macOS update with non-flashed GTX-1080ti????

[rmt37]

I just got caught in a bad place.

I installed a new GTX-1080ti a couple of weeks ago and I'm very pleased with it. It's multiple times faster than the flashed GTX-680 that it replaced.

Today, I saw a new update on the Apple store, so I decided to update. I should have thought about it a little longer before I did that.

After the update, macOS reverted to the native macOS video drivers, as there are no compatible nVidia drivers for the current build. This resulted in a non-working 1080 card.

Fortunately, I still have the 680. I don't have room in my 5.1 to run both cards, so I had to physically remove the 1080 and re-install the 680. Looks like I will have to run the 680 until a new driver is released by nVidia.

Two questions:
1) This seems like a chicken/egg problem for non-flashed nVidia cards. Even if a new nVidia driver is available, I can't install an nVidia update until I've installed a new macOS update. So, if I don't have the 1080 flashed, I will always have to swap cards whenever I want to update macOS to the latest build. Is that a true assumption?
2) I flashed my 680 when I first bought it. It was an easy process. I'm not keen on shipping my new 1080 card and having to wait for it to get back. I can't imagine it's rocket science. Is there a way for me to flash it myself? I don't mind paying a license fee to whomever developed the new bios code. I'm a bit peeved that I've got to pay UPS shipping + labor on top of the license fee on top of buying the card in the first place.

 

[Gazember]

Unlike the 680, the required ROM changes for the 1080 are not in the public domain. You have to pay MacVidCards to flash it for you.

 

[rmt37]

What about question #1? I have a mac-mini in another part of the house. Could I remote into the Mac Pro after a macOS update has been applied and install the nVidia drivers remotely?

 

[MisterAndrew]

The nVidia web driver 378.05.05.05f02 is not compatible with MacOS Sierra 10.12.5. It just popped up a dialog for me saying that after I updated (I'm using an Apple/ATI HD 5870, but I have the nVidia web driver installed). So you're out of luck. You'll need to restore back to 10.12.4 from your latest backup.

 

[ActionableMango]

What about question #1? I have a mac-mini in another part of the house. Could I remote into the Mac Pro after a macOS update has been applied and install the nVidia drivers remotely?

In most cases you can do screen sharing, assuming that you have properly prepared the computer ahead of time, and you follow the update procedure correctly and exactly. However that is not a 100% solution since there are scenarios where the OS won't finish booting. And if it doesn't finish booting, you also cannot screen share, and so you'll still need the other card as a backup.

 

[rmt37]

The nVidia web driver 378.05.05.05f02 is not compatible with MacOS Sierra 10.12.5. It just popped up a dialog for me saying that after I updated (I'm using an Apple/ATI HD 5870, but I have the nVidia web driver installed). So you're out of luck. You'll need to restore back to 10.12.4 from your latest backup.

Not a newbie here. Yes, I realize what I would need to do if I wanted to keep using the 1080 today. But what I'm after are the future scenarios. What do I do the next time? I know I'll wait until the new nVidia are available after a new macOS release. But what is the best way to apply the macOS fixes if I don't want to swap video cards?
[doublepost=1494890561][/doublepost]

In most cases you can do screen sharing, assuming that you have properly prepared the computer ahead of time, and you follow the update procedure correctly and exactly. However that is not a 100% solution since there are scenarios where the OS won't finish booting. And if it doesn't finish booting, you also cannot screen share, and so you'll still need the other card as a backup.

That makes sense. total PIA. I wish nVidia would step up to the plate and offer a flashable bios. They are restricting their own market by single threading everyone through a sole, aftermarket bios flash provider.

 

[ActionableMango]

That makes sense. total PIA. I wish nVidia would step up to the plate and offer a flashable bios. They are restricting their own market by single threading everyone through a sole, aftermarket bios flash provider.

I understand, yes.

You might consider a few of things, (1) if you flash the 1080ti you can sell the 680 instead of keeping it as a backup, which will get you around $150-$200. (2) Some day when you sell the 1080ti you will recoup more money than you would for a straight PC card, I think at least a $50 difference.

Given that 1 and 2 put $200-$250 back in your pocket, the flash's "Total Cost of Ownership" is not anywhere near as high as it seems. In fact, it's pretty close to zero. The extra functionality, convenience, and piece of mind were well worth it to me.

 

[ActionableMango]

That makes sense. total PIA.

@Synchro3 wrote a procedure for getting the Nvidia installer to ignore all requirements:
https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...k-nvidia-drivers.1853748/page-5#post-20878271

In theory you could download the new Nvidia driver and install it before installing the MacOS update, then after reboot both the driver and MacOS would be matching versions.

