Sonnet Encore/ST G4 Quick Start Guide

Quick Start Guide for Encore/ST G4

Power Mac and Operating System Compatibility

This Encore/ST G4 processor upgrade card is compatible only with Power Mac®G4
AGP Graphics, Gigabit Ethernet, Digital Audio, and QuickSilver 2001 models.

Installation of this product into a Power Mac G4 Cube is also supported, and requires a
Cube Installation Kit (sold separately); professional installation is strongly recommended.

If you are unsure which Power Mac model you have, refer to
the online Apple article that describes the differences at
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=58418.

This article lists model numbers, and describes physical
aspects of the various Power Mac G4 models.

At this printing, the Encore/ST G4 processor upgrade is compati­ble with Mac OS 9.2.1 through OS X version 10.2.3. For up-to­date Mac OS compatibility information, check our web site.

The Encore/ST G4 supports hard disk and display sleep in all compati­ble Power Mac G4 computers; in some configurations, deep sleep may
not be supported.

You Should Have

The following items should be included in your product package:

• Encore/ST G4 processor upgrade card

• Processor card extension plate*

• Two extension plate mounting screws* (screwed into extension plate)

*

Only required for installation of the Encore/ST in Gigabit Ethernet and Digital Audio models originally
shipped with dual processors.

The following items are required for installation:

• Medium Phillips screwdriver

• Flat blade screwdriver

• Needle-nose pliers

Support Notes: Please familiarize yourself with the following instruc-

tions before beginning the installation. If you feel you are unable to install
the computer hardware, please contact a qualified computer technician. Sonnet
strongly recommends that a qualified technician perform this installation.

Before proceeding with the installation, we recommend that you make a backup
of important information on your hard drive prior to installing new hardware or
software.

WARNING: In order for the Encore/ST G4 to oper-

ate in your system, Mac OS 9.2.1 (or later), and the
latest Power Mac G4 firmware must be installed. If your

system does not meet these criteria, you must upgrade to OS

9.2.1 (or later) and update your system’s firmware before
installing this upgrade. Otherwise, your system will not oper­ate with the Encore/ST installed. Instructions follow.

ENCORE

™

/

ST G4

Processor Upgrade Card for Power Mac® G4 AGP Graphics

Remember to register your product online at http://registration.sonnettech.com to be informed of future upgrades and product releases.
Software updates and links are available from the Sonnet web site at www.sonnettech.com.

•

Online support form available at http://supportform.sonnettech.com.

Sonnet Technologies Customer Service hours are Mon.-Fri., 7 a.m.–5 p.m. Pacific Time

•

Customer Service Phone: [phone] • E-mail: [e-mail]

Sonnet Technologies, Inc., 15 Whatney, Irvine, California 92618-2808 USA • Tel:

1-

949-587-3500 Fax: [phone]

©2002 Sonnet Technologies,Inc . All rights reserved. Sonnet,the Sonnet logotype, Simply Fast, the Simply Fast logotype, and Encore are trademarks of Sonnet Technologies, Inc. Macintosh and Mac are trademarks of Apple
Computer, Inc ., registered in the United States and other countries. Other product names are trademarks of their respective owners.Product specifications subject to change without notice. Printed in the USA.
QS-SG4-121802-E

Multiple Upgrade Recommendation

If you intend to perform multiple hardware upgrades to your Power Mac, we
recommend that you complete the installation of the Encore/ST first, and then
install the remaining upgrades; complete each upgrade and test it before proceeding to
the next.

Install or Upgrade to Mac OS 9.2.1 or Later, If Necessary

The Encore/ST G4 requires Mac OS 9.2.1 or later in order to operate in your sys­tem, and must be installed before you install the processor upgrade card.

1. Verify the Mac OS version on your system is at least Mac OS 9.2.1, and then

install or upgrade the OS software if necessary (Figure 1).

Update Power Mac Firmware

Before installing the Encore/ST, you must ensure your AGP Graphics, Gigabit
Ethernet, or Digital Audio system’s firmware has been updated to the latest ver­sion (currently 4.2.8). Please note, your system must be able to make a connection to
the Internet to perform some of the steps in this section.

1. Boot your system in Mac OS 9.2.1 or later (not OS X, nor OS X Classic

mode). As of this writing, Apple has not made this firmware updater avail­able as an OS X application.

2. From the Apple Menu, select and open Apple System Profiler. Click the trian-

gle next to Production Information, and find the Boot ROM version infor­mation (Figure 2). If it reads “$0004.28f1”, skip the rest of the steps in
this section and proceed to page 3. Otherwise, go to step 3.

3. Log on to the Internet and type the following in your browser window’s

address bar: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=120068.

4. Click on the appropriate software link to download the firmware software

(Figure 3).

5. Double-click the G4 FW Update 4.2.8.smi file icon to mount the G4

Firmware Update disk image.

6. Double-click the G4 Firmware Update icon to open the disk image, then

double-click the About G4 Firmware Update file icon. Once the read me file
has opened, print it.

