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iM 4,1-14,4 2011 iMac Graphics Card Upgrade
- Thread starter MichaelDT
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TigerA
macrumors 6502
The internal LCD of my iMac11,2 (M5100) has stopped working ever since the update from 12.3.1 to 12.4 and OCLP from 0.4.4 to 0.4.5. Subsequently I connected an external monitor and it did show the OCLP boot-picker with interlaced horizontal red stripes in the background. The update was also not successful because I could not boot into any OS. I then disconnected all the internal drives and took the SSD out, which contains the OCLP and macOS 12.4. I used another iMac (M5100) to rebuild the OCLP but the internal LCD remained black after tried OCLP 0.4.4, 0.3.3, even added
I am running out of ideas and suspect it has become a hardware issue.
radpg=15 -wegtree apdpmod=pikera shikigva=128 at boot-args in config.plist. I've tried another SSD containing 12.3.1 and the internal LCD still remained black and the iMac would not boot to any OS. I even re-flashed the M5100 vBIOS which did not make any difference (The Linux grml recognised the M5100 and showed pass status). I also tried the High Sierra on the original HDD but it came up with some error code on the external monitor saying something like "not allowed due to permission issue" words to that effect.I am running out of ideas and suspect it has become a hardware issue.
Lady Titan
macrumors regular
Hey!
I have a problem with the whole display, it's a black screen!!! 2011 gtx 880m connect to 2013 imac 27 via lightning in the opposite direction, if you run the command on 2011, it shows the 2013 imac screen without problems ... help solve the problem?
on two imac catalina
I have a problem with the whole display, it's a black screen!!! 2011 gtx 880m connect to 2013 imac 27 via lightning in the opposite direction, if you run the command on 2011, it shows the 2013 imac screen without problems ... help solve the problem?
on two imac catalina
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Ausdauersportler
macrumors 603
Reset NVRAM and press alt/option on boot, press it long! This is the only cure. If you cannot get the internal nor an external display working - please do not shoot the messenger - your card is likely gone.
We cannot repair remotely broken cards. You will have to do this on your own. Every known method is listed in the hardware problem post, just read it.
Lady Titan
macrumors regular
no no! cards works! and already successfully 2 years! thanks to the creator of this firmware) maybe you misunderstood? TDM not working i.e. I want to see 2011 screen with gtx 880m video card on imac 2013 27 display! If you run in the opposite direction, then the screen works!
2011 - 2013 does not work!
2013 - 2011 works!
Ausdauersportler
macrumors 603
Target Display Mode works (and is supported) on the iMac 2011 only with up to High Sierra! I doubt you got it working on an iMac12,2 running Catalina receiving a picture from another Mac.
Congrats if you got it working, but a dying screen is likely the result.
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Lady Titan
macrumors regular
That is on iMac 14,5 Catalina broadcasts the display, and 12,2 only from Sierra???????!!?!!?!!
And
At an exit from the target display from 2013 … iMac 2011 the screen dies away and only reset (to hold the button on/off) it just hangs and the display does not turn on … here faced such problems …
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You really need to describe your problem more precisely, clearly separating all different approaches you already tried.
I have a iMac14,2 (2013) running Monterey that can do target display mode for a Mac mini 2018 also running Monterey.
Ausdauersportler
macrumors 603
The DisplayPort equipped iMac11,x can do TDM as well with Monterey, but the Thunderbolt2 equipped iMac12,2 not as far as all people trying this have reported (starting with Mojave to make it work ,again). It is definitely broken on Mojave and was on Catalina.
Would be great to have it back though....
I think you might have better luck if you can install a later OS. I had trouble with Catalina but it did eventually work. See this: #2
Eugen Mezei
Suspended
I somewhere read that the 2011 model needs a (real) Thunderbolt cable, whereas the 2009 one needs a Displayport cable.
Hi all
Thank you beforehand to all the developers and users alike who made this possible with such high technical detail and commitment, and for breathing new life into our still capable computers!