But I say "in theory" because I have not tried this personally as I've always had cards with Mac EFI.

 

[MisterAndrew]

Apparently, you can modify the driver so it works in 10.12.5. I apologize for the misinformation. I'm a newb with the web drivers. I would take the drive out and boot from it in an external enclosure with your Mac mini, modify the driver, and then put it back. Or you could probably boot from it with it still inside your Mac Pro from your Mac mini using Target Disk Mode over Firewire.

https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...re-compatibility.2045795/page-4#post-24580403

 

[Fl0r!an]

That makes sense. total PIA. I wish nVidia would step up to the plate and offer a flashable bios. They are restricting their own market by single threading everyone through a sole, aftermarket bios flash provider.

I don't think Nvidia cares that much about classic Mac Pro users, as they'd have to make an official "Mac Edition" GPU. Publishing just the ROM would be difficult as most cards are going to need a custom one (to reflect port layout, core/memory clocks, fan profile, etc...).

I'm quite sure that the Hackintosh install base is a lot bigger by now, and they don't need any special EFI ROMs...

 

[Cindori]

Flashing the card does not make it work in macOS. It simply gives you the gray boot screen.

You're asking whether you can Install nVidia drivers before you reboot. Yes. Instead of downloading macOS updates through the App Store, you download the Combo Update .pkg from Apples website. Since it is a .pkg, you can still use macOS while it's installing, and install your nVidia driver before pressing the "Reboot" button at the end.

 

[Fl0r!an]

Flashing the card does not make it work in macOS. It simply gives you the gray boot screen.

Well it does, just without any 3D acceleration. OS X will utilize the EFI video driver, allowing you to install the Nvidia WebDriver without any tricks.

 

[Synchro3]

@Synchro3 wrote a procedure for getting the Nvidia installer to ignore all requirements:
https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...k-nvidia-drivers.1853748/page-5#post-20878271

In theory you could download the new Nvidia driver and install it before installing the MacOS update, then after reboot both the driver and MacOS would be matching versions.

But I say "in theory" because I have not tried this personally as I've always had cards with Mac EFI.

I must point out that this procedure was for older Nvidia web drivers, for OS X 10.8 and 10.9, to bypass the installer restrictions, in order to install the drivers to another Mac than the Mac Pro, especially for eGPU use.

Newer Nvidia web drivers don't need this procedure anymore. One can install the drivers on any Mac.

Other issue: If you want to install Nvidia web driver to a non-matching OS X system, you have to edit the build number: https://www.tonymacx86.com/threads/...drivers-only-work-with-1.205881/#post-1359039

 

[theitsage]

Can we use Software Update Tool via Terminal? This is the current workaround for Polaris 10 GPU to prevent a forced restart when upgrading through the App Store. Instead of doing kext edits for AMD cards, you can download and run newest and compatible Nvidia web drivers.

[sudo softwareupdate -i -a]

 

[h9826790]

Can we use Software Update Tool via Terminal? This is the current workaround for Polaris 10 GPU to prevent a forced restart when upgrading through the App Store. Instead of doing kext edits for AMD cards, you can download and run newest and compatible Nvidia web drivers.

[sudo softwareupdate -i -a]

I don't think it's that simple.

The ideal procedure will be as follow.

1) use terminal to update the OS

2) install Nvidia web driver

3) reboot

However, step 2 is not the simple. When you install the OS update from terminal, the system files changed. However, the operating OS version is still the old OS. That means, when you want to install the new Nvidia web driver. It won't let you install, because the OS version doesn't match. So, you can either reboot, let the running OS become the correct version (which make the terminal update totally meaningless). Or mod the Nvidia web driver installer to make it able to install on a "wrong" OS.

TBH, compare to black screen. I prefer to mod the Nvidia installer.

 

[theitsage]

I've done the software update through Terminal and new Mac OS version reflected without a reboot.

 

[h9826790]

I've done the software update through Terminal and new Mac OS version reflected without a reboot.

Interesting, good to know that. Then I really wonder why no one go through this route with the Nvidia card.

 

[h9826790]

I've done the software update through Terminal and new Mac OS version reflected without a reboot.

Just an update. Tried this method on the last MacOS update (10.13.2). The new OS version will NOT reflect on the system info until restart. So, you cannot install the Nvidia web driver (natively) after update the OS via terminal.

However, since the terminal OS update will NOT reboot the Mac. It is OK to install the web driver (require some text edit inside the installer), and re-select Nvidia web driver before reboot.

