Sonnet Technologies MDX-G4 User Manual
Quick Start Guide ONLY for Encore/MDX G4 Duet 1.8 GHz
™
/
MDX G4 DUET
Dual Processor Upgrade Card for Power Mac® G4 (MDD)
and Xserve® G4 Computers
Computer and Operating System Compatibility
The Encore/MDX G4 Duet processor upgrade card is compatible only with Power
Mac G4 Mirrored Drive Doors (MDD) and Xserve G4 computers. If you own
a Power Mac G4 computer and are unsure which model you have, refer to
Apple’s online support article that describes the differences at
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=42739. This article lists
model numbers, and describes the physical differences of the various Power Mac
G4 models.
At this printing, this Encore/MDX G4 Duet processor upgrade is compatible with
Mac OS® 9.2 and Mac OS X Version 10.3.5 and later. For up-to-date Mac OS compatibility information, check our web site.
WARNING: If you use Mac OS X, you must ensure
that it is Version 10.3.5 or later; earlier versions
are NOT compatible. If your system does not meet this
standard, you must upgrade to the correct OS version
before installing this upgrade. Otherwise, your system will
not operate with the Duet installed. Instructions follow.
Support Notes: Please familiarize yourself with
the following instructions 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 backup important information on your hard
drive(s) prior to installing new hardware or software.
Multiple Upgrade Recommendation
If you intend to perform multiple hardware upgrades to
your computer, we recommend that you complete the
installation of the Encore/MDX G4 Duet first, and then
install the remaining upgrades; complete each upgrade
and test it before proceeding to the next.
Encore/MDX G4 Duet processor upgrades do not cause sleep issues in computers that support sleep with the original processor installed. If a computer experiences sleep issues with the original processor installed, installing this upgrade
is unlikely to change that condition. In the very rare instance where a computer begins to have sleep issues after a Duet upgrade is installed, the problem
is isolated to that specific card and can be resolved by replacing it.
You Should Have
The following items should be included in your product package:
• Encore/MDX G4 Duet processor upgrade card*
• Heat sink cover for certain Xserve installations
• Mounting screws for Xserve installation
• Sonnet Installer CD
The following items are required for installation:
• Medium Phillips screwdriver
* Card shown without fan assembly.
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., 8 a.m.–4 p.m. Pacific Time • Customer Service Phone: 1-949-472-2772 • E-mail: support@sonnettech.com
Sonnet Technologies, Inc., Irvine, California USA • Tel: 1-949-587-3500 Fax: 1-949-457-6350
©2006 Sonnet Technologies, Inc. All rights reserved. Sonnet, the Sonnet logotype, Simply Fast, the Simply Fast logotype, Duet and Encore are trademarks of Sonnet Technologies, Inc. Macintosh, Mac, and Xserve 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-XG4D-E-A-111506
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Install Software… FIRST
A. Power Mac G4 (MDD) Users ONLY—Verify and Update
Power Mac Firmware (if Necessary)
If your computer is a Xserve G4 model, skip to section C on page 2.
Otherwise, before installing the Duet, you must ensure your system’s
firmware has been updated to version 4.4.8f2 or higher (e.g. “4.5.7f1”).
Please note, your system may need to connect to the Internet to perform
some of the steps.
1. OS X users: Open System Profiler (located within the Utilities
folder found in the Applications folder). Find the Boot ROM
information listed in the Hardware Overview pane (Figure 1).
If it reads “4.4.8f2” or higher (e.g. “4.5.7f1”), skip the rest of
the steps in this section and proceed to section C on page 2.
Otherwise, go to step 2.
OS 9 users: Select and open Apple System Profiler from the Apple
Menu. Click the triangle next to Production Information, and
find the Boot ROM version information (Figure 2). If it reads
“$0004.48f2” or higher (e.g. “4.5.7f1”), skip the rest of the steps
in this section and proceed to section C on page 2. Otherwise, go
to step 2.
2. OS X users: Log on to the Internet and type the following in your
browser window’s address bar:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=120186
OS 9 users: Log on to the Internet and type the following in your
browser window’s address bar:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=120171
Figure 1
firmware version
Figure 2
firmware
version
Software/Firmware Info
3. Click on the appropriate link to download the firmware.
4. Double-click the G4FWUpdate.dmg.bin or
G4FWUpdate4.4.8.smi file icon to mount the G4 Firmware
Update disk image. Double-click the disk image icon, and then
double-click the enclosed file to launch the updater application.
Print the read me file, and then following the directions on the
pages you printed, update the firmware on your system.
Mac OS X Alert: Due to technical issues that arise from
the operation of the latest G4 processors (used on this
Encore/ MDX G4 Duet card) in an older system, you must use
Mac OS X Version 10.3.5 or later to ensure compatibility; earlier
versions of Mac OS X lack the proper processor support.
B. ALL USERS—Install or Upgrade to Mac OS X Version
10.3.5 or Later, If Necessary
For Mac OS X compatibility, the Encore/MDX G4 Duet card
requires Mac OS X Version 10.3.5 or later. If you are upgrading to
Mac OS X as part of this installation, or need to update Mac OS X to
the latest version, do so now; complete the Mac OS upgrade, and then
restart your computer.
1
Install Software… First!
C. MAC OS X USERS—Install Sonnet Firmware Patch
This section describes the installation of software required to
support this Encore/MDX G4 Duet in your computer. Please
note you MUST run the Sonnet Firmware Updater before
you install this upgrade card. If you do not run the updater,
your computer will not operate with the processor upgrade
installed.
