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

i'm a complete noob at this flashing business, couldn't find my way around terminal to save my life. that said, i'm itchin to try this on the 4890 for macPro 3.1. so i'm asking for help. what i'd like to do is use this method, http://boeglin.org/blog/index.php?en...y090918-031702 , it seems the easiest. i tried the initial step to see if i could load the kext in terminal, but i got a command not found for kextutil. and i'm lost after that...if anyone could provide clearer, more elaborate steps, i would be most grateful!

on the other hand, swissman's method http://web.me.com/jacobcroft/4870Flash/4870Flash.html[/url]) sounds promising and more in line with what i feel comfortable doing, but has anyone tried it for the 4890?



thanks!

mike


I am in the same boat as you! So far it is called the titanic lol! I just bought a 4870 http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102849 and I have been jumping in and out of all the forums and sites you mentioned as well, and athough I pride myself in solving almost any PC problem, fooling with my MacPro 3,1 is a whole other matter! I really want to get this card working without messing up my Computer. If you haven't already done so, buy the Mac Extender cable http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Newer Technology/MPQXES2/ to allow you to run an additional 2 Esata drives! I have a mini macPro (http://www.macally.com/EN/Product/drive35.asp) on top of my MacPro with a Time Machine / SuperDuper Back up. Thank goodness I can reboot my Mac, since I already had trouble trying method, http://boeglin.org/blog/index.php!
 
I'm looking for testers of my app:

newapp2.png


It's based on a XFX rom so don't bitch if your card is different and doesn't work :D
It's the same rom used in this guide:
http://web.me.com/jacobcroft/4870Flash/4870Flash.html

Download it here:
http://krull.se/macpro/4870Flash.zip

Instructions:

Unzip your package so you have your contents on your boot drive like this:

tut1.png



Now open the 4870Flash.app

It will run for 20 seconds and will pop up in the dock and vanish when it's done.

Now restart your computer

Done! you can now remove all the files from the boot drive!
 
I'm looking for testers of my app:

newapp2.png


It's based on a XFX rom so don't bitch if your card is different and doesn't work :D
It's the same rom used in this guide:
http://web.me.com/jacobcroft/4870Flash/4870Flash.html

Download it here:
http://krull.se/macpro/4870Flash.zip

Instructions:

Unzip your package so you have your contents on your boot drive like this:

tut1.png



Now open the 4870Flash.app

It will run for 20 seconds and will pop up in the dock and vanish when it's done.

Now restart your computer

Done! you can now remove all the files from the boot drive!


I am up for it! Just 3 questions.

1. Do I install my Sapphire Card after this procedure?
2. Should I keep my original ATI 2600 HD in the Slot?
3. Does this script backup the original rom, and if so, where does it place it?


Thanks!
 
1. The card must be in your computer when you do this
2. You can keep your 2600 in any slot and drive the display
3. This script does not backup the rom. I'm pretty sure you'll find a standard rom if you search this thread or google.



And for the 4890 card, see my thread. The above package is for 4870.
 
1. The card must be in your computer when you do this
2. You can keep your 2600 in any slot and drive the display
3. This script does not backup the rom. I'm pretty sure you'll find a standard rom if you search this thread or google.



And for the 4890 card, see my thread. The above package is for 4870.

Ok Got you Cindori, yeah I am flashing this 4870 Sapphire Card http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102849
using SNow Leopard 32 bit. I will back up my rom first.
 
id rather say: the app is using a xfx rom


the xfx rom might work for the sapphire but I suggest you search this thread for word "sapphire"

either ppl got it working with the xfx rom or they made a new rom. if you give me a new rom I shall make a new app for you.
 
id rather say: the app is using a xfx rom


the xfx rom might work for the sapphire but I suggest you search this thread for word "sapphire"

either ppl got it working with the xfx rom or they made a new rom. if you give me a new rom I shall make a new app for you.

Well I found the rom for it when leopard was in use, so I don't know if there is a difference now that I am using Snow Leopard 10.6.1? Also I forgot to buy my cables! So it will be about a week before I sort this out !
 
Well I found the rom for it when leopard was in use, so I don't know if there is a difference now that I am using Snow Leopard 10.6.1? Also I forgot to buy my cables! So it will be about a week before I sort this out !


No there's no difference for roms between OS
 
No there's no difference for roms between OS

Thanks for the info Cindori. I would have likes to test your package but the cables I require will take a week to arrive and on October 16 I am moving to the Caribbean's! So not sure if I will get this card going before my MacPro is shipped in an Ocean container Yikes!
 
Hi Cindori!

I'm willing to test your app, going to buy a XFX 4870 soon. Before I do that I'd like a newb question answered though. :)

Do I have to have the card connected to the logic board with 2 power cables in order to succesfully flash it? Problem is, I have a X1900XT in my macpro which uses one of the power connectors on the board.

And does anyone know where I can get the needed power cables in Germany??

Thanks!
 
Another user reported success in flashing a 4890 with no power cables.


Power cables can be ordered from a Apple Store. They are spare parts, so you won't find them in the online shop.

Several Ebay users sell them too.
 
I will try this app this weekend,

i need to leave my other card in and then just add this one correct?

After it is flashed just restart and connect my monitors to the new card?

what happens if this does not work? will i need to then go into windows to redo the ROM, becuase this does not back up the original ROM, correct?

thanks!!
 
Hi Cindori,

Thanks for sharing the flash tools. Just wanted to know if having two 4870's (xfx + oem) will work with the flash app. Should I take one out?

Still not sure what the issue is with my mouse jumping around but maybe I need to flash the oem 4870 with an oem/efi rom. Or just use XFX only cards.
 
I currently do not recommend having other ATI cards in the computer when flashing. more on this later.
 
Cindori, great piece of work. Thanks to your work, I will not need my old Shuttle for flashing cards any more.

Is there any news on using an XFX with VGA? That is the only issue which currently stops me from using my 4870. I need VGA for my Samsung HDTV. I use 10.6.1 and a MP4,1.
 
I currently do not recommend having other ATI cards in the computer when flashing. more on this later.

if this is the case then I wont be able to flash mine, as my other is the ati radeon hd 2600, what seems to be the issue(S) when having 2 ati cards present?

thanks
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.