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I'm going to need to locate an OS9 CD rather quickly.  No sense letting my $350 present to myself just sit around.

Last edited by pkmgarf (2007-09-26 11:39 pm)

Yeah, I need to boot off of OS9 to use the Sonnet firmware updater.  I'm assuming this updater addresses the issues mentioned about the compatibility problems.....

I guess I'll track down an OS9 disk, install that to one of my hard drives that is almost empty, boot from it and run the firmware updater.

Oh...okay.  I guess actually installing OS9 wouldn't be necessary.  Nonetheless....I need to get hunting for a disc.

So, I got back to my dorm room to find my freshly delivered Sonnet Duet.  Needless to say, the first thing I did was drop all of the clean clothes that I should have put away, and started on my project.

First, I looked into the firmware update a little more.  I found an application on Sonnet's website that will run in OS X and update the firmware.  Great.  Now my firmware is up to date (4.2.8f).  Next, I ripped the old card out (which was deceivingly easy) and slapped the new one on.

Everything booted up fine and ASP shows the system as a dual 1.8ghz.  However, the processors are reported as 7455 in Xbench, which they are not.   Oh well...I ran the test and the results were as expected.  Photoshop and Illustrator also took a lot less time to load (Photoshop went from 33 seconds to 19, Illustrator went from 31 seconds to 21 seconds). 

Now is where the fun begins.  I started using regular apps (Safari, iTunes, etc), and everything seemed fine at first.  However, then stuff started freezing and I had to relaunch Finder a few times.  Nothing is very stable.  Unreal Tournament crashes withing a few minutes and it's just a matter of time for other apps to freeze. 

I thought maybe the CPU was overheating, but I don't really have a way to test that.  I ran CPU Test, and there are numerous errors when running a series of about 25 tests.....I'm trying to figure out what the problem is....

Anyone?

There is something about my nature that doesn't like the term "downclocking."  Creative cooling sounds more like my cup of tea.  Well, I just reinstalled the 500mhz card, rolled back the firmware, and everything is good.  Then, I stuck the Sonnet back in, did NOT update the firmware, and it didn't work at all.  That means the firmware updater worked correctly the first time around. 

Now I have the firmware back up to date and am living with the moody Sonnet for the time being.  Right now, it's time for bed.  I have class tomorrow morning.

pkmgarf wrote:

There is something about my nature that doesn't like the term "downclocking."  Creative cooling sounds more like my cup of tea.

Start with downclocking, to find out where the problem is. "Creative cooling" can come later, once the actual issue(s) have been determined.

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Another little update.  My Mac has got the nasty little habit of logging me out without me telling it to.  Also, when I go to force quit, sometimes the text is scrambled.  For example, the text at the bottom of the force quit window that says "You can open this window by...." may have every other letter missing.  Still sound heat related?

If it is, and Sonnet's warranty will not transfer to me, anyone have any ideas?  Both of the fans on the heat sink are spinning and moving air....as is the case fan.

dvpierce wrote:

" Idon'twanttogothisfast!!!" issue. But heat is more likely.

In which case a gigantic copper aftermarket heat sink and a fan the size of your lawnwmower would solve the problem splendidly.

lmao...

I suppose 1.8ghz is pushing it a little bit hey?  Anyway, I've been talking with Sonnet and the person I bought it from.  Both are being more than cooperative.  Sonnet's rep said that as long as I can get some form of an original receipt or proof of when it was bought (and that it is within three years) they will get me a new one.  The guy I bought it from is checking his records and will get back to me as soon as he knows.  He mentioned that it may have been Sonnet's website, so I'm having their rep check their records.

As far as the big fan and big heat sink issue....the heat sink is already the copper one, and I don't know how well Sonnet's chip would like me taking it off.  I may have to invest in a lawnmower sized fan though.  My tower is sitting in one of those "barely big enough" cubbies in a desk and next to it (in that same cubby) is an amplifier (1979 Onkyo) which is standing on end, as that is the only way I could get it to fit anywhere...gotta love dorm rooms.

Anyway, the two of those pieces combined expel enough heat to warm up a nice big bowl of ramen....not to mention the 7447's run hot as it is....

Yeah.  I was thinking more along the lines of getting the new one and seeing how it responds to my sort of restrictive location that the tower is in. If it still is running hot, I'll deal with extra cooling then.