Crescendo/PCI G3 & G4
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Driver (1)
Firmware (0)
Manual (2)
FAQ (12)
IDArticle TitlePost Date
72 The Crescendo/Encore installer hangs, or crashes the system; occurs most often when run from the Sonnet installer CD.May-12-09
73 What are the known incompatibilities with the Crescendo/PCI G4 700 and 800?May-12-09
While this new G4 upgrade supports virtually all clones, some PowerTower Pros have a second, very different motherboard design. The problematic version of the motherboard appears to be very rare, based on Sonnet's sales history and the number of related calls. Nevertheless, the Crescendo/PCI G4 700 and 800 are not currently compatible with this version. You can read the entire description, complete with diagram, at:
http://www.sonnettech.com/support/techtips/crescendopci.html

Regarding PCI video cards, most of the Power Computing clones, as well as a couple of the Apple PowerPCs do not have onboard video, and may have come with certain cards (IX Micro Twin Turbo, IX Micro Ultimate Rez, ATI XClaim 3D, and the ATI Mach 64) installed that are not compatible. These cards are legacy video cards and have not had software or firmware updates in several years. The lack of updated software/firmware, combined with the technology of the G4 chips used in these processor upgrades, results in various video anomalies. Because the problems reside in these cards' drivers, a resolution is not expected, and an alternative video solution is required. Recommended cards compatible with these processor upgrade cards include the ATI Radeon 7000 Mac edition.
 
74 Why can't I run Mac OS 9.2 on my computer upgraded with a Crescendo/PCI G4 800 (or 700)?May-12-09
169 May I discard my original CPU after installing Sonnet's upgrade cards? May-07-09
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
175 The Crescendo/Encore installer hangs, or crashes the system; occurs most often when run from the Sonnet installer CD while using Mac OS 9.May-07-09
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.
 
228 System will not finish start-up process. Hang or crash occurs before desktop appears.Jun-23-09
229 After installing my new Crescendo/PCI processor upgrade in a Power Tower Pro, I can hear the boot chime when I turn the computer on, but the video display never comes up.May-12-09
230 After installing a Crescendo/ PCI G4 700 or 800 MHz upgrade, I opened Apple System Profiler and it is reporting the processor type as unknown and the speed as 450 MHz.May-12-09
231 After following the instructions and installing both the Crescendo/PCI G4 700 or 800 MHz upgrade card and its included software into my computer, the video is distorted and my cursor is a rectangular block that cannot move more than halfway down the screen.Jun-23-09
233 G4 performance drops following Mac OS 9.x system software update.May-12-09