Resolved 2008 Mac Pro black screen until login screen, won't display Snow Leopard DVD either

[RangerNed]

I've just bought a 2008 Mac Pro, which runs Lion. I've noticed that it doesn't send input via HDMI or DVI until it's loaded the login screen, then the inputs work.

I've also noticed that it doesn't display anything at all when booting off the Snow Leopard install DVD, which is quite annoying as it is the reason I bought it.

Any fixes or tips? I'm really stuck here.

 

[theMarble]

Is your HD 5770 a Mac Edition card or the standard PC version?

If it’s the latter, then it doesn’t have the proper EFI/BIOS on the card to display anything prior to the OS loading (i.e. bootscreen, boot-picker, etc…).

You will need to either flash your card using a PC with an available PCIe slot, or get a different video card if you want a bootscreen.

 

[RangerNed]

Is your HD 5770 a Mac Edition card or the standard PC version?

If it’s the latter, then it doesn’t have the proper EFI/BIOS on the card to display anything prior to the OS loading (i.e. bootscreen, boot-picker, etc…).

You will need to either flash your card using a PC with an available PCIe slot, or get a different video card if you want a bootscreen.

I don't know if it is the standard version, it wasn't mentioned on the eBay listing. Is there a way to tell physically?

I can live without the bootscreen, the main problem is not being able to see the Snow Leopard DVD display after holding C.

If I do have to flash it, is there any other choice other than using another PC? The only PCs I have are a couple of old Windows 2000 boxes. Would it be possible to flash it with PC software via Wine?

 

[theMarble]

I don't know if it is the standard version, it wasn't mentioned on the eBay listing. Is there a way to tell physically?

If it has 2 DVI ports along with one HDMI and DP port, then it is a standard PC 5770. If it has one DVI, and two Mini-DP ports, then it is the Mac Edition.

If I do have to flash it, is there any other choice other than using another PC? The only PCs I have are a couple of old Windows 2000 boxes.

No, it has to be done from another PC, and the 5770 should not be the GPU outputting to a display, so the PC will need either an integrated GPU or a second card. I also doubt that ATIFlash works on Windows 2000, it most likely will require XP at the minimum, though 7-10 would be best.

 

[RangerNed]

If it has 2 DVI ports along with one HDMI and DP port, then it is a standard PC 5770. If it has one DVI, and two Mini-DP ports, then it is the Mac Edition.

Damn it. Standard one then.
Should this be affecting the Snow Leopard DVD? Since surely it's counted as "after boot" when it's loaded.

 

[theMarble]

Should this be affecting the Snow Leopard DVD? Since surely it's counted as "after boot" when it's loaded.

Yes, as the Snow Leopard DVD does not have the kexts for Radeon HD 5000 series GPUs.

Support for them was added over 10.6.4/10.6.5 (10.6.4 had a special build for 2010 Mac Pro, general support was added in 10.6.5), while all Snow Leopard DVD's are either 10.6.0 or 10.6.3.

 

[RangerNed]

Yes, as the Snow Leopard DVD does not have the kexts for Radeon HD 5000 series GPUs.

Support for them was added over 10.6.4/10.6.5 (10.6.4 had a special build for 2010 Mac Pro, general support was added in 10.6.5), while all Snow Leopard DVD's are either 10.6.0 or 10.6.3.

Is this a problem either way, or would it work once I flash the GPU?

 

[theMarble]

Is this a problem either way, or would it work once I flash the GPU?

Once you flash it, the slimmed-down OS that the installer runs will display with the 5770, but in basic driver-less mode. You'll get an output, and be able to install OS X, but it may be choppy.

You should also be able to get to the desktop once installed, however like before you will be running with no graphics drivers/kexts, so would update to 10.6.8 A.S.A.P. The 10.6.8 combo update will contain the 5000-series kexts.

 

[RangerNed]

Once you flash it, the slimmed-down OS that the installer runs will display with the 5770, but in basic driver-less mode. You'll get an output, and be able to install OS X, but it may be choppy.

You should also be able to get to the desktop once installed, however like before you will be running with no graphics drivers/kexts, so would update to 10.6.8 A.S.A.P. The 10.6.8 combo update will contain the 5000-series kexts.

Thanks. I've ordered a new GPU and will probably sell the current one.