Crescendo/7200 G3 & G4
Please click the arrow next to the category to expand or collapse:
Driver (1)
Firmware (0)
No Firmware was found for product.
 
Manual (1)
FAQ (9)
IDArticle TitlePost Date
69 What are the known incompatibilities with the Crescendo/7200 v1.1?May-12-09
71 What type of RAM can I add to my Crescendo/7200 card?May-12-09
85 System will not boot, or consistently crashes early in start-up.Jan-28-10
Issue 1: There are specific memory requirements for proper operation of this innovative upgrade. While these are documented in the Crescendo/7200 quick start guide, they may have been overlooked, so please review the solution below carefully.

Issue 2: Sonnet has determined that certain memory DIMMs are less stable than others when used with early production units of the Crescendo/7200 solution. Sonnet has since released both hardware and software updates to provide compatibility with a greater variety of memory. If implementing the solutions recommended for Issue 1 is not effective, you may be encountering a memory compatibility issue.

Solution for Issue 1 (all three must be followed):

1. DIMMS used for RAM expansion should be: 5 volt, 64-bit-wide, 168 pin, fast-page mode, and 70 ns or faster (smaller numbers are faster).

2. Total RAM installed on the Crescendo/7200 card must be equal to or greater than the RAM installed on the Power Macintosh motherboard.

3. In order to run System 7.5.3 through Mac OS 8.6, there must be a minimum of 16 MB RAM on the motherboard, with equal or greater memory on the Crescendo card. In order to run Mac OS 9.0 through 9.1, a minimum of 32 MB is required on the motherboard, with an equal or greater amount on the Crescendo. The Crescendo/7200 does not support Mac OS X.

If you have satisfied all of the above conditions and are still experiencing problems, please proceed to the following solution.

Solution for Issue 2: Make sure you are using the latest Crescendo/7200 software. You can download the new software from the Sonnet web site at:
http://www.sonnettech.com/support/kb/kb?cat=320&expand=_a3&action=b151#b151.

Locate the serial number label on the back edge of the card on the side opposite the DIMM slots. If your Crescendo/7200 has a serial number that begins with an A (e.g. Axxxx), you are eligible for a free upgrade of your hardware that will provide compatibility with a wider array of memory DIMMs; contact Sonnet Customer Service at 1-949-472-2772 for instructions on returning it for this revision. If your card has a serial number that begins with a B, this revision is unnecessary; your card was manufactured with the latest updates.

If your card falls outside the identified ranges, and you continue to experience problems, call Customer Service at 1-949-472-2772 for further assistance.
 
171 The speed indicated on the G3 or G4 chip on my Sonnet processor upgrade doesn't seem to match the speed of the upgrade I purchased. What's the story?May-07-09
177 System will not boot, or consistently crashes early in start-up with a Crescendo/7200 upgrade card installed in computer.May-07-09
Issue 1: There are specific memory requirements for proper operation of this innovative upgrade. While these are documented in the Crescendo/7200 quick start guide, they may have been overlooked, so please review the solution below carefully.

Issue 2: Sonnet has determined that certain memory DIMMs are less stable than others when used with early production units of the Crescendo/7200 solution. Sonnet has since released both hardware and software updates to provide compatibility with a greater variety of memory. If implementing the solutions recommended for Issue 1 is not effective, you may be encountering a memory compatibility issue.

Solution for Issue 1 (all three must be followed):

1) DIMMS used for RAM expansion should be: 5 volt, 64-bit-wide, 168 pin, fast-page mode, and 70 ns or faster (smaller numbers are faster).

2) Total RAM installed on the Crescendo/7200 card must be equal to or greater than the RAM installed on the Power Macintosh motherboard.

3) In order to run System 7.5.3 through Mac\u172\u198 OS 8.6, there must be a minimum of 16 MB RAM on the motherboard, with equal or greater memory on the Crescendo card. In order to run Mac OS 9.0 through 9.1, a minimum of 32 MB is required on the motherboard, with an equal or greater amount on the Crescendo. While Sonnet plans to bring OS X to the Crescendo/7200, no final announcements have been made, and no RAM requirements have been defined at this time.

If you have satisfied all of the above conditions and are still experiencing problems, please proceed to the following solution.

Solution for Issue 2: Make sure you are using the latest Crescendo/7200 software.

Locate the serial number label on the back edge of the card on the side opposite the DIMM slots. If your Crescendo/7200 has a serial number that begins with an A (e.g. Axxxx), you are eligible for a free upgrade of your hardware that will provide compatibility with a wider array of memory DIMMs; contact Sonnet Customer Service at 1-949-472-2772 for instructions on returning it for this revision. If your card has a serial number that begins with a B, this revision is unnecessary; your card was manufactured with the latest updates.

If your card falls outside the identified ranges, and you continue to experience problems, call Customer Service at 1-949-472-2772 for further assistance.
 
218 The computer's standard startup process takes noticeably longer after upgrading to any Mac OS 9.x system from Mac OS 8.6 or earlier.May-12-09
This is not a malfunction and is not related in any way to Sonnet upgrade products; this is the result of an additional Mac OS 9.x startup process that did not occur during startup in earlier Mac OS versions. There is a new "hidden" Mac OS 9.x feature called Startup Memory Tests in the Memory Control Panel, which defaults to the "On" setting. This adds time during a startup or restart, as all of the RAM installed in the computer is checked.

This issue affects any machine running OS 9.x (OS X status is unknown as of this writing), with or without upgrades installed. The more RAM installed, the longer the test. (Note that a Mac upgraded with a Sonnet G3 or G4 processor card gets through this process much faster than a "stock" machine.)

Since this is not a malfunction, no solution is required. However, since RAM seldom fails after the first few days of regular use, you may turn this test off if a faster startup cycle is desired. To access this feature you must hold down the Command key and the Option key WHILE opening the Memory Control Panel. When the control panel opens, you will see a setting at the bottom of the control panel. Click the Startup Memory Tests' Off button, then close the Memory Control Panel. Be aware that from now on, when you start up or restart your computer, the Mac OS will NOT check your RAM. If in the future you suspect a memory problem and want to check your RAM, you will need to repeat this procedure and turn the Startup Memory Tests back on.
 
221 After installing the Sonnet Crescendo/7200 into a machine with two other PCI cards, or adding an additional PCI card to a machine already running the 7200 upgrade, the computer does not boot past the "Happy Mac" icon. If I remove either one of the PCI cards or the upgrade, the computer will boot without a problem. The same is true if I boot up holding down the SHIFT key to boot with extensions off.May-07-09
222 After installing the Sonnet Crescendo/7200 into my machine, making sure I followed the instructions on RAM distribution, the computer does not boot past the "Happy Mac" icon. If I remove the 7200 upgrade, the computer will boot without a problem. The same is true if I boot up holding down the SHIFT key to boot with extensions off.Aug-06-09
223 After installing the Sonnet Crescendo/7200 into a machine with 128MB RAM DIMMs, or adding 128MB RAM DIMMs to the machine that already was running the 7200 upgrade, the computer does not boot past the "Happy Mac" icon. The DIMMs work when installed alone on the logic board without the 7200 upgrade installed. If I remove either the 128MB RAM DIMMs or the processor upgrade, the computer will boot without a problem. The same is true if I boot up holding down the SHIFT key to boot with extensions off.May-07-09