Ok I have all my parts to upgrade my 2010 iMac 27" with AMD WX 4150. I have tried to read everything I can but seems like everyone has used a different GPU when it come to flashing. What is going to be the best/ easiest way to flash the GPU? I have read the tutorial here but really not sure about which file to use and if the USB drive flash will work with the WX4150. I understand the clip is not a viable option due to the size of the wx 4150 chip. Has anyone flashed a wx 4150? Any step by step tutorials for this GPU. I was thinking about using bootcamp partition with windows 7 or the USB drive method I have other Macs I could remote in with. Just not sure what's the best way to proceed for a newbie? Never done this before.
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iM 4,1-14,4 Flashing a wx 4150 for 2010 iMac 27"
- Thread starter Radmcg
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Spoiler 7 of this thread:
2011 iMac Graphics Card Upgrade
iMac 2009 to 2011 MXM3 graphics card upgrade (Lastest update 10/13/2023 - this is the official documentation page - you found it finally!) This is the single and only documentation post. During the last years we constantly updated this post to reflect the lastet development of vBIOS and OCLP...
forums.macrumors.com
And the excellent guide of Ausdauersportler
GitHub - Ausdauersportler/GRML-FLASH: GRML LInux based flash tool with flashrom, amdvbflash, nvflash
GRML LInux based flash tool with flashrom, amdvbflash, nvflash - GitHub - Ausdauersportler/GRML-FLASH: GRML LInux based flash tool with flashrom, amdvbflash, nvflash
github.com
Thanks Nguyen I have read both of those. My problem is first I am very new to this. Second when I get to the
"Please note the most recent graphics card BIOS versions will be found on this separate repository. You will have to download the file you need separately and add it manually to the tool provided here, the folder flash -> video is the best place to save it." in Ausdauersportler post I go to the "repository" and can't figure out which file i need for a wx 4150.
The instructions say install GPU then run OCLP. When do you flash the GPU? I am currently running High Sierra and understand it will cause a black screen unless external monitor attached. So I guess what I'm asking is what the order is.
"Please note the most recent graphics card BIOS versions will be found on this separate repository. You will have to download the file you need separately and add it manually to the tool provided here, the folder flash -> video is the best place to save it." in Ausdauersportler post I go to the "repository" and can't figure out which file i need for a wx 4150.
The instructions say install GPU then run OCLP. When do you flash the GPU? I am currently running High Sierra and understand it will cause a black screen unless external monitor attached. So I guess what I'm asking is what the order is.
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It depends on what other devices/tools you have and how good you know about OCLP, Linux command, etc.
If you don't have many Macs, or tools such as USB flash drives, fake load for the mDP port... you will have to disassemble, reassemble your iMac several times.
If you plan ahead each step, you might need to open your iMac only once.
When I got my WX4150 for my iMac 2010, I have to do it 3-4 times before settling down.
The first vBIOS flash I did was on a GTX680 (for my cMP 1,1), I did it on the test machine at the seller's house, while watching dosdude1 video on Youtube.
Thanks Nguyen. I have all of that, my house looks like a Mac grave yard. Was trying to use Xanderon version of GRML flash tool and couldn't find the working directory. Got GRML loaded and ssh working. Trying to use Ausdauersportler clone from url link in Balena etcher and says no bootable file found. Went ahead and flashed to the drive and nothing there. Tried to download flash tool from Github and get broken link? I admit I am terrible at linux and have to look up all commands. Also really don't understand Github either. Obviously. Also tried downloading the zip file and it's nothing but readme file and license. Sorry for the stupid questions just trying to expand my knowledge base and push my limits. The hardware stuff I get. The software end not so much.
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Since you have done this exact swap I'm doing. What order do I do this in?
Do I run oclp and install OS then intstall card, or install card and then run oclp. When should I flash the card? Is the card going to work at all without flashing? I have a MiniDP on emulator I can use and also another laptop and to iMac to remote in with. I have found a file in Xanderon's flash software that is WX4150_gop.rom. Is this the entire vibes flash or just GOP
Do I run oclp and install OS then intstall card, or install card and then run oclp. When should I flash the card? Is the card going to work at all without flashing? I have a MiniDP on emulator I can use and also another laptop and to iMac to remote in with. I have found a file in Xanderon's flash software that is WX4150_gop.rom. Is this the entire vibes flash or just GOP
OK, after knowing what you have, I can suggest the plan as follow:
1. On original iMac (2010, stock GPU, High Sierra)
1.1 Create the GRML USB flash drive, test booting from it. Should be able to boot from it first. If you can't get it boot to the Linux command line, go back to the guideline. Make it the default booting device, if you can. On another computer, test remoting to the iMac. Read the GRML Linux guideline again to understand how to do the flash command. The flash command can do with the read-only option. DO NOT flash (overwrite) any vBIOS. Read all the parameters of the flash command until you understand them and know what parameters to use.
