41 replies to this topic

[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]

stheking, on Nov 20 2009, 12:55 AM, said:

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]

Macmeister, on Nov 23 2009, 04:54 PM, said:

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.co..._1.2.5.mpkg.zip

[kyle95]

stheking, on Nov 23 2009, 10:29 PM, said:

try http://rapidshare.co..._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

Macmeister, on Nov 24 2009, 03:05 PM, said:

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]

Macmeister, on Nov 24 2009, 06:05 AM, said:

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!

[daclothe]

What output are you using?  DVI or HDMI?

[ElGringo]

daclothe, on Nov 25 2009, 05:01 PM, said:

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]

tchaga, on Nov 26 2009, 03:32 AM, said:

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!!

[daclothe]

@tchaga and @Macmeister

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

[daclothe]

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]

daclothe, on Dec 6 2009, 09:11 PM, said:

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...