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| Click here to select a new forum. | | Trying to Install a Sonnet Encore/ST 1.8 CPU Upgrade in my Sawtooth... | Posted by: CC_333 on 2022-04-21 23:02:30
...and nothing's happening!
After about 5 years, I finally have the opportunity to upgrade my Sawtooth with a Sonnet Encore/ST 1.8 GHz accelerator I got I think during 2017 sometime, and after clearing up some weird RAM-related problems with some DeoxIt (to clear out oxidation in the RAM slots), it starts up fine to an install of Mac OS 9.2 on the stock 500 MHz CPU.
However, when I install the Encore, the system powers on, but there's no bong or display, and no signs of disk activity. The Encore does seem to get warm, and its heatsink fan does come on, so it's obviously getting power?
I put the stock CPU back in, reset the NVRAM and PRAM, and pushed the reset button on the logic board, trhen reinstalled the Encore, making doubly sure that it's seated properly on the CPU connector. No change.
I found the installation guide for it online, and it says for a Sawtooth (aka AGP Graphics) G4, the firmware must be updated to version 4.2.8. I checked, and it already has been. Many years ago, I suspect.
So, is this accelerator a dud, or am I doing something wrong?
c | Posted by: jeremywork on 2022-04-21 23:21:57
If memory serves, the 4.2.8 firmware is simply the prerequisite for an additional (aftermarket) firmware upgrade, which the 7447/7448 CPUs require (the G4 towers never used these from the factory.) I believe all of the G4 CPUs running in the 1.8GHz+ range are one of these.
I think the firmware updater I used was a CD from NewerTech, but the first one I can readily find online is from GigaDesigns and should do the same thing without needing to burn a CD:
Giga Designs Firmware upgrade for Dual G4 7447A and others.
www.macintoshrepository.org
You will need to pop the old CPU back in to run it, then reinstall the 1.8GHz card afterward. I'll see if I can find the one from Sonnet for the sake of completeness, though they really do the same thing.
Edit:
Here is the one I personally used for my NewerTech dual 1.8 which also enabled me to swap in a Sonnet single 1.8 when I tried:
These contain firmware modifications for Powermac G4s (Sawtooth to Quicksilver) that allow them to run newer G4s.
www.macintoshrepository.org
It needs to be burned to a CD, but doesn't require Mac OS X already installed like the above Giga one does.
Also, Sonnet has some downloads listed for the Encore/ST here:
But the language in the readme suggests these updates are really geared for the G3s and Yikes G4s. YMMV. The two above are definitely for 7447/7448 CPUs. | Posted by: herd on 2022-04-22 06:37:29
Apple intentionally crippled the firmware, so you need to "patch" it to defeat the anti-upgrade stuff they put in. Like jeremywork said, use one of the aftermarket patch utilities. | Posted by: CC_333 on 2022-04-22 13:03:53
Thank you all! The bootable NewerTech/GigaDesigns/PowerLogix patch worked!
The silly thing now is that now that I've upgraded it, I'm not sure what to use it for!
I put a SCSI card with an external Mac-style DB25 port, so I guess I can use this for my film scanner? It's fully loaded with Photoshop and a bunch of other stuff, so I guess I could to that. Even stock, this G4 is noticeably faster (and quieter!) than the PowerTower Pro, and now it will absolutely blow it away I think!
By the way, is it possible to somehow modify the NVRAM patch so I don't have to reapply it every time I switch between OS 9 and OS X or reset PRAM?
c | Posted by: jeremywork on 2022-04-22 13:14:27
Glad to hear!
As far as I remember, if you apply both the OS X patch and the OS 9 patch you can switch back and forth indefinitely. Still need to avoid resetting PRAM though. | Posted by: CC_333 on 2022-04-22 18:22:48
I see. I'll try that!
I think I now have a valid reason to install a PRAM battery....
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