Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

iM 4,1-14,4 iMac 2011 Maxwell and Pascal GPU upgrade

Status
The first post of this thread is a WikiPost and can be edited by anyone with the appropiate permissions. Your edits will be public.
G3llings said:
Any chance of getting an m2000m GOP vBIOS? I have 2 lying around from another failed project. Trying to get my hands on another 2010-2011 to test one of these in. I feel like at 55w stock it should overclock well. They are Dell M2000M, stock vBIOS below.

www.techpowerup.com

Dell Quadro M2000M VBIOS

4 GB GDDR5, 1098 MHz GPU, 1253 MHz Memory
www.techpowerup.com www.techpowerup.com
Click to expand...

You can sell both of them and buy 2 M4000m to play with, still have some money left.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Ausdauersportler
G3llings said:
Any chance of getting an m2000m GOP vBIOS? I have 2 lying around from another failed project. Trying to get my hands on another 2010-2011 to test one of these in. I feel like at 55w stock it should overclock well. They are Dell M2000M, stock vBIOS below.

www.techpowerup.com

Dell Quadro M2000M VBIOS

4 GB GDDR5, 1098 MHz GPU, 1253 MHz Memory
www.techpowerup.com www.techpowerup.com
Click to expand...

If you got an iMac to test, the rom you linked already has GOP and connector info that may make the internal screen work on iMac. You'll need Opencore with same configuration (reload GOP) as for Pascal cards.

Note that we already tested M3000M and, while it worked, it showed a strange throttling behavior jumping between P0 and P1 states.
 
m0bil said:
If you got an iMac to test, the rom you linked already has GOP and connector info that may make the internal screen work on iMac. You'll need Opencore with same configuration (reload GOP) as for Pascal cards.

Note that we already tested M3000M and, while it worked, it showed a strange throttling behavior jumping between P0 and P1 states.
Click to expand...
My m4000m ROM originally did the same thing... I just adjusted the clock speed for those P-States using the Maxwell II Bios tweaker. I will have to try to get my hands on an iMac soon.
 
Finally decided to start my project with the 1070ti. Flashed the bios and that seemed to work ok. Installed OCLP but not sure I did it right. I don't seem to have a boot picker. Holding option on reboot gives me no choices, but that might be because I only have the single high sierra install. If this is incorrect please chime in.

I am very tempted to install new ssds right now also just because the stock one is slow. I have a spare 1tb I am thinking of putting in place of the odd or internall hdd which both are non functional.
 
Cloud9 said:
Finally decided to start my project with the 1070ti. Flashed the bios and that seemed to work ok. Installed OCLP but not sure I did it right. I don't seem to have a boot picker. Holding option on reboot gives me no choices, but that might be because I only have the single high sierra install. If this is incorrect please chime in.

I am very tempted to install new ssds right now also just because the stock one is slow. I have a spare 1tb I am thinking of putting in place of the odd or internall hdd which both are non functional.
Click to expand...
Post here or send me by PM the vbios backup you hopefully read from your card before programming it. This is to make sure card is the correct 10DE:1BA1 model.

As of Opencore, you should use the guide by Santas here, there is a Config.zip file attached to the post that you can use directly.

Holding Option will not show bootpicker, only correctly configured OCLP + correct vbios will. Also if you installed Nvidia webdrivers in High Sierra the screen may come up after High Sierra loads the Nvidia drivers even without OCLP (no bootpicker, no brightess control in that case).
 
I was blessed with a brief moment of smartness and saved the original file. The ID was not the one you listed, but the eeprom chip has the same text on it and the card is visually identical to yours. It listed a different unknown ID and im wondering if this card maybe had a mining bios on it.
 

Attachments

  • 1070tibios delivered.zip
    149.9 KB · Views: 91
m0bil said:
Post here or send me by PM the vbios backup you hopefully read from your card before programming it. This is to make sure card is the correct 10DE:1BA1 model.

As of Opencore, you should use the guide by Santas here, there is a Config.zip file attached to the post that you can use directly.

Holding Option will not show bootpicker, only correctly configured OCLP + correct vbios will. Also if you installed Nvidia webdrivers in High Sierra the screen may come up after High Sierra loads the Nvidia drivers even without OCLP (no bootpicker, no brightess control in that case).
Click to expand...

