Welcome to our community

Be a part of something great, join today!

Log in
  • Hey all, just changed over the backend after 15 years I figured time to give it a bit of an update, its probably gonna be a bit weird for most of you and i am sure there is a few bugs to work out but it should kinda work the same as before... hopefully :)

How to FLASH a PC NVIDIA 8800 GT to WORK on MAC PRO 08

J

jieves

Banned
Joined
Mar 12, 2007
Messages
35
Reaction score
0
Points
0
At the time we ordered our Mac Pro the wait for the 8800 GT was over 5 weeks… although the Mac 8800 GTs are available now with the purchase of a new Mac Pro, for those of us who got the ATI card instead, and want to upgrade to the 8800 in a separate kit, the wait time is a honking 5-7 weeks… So we got a stock EVGA NVIDIA 8800 GT (for PC) and flashed the bios with the one from a Mac 8800 GT.

The flash method that we used requires Windows.

You will need to make sure that
the 8800 GT card is the only one in the system. You will also need
to be able to boot into DOS not a virtual dos session like
windows. You can use a USB thumb drive to boot from or make
an iso of freedos. That is the first steps you will need to
complete.

The two files that you will need can be downloaded here:
http://www.palmirapdc.ca/8800GT_flash_toMac.zip

You need to run the nvflash.exe from the DOS
prompt. You will need to first run:

nvflash.exe --check

Make sure it says that the rom is a 1024k rom. The
EVGA cards should all be that by default, but better
to check, especially if using other brand. Once you have verified that, run the command:

nvflash.exe -4 -5 -6 mp8800gt.rom

That will flash the rom and make it ready to boot into
the Mac. You can edit the rom to overclock it if you
like. I would be very careful on the settings you
change. You will also need to make sure to hook up
the 6 PIN power cable. You can modify the second 4
pin connector to work that is below the CD ROM or
order this:

http://shop.ati.com/product.asp?sku=3280778
Oh, and one more thing.
Enjoy :ninja:

:excl: PLEASE be aware of the RISKS involved when flashing a card - do NOT do this if you don't have an immediate backup plan for your workflow.:excl:
 
jieves said:
The flash method that we used requires Windows.
...
Click to expand...

It's very cool that you got this to work. I once similarly flashed a 3400 to think it was a 4500.

Just a word to the wise, though...

1) It is a myth that all the NVidia cards have the same core and are "driver limited." This works with some cards, but if you flash the wrong card, really bad things will happen.

2) Warranty and Support for your card are 100% null and void if you do this. For system geeks who know how to resurrect pretty much anything, this is not that big a concern. But just be aware...

Best,

Lucas
-----
ASSIMILATE, Inc.
LA, CA, USA
 
  • Thread starter
  • Banned
  • #3
luki said:
just be aware...

Yep, you're absolutely right, Lucas - this is not guaranteed to work on every card, and you run the risk of rendering your card useless. If you attempt to do this, just please be aware of the risks, and don't do this if you don't have an immediate backup plan.
Click to expand...
 
Yup,

Works fine with the EVGA card I used. People have been doing it for years with ATI cards. The nvidia cards work just the same in re-flashing the bios.

One thing though, you do need extra files for nvflash to run properly. Do a search for "csdpmi4b.zip" and copy the files into the same folder as nvflash.
 
  • Thread starter
  • Banned
  • #6
Thanks Roger ;) Indeed you need those files to be in the same folder. I've updated the zip file in the original post to include all the files you'll need.

And yes, it does work :ninja:
 
bump, but modded to efi 8800 question

bump, but modded to efi 8800 question

hate to bring this old post back up, at least its not just a bump, but I've flashed many 8800GTX's to Quadra FX5600 back before the windows Nvidia drivers caught it and stopped allowing it.

Seems that the flashing went well, doing a nvflash.exe --compare mp8800gt.rom and the card indeed now has the MP rom on it.

I rebooted the machine and was surprised to find that in Ubuntu the card still works, advanced eye candy still works, etc, etc. I understand before the flash that the MAC wouldn't see it (the 8800GT) due to missing EFI portion of ROM, Is it safe to assume that Its working because although it has extra code on it (efi now) the pc doesn't look for it, doesn't need it, and the remaining code is still the same so the card now just works in a Mac and a PC?

I guess I could come to my own conclusions, but I don't have my mac pro power cable yet, if it does work in the MP, then I guess my assumption above is correct.

Any confirmations?

Thanks
 
How to FLASH a PC NVIDIA 8800 GT to WORK on MAC PRO 08

hi,
Thanks Roger ;) Indeed you need those files to be in the same folder. I've updated the zip file in the original post to include all the files you'll need.

happy.gif
 
How to FLASH a PC NVIDIA 8800 GT to WORK on MAC PRO 08

hi,
hmm.. that does seem to be a problem...

good thing my main computer is a pc.

happy.gif
 
Flashing the 8800GT for a 1st Gen Mac Pro

Flashing the 8800GT for a 1st Gen Mac Pro

Hi,

Do you know if there is a flash for the 8800gt to work in a 1st gen mac pro? I just tried your flash method and it all went smooth but it's not working on my 1st gen mac pro, I get no video. Any pointers would be greatly appreciated! You can email me directly at somerstein@yahoo.com!

Thanks a lot,
Marcelo
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top