Issues with GeForce GT220

[Macmeister]

Ok, here's the deal (long post, sorry. Trying to include as much info as I can):

 

I have a Dell Studio XPS 9000 with a Core i7 920 processor, 6 GB RAM, GeForce GT220 with 1 GB RAM (has 1 DVI 1 VGA and 1 HDMI port), 640 GB Hitachi HD, DVD-R/W, and an Internal USB multi-card reader.

 

I installed SL and got it to work about 95% without issue. Was even able to update to 10.6.2 without trouble. Boot loader is the latest Chameleon RC3 with Netkas' PC EFI 10.5. Sound works using VooDooHDA. Internal network works without any hacks. Using vanilla kernel. The main issue I am having is that I do not have full graphics acceleration. SL 10.6.2 supposedly has support for the card based on the device ID being present in NVDANV5Hal.kext, but all I get is high resolution support (1680x1050) which is VESA 3 supported. System profiler shows only 32 MB of RAM is detected. Obviously I need to use an injector/EFI string/Graphics Enabler. No big deal I thought. I first tried the Graphics Enabler since it was the easiest method and I've used it successfully in 10.5.8 and 10.6.2 on another system. When I restarted the desktop took a little longer to load but when it came up I noticed the menu bar was translucent. YAY! I though...until I noticed the desktop icons were pink and while I could move the mouse cursor at native speed, clicking on anything resulted in a slowdown that could best be described as trying to emulate a PS3 on a Pentium 3. So I undid the Graphics Enabler and went with an EFI string. Same result. Last resort was some sort of injector (tried them all) and again same story. The only exception was was the Silent Natit (32 and 64 bit compatible). This gave me partial acceleration. I did not have QE or CI but it did see all the ram and performance was pretty good. Videos were not choppy and Flurry screensaver ran without frame skipping. Drawbacks are that Front Row, DVD Player and the RSS screensaver do not run.

 

The other issue I am having is that I get KPs when trying to run in 32 bit mode. It runs natively in 64 bit mode just fine. I'm not concerned with that so much but figured I would throw it in just in case the 2 issues are somehow related.

 

Does anyone have a solution other than replacing the video card? I really don't have that option available. If I need to run in 32 bit mode for it to work can someone assist me with the KP? I freezes up just after detecting the CPU and it's cores (it sees 8 since its a quad core with hyper-threading.) No other error that I can see. I suppose I could look at any logs to see if they reveal anything.

 

Thanks and again sorry for the long post! BTW - ignore the signature, that is a different system that works fine.

[stheking]

Try To Install NVdarwin Installer 1.2.5 and delet any driver you install prev.

I have GTS 250 and its work for me

[Macmeister]

Try To Install NVdarwin Installer 1.2.5 and delet any driver you install prev.

I have GTS 250 and its work for me

 

Thanks stheking. I will give that a shot as soon as I am out of work.

[Macmeister]

Ok, so I've searched all of the usual places as well as google, and I cannot seem to be able to find a download for NVDarwin anywhere, especially for Snow Leopard. All of the links I have found are either dead or link to a leopard version (10.5.x). I just installed the new fakesmc netkas released so I', going to attempt a reboot and see if somehow that fixes it. I'll keel you guys posted.

[stheking]

Ok, so I've searched all of the usual places as well as google, and I cannot seem to be able to find a download for NVDarwin anywhere, especially for Snow Leopard. All of the links I have found are either dead or link to a leopard version (10.5.x). I just installed the new fakesmc netkas released so I', going to attempt a reboot and see if somehow that fixes it. I'll keel you guys posted.

try http://rapidshare.com/files/182164385/NVda..._1.2.5.mpkg.zip

[kyle95]

try http://rapidshare.com/files/182164385/NVda..._1.2.5.mpkg.zip

 

Hey Mac, was wondering if you got the 220 working for you, looking at a similar system.

 

Thanks,

Kyle

[Macmeister]

Well, i want to report that I have successfully enabled full graphics support. It appears that the latest fakesmc.kext Netkas has released has done it. So for anyone having issues with their video card, specifically the GeForec GT220, try that. Again I am using Silent Natit x86_64 v1.0.2 running on 10.6.2 with all current updates in 64 bit mode.

 

Funny, I wasn't really expecting it to work, just hoping. When the system restarted and I saw the translucent menubar I was still on edge because as stated in my first post anytiem I saw this the system was basically unresponsive. But when the desktop appears a split second later and I could work as normal, I got excited. Let this be a lesson in patience. Jumping on something the second it comes out will almost always have its problems. If you can wait a while before jumping on the bandwagon, or if you can wait out before giving up on something you already started on, it can pay off.

