MOTUnation.com

tw_247 wrote:i definitely recommend GD- their tech support is great, and so are their products.

slightly OFF-topic:

flashgerkin wrote:Also ask them about OSX 10.4.6.
I had to make a jumper cable adjustment on my Giga to give "Tiger" more 'juice'.

could you elaborate on that a little?

My system was rock solid running 10.4.3 before the cpu install. The GD dual 1.8 booted up like a champ in both X, and 9.2 (on a separate partition, separate hard drive) after installation.

A few days later, a program crashed. Eventually, over the next few days, all apps were crashing. I did a backup/clean install with the same pattern. I discovered that 10.3.9 did not crash. (The side benefit of all this backup and clean install business is that I can now do it with a high degree of confidence: either to restore a previous system, or move ahead problem-free with the new install).

Tim at Giga gave me a instructions to alter the factory default voltage jumper settings on the 7447A cpu: 1. try increasing voltage to the next highest setting, 2. if that doesn't work, try the next lowest... His first suggestion cured the problem. (I'm my case, going from 1.45v to 1.5). Tim said that Tiger requires more voltage than Panther or OS9.x. Insufficient voltage was causing system instability.

The voltage jumpers are pairs of pins (to the far right of the dip switches) with tiny plastic jumpers on some of them, off on others. I needed to use a magnifying glass to get the job done. You really shouldn't mess with these unless Tim instructs you to.

GD performance and tech support has been outstanding!!!

The voltage jumpers are pairs of pins (to the far right of the dip switches) with tiny plastic jumpers on some of them, off on others. I needed to use a magnifying glass to get the job done. You really shouldn't mess with these unless Tim instructs you to.

i think messing w/ the voltage jumpers even voids your warranty, unless specifically instructed to do so. tim had me try the same voltage adjustments, but to no avail. lowering the processor speed was the only fix. i was slightly disappointed that 1.8 was a no-go, but even more relieved that my mac stopped freezing and i didn't have to put my single 800 back in.

tw_247
Your right about the warranty.

At any rate, I wouldn't lose sleep over 1.73 vs 1.8.
That's still a big jump in speed.
In my case going from a dp 533 to dp 1.8 was a "huge" speed increase.

So, in order to get you upgrade runing, you have to boot from a OS 9.x.x partition and do a firmware upgrade, is that it?
That kinda sux, ‘cause I was right now, looking for an upgrade to my dual 533 and I have no idea where my old 9.x install CDs are.

Hardly Sonnet's fault is it?

Here is part of the email I got from Neal at Sonnet: "We are working on an OS X version of our firmware updater but I'm not sure of an ETA on it."

Hopefully soon!
I have another couple of questions.
1. Would my OS9 system be corrupted if I can still boot into "Classic" from this same system? I CAN boot into "Classic" but I don't believe I can upgrade my firmware from "Classic" mode.

2. If the answer to question numero uno is a big, fat NO, would it be possible to disconnect each drive in my G4 EXCEPT the one with OS9 on it, and then reboot?

So wait a min, Taggart - you mean there's no way you can install and use your Sonnet DP card, because there's no way to go back to OS9 to upgrade your firmware? I missed a bit of this thread so forgive me if I'm barking up the wrong tree. Sounds heinous. I'm still rootin for ya.

Hey, tommy! Thanks. I need all the good vibes I can get.
I'm not aware of any other way to upgrade my firmware other than boot into OS9. I'm actually suprised nobody else has had this problem. I've got another session this weekend (kid's songs...not too CPU intensive) and after that I'm taking it in to my college buddy at The Computer Store and getting this thing straightened out. He'll give me a break on labor so I'm not too worried about the price. I just wanna get this Duet movin'!
Again, thanks tommy and all the guys for taking an interest in my humble problem. I really appreciate it more than you know.
As always, I'll keep ya posted!

Hi Taggart. I was not directly involved in the 9.2.1 solution. It was just what was reported back from our tech support guy. I have not seen any problems on that machine since the switch (but then I have not put it through any demanding new projects yet).... worth a try though?
If you cant get hold of 9.2.1 but can get an earlier OS9 instal try this link to get the 9.2.1 upgrade... http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=75288

SORRY! This post should be here. I didn't know how to erase the other one. See what these problems can do to your brain?

Here is part of the email I got from Neal at Sonnet: "We are working on an OS X version of our firmware updater but I'm not sure of an ETA on it."

Hopefully soon!
I have another couple of questions.
1. Would my OS9 system be corrupted if I can still boot into "Classic" from this same system? I CAN boot into "Classic" but I don't believe I can upgrade my firmware from "Classic" mode.

2. If the answer to question numero uno is a big, fat NO, would it be possible to disconnect each drive in my G4 EXCEPT the one with OS9 on it, and then reboot?

Ok, here is the newest chapter in my Quest For The Duet. I disconnected all drives EXCEPT the drive that has OS9 on it. Now, keep in mind, my Classic mode works perfectly and I'm assuming if my OS9 system was corrupted, Classic would not work.
Anyway, I booted up with only the OS9 drive connected. All I got was the flashing question mark and Mac face. So it seems OSX "sees" the OS9 system, but the G4 itself doesn't. My OS9 system folder has the golden "9" on it and all that, so I assume it's "valid".
Anyway, that's the latest. If anyone gets any "lightbulbs" above their heads, send 'em my way!
Take care!

Hiya Taggart,
This is hardly a lightbulb, but I'm pretty sure that having a System Folder that will run Classic does NOT necessarily assure you that it is bootable as an OS9 Startup Disk System Folder, even if the icon implies that it is. I'm not totally certain, but that has been my experience. Sorry if this is wrong, and sorry if it's right, from your point of view.
Tommy

taggart wrote:My OS9 system folder has the golden "9" on it and all that, so I assume it's "valid".
Anyway, that's the latest. If anyone gets any "lightbulbs" above their heads, send 'em my way!
Take care!

Taggert I remember having a machine that was dual boot, that somehow got stuck only booting in OS X. I beleive a Pram zap did the trick -- it basically reset the mac back to basics and I was able to boot in 9 again.

Did you ever zap the pram? Hold down command-option PR keys as you power up the machine. I usually hold the keys down until I hear the startup chime 3 times.

If that doesn't work, pull your battery from the motherboard, leave it out for about an hour, stick it back in and reboot.

Hey, Tommy and Emulatorloo!
Well, I tried the hard drive disconnect trick 'cause the guy at Sonnet (Neal) said it might work. It was totally my idea, though. I guess I was just trying to approach it logically (What the hell was I thinking! ) I figured if Classic boots normally and I use the same system folder to (once upon a time) boot into OS9, well I put two and two together and got five!
And Loo, I tried the PRAM zap, but not the battery thing. However, I was told both procedures get the same results. But hey, I've gotten goofy information before...(see above paragraph)
I'll try the battery thing tonight (recording sessions are finished for a bit) and I"ll keep plugging away.
UPDATE: Battery trick didn't work. Oh, well.
"Tune in next time for the continuing story of a quack who's gone to the dogs."

taggart wrote:Hey, Tommy and Emulatorloo!
Well, I tried the hard drive disconnect trick 'cause the guy at Sonnet (Neal) said it might work

just out of curiousity, what happens if you disconnect all your drives except the CD and try to boot from the OS 9 install CD?

That would help us figure out if maybe there was something up with your OS 9 hard drive.
----

also came across this tech note -

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html ... om%3a80%2f

---