..yet I still managed to screw up. this is how:
Installed my new nvidia K1100M GPU (along with a slightly better CPU while I was at it) to my 21.5" mid-2010 iMac and it booted back cheerfully (albeit with a screen at full brightness which was paying a toll in its temperature) I have always used 3rd party fan control but the same parameters were insufficient to keep it as cool as before at the same noise level. So I wanted to see what was the minimum required to get only brightness control since everything else was working fine for me after the swap and I wanted to stay in High Sierra.
I also flashed the corresponding vBIOS succesfully through SSH but the moment I was faced with the step of installing Catalina Loader onto an SD card I became hesitant (because I thought foolishly it was a step only needed if I wanted to update to Catalina or so) I saw that much of the info was structured as a path to updating into the latest possible OS but I only wanted brightness control and stay in my current near-obsolote OS, so I tried my luck and installed Ausdauersportler’s iMac nvidia-patch which copied two kexts into my System/Library/Extensions folder Whatevergreen and Lilu which were conveniently pre-tagged pink, in the hopes it would somehow suffice, circumventing the need to use opencore or any other further process.
I am mostly positive that SIP was disabled during this operation but later realized that a couple of PRAM/SMC resets I did previously might have also reset the SIP status to enabled by default but when I go now to check it in Recovery mode it always reports as disabled regardless of trying to enable it by command.
Once I restarted the computer to finish the installation it no longer booted back to the OS, just stayed at the seemingly common ~75% progress bar. Oddly enough I can still access all the files since it shows up as a shared computer in another mac in my network after a few seconds while still remaining stuck in the progress bar, as if loading part of the OS behind the curtain (no remote screen sharing though)
I tried deleting the kexts from the recovery terminal to revert my deeds, but failed at doing so due to some permission errors which I didn’t know how to overcome or which privileges were needed to delete files within that directory, so I plugged another ssd with a fresh copy of high sierra and deleted them from that installation in Finder without any warnings but mac still won't boot up.
This time I did the right thing and flashed the opencore Catalina Loader into an SD card and with the fresh copy of High Sierra I have brightness control and the nice Hardware monitor tool that comes in the image but I would like to know if there is any way I can somehow reinstall the original kexts to make my original installation function like before I made this change. Most of the data is backed up yet I should have tried in a test installation like always recommended but here I am so..
Thank you for any advice you can give me
Thank you beforehand to all the developers and users alike who made this possible with such high technical detail and commitment, and for breathing new life into our still capable computers!
..yet I still managed to screw up. this is how:
Installed my new nvidia K1100M GPU (along with a slightly better CPU while I was at it) to my 21.5" mid-2010 iMac and it booted back cheerfully (albeit with a screen at full brightness which was paying a toll in its temperature) I have always used 3rd party fan control but the same parameters were insufficient to keep it as cool as before at the same noise level. So I wanted to see what was the minimum required to get only brightness control since everything else was working fine for me after the swap and I wanted to stay in High Sierra.
I also flashed the corresponding vBIOS succesfully through SSH but the moment I was faced with the step of installing Catalina Loader onto an SD card I became hesitant (because I thought foolishly it was a step only needed if I wanted to update to Catalina or so) I saw that much of the info was structured as a path to updating into the latest possible OS but I only wanted brightness control and stay in my current near-obsolote OS, so I tried my luck and installed Ausdauersportler’s iMac nvidia-patch which copied two kexts into my System/Library/Extensions folder Whatevergreen and Lilu which were conveniently pre-tagged pink, in the hopes it would somehow suffice, circumventing the need to use opencore or any other further process.
I am mostly positive that SIP was disabled during this operation but later realized that a couple of PRAM/SMC resets I did previously might have also reset the SIP status to enabled by default but when I go now to check it in Recovery mode it always reports as disabled regardless of trying to enable it by command.
