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[Guide] Triple or quad monitors with two graphic cards

peach-os

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kdawg
kdawg
Posted
Posted

I retreived different PciRoot addresses using gfxutil. PciRoot(0x1)/Pci(0x1c,0x0)/Pci(0x0,0x0) and PciRoot(0x1)/Pci(0x1,0x0)/Pci(0x0,0x0). I can get each card work independently but when I try them both together in a combined hex I freeze on startup. Anyone?

 

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<!DOCTYPE plist PUBLIC "-//Apple//DTD PLIST 1.0//EN" "http://www.apple.com/DTDs/PropertyList-1.0.dtd">
<plist version="1.0">
<dict>
<key>PciRoot(0x1)/Pci(0x1,0x0)/Pci(0x0,0x0)</key>
<dict>
	<key>@0,compatible</key>
	<string>NVDA,NVMac</string>
	<key>@0,device_type</key>
	<string>display</string>
	<key>@0,name</key>
	<string>NVDA,Display-A</string>
	<key>@1,compatible</key>
	<string>NVDA,NVMac</string>
	<key>@1,device_type</key>
	<string>display</string>
	<key>@1,name</key>
	<string>NVDA,Display-B</string>
	<key>NVCAP</key>
	<data>
	BAAAAAAAAwAMAAAAAAAABwAAAAA=
	</data>
	<key>NVPM</key>
	<data>
	AQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA==
	</data>
	<key>VRAM,totalsize</key>
	<string>0x20000000</string>
	<key>device_type</key>
	<string>NVDA,Parent</string>
	<key>model</key>
	<string>nVidia GeForce 8800 GT</string>
	<key>name</key>
	<string>display</string>
	<key>rom-revision</key>
	<string>nVidia GeForce 8800 GT OpenGL Engine [EFI]</string>
</dict>
<key>PciRoot(0x1)/Pci(0x1c,0x0)/Pci(0x0,0x0)</key>
<dict>
	<key>@0,compatible</key>
	<string>NVDA,NVMac</string>
	<key>@0,device_type</key>
	<string>display</string>
	<key>@0,name</key>
	<string>NVDA,Display-A</string>
	<key>@1,compatible</key>
	<string>NVDA,NVMac</string>
	<key>@1,device_type</key>
	<string>display</string>
	<key>@1,name</key>
	<string>NVDA,Display-B</string>
	<key>NVCAP</key>
	<data>
	BAAAAAAAAwAMAAAAAAAABwAAAAA=
	</data>
	<key>NVPM</key>
	<data>
	AQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA==
	</data>
	<key>VRAM,totalsize</key>
	<string>0x10000000</string>
	<key>device_type</key>
	<string>NVDA,Parent</string>
	<key>model</key>
	<string>nVidia GeForce 8500 GT</string>
	<key>name</key>
	<string>display</string>
	<key>rom-revision</key>
	<string>nVidia GeForce 8500 GT OpenGL Engine [EFI]</string>
</dict>
</dict>
</plist>

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peach-os
peach-os
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I´m sure you meant one hex from a combined plist (that´s what your plist shows)

 

a problem could be the different nv ram sizes. what you could do is also search for other plist files than those you could get from efistudio. try different versions and combine them different. a 8600GT plist might also work for your 8500GT.

as a startup I added two older plist files. try also to change the nv ram sizes in these, if it doesn´t work.

kdawg.zip

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kdawg
kdawg
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I´m sure you meant one hex from a combined plist (that´s what your plist shows)

 

a problem could be the different nv ram sizes. what you could do is also search for other plist files than those you could get from efistudio. try different versions and combine them different. a 8600GT plist might also work for your 8500GT.

as a startup I added two older plist files. try also to change the nv ram sizes in these, if it doesn´t work.

 

 

You're right I meant one hex. So should I roll these two plists together after I add my PciRoot addresses? Or try them individually first. Also, several users said my PciRoot addresses looked incorrect. (0x1)/Pci(0x1,0x0)/Pci(0x0,0x0) for the first slot and (0x1)/Pci(0x1c,0x0)/Pci(0x0,0x0) for the second.

