I've just finished creating an XVR-100 work-alike from a cheaper ATI branded Mac Radeon card. Not only that, but I can display my console output via DVI.
To do this, you'll need an honest to goodness 32MB ATI branded Mac Radeon 7000. I've tried this experiment with a couple of no-name "powered by ATI" cards without success. You'll also need a PeeCee and a Windows boot disk. Anyone who has philosophical objections to that can stop reading now
(FWIW, I created my boot disk via FC4)
Grab a copy of the Radeon firmware flash utility. I got mine via a link here: http://www.appletalk.com.au/articles/in ... rticle=352
Next you'll need a copy of the 1.61 firmware for the XVR-100. If you've already got an XVR-100 with this firmware then you're golden. If not then you should be able to get this firmware from Sun. Pending mod approval I can also post a link to a public webserver that offers this patch.
Back up the Mac BIOS. Hey, you might want to go back. Besides, "measure twice, cut once" is a good rule to live by.
Load the Sun firmware using the flash utility.
Drop your new XVR-100 clone into a Sun box and enjoy DVI console goodness. Hey, it beats the 8 color 800x600 I get from the built in Rage chipset on my U5
Edit: If you don't have the 1.61 firmware the reflash should still work. You'll just be missing out on the DVI console output.
To do this, you'll need an honest to goodness 32MB ATI branded Mac Radeon 7000. I've tried this experiment with a couple of no-name "powered by ATI" cards without success. You'll also need a PeeCee and a Windows boot disk. Anyone who has philosophical objections to that can stop reading now
![Wink ;)](../../../static/8b88af19-6581-4ee9-9cd5-4e7a54cf22a3.gif)
(FWIW, I created my boot disk via FC4)
Grab a copy of the Radeon firmware flash utility. I got mine via a link here: http://www.appletalk.com.au/articles/in ... rticle=352
Next you'll need a copy of the 1.61 firmware for the XVR-100. If you've already got an XVR-100 with this firmware then you're golden. If not then you should be able to get this firmware from Sun. Pending mod approval I can also post a link to a public webserver that offers this patch.
Back up the Mac BIOS. Hey, you might want to go back. Besides, "measure twice, cut once" is a good rule to live by.
Load the Sun firmware using the flash utility.
Drop your new XVR-100 clone into a Sun box and enjoy DVI console goodness. Hey, it beats the 8 color 800x600 I get from the built in Rage chipset on my U5
![Very Happy :D](../../../static/ef4eb73a-2e8c-4158-a46e-4f5e33adc2b1.gif)
Edit: If you don't have the 1.61 firmware the reflash should still work. You'll just be missing out on the DVI console output.