Once I restarted the computer to finish the installation it no longer booted back to the OS, just stayed at the seemingly common ~75% progress bar. Oddly enough I can still access all the files since it shows up as a shared computer in another mac in my network after a few seconds while still remaining stuck in the progress bar, as if loading part of the OS behind the curtain (no remote screen sharing though)
I tried deleting the kexts from the recovery terminal to revert my deeds, but failed at doing so due to some permission errors which I didn’t know how to overcome or which privileges were needed to delete files within that directory, so I plugged another ssd with a fresh copy of high sierra and deleted them from that installation in Finder without any warnings but mac still won't boot up.
This time I did the right thing and flashed the opencore Catalina Loader into an SD card and with the fresh copy of High Sierra I have brightness control and the nice Hardware monitor tool that comes in the image but I would like to know if there is any way I can somehow reinstall the original kexts to make my original installation function like before I made this change. Most of the data is backed up yet I should have tried in a test installation like always recommended but here I am so..
Thank you for any advice you can give me
Ausdauersportler
macrumors 603
The patch also contains a removal tool. But I would recommend to start with a fresh installation and I do not plan to invest any more time into the old patcher. Possibly I should stop the download.
After a new installation just download OCLP and install OpenCore to your iMac11,2 internal SSD/HDD and all will be fine.
Everything you tried until now has been already replaced by this single tool long, long, ago. You can stay on High Sierra or you can move on to Monterey, but in case you plan to upgrade please do a fresh installation after deleting all old APSF files systems. Otherwise you will carry some nasty old bugs into the new age.
thank you, but I cannot use the removal tool since I don't have access to the graphical interface, unless there is some way I can run an installer/uninstaller through terminal?
I will start from fresh but I would like to recover first my original installation if possible. I tried deleting Whatevergreen and Lilu kexts and then chowning the extensions folder but I cannot rebuild the cache with
Code:
sudo kextcache -i /Also is it normal that with a fresh installation I get the message
Code:
Starting OpenCore.efi
Using load options ''
Error: Already started returned from OpenCore.efi
*Hit any key to continue*then I have to press a key as it says and have to pick the drive manually from rEfind
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Nguyen Duc Hieu
macrumors 68040
You can do a fresh install of High Sierra on another Mac computer. Then, still on that working computer, install OCLP with proper set up for your iMac 11,2. (Manual setting) After copying the whole EFI to the High Sierra SSD, you can then move the SSD to your iMac 11,2. It will now boot from the SSD to High Sierra with OCLP boot menu, Brightness control etc.
Another option is copy the EFI folder (created by OCLP with iMac 11,2 nVidia parameter selected) to an USB installer of Big Sur or Monterey. Then use that USB to boot and install Monterey to iMac 11,2 (blank SSD inside)
I know almost nothing about Lilu, kext etc. stuff. I just know how to run OCLP and follow its guideline. But my iMac with K1100m is still working fine.
Praise to the the experts who created the tool for us novice to use simply and conveniently.
Surf2bikes
macrumors member
Hi everyone!
I recently experiencing sleep/wake issues after upgrading from MacOS 12.3 to 12.4 and updating OCLP from 0.43 to 0.44. Within 5 minutes after wake up iMac 11,3 screen goes black and Mac reboots (Kernel Panic).
My system was running very stable for months without any issues.
Any similar experiences?
Many thanks
I recently experiencing sleep/wake issues after upgrading from MacOS 12.3 to 12.4 and updating OCLP from 0.43 to 0.44. Within 5 minutes after wake up iMac 11,3 screen goes black and Mac reboots (Kernel Panic).
My system was running very stable for months without any issues.
Any similar experiences?
Many thanks
Ausdauersportler
macrumors 603
OCLP 0.4.5 is latest…and no, my similar equipped iMac11,3 does not have this problem.
Surf2bikes
macrumors member
My similar iMac 2010 also run good with OCLP 0.4.6n in Monterey 12.4.