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peach-os
peach-os
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You're right I meant one hex. So should I roll these two plists together after I add my PciRoot addresses? Or try them individually first. Also, several users said my PciRoot addresses looked incorrect. (0x1)/Pci(0x1,0x0)/Pci(0x0,0x0) for the first slot and (0x1)/Pci(0x1c,0x0)/Pci(0x0,0x0) for the second.

 

yes try the different plist first individually.keep in mind which works and combine them in different versions in one plist. from that plist you create one hex file.

 

the pci-root might be a problem. check them also with efistudio.

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steenamaroo
steenamaroo
Posted
Posted

thanks for your replies,,

 

unfortunately i haven't had any success yet, but i plan to persist!

 

 

i've had to change my plans, as i'm having some trouble with my dual 7600 gs 512mb setup now :thumbsup_anim:

 

 

which ever card is in the secondary pcie slot appears to have reduced performance in open gl extensions tests.

 

 

 

under the list of devices to test, i can only see outputs 1+2 <which are both primary card>, so it leads me to believe that something isn't right....

 

 

if i run the test on 1 or 2, but drag the test window onto monitor 3,,,,the fps drops by about 90%, but they return to full if i drag the window back onto screen 1 or 2...

 

 

anyways,,,if you can think of anything that'll help,,,i'd be over the moon,,,,as this is my audio workstation, and i'm getting graphical glitches sometimes :P

 

 

all the best,,,and thanks again.

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tyroiii
tyroiii
Posted
Posted

Hi,

 

I am having problems getting two graphic cards to work. Like many before, the cards work individually, but when I merge the 2 EFI strings, the boot process stalls.

 

Here's my specs:

Build: iDeneb v1.3 10.5.5

MB: Asus P5K Pro

Video Cards: 2x MSI 8600GT 256MB

 

My com.apple.Boot.plist:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<!DOCTYPE plist PUBLIC "-//Apple//DTD PLIST 1.0//EN" "http://www.apple.com/DTDs/PropertyList-1.0.dtd">
<plist version="1.0">
<dict>
<key>Kernel</key>
<string>mach_kernel</string>
<key>Kernel Flags</key>
<string></string>
<key>Timeout</key>
<string>5</string>
<key>device-properties</key>
<string>cc0400000100000002000000600200000d00000002010c00d041030a000000000101060000010
01060000007fff04000e0000004e00560050004d0000002000000001000000000000000000000000
00000000000000000000000000000220000005600520041004d002c0074006f00740061006c00730
69007a006500000008000000000000101c0000006400650076006900630065005f00740079007000
50000000f0000004e5644412c506172656e740e0000006e0061006d00650000000b0000006469737
6c617922000000400030002c006400650076006900630065005f00740079007000650000000b0000
0646973706c617922000000400031002c006400650076006900630065005f0074007900700065000
000b000000646973706c6179100000006d006f00640065006c0000001a0000006e56696469612047
5466f726365203836303020475420000000400031002c0063006f006d00700061007400690062006
00650000000e0000004e5644412c4e564d616314000000400030002c006e0061006d006500000012
000004e5644412c446973706c61792d4114000000400031002c006e0061006d00650000001200000
4e5644412c446973706c61792d4220000000400030002c0063006f006d0070006100740069006200
c00650000000e0000004e5644412c4e564d6163100000004e0056004300410050000000180000000
000000000003000c00000000000007000000001e00000072006f006d002d00720065007600690073
069006f006e0000002e0000006e5669646961204765466f7263652038363030204754204f70656e4
4c20456e67696e65205b4546495d600200000d00000002010c00d041030a0000000001010600001c
101060000007fff04000e0000004e00560050004d000000200000000100000000000000000000000
000000000000000000000000000000220000005600520041004d002c0074006f00740061006c0073
069007a006500000008000000000000101c0000006400650076006900630065005f0074007900700
650000000f0000004e5644412c506172656e740e0000006e0061006d00650000000b000000646973
06c617922000000400030002c006400650076006900630065005f00740079007000650000000b000
00646973706c617922000000400031002c006400650076006900630065005f007400790070006500
0000b000000646973706c6179100000006d006f00640065006c0000001a0000006e5669646961204
65466f726365203836303020475420000000400031002c0063006f006d0070006100740069006200
c00650000000e0000004e5644412c4e564d616314000000400030002c006e0061006d00650000001
0000004e5644412c446973706c61792d4114000000400031002c006e0061006d0065000000120000
04e5644412c446973706c61792d4220000000400030002c0063006f006d007000610074006900620
6c00650000000e0000004e5644412c4e564d6163100000004e005600430041005000000018000000
4000000000003000c00000000000007000000001e00000072006f006d002d0072006500760069007
0069006f006e0000002e0000006e5669646961204765466f7263652038363030204754204f70656e
74c20456e67696e65205b4546495d
</string>
</dict>
</plist>