[kyle95]

Thanks for the update and work Mac, I'll post my progress when my new Alienware i7 box arrives >>

 

Kyle

 

 

 

Well, i want to report that I have successfully enabled full graphics support. It appears that the latest fakesmc.kext Netkas has released has done it. So for anyone having issues with their video card, specifically the GeForec GT220, try that. Again I am using Silent Natit x86_64 v1.0.2 running on 10.6.2 with all current updates in 64 bit mode.

 

Funny, I wasn't really expecting it to work, just hoping. When the system restarted and I saw the translucent menubar I was still on edge because as stated in my first post anytiem I saw this the system was basically unresponsive. But when the desktop appears a split second later and I could work as normal, I got excited. Let this be a lesson in patience. Jumping on something the second it comes out will almost always have its problems. If you can wait a while before jumping on the bandwagon, or if you can wait out before giving up on something you already started on, it can pay off.

[StormRoBoT]

hey, im using M115x, but tried to install but no success, used iatkos v7 and iPC and iDeneb and all give same problem, cant boot it, on the boot screen it restart over and over again,

 

computer spec is:

core i7 - 1.73

4gb ram

260m nvidia graphic card

 

 

 

can u tell me what and how did u install on dell with i7 processor?

 

hey, im using M15x, but tried to install but no success, used iatkos v7 and iPC and iDeneb and all give same problem, cant boot it, on the boot screen it restart over and over again,

 

computer spec is:

core i7 - 1.73

4gb ram

260m nvidia graphic card

 

 

 

can u tell me what and how did u install on dell with i7 processor?

[ElGringo]

Well, i want to report that I have successfully enabled full graphics support. It appears that the latest fakesmc.kext Netkas has released has done it. So for anyone having issues with their video card, specifically the GeForec GT220, try that. Again I am using Silent Natit x86_64 v1.0.2 running on 10.6.2 with all current updates in 64 bit mode.

 

Funny, I wasn't really expecting it to work, just hoping. When the system restarted and I saw the translucent menubar I was still on edge because as stated in my first post anytiem I saw this the system was basically unresponsive. But when the desktop appears a split second later and I could work as normal, I got excited. Let this be a lesson in patience. Jumping on something the second it comes out will almost always have its problems. If you can wait a while before jumping on the bandwagon, or if you can wait out before giving up on something you already started on, it can pay off.

I just got this card inside of my Dell Inspiron i545. Can you help with info on where to get Silent Natit and the version of FakeSMC?

Thanks!

[heatpeep]

What output are you using? DVI or HDMI?

[ElGringo]

What output are you using? DVI or HDMI?

If the question is for me, I am using DVI (have not tried HDMI yet).

BTW, for the rest of us looking for a solution, I solved the problem at least for my setup:

Card: PNY GeForce GT 220 PCIe 1 GB DDR2.

Used OSX86 Tools (v. 1.0.150) and generated custom EFI string with the specs for GT 220. After reboot got full support in 10.6.2 with the native Nvidia kext.

[ricren]

generated custom EFI string with the specs for GT 220. After reboot got full support in 10.6.2 with the native Nvidia kext.

 

 

Hi,

 

Where did you find the GT220 support? The card is not listed in OSxtools. Is there any trick involved?

Thanks

 

Ric

[gonxy_03_94]

please help me! i have the same issue as you, but the diference is that i have leo 10.5.8, who seems much older. I'm trying to write in my best english and i dont know if anything is wrong.

So would you be so kind of post here how you did the custom efi string for this card, due that i have the same trouble as you and the same card.

I'll thank you if you do it

 

Thanks a lot

[Macmeister]

StormRoBoT:

 

I'm on 10.6.2 so I'm not sure if there is support for the card in 10.5.7. As for the CPU, again 10.5.x does not officially support the CoreiX series. You need to enter boot flags: cpus=1 and busratio=20 for it to work. You could always manually edit the com.apple.Boot.plist file to do this for you. Note that this option only enables 1 core. You might need to use a patched kernel (like VooDoo).

 

tchaga:

 

I went here: Snow Leopard Kexts

 

 

daclothe:

I am using DVI

 

ricren:

I personally could not get it to work with an EFI string so I went with the Silentnatit kext. If you find a way, awesome

 

Everyone else:

 

Thanks for any and all suggestions you have given to me and to others. This is why I still come to this forum looking for answers. Despite all of the negative comments here and there people are still willing to help. I would like to make 1 request to those looking for answers: Please don't just post a new thread with a common question like "How do I get my card working with EFI strings?" (though asking for a specific string is ok) or "How do I install Chameleon?" There are plenty of threads about this and Google will typically yield 1000's (or more) results. We don't need to clog up the forum with the same question.

