Ultimate Thread: 4890 in Mac Pro

[Cindori]

oh it bsods, when did that start?

 

[Peloche]

oh it bsods, when did that start?

when I installed ATI, accel QC_QI, switch off Mac Pro, installed HD4890 with power cords, restart and Black Screen Of Death with curtains and wheel

I've found why kext were not installed in Extensions directory:

kexthelper pops up a message when it finish, something like "It should be ok cross fingers and reboot"

But if you tick "Advanced" you can read all about the task, and there was errors like "not such file or directory", I think it was coming from the french name of the Download directory which is "Téléchargements" (yes it exists ).

I'm rebooting now, with no hope since to be clear I should run again Mac Os X 10.1.6 upgrade to start from scratch with your Natit.

 

[Peloche]

Nope, BSOD+C+W again

For flashing (with EFI) I've used the following from Ewok:
http://www.macbidouille.com/articles/281/page1 2 and 3

dd if=4870.rom of=efi.part bs=1 skip=63488 count=49152 blocknum=`printf %d "'\`dd if=pc4870.rom bs=1 skip=2 count=1 2>/dev/null\`"` size=$(($blocknum * 512)) dd if=efi.part of=pc4870.rom bs=$size seek=1 conv=notrunc

and get the same result: (except for the speed...)

Then for fixing memory table (fixrom.py is a script from Pipomolo42, thanks to him)

python fixrom.py pc4870.rom pc4870.rom

Before:
OpRom (size=63488, indicator_offset=0x275, indicator=0x0, checksum=0x7f)
OpRom (size=49152, indicator_offset=0x31, indicator=0x80, checksum=0xff)
RawData (size=18432)
After:
OpRom (size=63488, indicator_offset=0x275, indicator=0x0, checksum=0x7f)
OpRom (size=49152, indicator_offset=0x31, indicator=0x80, checksum=0xff)
RawData (size=18432)

In fact I made it twice, once with Netkas Rom as original and second time with original rom from macrumors, and both were working well on PC.

Did I miss something ?

 

[Cindori]

what card did you say you have again?

 

[panjandrum]

hey all -

if you're looking for cindori's card, amazon has one: http://www.amazon.com/Sapphire-Rade...2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1255378342&sr=8-2

i've been looking for days trying to find some place that actually has them in stock, it seems they're getting pretty scarce...

cheers,

mike

Just an FYI, Amazon listed those as in-stock, but then didn't actually have any. Have an return in process on my XFX 4890 (I really want one that works Mac and PC). According to Sapphire's website it looks like there is a "new edition" of this card: http://www.sapphiretech.com/presentation/product/?cid=1&psn=000101&gid=3&sgid=570

Any chance we'll get someone here to work on ROMs for one of the cards which *is* currently available? I mean, this is great and all, but usefulness is very limited if it only works on a model which is no-longer-available. For example, the XFX cards like I ordered are widely available.

If other cards are known to be working, perhaps we could compile a list on the first post? That would make life a lot easier.

 

[Cindori]

oh, you mean like this?

 

[panjandrum]

oh, you mean like this?

Well, yeah, I've read that thread, but it still isn't really a "list". What it is is a discussion. I think it started out on the correct premise, but it didn't work out. And then some of the information is just so incomplete. For example, try following the link from the reported success on the XFX Black, and that it needs a modified ROM. OK, there is a post with notes about screen shaking, but that is it. No modified ROM files, really no useful information at all. My card isn't a black edition, I'm just using that as an example.

I think what we really need is just a simple list of known working cards, trying to decipher what is and what isn't working in these threads is very difficult.

And: Thanks for all your hard work!

 

[doccelo]

Well, yeah, I've read that thread, but it still isn't really a "list". What it is is a discussion. I think it started out on the correct premise, but it didn't work out. And then some of the information is just so incomplete. For example, try following the link from the reported success on the XFX Black, and that it needs a modified ROM. OK, there is a post with notes about screen shaking, but that is it. No modified ROM files, really no useful information at all. My card isn't a black edition, I'm just using that as an example.

I think what we really need is just a simple list of known working cards, trying to decipher what is and what isn't working in these threads is very difficult.

And: Thanks for all your hard work!

That's what I'm trying to accomplish on that thread. Keep in mind, it's a fairly new thread and hasn't had time to mature. The more people report back, the more complete that list will become. Did you read through the whole post? A "simple list of known working cards" can only come from the community reporting back, as we obviously can't just go buy a bunch of cards and try them out (at least I can't). If you acquire any info, feel free to post there and report your findings. Oh, about the XFX Black card that needed a modified ROM, keep reading the thread -- it says you have to modify the memory clocks with Radeon BIOS Editor so they match. Did you just read the one post? I've read through every single post of this thread and pulled what info I could from it. If you find something I've missed, please post it in this thread. If you can put together a list of known working cards, that would be great! Good luck, and I look forward to seeing it (by this weekend would great, thanks).

 

[Peloche]

what card did you say you have again?