Marche90
macrumors member
First of all, thanks for your answers. I ended up dropping the idea of modding that system and told the seller I would not get that iMac after all.
Now hopefully I don't anger anyone asking this, but I want to know if I have the right idea to commit the money. I've gotten hold of a fully working 2011 27" iMac with the 6970M. Since I want Metal support I've been reading as much as I can and decided that my best course of action, considering my budget($50), skills with Dremel tools (none) and willingness to mess with software is to settle for a Red Dell FirePro M5100 (note: would have liked a WX4130, but it's outside my budget). I know that it still has some issues, but I would disable sleep/wake and deal with the NVRAM corruption if that's my luck.
Having said that, I'm a bit confused. Considering I'm on OCLP v. 0.4.4 running Monterey, My plan of attack consists of before doing anything add the CAIL lines in this post: Experimental M5100 Support to my config.plist and set the type of GPU on OCLP.
Open up the iMac and switch the graphics card. Put it mostly back together.
Power up the iMac to see if the graphics card work.
This is where my confusion pops up. If I understand right, in theory I should be able to access Monterey (the OS I have installed atm) right away?
If that's the case, after that I would use the Windows 7 bootcamp partition linked on post #1 and install the vBIOS for the card.
Reboot into macOS, finish putting it back together.
???
Profit
Barring the card arriving DOA, that would be the gist of it?
Side question: watching videos I've learned to be very fearful of the power supply. What precautions should I have in order to minimize risk? Power off the iMac as much as I can using the power button and using rubber gloves while removing the screen?
Ausdauersportler
macrumors 603
- change the OpenCore and add the CAIL lines or just add the boot-args as described in the very same M5100 post
- enable the OpenCore boot picker (if disabled)
- revert root patches for you old GPU!!!
- power down the system
- replace the GPU, leave SSD/HDD disconnected
- power up and flash the AMD card using the GRML Linux utility, you can use ssh from a iPad/iPhone/PC whatever to access the iMac (the card will not enable an internal or external display before you flashed it). So you need this remote access solution!
- reconnect the SSD and install the LCD panel, fix it with one screw
- cross all fingers, do not press alt/option, it will not work with AMD cards. Just wait until system starts
- download OCLP latest and run to generate a new OpenCore config and write it to disk
- reboot and test
- power down (and pull the wall plug!!) and fix all screws and the glas
Do not make us the service organization of your seller, if the GPU is dead or malfunctioning discuss it please with the guy who got your money.
P.S. You could have got the same plan just by reading the docs in the first post. I cannot understand why this is so difficult?
P.P.S: The M5100 will likely break sleep/wake but will not cause NVRAM corruption. The M4000 has no such limitations and may be the cheapest option as long as you get a card with a BIOS chip.
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Rafy_GZ
macrumors newbie
Hello everyone,
I would like share another successful graphic card upgrade installation. 😄😄😄
Many thanks that forum’s members who help me during the upgrading process (@Ausdauersportler @Nguyen Duc Hieu @internetzel @viniciustulio) and a big praise for all the amazing work done to develop patches in order to allow our old iMac to experience another life with latest macOS!!
For the detail: after (a second) AMD 4850 failure on Late 2009 11,1 iMac I update my GPU to AMD WX4130. First basic install to flash the vbios by ssh, then I performed a “special install” with copper piece to bridge the gap between GPU and heatsink (0,8mm thick 1,5mm x 1,5mm thermal paste for gpu chip and solid pad for memory chip as recommended…). The temperature difference is really huge: about 20 degrees without copper and between 3 to 10 degrees with the special install. Not sure how to measure/evaluate the result from Benchmark Valley. I run it on the iMac but second screen was connected .
I also did experience trouble reinstalling the system (I choose Monterey) probably due to a poor quality SSD disk, corrupted file download or usb stick default sector… But finally get in grade to boot High Sierra (here the second screen is not an option but a must have).
