---------- Original message ---------- Subject: Flashing a PC video card if you do NOT have a PC Date: Mittwoch 26 Mai 2010N From: "[email protected]" <[email protected]> To: [email protected]
> I understand the confusion of deadwinters post "helooooo? Anyone?" > under the subject "Flashing PCI cards if you do NOT have a PC". > I too have been somewhat confused by the answers to the question. I > don't know about deadwinter but my problem is likely due to my age > (really old). And a lack of some the foundational experience that all > you experts have..... > > So I'll change the subject line to be more accurate to my > question......... > Which is can you flash a PC video card for use on a MAC if you don't > have access to a PC? > > I think we first need a clear Yes or No to; > > PCI Video cards > and a clear Yes or No to > AGP Video cards. > > If any are yes then please point us to the appropriate web sites etc. > > Thanks > Graphiccelerator has versions of ROM flash applications for ATI and for nVidia bundled. http://thomas.perrier.name/graphiccelerator.html These are not an easy to use applications. It takes some time to gather all the information required and to get used to how these applications work. It is best to have a second Mac graphics card installed, besides the one that is to be flash. E.g. you want to flash an PC-Version AGP card: you should have a PCI Mac Edition graphics card so you can “see” what you are doing. E.g. you want to flash a PC-Version PCI card: you need an AGP Mac card for that. If you don't have a second graphics card you need to use VNC or another “remote desktop” application so you can work on the Mac that has no valic Mac graphics card. Also, some Macs won't even start up with only a non-Mac graphics card installed. I also read that Mac OS X 10.4 don't like it when it finds a PC-Version graphics card and so refuses to boot. This page is also recommended (by me) – to get an idea how it could work: http://thomas.perrier.name/otherStuff/ati9800convertEN.html And off couse THE one page wich is a good resource for ROMs: http://themacelite.wikidot.com/ It works better to flash on a PC though. AND ONE IMPORTAINT THING AS A WARNING! Always make a backup of the original ROM that came with the card. If you “mis-flash” (I hope this is an English expression) you can reflash your card with the original ROM to a working condition. If not for the Mac then at least for the PC. Otherwise your graphics card may be trashed for good – on both Mac and PC. I successfully flashed an nVidia GeForce3 Ti200 AGP (OEM menufacturer was MEDION, a european low-cost company) from PC-ROM to Mac-ROM. I flashed the card on a PC though. And successfully is not really true because the picture is distorted on the Mac but is 100% accurate once Mac OS X takes over. I have Quartz Extreme and that is all that counts. If I ever need to treak on the Open Firmware prompt I need to switch back to the original ATi Rage128. I had NO success with a GeForce4 MX460 (also MEDION) and also NO success with an ATI Radeon X800XT PE (I used the X800XT ROM), both AGP. Some cards need to be physically modified, like an ATI Radeon 9250: http://themacelite.wikidot.com/9250-trick First, check the buying guides on TheMacElite.WikiDot.com. Then, when you've decided, choose the method suitable for you. If you cannot get access to an old PC for this task, use your Mac. If you are experienced with remote desktop work this may be your choice. Good luck! Andreas aka Mac User #330250 -- You received this message because you are a member of G-Group, a group for those using G3, G4, and G5 desktop Macs - with a particular focus on Power Macs. The list FAQ is at http://lowendmac.com/lists/g-list.shtml and our netiquette guide is at http://www.lowendmac.com/lists/netiquette.shtml To post to this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/g3-5-list
