MAC to PC - ATI Rage 128 BIOS

Video, SCSI, modem, CDROM/CDR/CDRW, etc.
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KachiWachi
The New Guy
Posts: 1451
Joined: Fri Mar 29, 2002 10:32 pm
Location: Pennsylvania, USA

Hi All...

My Dad just gave me his G3 MAC that died. Inside it has an ATI 128 RAGE PCI card...

Is there any reason this card wouldn't work in a PC, assuming the BIOS is flashed to make it understandable to a PC??
NickS
BIOS Bodhisattva
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Joined: Fri May 03, 2002 10:34 am
Location: Thames Valley, UK

I don't think there's any reason why not. I believe it's just the BIOS, as you say.
Tested patched BIOSes. Untested patched BIOSes.
Emails *will* be ignored unless the subject line starts "Wim's BIOS forum"
ajzchips
El cheapo dude
Posts: 3048
Joined: Sat Mar 23, 2002 12:41 pm
Location: Madrid, Spain

Unfortunately ATi never post BIOS updates on their sites. You'll have to download OEM versions of the firmware from their partner sites. There are quite a few (5 or 6) that do have firmware updates.
I performed the exact same research for the exact same card (more or less: ATi Rage Fury) a few months ago.
KachiWachi
The New Guy
Posts: 1451
Joined: Fri Mar 29, 2002 10:32 pm
Location: Pennsylvania, USA

So how do you flash it...in an EEPROM burner??

Where might one find links to these *partner sites*??
Rainbow
The UniFlasher
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You can insert the card in a PC and flash there (install another PCI card as primary).
Patched and tested BIOSes are at http://wims.rainbow-software.org
UniFlash - Flash anything anywhere
ajzchips
El cheapo dude
Posts: 3048
Joined: Sat Mar 23, 2002 12:41 pm
Location: Madrid, Spain

Strangely enough, ATi uses flash EEPROM chips. I managed to find a copy of the flasher at a partner site.
The partner sites are listed at ATi's website.
KachiWachi
The New Guy
Posts: 1451
Joined: Fri Mar 29, 2002 10:32 pm
Location: Pennsylvania, USA

Thank's to all...

Does the flasher have back-up capability, so I can return the BIOS back to MAC?

Would the changeover have to be done in the MAC, or do they have versions that will run both ways (PC/MAC versions)?
ajzchips
El cheapo dude
Posts: 3048
Joined: Sat Mar 23, 2002 12:41 pm
Location: Madrid, Spain

According to the ATi flash readme file, it does mention that you're asked to save a backup of the onchip BIOS before proceeding.

I suppose if you flash it as a secondary VGA card in your system, then you can do it in a PC.
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