1. Insert the Sonnet Installer CD into the CD-ROM drive.
Double-click the Sonnet Install CD icon. When the Sonnet
Install CD window appears, double-click the Mac OS X
ONLY folder.
2. Double-click the Sonnet Firmware Updater icon; Mac OS X’s
built-in Install program will launch. Follow the onscreen
directions to complete the installation of the Sonnet
Firmware Updater and Sonnet Firmware Remover applications to your Applications folder.
3. Shut down your computer.
Power Mac G4 (MDD) users: Press and hold the Power button
4.
until you hear a long tone; release the button when you hear
the tone.
Xserve G4 users: Press and hold the Power button until the
System Activity LEDs flash rapidly; release the button when
you see the LEDs flash.
5. Once the startup process is complete and you have logged
in (if necessary), go the Finder and select Go > Applications
from the Apple menu.
C. MAC OS 9 USERS—Sonnet Software Installation
This section describes the installation of software required to
support this Encore/MDX G4 Duet in your computer under
Mac OS 9.2 when it is a selectable OS in Startup Disk (in System
Preferences). Please note you MUST run the Crescendo/Encore
Installer before you install this upgrade card. If you do not
run the application, your computer will not operate with the
processor upgrade installed.
1. Start your computer under Mac OS 9.2, and then insert the
Sonnet Installer CD into its CD-ROM drive. Double-click the
Mac OS 7-9 ONLY, not Classic folder, and then double-click
the Crescendo/Encore Install icon. By default, with “Easy
Install” selected from the pop-up menu, the required software will be installed into the active System Folder on the
boot drive. If this is okay, click the Install button; otherwise,
select “Custom Install” from the pop-up menu for more
options or to select another drive to install the software.
The installer will install the appropriate software into your
computer’s System Folder.
2. If the installation was successful, a dialog box will appear;
the program will then install a firmware patch that enables
the use of the Duet in your computer. (If you ran the Sonnet
Firmware Updater application under Mac OS X, the patch was
already installed; skip to step 6.) The Sonnet firmware patch
may be uninstalled. However, doing so prevents your system
from working with the Duet. Read the instructions in the
dialog box, and click OK to shut down your computer.
3. Press and hold the Power button until you hear a long tone;
release the button when you hear the tone.
6. Locate Sonnet Firmware Updater, and then double-click its
icon to launch the application.
When the Sonnet Firmware Updater window appears, click OK.
7.
8. When the Authenticate window appears, enter the
Administrator password, and then click OK.
9. When the Wait message appears, DO NOT CLICK OK; just
wait. Clicking the OK button will cause the application to
quit. After the Wait message disappears, another message
will appear indicating that the ROM is being patched. Do
not turn the power off; this process may take several
minutes.
10. When the message stating that the ROM has been patched
appears, click OK. Shut down your computer; you may now
install the Encore/MDX G4 Duet processor upgrade card.
Support Note: After updating your system’s firmware
with the Sonnet firmware installer, you do not need to
install the other software located in the Mac OS X ONLY folder
on the Sonnet Installer CD; that software is used for other processor upgrade cards by Sonnet.
4. After releasing the Power button, a progress bar will appear
at the bottom of your display screen. Do not do anything
with your computer until after it restarts.
5. If an error occurred, a message will appear; you must rerun
the installer. Otherwise, once the firmware update is complete and your system restarts a dialog box will appear, stating it is okay to install the Duet; click OK.
6. After your system shuts down, proceed to the hardware
installation steps.
Support Note: After updating your system’s firmware
with the Sonnet firmware installer, you do not need to
install the other software located in the Mac OS X ONLY folder
on the Sonnet Installer CD; that software is used for other processor upgrade cards by Sonnet.
2
Installation—Mirrored Drive Doors Models
This section covers the installation of the Encore/MDX G4 Duet into
all Power Mac G4 Mirrored Drive Doors (MDD) models. If you are
installing this product into an Xserve server with a tray load CD mechanism, skip to page 7. If you are installing this product into an Xserve
with a slot load CD mechanism, skip to page 10.
WARNING: 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. Also, avoid touching the logic board and any of its components.
Shut Down and Open Computer
1. Shut down your Power Mac. If the computer has been on for a
while, allow a few 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 to the computer and an
electrical outlet.
3. Touch a port access cover on the back of the computer (Figure 3)
to discharge any potentially damaging static electricity.
side panel
raise release latch
Figure 3
port access
cover
4. Disconnect the power cord, and if necessary, any remaining
cables, from the computer.
Support Note: To avoid generating a static charge in your
body, do not walk around the room until after you finish
installing the Encore card and close the computer.
5. 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 4).
Remove Heat Sink
1. Locate the processor heat sink on the logic board (Figure 5);
your heat sink may appear different from what is pictured.
2. Locate the four screws securing the processor heat sink in place
(Figure 5)
the screwdriver, carefully remove the screws and set them aside
for use in installing the Duet card.
3. Lift the heat sink straight up and out of the computer, taking care
not to touch the DIMMs. Set aside the heat sink with its top face
down.
4. Note how the edge of the processor card is inserted into the sup-
port bracket (Figure 6).
. Using caution to avoid touching the logic board with
Figure 4
screw screw
screw
screw
Figure 5
support bracket
processor
Power Mac G4 (MDD) Models
heat sink
card
Figure 6
3
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