It's the Sapphire "New Edition"

http://www.sapphiretech.com/presentation/product/?psn=000101&pid=277

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/713428/ #732

 

[Cindori]

Well, yeah, I've read that thread, but it still isn't really a "list". What it is is a discussion. I think it started out on the correct premise, but it didn't work out. And then some of the information is just so incomplete. For example, try following the link from the reported success on the XFX Black, and that it needs a modified ROM. OK, there is a post with notes about screen shaking, but that is it. No modified ROM files, really no useful information at all. My card isn't a black edition, I'm just using that as an example.

I think what we really need is just a simple list of known working cards, trying to decipher what is and what isn't working in these threads is very difficult.

And: Thanks for all your hard work!

yeah that black xfx is a little fuzzy, details here:
https://forums.macrumors.com/posts/8206158/

and for "simple list of working cards", that is what you get.
that powercolor, rominator's MSI, my sapphire and that xfx with need of mod rom.

it's kinda hard to get ppl to test another card when there is danger of bricking it

 

[Peloche]

it's kinda hard to get ppl to test another card when there is danger of bricking it

Now it's becoming better Mac Pro won't start, i've got two disks system, one is called "Snow Leopard System" (SLS) and the second one is an external Super Duper clone of SLS that I update once a week and is called "Super Duper Snow Leopard System" (SDS), since i make tests for GC HD 4890 i didn't update SDS .

The GC is disconnected,

1 - MP starts on SLS with a normal grey screen + Apple logo + wheel
2 - Blue screen appears but with a wheel and cycle like this, blue screen and wheel, etc...

Apparently WindowServer can't start.

I restarted on SDS, delete within SLS /System/Library/Extensions all ATI...kext, delete ATY..kext, delete Natit.kext and reboot on SLS, identical failure...

This happened after I installed Natit yesterday evening, what Natit is installing apart ATY and Natit ?

GC HD4890 is still alive on PC ...;-))

 

[SuperSpiker]

My POWERCOLOR PLUS AX4890 1GBD5-UH Radeon HD 4890 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 CrossFire Supported Video Card - OC Edition - Retail ships to me later today.

I want to ensure I understand a few things correctly before I flash the ROM.

1. Before flashing the ROM do I need to backup the original ROM? If so how do I do that?

2. For my new 4890 GC which app should I use: the Overclock Package or the Normal Package? I ask because the GC I've got is apparently the "OC Edition" So I'm confused about which package I should use.

3. I ordered 2 of the ATI power cables. As far as I can tell I need to plug those cables into the 2nd superdrive power source. Is that right? If not please set me straight.

4. I'm assuming I need to have Snow Leopard 10.6.1 installed BEFORE flashing the ROM. Is that right?

5. How am I supposed to run the flash app (package) if have no video output from the 4890 before it's flashed? Am I supposed to plug in the 4890 along with the GC that came with the Mac Pro? And if that's the case do I use the secondary method?

Sorry for being so newbish. I get my Mac Pro tomorrow and I'm pretty stoked about it. I ordered the 4890 (as shown above) and also 12 gigs of OWC RAM. I'll be running a Dell 30" monitor which uses Dual-DVI connection for a max resolution of 2560x1600.

I'll post my results of the GC once I've had a chance to put it all together. I'm confident that it will work as the GC I'll be using has been reported to work with success and Dual-DVI support via Snow Leopard.

Thanks for all the great info on this thread and I appreciate any help on the questions above.

 

[Peloche]

1. Before flashing the ROM do I need to backup the original ROM? If so how do I do that?

Sure you have to do a backup and keep it safe.

You can have a look on this great site for atiflash:

http://forums.techpowerup.com/showthread.php?t=57750

example to run under dos:

To know what ATI GC are installed:

atiflash -i

it will tell you "0" if you have only one ATI card installed

To know more details when you get "0":

atiflash -ai 0

To save your original rom:

atiflash -s 0 xyz.rom 20000

where -s is for "Save",
0 is the first ATI GC installed,
xyz.rom is the name you want to give to the rom backup
20000 is to be sure that atiflash will backup all 128k

 

[Peloche]

Back,

I SuperDupered SDS to SLS, now it's virgin from all injections

I'm going to reflash HD4890 with an EFI Bios

 

[Cindori]

I want to ensure I understand a few things correctly before I flash the ROM.

1. Before flashing the ROM do I need to backup the original ROM? If so how do I do that?

to backup, do as peloche described.
or google to see if there's already a copy of your rom somewhere on the web.

2. For my new 4890 GC which app should I use: the Overclock Package or the Normal Package? I ask because the GC I've got is apparently the "OC Edition" So I'm confused about which package I should use.

That your card is "OC" means that the card is using a few more MHz then a normal card. That a card is "OC" really does not mean that it's changed on a hardware level. I'd say almost every 4890 can use the OC package. If it's too much for your card, you will get some graphical lines and stuff during heavy tasks. Not that dangerous, you'll just go "oh" and then download the normal pkg and flash with that.

3. I ordered 2 of the ATI power cables. As far as I can tell I need to plug those cables into the 2nd superdrive power source. Is that right? If not please set me straight.

ATI cables plug into the motherboard, like the x1900, 8800gt or 3870 if you have one of those.

