Nvidia GEForce 8800 no workie with FCP !

[Bob Zelin]

This is with a Kona 3. I actually don’t recall which AJA driver I am using, but it’s NOT the new 6.0 driver. I will look.

But what are you saying – that you load in the AJA Kona 3 driver (even if it is 5.1ND), and it conflicts with the Nvidia GEForce 8800 driver, or disables it’s Quartz Extreme capabilitites (but does not affect the ATI ?).

Please respond !

Bob Zelin

[Warren Eig]

Hey Bob,

If you are using the 5.1 ND drivers, it is disabled by default and that solved my Quartz Extreme not supported problem. If you are using these drivers than there truly is a problem with the Nividia. The 5.1 Drivers caused problems and the 6.0 caused problems until I unchecked the desktop display option.

Warren

Warren Eig
O 310-470-0905

email: warren@babyboompictures.com
website: https://www.babyboompictures.com

https://babyboompictures.com/AFX_Movie2.html
https://babyboompictures.com/KnitWits_Movie.html

EDITING REEL: https://www.babyboompictures.com/Editing_Reel.html
TITLE DESIGN: https://www.babyboompictures.com/Titles_Reel.html

[Mitch Ives]

I have an 8800 that runs fine. It came in the 2008 MacPro 8-core and it has performed flawlessly since we bought it…

Mitch Ives
Insight Productions Corp.
mitch@insightproductions.com

[Mitch Ives]

I had a host of issues with the K3 until I disabled the desktop function. Livetype and keying in particular. Later versions of QT, FCP and OS X seemed to help. I have not gone to 6.0.4 and 10.5.4 because I’m afraid to mess with a system that finally worked…

Mitch Ives
Insight Productions Corp.
mitch@insightproductions.com

[Peter Wiggins]

How the hell can unplugging a cable from one port and putting it in the other be a workaround?
It worked for me, I got the info from an apple knowledge base article.

Peter

[Bob Zelin]

Peter –
I mean no disrespect to you. It especially makes me upset that you found the “fix” from an Apple knowlegebase article, which is not a “fix”. I found a fix (via Apple tech support) on a dead ethernet port about 6 months ago.
I had a dead ethernet port on a MAC Pro, and called Apple to complain. The tech said “unplug the AC power from your MAC, and wait about 60 seconds. This should fix it”. When I said “are you kidding me” – he said – “no, there is actually an Apple Knowlegebase article about this, and I can email it to you.”.

This is totally unacceptable to me. There should not be “voodoo” fixes for problems.

Hello from Apple!

Warren at Apple Service & Support thought that you might find this article useful. We hope that it helps resolve your technical issue.

Link: https://www.info.apple.com/kbnum/n304123

Mac Pro: How to reset the System Management Controller (SMC)
——————————————————————————–

The System Management Controller (SMC) is a chip on the logic board that controls all power functions for your computer. If your computer is experiencing any power issue, resetting the SMC may resolve it. The SMC controls several functions, including:

Telling the computer when to turn on, turn off, sleep, wake, idle, and so forth.
Handling system resets from various commands.
Controlling the fans.
Note that resetting the SMC does not reset the PRAM. Resetting the SMC will not resolve issues in which your computer is unresponsive—in these situations, restarting your computer will generally suffice. If your computer isn’t responding, perform these steps one at a time, in this order, until the issue has been resolved:

Force Quit (Option-Command-Escape).
Restart (Control-Command-Power).
Force Shut Down (press the power button for 10 seconds).
Resetting the SMC c an resolve some computer issues such as not starting up, not displaying video, sleep issues, fan noise issues, and so forth. If your computer still exhibits these types of issues after you’ve restarted the computer, try resetting the SMC.