7. Following the directions on the pages you printed, update the firmware on

your system. If a message appears stating that your firmware is up-to-date,
proceed to the next section.

Software and Firmware Installation/Update Info

2

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 1

Mac OS Version

information

firmware

version

software

link

WARNING: When you install (or upgrade to) Mac OS 9.2.1 or later, you

may have to upgrade the your computer’s firmware as part of the soft­ware installation. Please note, the firmware installed with the Mac OS may not
be the version required by the Encore/ST. Before installing the Encore/ST, you

may be required to upgrade your firmware again; you MUST ensure your
system is using version 4.2.8 firmware. If your system is using an earlier version

of the firmware, your system will not operate with the Encore/ST installed.

3

This section covers the installation of the Encore/ST G4 into Power Mac AGP
Graphics and Gigabit Ethernet models. If you are installing this product into a
Digital Audio model, skip to page 6. If you are installing this product into a
QuickSilver 2001 model, skip to page 10.

Shut Down and Open Computer

1. Shut down your Power Mac. If the computer has been on, allow 20 minutes

for it to completely cool before beginning the installation.

2. If you need to move the computer to a different area where you can work

freely, disconnect any connected cables, move the computer, then reconnect
the power cord.

3. Touch a port access cover on the back of the computer (Figure 4) to dis-

charge any potentially damaging static electricity.

4. Disconnect the power cord from the computer.

5. Locate the security lock at the back of the computer (Figure 5). If it is not

already pressed in, do so now.

6. With the right side of the case facing you, open your Power Mac by lifting

the release latch and lowering the side panel away from the computer’s case
(Figure 6).

Remove Heat Sink

Locate the processor heat sink on the logic board (Figure 7); your heat sink may
appear different from what is pictured. Using caution to avoid touching the
processor card, grasp one of the clips securing the heat sink with needle-nose
pliers, between the heat sink and processor card. Pull down and away to unhook
one side of the clip from the processor card (Figure 6). Push the clip away from
you to unhook it from the other side. Repeat these steps with the other clip. Once
the clips have been unhooked, gently lift the heat sink and clips away from the
processor and set them aside, but not on the logic board.

Remove Processor Card

Remove the three screws securing the processor card to the logic board (Figure 8).
Grasping the processor card by its edges, carefully lift it straight up and away from
the logic board.

Installation—AGP Graphics and Gigabit Ethernet Models

Figure 7

Figure 8

clip clip

processor

card

heat sink

screw

screw

screw

Figure 6

raise release latch

side panel

Figure 5

security lock

Figure 4

port access

cover

Support Note: When handling computer products, take care to prevent

components from being damaged by static electricity; avoid working in
carpeted areas. Handle processor upgrade cards only by their edges and avoid
touching connector traces and component pins.

Support Note: To avoid generating a static charge in your body, do not

walk around the room until after you finish installing the Encore/ST card
and close the computer.

Installation—AGP Graphics, Gigabit Ethernet Models

Install Encore/ST G4 Processor Upgrade Card

1. Remove the Encore/ST processor upgrade card from its anti-static package,

and remove the packing material. Make sure to handle the card by the edges

(Figure 9). Also, do not touch the thermal pad covering the processor.

2. If you removed a single-processor card from your system, skip to step 3. If you

removed a dual processor card, remove the extension plate and two screws
from the parts bag included with the Encore/ST, and then remove the screws
from the extension plate. With the Sonnet logo side of the board face up,
place the Encore/ST processor card on top of the extension plate (support
foot face down) as shown (Figure 10). Secure the Encore/ST card to the
extension plate with the two provided screws; do not overtighten the screws.

Please note, when attached properly, the extension plate will be level with the
Encore/ST board.

3. Hold the Encore/ST card with its connector facing up (Figure 11). Carefully

remove the cap covering the connector; place the cap on the original proces­sor card’s connector. Place the processor card you removed from the comput­er into the anti-static package and store it in a safe place.

4. Align the Encore/ST card’s three screw holes with the three threaded posts

on the logic board, then set the card gently on top of the posts (Figure 12).
Make sure the connectors are lined up, then, grasping the card by its edges,
gently press it straight down until the connectors snap together. Verify the
connectors are completely coupled by gently pulling up on the edges of the
Encore/ST board; the board should remain firmly in place.

5. Snugly secure the Encore/ST card to the logic board with the three screws

you removed previously; do not overtighten the screws (Figure 13).

4

Figure 13

screw

screw

screw

Figure 12

Encore/ST card

Encore/ST card

Figure 11

screw hole

screw hole

screw hole

Figure 10

protective

cap

Figure 9

extension

plate

Encore/ST

card

Encore/ST

card

anti-static

package

Encore/ST

card

screw

screw

Support Note: You will find a piece of foam covering a connector on

the edge of the Encore/ST card. Do not remove the foam; the connector

is not used in this installation.

thermal

pad