1.2. Create a USB installer of Mac OS (Monterey or higher) on the iMac or on any other Mac.
1.3. Run OCLP on 2010 iMac, MANUAL select Polaris AMD GPU configuration, generate the EFI and copy it to the USB installer. Read OCLP guide until you understand how to do it.
2. Turn off, unplug and disassemble iMac 2010: replace the GPU, detach (unplug) the High Sierra drive. Do not install the LCD panel just yet. plug in the LAN cable.
3. Plug in the GRML Linux USB and boot iMac 2010. If no sound, no rotating fan => Check you process and do it again.
4. From another computer (the one you test before) remote access iMac 2010 and do the flash. Note: There is a glitch for the second time of remoting if you do not delete some files in some folder of the controlling computer. (Windows PC). Read the notice popup and fix it.
5. Turn off the iMac (after flashing successfully), install a blank SSD, the LCD panel.
6. Unplug the GRML Linux, plug in the USB installer and power up the iMac.
You should be able to boot to the USB installer and start installing new Mac OS to the internal disk.
Instead of the USB installer, you can use a SSD with pre-install Mac OS, and patched with OCLP manually (for iMac 2010, AMD Polaris GPU) if you know how to do.
The original High Sierra disk should be stored away for trouble shooting. You can delete it after your iMac has been up and running stably with new GPU, new OS.
Wow Nguyen That is perfect. I can boot from installer and remote in have created the OCLP Monterey boot flash drive. Still working on 1.3. That and the linux commands I'm studying right now. I have already run into the remote error and learned to solve that, if I can remember. Thanks for all the help
OK understand everything (so far) except the "MANUAL select Polaris AMD GPU configuration"
Cannot find where too do this in OCLP. Is it during making the Mac OS installer or after it's installed on the 11,3 MAC. I am making the MAC installer on 2019 MBP. OCLP is set for 11,3 IMAC but don't see manual setting.
Cannot find where too do this in OCLP. Is it during making the Mac OS installer or after it's installed on the 11,3 MAC. I am making the MAC installer on 2019 MBP. OCLP is set for 11,3 IMAC but don't see manual setting.
It's been awhile since the last time I used OCLP. The interface changes quite rapidly. I'm writing this on my Windows PC, so I can't get you any screenshot of OCLP interface.
1. You can use OCLP on your 2019MBP, too. Just download and run. You can do it after creating the USB installer. OCLP will make changes to the USB installer if you do it manually not your MBP. (Let it do automatically and you will screw up the boot drive of MBP)
2. Open OCLP menu, select each item and read through. It will be quite clear to you just by reading it (90%)
3. There should be options to set the configuration on OCLP menu.
4. There is nothing changed until the last step, which is selecting the drive to overwrite EFI. There should be 2 EFI volumes on your 2019 MBP, 1 on the internal disk, and 1 on the USB installer you have just created.
5. Select the USB installer as the destination disk to overwrite the EFI volume.
I guess to do MANUALLY, you must select "Setting" at the bottom of OCLP menu.
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Nguyen will the system boot without the monitor/lcd installed at all? I found the GPU setting in OCLP Thanks. Has anyone ever tried replacing the female thread screws in the heat sink with m2 screws with springs. Found some m2x12mm partial thread screws on amazon that look like they might work. Might have to make a bushing for outside diameter to fit the hole in the heat sink. It just seems easier than removing the x bracket and the thread inserts. Just a thought.
Ok have everything I need but a blank SSD. The SSD in the system is new. It has High Sierra on it. I already have the old Hard drive stored for emergencies. Could I boot into the Mac Big Sur OS oclp installer reformat the SSD turn the system off. Replace the card. Leave drive and display disconnected. Remote in SSH flash the card. Reconnect the SSD and display. Reboot off of the oclp installer and install to the SSD? Since the drive is blank should go straight to USB installer right? Just concerned if I leave High Sierra on the hard drive I will get a blank screen. ( I read that on the upgrade thread somewhere). I have a miniDP monitor emulator if that would help?
As for post eleven just went ahead and removed the wx 4150 bracket and will use the apple bracket on the new card when it's out. Just thought if you could use male heat sink screws you could leave the wx4150 bracket in place and it would give you more clearance on top.
As for post eleven just went ahead and removed the wx 4150 bracket and will use the apple bracket on the new card when it's out. Just thought if you could use male heat sink screws you could leave the wx4150 bracket in place and it would give you more clearance on top.
Ok installed GPU everything went ok. Flash command will not work have tried -p. "Newer bios already installed". Tried -f -p "this command not allowed on external version". tried fa,fm,fp. Nothing works. I have read on other sites older versions amdvbflash work. Not sure what todo. Any suggestions?