 

EFI String:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<!DOCTYPE plist PUBLIC "-//Apple//DTD PLIST 1.0//EN" "http://www.apple.com/DTDs/PropertyList-1.0.dtd">
<plist version="1.0">
<dict>
<key>PciRoot(0x0)/Pci(0x1,0x0)/Pci(0x0,0x0)</key>
<dict>
	<key>@0,compatible</key>
	<string>NVDA,NVMac</string>
	<key>@0,device_type</key>
	<string>display</string>
	<key>@0,name</key>
	<string>NVDA,Display-A</string>
	<key>@1,compatible</key>
	<string>NVDA,NVMac</string>
	<key>@1,device_type</key>
	<string>display</string>
	<key>@1,name</key>
	<string>NVDA,Display-B</string>
	<key>NVCAP</key>
	<data>
	BAAAAAAAAwAMAAAAAAAABwAAAAA=
	</data>
	<key>NVPM</key>
	<data>
	AQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA==
	</data>
	<key>VRAM,totalsize</key>
	<string>0x10000000</string>
	<key>device_type</key>
	<string>NVDA,Parent</string>
	<key>model</key>
	<string>nVidia GeForce 8600 GT</string>
	<key>name</key>
	<string>display</string>
	<key>rom-revision</key>
	<string>nVidia GeForce 8600 GT OpenGL Engine [EFI]</string>
</dict>
<key>PciRoot(0x0)/Pci(0x1c,0x0)/Pci(0x0,0x0)</key>
<dict>
	<key>@0,compatible</key>
	<string>NVDA,NVMac</string>
	<key>@0,device_type</key>
	<string>display</string>
	<key>@0,name</key>
	<string>NVDA,Display-A</string>
	<key>@1,compatible</key>
	<string>NVDA,NVMac</string>
	<key>@1,device_type</key>
	<string>display</string>
	<key>@1,name</key>
	<string>NVDA,Display-B</string>
	<key>NVCAP</key>
	<data>
	BAAAAAAAAwAMAAAAAAAABwAAAAA=
	</data>
	<key>NVPM</key>
	<data>
	AQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA==
	</data>
	<key>VRAM,totalsize</key>
	<string>0x10000000</string>
	<key>device_type</key>
	<string>NVDA,Parent</string>
	<key>model</key>
	<string>nVidia GeForce 8600 GT</string>
	<key>name</key>
	<string>display</string>
	<key>rom-revision</key>
	<string>nVidia GeForce 8600 GT OpenGL Engine [EFI]</string>
</dict>
</dict>
</plist>

 

Any suggestions? Let me know if you need any additional information as this is my first post. BTW, is there a nice way to capture the boot/startup log? Right now, when my system hangs, I take a picture of the screen. But that is a pain. Thanks.

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peach-os
peach-os
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this is still the same thing I could tell in the posts before:

 

don´t try only the plist files from efistudio. try different ones (you have to search). check your pci root with gfxutil and efistudio (there is a build in option). if you are using same cards for some reason it could work if you combine different plists.