 

I know I posted a new thread but I have checked an none of the current ones regarding the GT220 were SL related nor did they contain my specific issues. Maybe I should have piggy-backed off of one of those but when I originally posted this I deemed it suitable for its own post.

 

Keep up the good work folks!

[gonxy_03_94]

finally i make it works. i download the enabler nvidia from the netkas.org page and it works

cq/ci full works!!

[heatpeep]

@tchaga and @Macmeister

 

thanks for the replies...I'll start with getting dvi out working, but ideally I'd like to have dvi + hdmi

[heatpeep]

I did some testing tonight and wanted to clear a few things up before I keep trying things that aren't working.

 

@Macmeister I want to be crystal clear about your setup...Is it:

10.6.2 64-bit

SilentNatit x86_64 v1.0.2

FakeSMC 2.5 (the newest)

No EFI String

 

Also for reference

@tchaga can you please post the EFI string you're using?

 

I have tried a solution recommended elsewhere which is try to use an EFI string for the GTX285 which didn't give me full acceleration on my 220. As of yet, I'm not able to get the translucent menu bar. Also I can get only one output working at a time. For example, if I have the DVI and HDMI plugged in, there is no output on HDMI, only DVI. If I reboot and just use any one of the three outputs I can at least get to the desktop, albeit sans full acceleration.

 

I'm trying all of this on 10.6.0 on a test partition so I guess I'll update to 10.6.2 because it seems the update the the graphics kexts might help get me going.

[Macmeister]

I did some testing tonight and wanted to clear a few things up before I keep trying things that aren't working.

 

@Macmeister I want to be crystal clear about your setup...Is it:

10.6.2 64-bit

SilentNatit x86_64 v1.0.2

FakeSMC 2.5 (the newest)

No EFI String

 

Also for reference

@tchaga can you please post the EFI string you're using?

 

I have tried a solution recommended elsewhere which is try to use an EFI string for the GTX285 which didn't give me full acceleration on my 220. As of yet, I'm not able to get the translucent menu bar. Also I can get only one output working at a time. For example, if I have the DVI and HDMI plugged in, there is no output on HDMI, only DVI. If I reboot and just use any one of the three outputs I can at least get to the desktop, albeit sans full acceleration.

 

I'm trying all of this on 10.6.0 on a test partition so I guess I'll update to 10.6.2 because it seems the update the the graphics kexts might help get me going.

 

Yes, everything you have listed is correct. Good luck!!!

[Macmeister]

Update: 12/21/2009:

 

Seems like QE/CI support is broken again. I installed some updates, Java, Airport, and Apple Remote Desktop, and when the system restarted I noticed the menu bar was no longer translucent. I tried installing Chameleon RC4 to see if it would help and it did not. Chameleon still refuses to properly detect the GT220 on this system. All it ever sees is a generic NVidia Video Card with 32 MB of RAM. Silent_Natit at least gives me some proper support as before. I wish I had Time Machine setup so that I could go back but live and learn I guess...

[yumanoid]

I had no problem with my previous geforce 9500gt 512mb, but yesterday i bought PNY GT220 1GB only to find out that its not gonna work easy under SL.

i have gigabyte ex58-ud3r v1.6 board and the latest dd's script (4.22) works amazing for me. the latest fakesmc.kext 2.5 mentioned earlier is included with this version of the script.

there are two ways i am able to run my gui at 1920x1200 and accelerated:

 

1) nvkush (part of the dd's script) - installed as a solo graphics kext

2) silent natit 1.0.2 (dug one up after reading this thread) - also installed as a solo graphics kext

 

unfortunately, both of these methods are not 100%. i do get accelerated gui, with all the transparency, effects and what not, but when i play a video in quicktime player (some fullHD trailer for "brooklyn's finest" downloaded from apple website) it's choppy. it's like two seconds fluid, half a second lag, two seconds fluid... and so on. its a full 1920x1200 MOV so if no accel was working this would give me like 5 fps playback, so... accel is working but its not the real flawless thing yet. also after i install snow leo, after the first reboot i got a black screen hang with mouse cursor alive, as the into video should be launched. i have to swap to my old 9500gt vga for this first boot, get past the video and the initial os setup, after that i can swap back to the gt220 and im booting fine. i guess it's not a major thing as this is primarily an audio workstation, but still, i won't sleep well until i get this sorted to perfection

edit: in hardware profiler both these methods show incorrect gfx memory - 128mb or maybe 256mb the other one, dont remember...)

if anyone knows of a working solution (like some juicy new 64-bit kext) please let me know maybe it will take some time before this gets sorted and ill just have to wait. also if you need some "beta-testing" im willing to participate. im an obsessive-compulsive risk-taker so i don't mind even flashing my vga with some experimental bios or whatever im pretty tech-savvy with 15-year pc troubleshooting professional experience, but only a lame 1-year mac experience.

