Race to dump the 4870 ROM, Who's first?

[jeanlain]

Interesting. It looks like this would be worth trying out to see if it fixes any number of the issues we've encountered, to wit: 2.5 GT/s link speed (unlikely), use of only one DVI port on Sapphire cards, enabling dual-link on both ports, and analog support.

I think that some of these problems have a common cause. The card is seen as two separate devices in OS X.

@Shallmar and erteclas: just follow the procedure that have been explained in this thread. You must create you own custom ROM.

Here are the instructions: https://forums.macrumors.com/posts/7297669/

If you feel lucky (and have a PC ready to rescue your card if it has not been flashed with a proper ROM), you could try the new Mac 4870 ROM that has been posted on page 46, to do your custom hybrid ROM.
Use it at you own risk. Never flash you card with a ROM that is not 128 kB.

 

[Whiteyez]

Btw i forgot to say that in 4890 both DVI's works great

 

[JollyRogers]

Interesting. It looks like this would be worth trying out to see if it fixes any number of the issues we've encountered, to wit: 2.5 GT/s link speed (unlikely), use of only one DVI port on Sapphire cards, enabling dual-link on both ports, and analog support. While we're on the subject, JollyRogers, have you tried connecting any monitors to your card going VGA (DVI -> VGA adapter or something similar)?

Anybody interested in trying Pipomolo's script on this to produce a custom ROM again?

Just tried DVI-VGA-monitor VGA input and had no analog signal on stock HD4870

 

[netkas]

Just tried DVI-VGA-monitor VGA input and had no analog signal on stock HD4870

interesting, so, it's stock apple's 4870 ?

if so, can you post about it here - http://discussions.apple.com/forum.jspa?forumID=1325

dont mention you have 2008 macpro, write there you have early 2009 MP, so, you will not get bashed about drivers version and etc.

macpro model doesnt matter in this case anyway.

lets see what they will answer.

 

[FRKT]

How'd you get an HD4890 to work with OS X? Did you program the ROM yourself, or is it simply using a slightly altered version of the HD4870 ROM - in which case the performance of the HD4890 would match the HD4870... right?

 

[Whiteyez]

How'd you get an HD4890 to work with OS X? Did you program the ROM yourself, or is it simply using a slightly altered version of the HD4870 ROM - in which case the performance of the HD4890 would match the HD4870... right?

Read the last 2-3 pages here.

 

[dudeguy87]

I thought I'd post again so to make sure that everyone knows.

My flashed 4870 supports TWO MONITORS AT THE SAME TIME.

There are many cards out there that end up with only one DVI port working. If you get the right card and use the right rom you will get two simultaneously working DVI ports. I'm running a 30" Apple display on one along with a dell 20".

(The second DVI port isn't dual link meaning that you can't run a 30" on it so you can't have two 30" at the same time.)

To make sure you get the right card and flash it correctly I put together an extensive tutorial with many pictures and instructions.

http://web.me.com/jacobcroft/4870Flash/4870Flash.html

Hope this helps.

seriously i dont understand why everyones going insane when the issue is already solved by you and the other programmers... By the way im still waiting on my ati cable to do this thing already.

 

[JollyRogers]

Netkas, before I do that, I need to revisit. I tried it with my Samsung monitor and just turned it off unplugged the DVI and plugged in the VGA. I didn't reboot or anything. Let me try again. And yes Stock HD4870 from

EDIT: OK. I actually disconnected my DVI from both comp & display. Hooked up the DVI->VGA->Monitor Analog and rebooted and all is good. Was even able to get 2048x1152 default resolution on my monitor. Sorry I was so lazy before.

 

[Dredog]

Sapphire 4870 (11133-03-20r)

Anyone have a rom for the Sapphire 4870 (11133-03-20r) that enables both DVI ports to work at the same time?

My computer freezes when I put the second monitor into the card.

