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View Full Version : Can you flash an HD4890 with only 1 power cable on it?




Novablas
Aug 11, 2010, 12:21 AM
I only have an 8800 GT which requires 1 cable, will the HD4890 be flashable in OS X with only 1 power cord attached? Thanks in advance, I tried to search the original 3000 post thread but there were many pages of results for "power".



goMac
Aug 11, 2010, 12:30 AM
Not sure I follow. You'll need two power cables to run it anyway, so it's probably best to wait to flash until you have the power cables you need.

Novablas
Aug 11, 2010, 12:34 AM
Not sure I follow. You'll need two power cables to run it anyway, so it's probably best to wait to flash until you have the power cables you need.

To clarify, I do have both power cables needed to fully power the HD4890, I just want to flash in OSX if possible, and since there's only max 2 power slots in my Mac Pro, I wanted to know if I could still flash the 4890 with only 1 power cable connected to it (temporarily) and 1 to the 8800GT so I can boot up and actually see the screen.

So I'm basically asking if this is possible:

Flash in OSX with no repercussions with:

Slot 1: 4890 w/ only 1 power cord
Slot 2: 8800GT with 1 power cord
Slot 3: Empty
Slot 4: Empty

goMac
Aug 11, 2010, 01:03 AM
Ahhhh, that makes sense...

I don't know. I'd worry about that a bit. I'm sure someone else will be able to give you better info.

Novablas
Aug 11, 2010, 08:16 AM
Anyone else have experience with this or know of another way to do it? Can I do screen sharing with another mac if the 4890 is the only thing plugged into the Mac Pro?

Cindori
Aug 11, 2010, 08:34 AM
your computer will not boot if there is not a efi card present.

some people have reported flashing to work with 1 or no power cables. it does not hurt to try. zeus will report flashing aborted if card is not found or not compatible.

Novablas
Aug 11, 2010, 08:48 AM
k I'll give it a shot when it comes, otherwise flashing in Windows or DOS is my only option I guess?

Thanks Cindori!

jeanlain
Aug 11, 2010, 08:48 AM
your computer will not boot if there is not a efi card present.

What?
Assuming you meant graphics card, a PC card with only a BIOS will allow your Mac Pro to boot in Windows or DOS. Even OS X will boot. I once started OS X with only a PC 4870 in my Mac Pro. No video, obviously, but it did boot. Screen sharing worked BTW, but was awfully slow.
I'm not 100% sure that the PC 4870 was in the Mac. I may have booted it with no graphics card at all (that works too), but I don't think I did.

Novablas
Aug 11, 2010, 09:04 AM
I guess it doesn't hurt to try screen sharing, thanks!