So the bootpicker may or may not appear with web drivers installed.

To get to the boot picker I need,

-To install web drivers
-Have the new card and correct vbios installed
-Have OC config tweaked correctly according to santa's post

Verify everything including the new card works, then worry about installing windows?

At that point I suppose I can worry about installing ssds or not. That seems like the correct order?
 
Cloud9 said:
I was blessed with a brief moment of smartness and saved the original file. The ID was not the one you listed, but the eeprom chip has the same text on it and the card is visually identical to yours. It listed a different unknown ID and im wondering if this card maybe had a mining bios on it.
Click to expand...
Bios is fine, good news is that it's version 10DE:1BA1 model, same vbios as here.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Cloud9
Cloud9 said:
So the bootpicker may or may not appear with web drivers installed.

To get to the boot picker I need,

-To install web drivers
-Have the new card and correct vbios installed
-Have OC config tweaked correctly according to santa's post

Verify everything including the new card works, then worry about installing windows?

At that point I suppose I can worry about installing ssds or not. That seems like the correct order?
Click to expand...
No, you don't need web drivers for boot picker. I meant that even if you don't have OCLP and boot picker, if you have web drivers the screen may come up after High Sierra finishes loading and comes to the login screen.

So, since you have correct card and programmed iMac vbios, all you need is correct OCLP to get display to work at boot and show the emulated boot picker.

Try to install OCLP on external USB drive, then make sure iMac boots from the USB drive (you can disconnect internal drive to make sure it boots from USB).

Once you get display working at boot with emulated boot picker via OCLP you can go on with installing windows and ssd.
 
Last edited:
If you could get ahold of a working ODD you could use an opencore CD. I found this was best, you can then hold "C" to boot to the CD even without boot picker, which should then turn on your display.
 
  • Like
Reactions: m0bil
I might have a working external optical drive I’m not entirely sure. Would external work or does it need to be internal? The internal might work but I don’t know if I have any cd/dvds .

I tried with two different USB keys to make a Mac OS installer usb using the oclp app but both failed midway through. I’m picking up two more to try this afternoon.

It was only after failing to make keys that I realized I could just install oc over the current install.

I still have to tweak it, I haven’t done anything outside the app yet. It would be easiest if I could use the present install and just tweak it.
 
Present Progress:

I had to use terminal to create a bootable high sierra install usb. OCLP failed multiple times on multiple usb keys. Terminal did it ok it seems.

I then successfully installed open core on the usb key. I then used efi mounter to replace the config.plist with santas config file and back light kext.

I also reset pram and smc.

I noticed the bootpicker first after resetting pram. No option key is required for it to show up.

First the bootpicker shows me the current high sierra install, the efi partition on the usb, and the usb high sierra install.

Selecting efi is supposed to bring me to the actual boot picker but I only get black screen after selecting efi.

That might be what mobil meant by disconnecting the internal drive to get it to boot.

I am going to eat some food, drink a cup of tea, and then open the imac, discconect the internal drives and see if I can boot off the usb key.

I thought I read somewhere macs with an internal odd CANT boot from usb because apple didnt think you would need to if you have odd, but I might be confusing that with something I read about installing windows with bootcamp in a 2011 imac.

I bought an optical drive and some discs I will return if I dont have to use them. The internal optical
drive might still work I have not tested it.

It could also be that it won't go past boot picker/efi with open core with the stock gpu still in there? I have yet to put the new gpu in.

EDIT: My current install DOES have open core on it also, it does NOT have santa's config or backlight kext yet, I might try that first. If it bricks my install I will just reinstall the os and continue maybe.
 
Last edited:
Where I am at now.

I read using an open core recovery cd could possibly mean you can boot opencore without disconnecting the internal drive so I tried that.

Using this guide exactly


And this guide


I created two open core recovery cds using my imacs internal drive (internal optical drive works!)

On one of the cds I included santas config and back light kext. On one I did not.

I also installed the same config and kext on the internal drive and my high sierra install usb key.

I am now unable to boot into my system.

On all boots types I get the black screen with apple logo and boot selections (not boot picker). Whether no drives or cd, both, or either.
I can see efi partitons, the internal hs ssd, and the usb hs install key or whatever combination is inserted or attached.