To reset the SMC on a Mac Pro:

From the Apple menu, choose Shut Down (or if the computer is not responding, hold the power button until it turns off).
Unplug all cables from the computer, including the power cord and any display cables.
Wait at least fifteen seconds.
Plug the power cord back in, making sure the power button is not being pressed at the time. Then reconnect your keyboard and mouse to the computer.
Press the power button to start up your computer.
Another way to reset the SMC on a Mac Pro computer is:

From the Apple menu, choose Shut Down (or if the computer is not responding, hold the power button until it turns off).
Open and remove the metallic outer door.
Press the SMC_RST switch that is located slightly below and to the right of the row of diagnostic LEDs. Use a non-metallic, non-conductive object, such as a wooden pencil. Note: Mac Pro (Early 2008) does not have an SMC_RST switch, refer to the reset procedure steps in the previous section.
Replace the metallic outer door.
Press the power button to start up your computer.
Unlike models of Power Mac G5 or Power Mac G4 computer, the Mac Pro computer does not have a PMU. This functionality has been replaced by the SMC.

Thank you,
Apple

[Ed Dooley]

Is the 8800 either of these models? And if so, did you happen to look at NVidea’s site for an answer? And if so. did you find this? It doesn’t mention Quartz Extreme, but it does say 8800 and 23″ Cinema Display in the same sentence as “no display”.
Ed

Question: No display on Apple 23″ Cinema Display when connected to Geforce 8800GTX/8800GTS

Answer: NVIDIA has verified and fixed this problem through an update video BIOS firmware update. Since each video BIOS is custom made for the graphics card make and model, please contact the manufacturer of your Geforce 8800 graphics card to obtain a newer video BIOS version. You may find a list of some of our board partners contact information through the following URL:

https://www.nvidia.com/object/hardware_support.html

[Bob Zelin]

Ed writes –
Answer: NVIDIA has verified and fixed this problem through an update video BIOS firmware update. Since each video BIOS is custom made for the graphics card make and model, please contact the manufacturer of your Geforce 8800 graphics card to obtain a newer video BIOS version. You may find a list of some of our board partners contact information through the following URL:

Reply – Ed, this is EXCELLENT investigative work on your behalf. The NVidia GeForce 8800 is an OEM product manufactured by NVidia and sold thru Apple, in an Apple box. Your post states “please contact the manufacturer of your Geforce 8800 graphics card to obtain a newer video BIOS version”. Well, if it ain’t Nvidia, and it ain’t Apple, then who is it. The drivers should be native to the MAC OS-X operating system.

As for NVidia’s exact comments, this is the NVidia drivers page –
https://www.nvidia.com/Download/index.aspx?lang=en-us
as you can see, there are no MAC drivers listed here.

From Apple –
Note to owners of Mac Pro (early 2008): Please select the NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GT Graphics Upgrade Kit for Mac Pro (early 2008).

And more from NVidia –
https://www.nvidia.com/object/geforce_8800gt_for_mac.html

Before you purchase this graphics card, please check the following:

This GeForce 8800 GT graphics card is designed for a 1st generation (original) Mac Pro system.

PLEASE NOTE: This card is not compatible with a 2nd generation system.

If you have a 2nd generation system, please click here to upgrade.

To determine which system you have check the Model Identifier and the Bus Speed values in the System Profiler on your Mac Pro.

To access the System Profiler, go the Apple icon in the upper left corner of the screen on your Mac Pro and select “About This Mac”. Click on the “More Info…” button to display the Profiler.

Please see requirements chart below to help you determine which system you have:

Bob Zelin

[Ed Dooley]

The possible answer seems to be all over the web. Early MacPro owners need a different firmware version than B Rev MPs:
https://store.apple.com/us/product/MB560Z/A?fnode=home/shop_mac/mac_accessories/displays&mco=MjU4NzY1#overview

https://arstechnica.com/journals/apple.ars/2008/04/16/apple-offers-geforce-8800-gt-upgrade-kit-for-older-mac-pros

Ever since Apple released the new Harpertown-based Mac Pros in February, one of the graphics card upgrades has been the NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GT. This is a bit beefier than the standard Radeon HD 2600 XT. Apple also launched an 8800 GT upgrade kit for anyone who wanted more graphics power, but unfortunately, the upgrade was only compatible with the Rev. B Mac Pros due to a firmware issue. Rev. A Mac Pro owners weren’t to happy with that situation, and bugged Apple for a fix. Now, several months after releasing the new Mac Pros, the glitch has finally been fixed, and the 8800 GT Graphics Upgrade Kit has been released.