Thanks,

 

[bb8882]

As per multiple forum requests, I am posting the custom ROM file that I made using pipomolo42 instructions (with slight adjustments for the original bios size). As I indicated earlier, this ROM was built for a XFX Radeon HD4870 XXX Edition 1GB PCI-Express Video Card purchased from a local Fry's, model number HD-487A-ZD. So far this ROM seems to be working great - the card is fully functional in both OS X and Windows, though it does have the same issue everyone else is getting where the secondary DVI port will only function in single-link mode.

Obligatory CMA: I am no way responsible if this ROM bricks your card. Use it entirely at your own risk.

Is it possible for you to make a custom ROM for XFX 4870 using the new Apple 4870 rom

 

[TheStrudel]

seriously i dont understand why everyones going insane when the issue is already solved by you and the other programmers... By the way im still waiting on my ati cable to do this thing already.

Because that method works with the XFX card - not the sapphire card that many of us here have bought. We're interested in sorting out a method for other cards in addition to just the one. I'm not aware of anybody with the popular sapphire card getting two DVI outputs on it with any method.

 

[TheStrudel]

Just tried DVI-VGA-monitor VGA input and had no analog signal on stock HD4870

Hmm. That is interesting. I'd have to guess that analog capability will be coming in a driver update, or it's been hardwired to only come out of the mini display port. Thanks for checking that for us. Very interesting...

 

[JollyRogers]

EDIT: OK. I actually disconnected my DVI from both comp & display. Hooked up the DVI->VGA->Monitor Analog and rebooted and all is good. Was even able to get 2048x1152 default resolution on my monitor. Sorry I was so lazy before.

You did read my edit? It works fine...

 

[shallmar]

As per multiple forum requests, I am posting the custom ROM file that I made using pipomolo42 instructions (with slight adjustments for the original bios size). As I indicated earlier, this ROM was built for a XFX Radeon HD4870 XXX Edition 1GB PCI-Express Video Card purchased from a local Fry's, model number HD-487A-ZD. So far this ROM seems to be working great - the card is fully functional in both OS X and Windows, though it does have the same issue everyone else is getting where the secondary DVI port will only function in single-link mode.

Obligatory CMA: I am no way responsible if this ROM bricks your card. Use it entirely at your own risk.

Hi,
Where do you find the MAC 4870.ROM to make your custom ROM?
Thanks.
Shallmar...

 

[jeanlain]

Hi,
Where do you find the MAC 4870.ROM to make your custom ROM?
Thanks.
Shallmar...

OK, this file is not so easy to find. Here you go https://forums.macrumors.com/posts/7271105/

This is the original apple ROM for the OEM 4870 that shipped with 2009 Mac Pros.

OR you can try this newer version of ROM ("rev F") : https://forums.macrumors.com/posts/7555591/

Either should be named "4870.ROM" (not 4780, there is a typo in the second file name).

No one has tried the "rev F" ROM yet. It may solve some problems of dual screen, VGA and the likes. I tried Pipomolo's script with that ROM and it seems to work fine. Anyway, it just copies its EFI part onto the PC ROM and fixes the checksum and last bit indicators. I am not an expert, but I don't see why it should not produce a proper hybrid ROM with Apple's newer ROM.
But use it at your own risk. You may ask Pipomolo42 first.

 

[shallmar]

"rev F" ROM, goog or not good

Ok, thanks jeanlain.


So,

Pipomolo42, what do you think about the "rev F" ROM????

 

[netkas]

macosx itself doesnt care about EFI part of rom, only bootrom (EFI) cares about it.

All atombios calls/tables/commands are located in bios part of rom.

so, for hybrid roms updating to new rom with new efi part, will change nothing in OSX.

 

[shallmar]

macosx itself doesnt care about EFI part of rom, only bootrom (EFI) cares about it.

All atombios calls/tables/commands are located in bios part of rom.

so, for hybrid roms updating to new rom with new efi part, will change nothing in OSX.

You answer is too technic for me, I dont understand if this rom is good or not good , or if anybody try it?

thanks

Shallmar...