Selecting either the internal ssd or the high sierra install leads to a black screen with white apple logo, no progress bar and eventual restart after time out.

Selecting any of the efi partitions leads to a black screen.

I have either done something wrong, or I just need to discconect the internal ssd and the open core boot up might work....

I cant tell if the efi recovery cd is bootable, because I can't tell if the os is just defaulting to the open core install on the efi drive. I think it is though, but I can't be certain without deleting the oc install on the internal ssd and retrying. In any case I cant get to log in anyway.

My next step is to either discconect the internal ssd and attempt booting again in various ways, or to reinstall HS on the internal ssd and start over.

I think I am very close though to being able to put the card in. Not sure.

Web drivers are not presently installed.
 
Last edited:
Cloud9 said:
Where I am at now.

I read using an open core recovery cd could possibly mean you can boot opencore without disconnecting the internal drive so I tried that.

Using this guide exactly


And this guide


I created two open core recovery cds using my imacs internal drive (internal optical drive works!)

On one of the cds I included santas config and back light kext. On one I did not.

I also installed the same config and kext on the internal drive and my high sierra install usb key.

I am now unable to boot into my system.

On all boots types I get the black screen with apple logo and boot selections (not boot picker). Whether no drives or cd, both, or either.
I can see efi partitons, the internal hs ssd, and the usb hs install key or whatever combination is inserted or attached.

Selecting either the internal ssd or the high sierra install leads to a black screen with white apple logo, no progress bar and eventual restart after time out.

Selecting any of the efi partitions leads to a black screen.

I have either done something wrong, or I just need to discconect the internal ssd and the open core boot up might work....

I cant tell if the efi recovery cd is bootable, because I can't tell if the os is just defaulting to the open core install on the efi drive. I think it is though, but I can't be certain without deleting the oc install on the internal ssd and retrying. In any case I cant get to log in anyway.

My next step is to either discconect the internal ssd and attempt booting again in various ways, or to reinstall HS on the internal ssd and start over.

I think I am very close though to being able to put the card in. Not sure.

Web drivers are not presently installed.
Click to expand...
My guess would be that Santa's config.plist file is calling for a kext that is missing from your efi folder. It sounds like open core is loading correctly but not finding what it's looking for. Double check that the "kernel" section matches what you have in your efi kexts folder
 
Cloud9 said:
Where I am at now.

I read using an open core recovery cd could possibly mean you can boot opencore without disconnecting the internal drive so I tried that.

Using this guide exactly


And this guide


I created two open core recovery cds using my imacs internal drive (internal optical drive works!)

On one of the cds I included santas config and back light kext. On one I did not.

I also installed the same config and kext on the internal drive and my high sierra install usb key.

I am now unable to boot into my system.

On all boots types I get the black screen with apple logo and boot selections (not boot picker). Whether no drives or cd, both, or either.
I can see efi partitons, the internal hs ssd, and the usb hs install key or whatever combination is inserted or attached.

Selecting either the internal ssd or the high sierra install leads to a black screen with white apple logo, no progress bar and eventual restart after time out.

Selecting any of the efi partitions leads to a black screen.

I have either done something wrong, or I just need to discconect the internal ssd and the open core boot up might work....

I cant tell if the efi recovery cd is bootable, because I can't tell if the os is just defaulting to the open core install on the efi drive. I think it is though, but I can't be certain without deleting the oc install on the internal ssd and retrying. In any case I cant get to log in anyway.

My next step is to either discconect the internal ssd and attempt booting again in various ways, or to reinstall HS on the internal ssd and start over.

I think I am very close though to being able to put the card in. Not sure.

Web drivers are not presently installed.
Click to expand...
Also, in the boot argument section of the config add -v to get text output, that can help to tell you what is wrong, especially if it is a missing kext
 
Cloud9 said:
It could also be that it won't go past boot picker/efi with open core with the stock gpu still in there? I have yet to put the new gpu in.
Click to expand...
I just realized you said this. The Radeon GPU could be causing the issue since the opencore config is injecting Intel drivers.
 
