.efi.rom
13. Copy new ROM to “”atiflash_284” folder on Windows drive
14. Boot into Windows
15. Launch ATIWinflash.exe
16. Select the new ROM to flash with
17. Reboot to confirm functionality
18. Boot to OS X and re-enable SIP (optional, but gives me peace-of-mind to have it on)
19. Connect monitor(s) to each port to confirm functionality.

For steps 1-12, I had placed the "bundle" folder on the desktop to make it easier to perform the Terminal commands.

I've also attached the relevant files used to perform all the necessary procedures, except a hex editor (I used Hex Fiend). If you get stuck, I'll try to provide additional guidance, depending upon my schedule.

Thank you for the detailed help, Auggie! I was able to flash it and I now have a boot screen!

 

[Louis Vox]

Okay, so I'm a little late to the party. I have a Mac Pro 5,1 with x5650 cpu + 24GB Ram, Boot Rom 144.0.0.0.0. Installed an MSI R9 280x with both 6 + 8pin cables connected, however I only get a black screen. Flashed it using Rom from first page of this thread, I get the boot screen, then back screen. Fans rev up then slow down on black screen. It boots fine in Windows and will also boot into Mojave in safe mode only. Any ideas?

 

[Macschrauber]

Try the lower dvi port, hdmi and upper dvi could not work in macOs

 

[Louis Vox]

Try the lower dvi port, hdmi and upper dvi could not work in macOs

Thanks for your response, however the card has one DVI, one HDMI and two Mini DP. I have tried all configurations with the same result. The model is the same as the photo: MSI R9 280x.

 

[MIKX]

Lousi Vox

Exactly how are you powering the MSI R8 280X ?

( Note : You can use the EVGa PowerLink with this card, it's cheap and balances all the power avail able to to card. Originally designed for Nvidia cards .. it CAN be used with AMD cards. )

https://www.amazon.com/EVGA-PowerLink-Support-Founders-600-PL-2816-LR/dp/B01MQ1YEYH

I used the PowerLink with my flashed HD 7970 which is a little brother to your R9 280X
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/evga-powerlink-with-amd-gpus.2166917/


If you need help please PM me.

Which BIOS switch setting is the card on ? It should be on Setting " 2"

( if it is on # 1 set it to #2 and re-flash it )

PS : I hope that you backed up the original ROM.

 

[Louis Vox]

Lousi Vox

Exactly how are you powering the MSI R8 280X ?

( Note : You can use the EVGa PowerLink with this card, it's cheap and balances all the power avail able to to card. Originally designed for Nvidia cards .. it CAN be used with AMD cards. )

https://www.amazon.com/EVGA-PowerLink-Support-Founders-600-PL-2816-LR/dp/B01MQ1YEYH

I used the PowerLink with my flashed HD 7970 which is a little brother to your R9 280X
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/evga-powerlink-with-amd-gpus.2166917/


If you need help please PM me.

Which BIOS switch setting is the card on ? It should be on Setting " 2"

( if it is on # 1 set it to #2 and re-flash it )

PS : I hope that you backed up the original ROM.

I'm using mini 6pin - 6pin, mini 6pin - 8pin. Flashing was not the problem (yes I used #2 and I backed up original rom). I get boot screen, progress bar goes to about 80%, then black screen, followed Fans revving up, then reboot. I can boot in safe mode into Mojave (tried macOSs back to El Capitan), and can boot to windows.

 

[MIKX]

Louis Vox

Just to be clear. I don't 100% folow your power setup.

This how I originally powered my HD 7970.

1. 2 X motherboard mini 6 pin. to 8 pin. This 8 pin to GPU

PLUS

2. 2 X SATA to one 6 pin. This 6 pin to GPU.

Is this how you are powering your R9 280X ?

 

[Louis Vox]

Louis Vox

Just to be clear. I don't 100% folow your power setup.

This how I originally powered my HD 7970.

1. 2 X motherboard mini 6 pin. to 8 pin. This 8 pin to GPU

PLUS

2. 2 X SATA to one 6 pin. This 6 pin to GPU.

Is this how you are powering your R9 280X ?

Thanks for your response, I'm using both 6 & 8pin cables from the logic board mini 6pin ports. I know these cards can require more power, but there are other users on this thread using that setup with success.

 

[eighteentee]

Lousi Vox

Exactly how are you powering the MSI R8 280X ?

( Note : You can use the EVGa PowerLink with this card, it's cheap and balances all the power avail able to to card. Originally designed for Nvidia cards .. it CAN be used with AMD cards. )

https://www.amazon.com/EVGA-PowerLink-Support-Founders-600-PL-2816-LR/dp/B01MQ1YEYH

I used the PowerLink with my flashed HD 7970 which is a little brother to your R9 280X
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/evga-powerlink-with-amd-gpus.2166917/


If you need help please PM me.

Which BIOS switch setting is the card on ? It should be on Setting " 2"

( if it is on # 1 set it to #2 and re-flash it )

PS : I hope that you backed up the original ROM.

Just for info, how do you know which is position 2? It's not marked on mine...

 

[h9826790]

The "number 2" position is defined by the genuine HD7950 Mac Edition card. Which is the position that closer to the display ports.

 

[eighteentee]

The "number 2" position is defined by the genuine HD7950 Mac Edition card. Which is the position that closer to the display ports.

View attachment 856946

Thank you for that! Now I have to muster the confidence to actually go ahead with this!

 

[MIKX]

eighteentee

We ALL went through that . . . the first time.

As long as you have backed up the card's ORIGINAL ROM ( from BIOS SWITCH position #2 ) and have read ALL the Netkas pages http://forum.netkas.org/index.php/topic,5619.0.html

.. . . you will be OK. I have ( since the first time ) successfully EFI flashed 6 AMD GPUs but I still work slowly, carefully, double & triple checking everything. It's a bit like a pilot's pre-flight checklist.