Sonnet G4 Upgrade

[Mithrandir]

So I just got my hands on a 1.4 ghz Sonnet G4 Upgrade card. I've been wanting one for awhile, but finally decided to make the purchase. I am installing it in my Powermac G4 Digital Audio. For those of you who have made a G4 (or really any similiar) upgrade before, are there any precautions or tips that I should be aware of before I attempt to install it.

Thanks,

Mithrandir

 

[ClassicHasClass]

Make sure you follow the directions exactly. Odds are you need to flash the firmware as part of the installation. The manual should explain how.

Some Sonnet G4s will not work with early versions of OS X (for example, the 7447As in my Encore/MDX do not work with any version of OS X before 10.3.5). Interestingly, OS 9 doesn't care, just OS X.

 

[jongleur]

If it didn't come with any doco, get to the Sonnet site and re-re-re-read everything. As CHC said, you'll probably have to do a firmware upgrade before you install the Upgrade.

I added the 1.8Gz Duet into my QS2002, and following the steps there were no problems.

 

[Unknown_K]

I ended up with a cheap Sonnet 1.2Ghz G4 because the somebody didn't follow the firmware upgrade instructions. They are simple enough, think you might need to boot from OS 9.x to do it (been a while).

 

[Mithrandir]

Alright I just got the card today. I followed the instructions and removed the old processor after upgrading the firmware from os 9. The new processor at first would not chime. Then I applied a little more pressure pushing down on the heat sink in case there was a loose connection. After that the machine would chime but it won't fully boot up. A couple of different things have happened.

A.) It chimes then shows the gray apple (i have 10.3.9 on the hd) but the spinning wheel wouldn't appear, it would just stay stuck on the gray apple.

B.) It chimes but my adc monitor will not show a picture, although power is getting to the monitor the display stays black.

C.) It chimes and immediately goes into open firmware (For example it says type mac-boot to boot into os x or shut-down to shut down your computer), problem is, when this happens the keyboard fails to respond.

Any suggestions are totally appreciated. Ill try them and get back to you with the results. I have no idea what the problem could be except maybe it has a dirty connector?

 

[Mithrandir]

OK update. I let it sit for 15 minutes and came back to it. This time it booted right up into os x. The time after that it was back to its usually non-working self. So i'm still in need of some help. Thanks

 

[ClassicHasClass]

Can you get into OS 9?

 

[Mithrandir]

yeah ill try that asap and get back to you.

 

[Mithrandir]

Ok i can get back into os 9 for a few minutes. But after a few minutes have passed the system freezes up and must be shut down. Then i must reapply pressure on the processor inside of the computer before it will allow me to boot back up again. This cycle just keeps continuing lol.

 

[TheMacGuy]

Definitely sounds like the processor is not making complete contact with the LoBo. Have you tried switching back to the original processor to make sure nothing has been damaged on the LoBo?

 

[Mithrandir]

I put the original processor back in and it is working fine. I think you may be right about the upgrade card not making a secure connection with the logic board, bbut i think it is the card's fault, not the board's. Since the original card is working fine in the computer now that means the problem has gotta lie in the upgrade card right?

 

[TheMacGuy]

More then likely, yes. Its not making a good connection to the LoBo.

 

[ClassicHasClass]

I'd be very careful about having to reapply pressure all the time -- that may cause your motherboard to be damaged. Inspect the card carefully to see if it's warped or the pins are messed up or bent. If it is or you're not sure, get your money back, because you're more likely to wreck your Mac this way by fiddling with it. Those connectors are not rated for this kind of action.

 

[Mithrandir]

Ok i guess I'll just return the upgrade card.

 

[Bunsen]

If it runs for a period and then freezes, it could be heat related. The heatsink goop could need replacing - it dries out after a few years.