Therefore, we can actually avoid the black screen problem. No need to install / activate web driver via remote control etc.

Even though not as simple as I believe, but it works. Thanks for pointing me to this direction. Cheers!

 

[mammal]

Just an update. Tried this method on the last MacOS update (10.13.2). The new OS version will NOT reflect on the system info until restart. So, you cannot install the Nvidia web driver (natively) after update the OS via terminal.

However, since the terminal OS update will NOT reboot the Mac. It is OK to install the web driver (require some text edit inside the installer), and re-select Nvidia web driver before reboot.

Therefore, we can actually avoid the black screen problem. No need to install / activate web driver via remote control etc.

Even though not as simple as I believe, but it works. Thanks for pointing me to this direction. Cheers!

Thanks to all that has contributed to this thread/forum:
This is how I just did this:

1. Update macOS from terminal:
   sudo softwareupdate -i -a
2. Download nvidia drivers from Nvidia.com
3. Modify install package:
   https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...k-nvidia-drivers.1853748/page-5#post-20878271
   1. Copy the Driver WebDriverXXXX.pkg to 'Downloads'.
   2. Start Terminal
   3. Terminal: cd downloads (or wherever your downloaded files are)
   4. Terminal: pkgutil --expand WebDriverXXXX.pkg expanded.pkg
   5. Right mouse click expanded.pkg and choose “Show Package Contents”, right click “Distribution” file and choose 'Open with TextEdit' or 'Open with TextWrangler'. Then modify the InstallationCheck() method to return always true:
      Code:
      
      function InstallationCheck()
      {
      //if (!validateHardware()) return false;
      //if (!validateSoftware()) return false;
      return true;
      }
      
      
   6. Save the “Distribution” file.
   7. Terminal: pkgutil --flatten expanded.pkg flattened.pkg
   8. Double mouse click flattened.pkg and install Nvidia web driver. Ignore the restart window for now.
4. Re-select web-driver from Nvidia control panel - if that one i greyed out:
   1. In menubar there will be two Nvidia symbols, one (the updated one) is dimmed. The one functioning will show that nvidia driver is in use. Select MacOS, then reselect nvidia driver. You'll get some warning dialogs.
   2. Hit restart.
5. Sit back and wait for a while, my mac with a ssd spent about 3-5 minutes to get finished.

 

[cav2ya]

i just tried this on a GTX570 in OS 10.13.6 that went black.. no joy. with my anti card in, the machine started, and i could see the Nvidia drivers were installed, but when i swapped the cards to use the Nvidia GTX570, waited 10 minutes.. nothing. black screen.

 

[mammal]

i just tried this on a GTX570 in OS 10.13.6 that went black.. no joy. with my anti card in, the machine started, and i could see the Nvidia drivers were installed, but when i swapped the cards to use the Nvidia GTX570, waited 10 minutes.. nothing. black screen.

I guess the Mac still use the macOS Nvidia drivers. I did a revision of my procedure half a a year after, as I started to experience the same as you did (some macOS update did that). Forgot to update the post here in the forum. Note step 4 (re-select...).

1. update macOS from terminal:
   sudo softwareupdate -i -a
2. Download nvidia drivers
3. Modify install package:
   https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...k-nvidia-drivers.1853748/page-5#post-20878271
   1. Copy the Driver WebDriverXXXX.pkg to 'Downloads'.
   2. Start Terminal
   3. Terminal: cd downloads
   4. Terminal: pkgutil --expand WebDriverXXXX.pkg expanded.pkg
   5. Right mouse click expanded.pkg and choose “Show Package Contents”, right click “Distribution” file and choose 'Open with TextEdit' or 'Open with TextWrangler'. Then modify the InstallationCheck() method to return always true: Code:
      function InstallationCheck()
      {
      //if (!validateHardware()) return false;
      //if (!validateSoftware()) return false;
      return true;
      }
   6. Save the “Distribution” file.
   7. Terminal: pkgutil --flatten expanded.pkg flattened.pkg
   8. Double mouse click flattened.pkg and install Nvidia web driver.
4. Re-select web-driver from Nvidia control panel
   1. You get a message saying "Now Using Default macOS Graphics Driver". Ignore this for now, and wait for the installer to finish.
   2. The installer will finish, and present you a "Restart" button. Wait.
   3. In menubar there will be two Nvidia symbols, one is dimmed out. The one functioning will show that nvidia driver is in use. Select MacOS, then reselect nvidia.
   4. Now click restart

 

[orph]

GTX 570 dose not need web drivers.
did the card work before in an older version of osx? do you have all power plugs in it?
have you checked the GTX 570 works in a windows box?