G3llings said:
My guess would be that Santa's config.plist file is calling for a kext that is missing from your efi folder. It sounds like open core is loading correctly but not finding what it's looking for. Double check that the "kernel" section matches what you have in your efi kexts folder
Click to expand...
G3llings said:
I just realized you said this. The Radeon GPU could be causing the issue since the opencore config is injecting Intel drivers.
Click to expand...
I was able to get into the system by deleting the OC folder on the internal efi mount using terminal. I had to learn how to do that.

I am now trying to reinstall hs on the internal drive anyway because this will probably go smoother with a clean base install. Its has a bunch of garbage on it that slows down start up.

SO

Open core wont boot with the stock card in?

I was trying to get everything ready before doing the install.

Im not sure what to do at this point. I really don't know my way around a config file but I will try to compare the config to the kexts after the fresh install.

It sounds like after my fresh install, I will compare the config to the kexts, then try everything again. If I still get black screen then I guess its time to put the card in or try again by disconnecting the internal drive?

If anyone had some recommended next steps in a 1-2-3 fashion that would be cool. I am little bit on the spectrum I think. ;)

Still super excited and grateful for the help here.
 
Reinstalling was a great idea.

Open core cds boot! But black screen after selecting EFI. Might have to make a new cd once I figure out the correct config and kexts.

I'm not sure if I should use Santa's config as is or not, or just use whatever oclp builds vanilla.....

Any tips for what should and should not be in config file would be great of if its just the fact that the stock ssd is still connected or the radeon card is still in.

One of my thunderbolt ports doesn't work. One does, I have a second Thunderbolt Display plugged in to use as my "external display" for when/if ill need that.
 
Opencore will boot with the stock card, however, if there are any Nvidia boot args you will have to delete those first. Try this config.
 

Attachments

  • config.zip
    5.1 KB · Views: 117
  • Like
Reactions: Cloud9
Cloud9 said:
Reinstalling was a great idea.

Open core cds boot! But black screen after selecting EFI. Might have to make a new cd once I figure out the correct config and kexts.

I'm not sure if I should use Santa's config as is or not, or just use whatever oclp builds vanilla.....

Any tips for what should and should not be in config file would be great of if its just the fact that the stock ssd is still connected or the radeon card is still in.

One of my thunderbolt ports doesn't work. One does, I have a second Thunderbolt Display plugged in to use as my "external display" for when/if ill need that.
Click to expand...
You don't want to select efi after booting to opencore. You would want to select your High Sierra partition. Opencore is your EFI bootloader.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Cloud9
Oh…

Oh My….

So my brain saw this picture in the oclp guide and I have been thinking for two days that’s it’s a two step process and I wasn’t getting past the first step……

So…. I might have had success without knowing it in one of my attempts…

Between one of these configs I think I can get it working.

My language skills are extremely literal…

Sounds like I’ll be dusting off a dremel soon.
 

Attachments

  • B816E205-7414-4A06-810F-6ECD5BC73559.png
    B816E205-7414-4A06-810F-6ECD5BC73559.png
    447.4 KB · Views: 105
  • Like
Reactions: G3llings
Cloud9 said:
Oh…

Oh My….

So my brain saw this picture in the oclp guide and I have been thinking for two days that’s it’s a two step process and I wasn’t getting past the first step……

So…. I might have had success without knowing it in one of my attempts…

Between one of these configs I think I can get it working.

My language skills are extremely literal…

Sounds like I’ll be dusting off a dremel soon.
Click to expand...
That is definitely a confusing picture. Typically Mac Boot Picker looks like the picture below, Opencore has the black background and white apple logo while booting.

boot-mac-external-drive.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: Cloud9
G3llings said:
That is definitely a confusing picture. Typically Mac Boot Picker looks like the picture below, Opencore has the black background and white apple logo while booting.

View attachment 2012262
Click to expand...
Newer Macs don't have a gray background. Or you can change the background color using an NVRAM variable.
I think OpenCore's arrow is different. Also, OpenCore may have buttons at the bottom of the screen and a version number at the bottom right of the screen.
OpenCore's menu will change if you press the Space Bar.
OpenCore's menu doesn't have the network popup (but neither do older Macs such as my Mac Pro 2008).
 
  • Like
Reactions: Cloud9
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back