After running the OCLP patch v0.44 and post install into the EFI partition I basically got all my hardware working. As I forgot to plug in the wireless card data cable during dismantle/assemble phases the WIFI was not recognized when I installed Monterey... After re-plug the cable and run the after install patch, the system did recognize the WIFI card but still not enable to scan for wireless network yet.
So far, the wireless is not the only disfunction after install. I also noticed a weaker bluetooth connection (keyboard need be awake) and a deteriorate sound from internal device (I may have hurt the speaker during dismantle?). Maybe I will have other surprise once I will get my workstation ready with Adobe suite, Rhino and GIS software. But by now this metal compatible GPU upgrade allow me to use my computer again running pretty smoothly Monterey and that is a very very good news!
Well I have some question:
1 - Can I install Refind boot loader to have a macOS/Linux multiboot? Is that bootloader compatible with OCLP ?
2 - I removed the High Sierra partition from the disk. I read in the thread that a NVRAM reset could delete the EFI partition content. In this case can I still boot with my Monterey-install usb loaded with OCLP and target SDD Monterey partition?
I would like share another successful graphic card upgrade installation. 😄😄😄
Many thanks that forum’s members who help me during the upgrading process (@Ausdauersportler @Nguyen Duc Hieu @internetzel @viniciustulio) and a big praise for all the amazing work done to develop patches in order to allow our old iMac to experience another life with latest macOS!!
For the detail: after (a second) AMD 4850 failure on Late 2009 11,1 iMac I update my GPU to AMD WX4130. First basic install to flash the vbios by ssh, then I performed a “special install” with copper piece to bridge the gap between GPU and heatsink (0,8mm thick 1,5mm x 1,5mm thermal paste for gpu chip and solid pad for memory chip as recommended…). The temperature difference is really huge: about 20 degrees without copper and between 3 to 10 degrees with the special install. Not sure how to measure/evaluate the result from Benchmark Valley. I run it on the iMac but second screen was connected .
I also did experience trouble reinstalling the system (I choose Monterey) probably due to a poor quality SSD disk, corrupted file download or usb stick default sector… But finally get in grade to boot High Sierra (here the second screen is not an option but a must have).
After running the OCLP patch v0.44 and post install into the EFI partition I basically got all my hardware working. As I forgot to plug in the wireless card data cable during dismantle/assemble phases the WIFI was not recognized when I installed Monterey... After re-plug the cable and run the after install patch, the system did recognize the WIFI card but still not enable to scan for wireless network yet.
So far, the wireless is not the only disfunction after install. I also noticed a weaker bluetooth connection (keyboard need be awake) and a deteriorate sound from internal device (I may have hurt the speaker during dismantle?). Maybe I will have other surprise once I will get my workstation ready with Adobe suite, Rhino and GIS software. But by now this metal compatible GPU upgrade allow me to use my computer again running pretty smoothly Monterey and that is a very very good news!
Well I have some question:
1 - Can I install Refind boot loader to have a macOS/Linux multiboot? Is that bootloader compatible with OCLP ?
2 - I removed the High Sierra partition from the disk. I read in the thread that a NVRAM reset could delete the EFI partition content. In this case can I still boot with my Monterey-install usb loaded with OCLP and target SDD Monterey partition?
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Ausdauersportler
macrumors 603
Download OCLP 0.4.5 (again!!) and apply root volume patches to enable WiFi. BT fixes have been included there, too. Please discuss all this macOS related questions on the appropriate (Monterey or Big Sur) thread. Monterey dropped support for most legacy WiFi and BT cards…
You can setup OpenCore to boot directly into Linux. Do not mess with double boot loader setups.
No, this is incorrect. The EFI will be untouched after a PRAM reset, although with previous versions of Catalina Loader/OpenCore you simply lost the OpenCore boot and could not select this boot disk properly. This problem has been solved. I am using single install Monterey on all of my iMacs with AMD GPU (using a GOP vBIOS).
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