 

the plists I used for my machine aren´t identic with those in efistudio. tried to install two absolutely identic asus 7300gt´s on my machine with efistudio plist files - result: didn´t work. took an older one that I found in the net and one 7300GS plist from efistudio .

 

surprise: worked :rolleyes:

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tyroiii
tyroiii
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Posted

Peace,

 

Thanks. I tried with 2 others that I found, including the one you posted for kdawg. No luck, same problem, I get to the point where it initializes the display and then black screen.

 

Is there a way to get better debugging info? I'm using -v and the boot up messages look identical.

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peach-os
peach-os
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Peace,

 

Thanks. I tried with 2 others that I found, including the one you posted for kdawg. No luck, same problem, I get to the point where it initializes the display and then black screen.

 

Is there a way to get better debugging info? I'm using -v and the boot up messages look identical.

 

what is the boot message?

 

did you try already nvinject?

 

did you try this plist file I made for AHSF?

 

http://forum.insanelymac.com/index.php?s=&...st&p=982340

 

it might be also a problem with the install you are using. on my hacs they are all working with retail installs.

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tyroiii
tyroiii
Posted
Posted

Thanks for your help. I followed aquamac's guide again, but this time using the plist that aquamac provided. Restarted and everything is working. All 4 monitors :)

 

Now, how do I verify that QE is working? OSX86Tools says it's enabled. I am having some performance problems when I use my second video card. I don't know if it's the app (Aperture) or my system. On my main system, mac mini, I only have one monitor, so I don't know how Aperture performs with multiple monitors.

 

what is the boot message?

 

did you try already nvinject?

 

did you try this plist file I made for AHSF?

 

http://forum.insanelymac.com/index.php?s=&...st&p=982340

 

it might be also a problem with the install you are using. on my hacs they are all working with retail installs.

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peach-os
peach-os
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Thanks for your help. I followed aquamac's guide again, but this time using the plist that aquamac provided. Restarted and everything is working. All 4 monitors :(

 

Now, how do I verify that QE is working? OSX86Tools says it's enabled. I am having some performance problems when I use my second video card. I don't know if it's the app (Aperture) or my system. On my main system, mac mini, I only have one monitor, so I don't know how Aperture performs with multiple monitors.

 

this guide is the quite the same like aquamac´s. I´m referring to it in the first post - so it ´s probably the plist file.

go to system profiler and have a look on your graphic cards. there you should read "QE supported".

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tyroiii
tyroiii
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Posted

Yes, it's probably is the plist file. I kept using the ones generated by EFI Studio and OSX86Tools. Somehow, I kept thinking that they would provide a better file. Too much thinking is sometimes bad...

 

Thanks for all your help. On the system profiler, it says QE supported. I somehow didn't trust it since lots of info isn't 100% correct there. Again, too much thinking.

 

 

 

this guide is the quite the same like aquamac´s. I´m referring to it in the first post - so it ´s probably the plist file.

go to system profiler and have a look on your graphic cards. there you should read "QE supported".

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steenamaroo
steenamaroo
Posted
Posted

system profilers report on QE and CI hardware is more or less always right,, but,,,

 

you could test with an app that requires QE. For me its waves audio plugins,

 

but i believe chess which comes with my ideneb install won't function correctly if QE is not supported.

 

 

PS peaches,,,please ignored my last post....

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peach-os
peach-os
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system profilers report on QE and CI hardware is more or less always right,, but,,,

 

you could test with an app that requires QE. For me its waves audio plugins,

 

but i believe chess which comes with my ideneb install won't function correctly if QE is not supported.

PS peaches,,,please ignored my last post....

 

sorry....no intention ;)

 

that´s really hard to solve from here. guess could be a problem with that specific brand. another problem could be your power supply - powerful enough ? did you also try the nvinject solution starbrno was successful with?

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steenamaroo
steenamaroo
Posted
Posted

you've misunderstood! i must have sounded so rude there,lol,

 

 

i genuinely meant that you should ignore it!!