4. I'm assuming I need to have Snow Leopard 10.6.1 installed BEFORE flashing the ROM. Is that right?

No. I tried the flash on Leopard 10.5.8, works the same.
But your card will only give output on both DVI if you have Snow Leopard.

5. How am I supposed to run the flash app (package) if have no video output from the 4890 before it's flashed? Am I supposed to plug in the 4890 along with the GC that came with the Mac Pro? And if that's the case do I use the secondary method?

If you have a Nvidia card, you run your display from that and keep your 4890 in any other slot.
The "secondary method" is for people with apple ati cards.
Basically the flash will flash any ATI marked cards in your computer, so the "secondary method" is a workaround that uses Natit (emulates EFI) that lets you get image from the 4890 PC card so you can remove your apple ati cards.
when you boot with only the 4890, you do the normal flash, then remove natit, and then put back your apple card if you still want to keep it.

Sorry for being so newbish. I get my Mac Pro tomorrow and I'm pretty stoked about it. I ordered the 4890 (as shown above) and also 12 gigs of OWC RAM. I'll be running a Dell 30" monitor which uses Dual-DVI connection for a max resolution of 2560x1600.

remember that only one of the two DVI ports on the 4890 will give you dual link dvi (should you want to upgrade to 2 30"s)

 

[Peloche]

New try:
1 - I've flashed GC rom with EFI and bios
2 - Installed GC HD4890 and restarted MacPro
Here is the result "Aucune kext n'est chargée" means "No kext is loaded":

 

[Peloche]

3 - install QE_CI_Exotic_cards_10.6.1.pkg

Result: it appears that a kext has been loaded

IMHO there is some wrong within the EFI ROM, as no VRAM appear it could be a matter of location within the EFI ROM.

But i'm not able to check the EFI ROM, so without any more help about bios I'll give up for the time being, it's a pity because this card is available every where now and at low price.

 

[7akeem]

Urgent

Dear Cindori, thanks alot for all that effort.
pardon my ignorance, I have bought tonight an HD 4890 force3d brand, it looks like the reference card from sapphire.

I just need to get things right.
I have 2600 ati as primary card so the steps I will do as follow?

1. Install http://krull.se/macpro/NatitPKG.zip then remove the 2600

2.install http://krull.se/macpro/NormalFlash.zip


is there any thing els I need to know before doing that?

I will post images of the card later.

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[doccelo]

Dear Cindori, thanks alot for all that effort.
pardon my ignorance, I have bought tonight an HD 4890 force3d brand, it looks like the reference card from sapphire.

I just need to get things right.
I have 2600 ati as primary card so the steps I will do as follow?

1. Install http://krull.se/macpro/NatitPKG.zip then remove the 2600

2.install http://krull.se/macpro/NormalFlash.zip


is there any thing els I need to know before doing that?

I will post images of the card later.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Hi 7akeem, please post your results (success or failure) in this thread. It will help the community when choosing a card to buy. Thanks.

 

[Cindori]

Dear Cindori, thanks alot for all that effort.
pardon my ignorance, I have bought tonight an HD 4890 force3d brand, it looks like the reference card from sapphire.

I just need to get things right.
I have 2600 ati as primary card so the steps I will do as follow?

1. Install http://krull.se/macpro/NatitPKG.zip then remove the 2600

2.install http://krull.se/macpro/NormalFlash.zip


is there any thing els I need to know before doing that?

I will post images of the card later.

Thanks in advance for your help.

no. just follow instructions. they are written for a reason.
also this warning, people flashing wrong cards have managed to destroy the card forever.
but since it looks like mine, id give it a shot.

 

[Macinposh]

also this warning, people flashing wrong cards have managed to destroy the card forever.

out of curiosity,how is that possible? I mean,if you reflash it,shouldnt it be all theory be like it was before?
the reason I am asking is that my previous card is at the hands of a "pc-wizard". he have managed to get it up and running but apparently it is acting really erratically: vanishing,sudden core temps of +140c(!) and the running fine for a day.on 2 different chipsets.with the cards original rom.

just curious as I am layman on these subjects!

 

[Cindori]

i dont know, it puzzles me too. but you flashed with imac graphic card firmware AND the 4890 firmware at the same time. nothing like that has ever been documented. obviously not that healthy for card.

 

[SuperSpiker]

Success!

Following the steps in the first post of this thread I have successfully flashed my PowerColor 4980.

Everything worked flawlessly!

Thanks for helping me out with all my questions.

Many thanks to everyone who contributed to this project!

 

[bdizzle]

Success!

Following the steps in the first post of this thread I have successfully flashed my PowerColor 4980.

Everything worked flawlessly!

Thanks for helping me out with all my questions.

Many thanks to everyone who contributed to this project!

with cindori's flash.app? Which clock did you use? Regular or overclock?

 

[7akeem]

I have installed the Natit package, then removed the 2600 card.
Restarted with the 4890 onboard, however only black screen. Waited for sometime but nothing.
Removed the Natit, and done it again yet nothing.

Moved the 4890 from slot 1 to 2 and vice versa but nothing changed.