 

[erteclas]

can someone make a custom rom for those who have a sapphire 1gb. pn/288-20E85-130SA...SKU model # 11133-04-20R
thanks, I have tried many a times and I'm not capable, it would be interesting to do with the new version of the rom mac ...


mac rom link.... http://rapidshare.com/files/228623753/4780REVF.ROM.htm
and sapphire link, http://rapidshare.com/files/228624275/4870pc.bin.html is in .bin mode..
thanks

 

[jeanlain]

macosx itself doesnt care about EFI part of rom, only bootrom (EFI) cares about it.

All atombios calls/tables/commands are located in bios part of rom.

so, for hybrid roms updating to new rom with new efi part, will change nothing in OSX.

Good to know. So could hacked drivers solve the problems (no dual screen or analog video)?
The BIOS part also has minor changes in the new apple ROM, but it may not work in recent PC cards.

Note that the X1900 for Mac Pros doesn't have a BIOS, only EBC, AFAIK (the ROM is less than 64 kB). It still works under OS X in 2008+ Mac Pros (but not under bootcamp, because only 2006 Mac Pros have the X1900 BIOS in their firmware). So it seems that al least one ATi card does not use BIOS in OS X.

 

[jeanlain]

You answer is too technic for me, I dont understand if this rom is good or not good , or if anybody try it?

thanks

Shallmar...

"this rom"? Which one?
You should probably use the "old" apple ROM to make your custom ROM, since it has been shown to work. If you don't mess with pipomolo's script, it will be ok. But likely, you will not have dual screen or VGA.

 

[jeanlain]

can someone make a custom rom for those who have a sapphire 1gb. pn/288-20E85-130SA...SKU model # 11133-04-20R
thanks, I have tried many a times and I'm not capable, it would be interesting to do with the new version of the rom mac ...


mac rom link.... http://rapidshare.com/files/228623753/4780REVF.ROM.htm
and sapphire link, http://rapidshare.com/files/228624275/4870pc.bin.html is in .bin mode..
thanks

It seems you have named the file 4870pc.ROM instead of pc4870.ROM. Anyway, here is the file. Good luck. I am not responsible for any trouble.

 

[shallmar]

"this rom"? Which one?
You should probably use the "old" apple ROM to make your custom ROM, since it has been shown to work. If you don't mess with pipomolo's script, it will be ok. But likely, you will not have dual screen or VGA.

I'm OK for the "old" apple rom, I'd just want to know if anybody have tested the new apple rom : revF, and if this rom solve the dual screen error, because I need the dual screen.
Thanks
Shallmar...

 

[jeanlain]

I'm OK for the "old" apple rom, I'd just want to know if anybody have tested the new apple rom : revF, and if this rom solve the dual screen error, because I need the dual screen.
Thanks
Shallmar...

No one has tested this new ROM.
But according to the experts here, this will not change anything. You could still give it a try. At worst, the card won't work in OS X but you'll be able to flash it again with the "old" ROM. It should still work under windows/DOS, since it will still have its BIOS (assuming you flash it with a proper hybrid ROM).

Anyway, dual screen is unlikely to work on your sapphire, given the last reports. But maybe 10.5.7 will solve this, or netkas' magic.

 

[netkas]

Good to know. So could hacked drivers solve the problems (no dual screen or analog video)?
The BIOS part also has minor changes in the new apple ROM, but it may not work in recent PC cards.

Note that the X1900 for Mac Pros doesn't have a BIOS, only EBC, AFAIK (the ROM is less than 64 kB). It still works under OS X in 2008+ Mac Pros (but not under bootcamp, because only 2006 Mac Pros have the X1900 BIOS in their firmware). So it seems that al least one ATi card does not use BIOS in OS X.

X1000 and HD 2/3/4000 differs a lot, and have different drivers.

its interesting to know what was changed in bios part of rom.

Anyway, dual screen is unlikely to work on your sapphire, given the last reports. But maybe 10.5.7 will solve this, or netkas' magic.

he need to try snow leopard beta 10a334