 

i didn't realise that to test the third display, you have to select the second card in one of the menus!!

 

if i'm right,,,a previous version of gl viewer just listed all the outputs in one list!

 

 

anyway, long story short, my fps is only marginally lower on the 2nd card, which i expect is normal!!!!

 

 

thanks :P

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badaxe2
badaxe2
Posted
Posted

Hi there, just a quick question regarding multi monitor setup. I have a badaxe 2 board and am running kalyway 10.5.1 with the kalyway combo update to 10.5.3. Everything is perfect. My graphics card is a 8600gts that has been installed using nvinject (vanilla) as in the nvinject menu there wasnt a option for 256mb ram. This works perfect. I have just aquired another 8600gts exactly the same (msi) and have tried to put this in and boot with the two but i get stuck when on boot.

 

Please could you tell me what tools i need to get this working. thanks in advance. I will be using this setup with pro tools and 4 monitors.

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peach-os
peach-os
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Hi there, just a quick question regarding multi monitor setup. I have a badaxe 2 board and am running kalyway 10.5.1 with the kalyway combo update to 10.5.3. Everything is perfect. My graphics card is a 8600gts that has been installed using nvinject (vanilla) as in the nvinject menu there wasnt a option for 256mb ram. This works perfect. I have just aquired another 8600gts exactly the same (msi) and have tried to put this in and boot with the two but i get stuck when on boot.

 

Please could you tell me what tools i need to get this working. thanks in advance. I will be using this setup with pro tools and 4 monitors.

 

read the topic and start at the first post. it´s not too much to read. if you got stuck - write again :)

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badaxe2
badaxe2
Posted
Posted

This is the bit where im stuck - "I wrote 2 input files individually for the two cards and their positions in the motherboard, then amalgamated the two input files together, then ran GFX strings."

How do i write the input files for the 2 8600gts's ?

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peach-os
peach-os
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This is the bit where im stuck - "I wrote 2 input files individually for the two cards and their positions in the motherboard, then amalgamated the two input files together, then ran GFX strings."

How do i write the input files for 8800gts ?

 

before trying that you need some basic knowledge about efi strings. search with this for gfx strings

 

http://www.google.com/coop/cse?cx=00948655...297:e41g72sr-ba

 

and read. after that search for gfxutil and efistudio. download both and start with your experiments.

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bickyb
bickyb
Posted
Posted

Hi,

I have two Nvidia Video Cards on my motherboard. One is a PCI express, one is a PCI card. I did this because my motherboard didn't have two PCI express slots.

I am able to run both of these video cards (the PCI express is a 7200 and the PCI is a 6200, both with 256 mb of ram) on Windows and have a quad monitor setup. I am trying to do the same thing on my hackintosh. Does anyone know if this is possible. All of the posts I have seen to date are for people that have two PCI express cards.

The good news is that both of these cards run fine individually.

Any thoughts on how I can get this working? I am running Kalway 10.5.2

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trux
trux
Posted
Posted

ciao...

i have the same problem. Two pci expess cards good working with vista. Now i'd like to make its work with last ideneb or leopard retail version. It is not possible to do it only charging the good kext without change scriopts (i'm not professional).....grazie

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peach-os
peach-os
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guys.....frankly this is not the place to be taught about basic things. sorry to say that, but you need to learn first about efi strings and to do trial and error like everybody else here. there is no way to give answers to your questions, because there are too many variables. mainboard, gfx chip,bios, bios settings, distro and the plists.

 

as soon you have made your own plists and you´ve got stuck, write again - we will help :)

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steenamaroo
steenamaroo
Posted
Posted

yeah, it works for me,,i just pickled myself<as usual>

 

so back to the twin ati 2600s.....i meant to ask,,,do you know if there is such a thing as an ati dual injector?

 

similar to nvinject 0.0.9 or nvkush....

 

ati cards is one thing i know very little about, and info seems to be sparse, as regards dual cards without efistrings...

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