There are now two versions of the 8800 GT kit, one for pre-2008 Mac Pros and the other for early 2008 models, so be careful when you order. The new kit works with all Mac Pro models, and provides a way to add a bit more graphics pep (or more gaming power) to older models without breaking the bank. Speaking of the bank, the first-generation upgrade kit will run you $279, the same as the kit for early 2008 models. The kit is available now and is shipping in three to five days, so a graphics bump is just a credit card number away, if you’re so inclined.

[Ed Dooley]

And More :
>>>From Apple Insider:
NVIDIA readying GeForce 8800 GT upgrade for earlier Mac Pros
By Aidan Malley
Published: 04:40 PM EST
After owners of the first-generation Mac Pro desktop voiced frustration that they couldn’t upgrade to the GeForce 8800 GT video card, its creator NVIDIA is pledging an updated version that will work with both new and old Apple towers.
The graphics card maker’s PR director has contacted Engadget with word that an updated version of the $349 add-on kit will contain firmware that supports all models of the Xeon-based workstation.
Currently, the card on sale through Apple’s online store will only function with new-generation Mac Pro systems due to firmware that requires the new, faster PCI Express 2.0 interconnect standard, which was introduced for the first time to the Mac with the new towers. This has caused an uproar among owners of the initial computer, which has been limited to the now two-year-old ATI Radeon X1900 XT as their fastest mainstream graphics choice.
“I am afraid they don’t care and prefer forcing people to buy a new high-end machine just to have a graphics card update,” says one user from Apple’s discussion forums.
The restriction has also been unusual in the graphics upgrade market, as many video cards for Windows PCs that support the version 2.0 standard also include backwards compatibility for the outgoing format.
The new Mac Pro’s default video card, the ATI Radeon HD 2600 XT, is not available as an upgrade kit but has been successfully tested with older Mac Pro units, according to multiple reports.
NVIDIA’s press director has not said precisely when the company’s replacement video card will be available, only noting that the new GeForce 8800 GT for Macs will be available “in a few weeks” from Apple’s website.

>>From Tom’s Hardware:
Nvidia Releases GeForce 8800 GT Upgrade Kit For Mac Pro
12:40 PM – April 22, 2008 by Bestofmedia Team
Source: Tom’s Hardware – Category : Graphics Cards 1 comment
Nvidia has released a GeForce 8800 GT upgrade kit for the Apple MacBook Pro, priced at $279.
The Mac Pro originally shipped with the ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 back in 2006. In mid-2007 the Pro was updated and shipped with the NVIDIA GeForce 8600 GT in 128 MB or 256 MB flavours; and in early 2008 that was upgraded to ship with only the 256 MB or the 512 MB flavours of the 8600 GT.
The upgrade kit can be bought in two flavours, one for Mac Pro’s pre-2008 and one designed for the slightly different configuration of Mac Pro’s after the 2008 update. The specs on both are the same, and they are available from the Apple store as well as other outlets.
Mac Pro users have been crying out for an upgrade for some time and hopefuls were cheerful when Apple initially launched the upgrade. However, a bomb was dropped for many Mac Pro users as they found out that the initial upgrade would only work in more recent systems with 64-bit EFI’s. With a huge uproar, Apple promptly halted the release of the 8800 GT until further notice.
Now, the new release is fully compatible with both recent and old Mac Pros. Initial feedback on performance figures don’t seem to point much to an improvement in some games however.