 

ps

and once more: big thanks to dd and others who contribute and make the impossible possible

[julienrobert]

I tried almost everything listed here to install my graphic card and it's still not working (1024x768, no acceleration). The card is a BFG Nvidia GeForce 220 GT 1024 mo. 10.6.0

 

I tried:

1. Silent Natit

2. EFI string using different strings

3. GraphicsEnabler=y

4. nvkush

5. every Nvidia kexts on kexts.com for 10.6

6. NVDarwin 1.2.5

 

I'm gonna do the upgrade to 10.6.2 so see if it helps.

 

Do you have any others suggestions for me?

[julienrobert]

Ok! updated to 10.6.2 and now working well, resolution and acceleration!

 

no need to install any other extensions or EFI... with chameleon 2.0 RC 3 from myHack

 

http://osx86.sojugarden.com/installer

[leclercqr]

GT 220 Success.

 

I have finally got my GT 220 working with OSX 10.6.2 (all updates).

 

I am using the following hardware:

-Gigabyte 965P-S3

-Core2Duo E6300

-4Gb 800Mhx Ram

-5x SATA HDD

-1x SATA DVD-RW

-Inno3D 512Mb GT 220

-Netgear WN311B WiFi

 

I am using the following software configuration

-Chameleon RC4

---Graphics Enabler = Yes

---EFI String =

<string>d30300000100000001000000c70300001500000002010c00d041030a010000000101060000010

101060000007fff04003a000000400032002c0068007700730065006e0073006f0072002d00700061

00720061006d0073002d00760065007200730069006f006e000000080000000000000222000000400

032002c006400650076006900630065005f0074007900700065000000120000004e5644412c677075

2d64696f64650e0000004e00560050004d00000020000000010000000000000000000000000000000

000000000000000000000001e00000072006f006d002d007200650076006900730069006f006e0000

00090000003331373261100000004e00560043004100500000001800000004000000000003000c000

000000000070000000022000000400032002c002300730069007a0065002d00630065006c006c0073

000000080000000000000022000000400030002c006400650076006900630065005f0074007900700

0650000000b000000646973706c6179100000006d006f00640065006c000000200000004e56494449

41204765466f7263652039383030204754582b2045464914000000400030002c006e0061006d00650

00000120000004e5644412c446973706c61792d4120000000400032002c0063006f006d0070006100

7400690062006c0065000000160000004e5644412c73656e736f722d706172656e741400000040003

1002c006e0061006d0065000000120000004e5644412c446973706c61792d4212000000400032002c

00720065006700000008000000000000021c0000006400650076006900630065005f0074007900700

065000000100000004e5644412c4765466f72636520000000400031002c0063006f006d0070006100

7400690062006c00650000000e0000004e5644412c4e564d616326000000400032002c00230061006

40072006500730073002d00630065006c006c007300000008000000000000010e0000006e0061006d

00650000000f0000004e5644412c506172656e7422000000400031002c00640065007600690063006

5005f00740079007000650000000b000000646973706c617920000000400030002c0063006f006d00

700061007400690062006c00650000000e0000004e5644412c4e564d6163220000005600520041004

d002c0074006f00740061006c00730069007a0065000000080000000000002036000000400032002c

00680077006300740072006c002d0070006100720061006d0073002d00760065007200730069006f0

06e000000080000000000000214000000400032002c006e0061006d00650000001100000073656e73

6f722d706172656e74</string>

(This is the Nvidia Geforce 512Mb 9800 GTX string generated by EFIStudio)

---Installed on EFI Partition

---OSX Snow Leopard Retail Install

 

 

Expose, Spaces and Video now work great. Haven't tested in games but will install COD4 and let you all know.

[kaiou]

@ yumanoid

 

Hallo

i have same problem.. Lag with quicktime and itunes..

I have nvenabler64 with a gt240..

 

 

Have you found a solution?