Boot Camp, Vista and Mac Pro X1900XT

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Boot Camp, Vista and Mac Pro X1900XT

Hey all,

I'm experceing what appears to be a common problem with the Mac Pro with X1900XT option and Boot Camp.

Vista installs file and everything is recognized except for the Radeo X1900XT card. When I boot up, I get what appears to be 16-colors displayed. When I tried to use my Boot Camp driver disk, everything installs fine except for the Radeon card.

I've also tried downloading and installing Windows Vista Catalyst drivers from ATI.com (version 7.3 as the release notes mentioned HDMI is supported by that version) and still the same problem and now my Vista crashes constantly before I log in.

Has anyone experienced? Suggestions or a workaround?

P.S - I also own a black macbook and the same copy of Vista worked flawlessly on it, even with Aero effects turned on.

Mac Pro, Mac OS X (10.4.9)

Posted on Apr 26, 2007 8:35 PM

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Answer 1

bandersnatch Author

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Apr 26, 2007 10:47 PM in response to bandersnatch

FYI,

I installed Windows XP with Service Pack 2. Same 16-color mode. Installed the Apple Windows drivers, watched in system panel all the different hardware being installed. Everything got recognized except the Radeon x1900 card.

Felt the dread in my stomach but rebooted anyways. And voila, it's recognized fine, I'm running in 32-bit color with no problems so far.

I guess it's a bug / issue with Vista which would explain the public beta disclaimer on Boot Camp.

Hopefully, it'll be resolved before Leopard.

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Answer 2

The hatter

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Apr 27, 2007 4:28 AM in response to bandersnatch

If you have 1GB RAM, that would explain why.

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Answer 3

Apr 27, 2007 6:22 AM in response to bandersnatch

Hmm. Not sure how common of a problem it is. I had no problems with mine. I'm using Vista Ultimate. It found the card driver and then I installed the ATI driver right after. So thats not to helpful but it worked out for me ok.

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Answer 4

bandersnatch Author

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Apr 27, 2007 9:23 AM in response to The hatter

I don't understand how only 1 GB of RAM would be the problem if Vista loaded fine with Aero effects on my black macbook that only has 1 GB of RAM too.

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Answer 5

bandersnatch Author

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Apr 27, 2007 9:36 AM in response to MyIDhasbeenstolen

I googled for Boot Camp + X1900 and found a bunch of forum posts about the same problem in first results.

That being said, lucky you. I wonder if its an issue with certain cards, perhaps I should call Apple and see if they know about this issue.

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Answer 6

The hatter

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Apr 27, 2007 9:40 AM in response to bandersnatch

A Mac Pro isn't a MB, and it really needs 2GB or more even if you stay in OS X.

Vista uses system memory to compliment vram.

Get some RAM. Your system will thank you.

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Answer 7

bandersnatch Author

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Apr 27, 2007 9:49 AM in response to The hatter

I'll be buying some additional ram shortly.

I think it's a driver issue. When I booted last into Vista, I checked my devices under control panel / system and it says the driver cannot initialize and the error is 12.

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Answer 8

Apr 27, 2007 2:44 PM in response to bandersnatch

I had some trouble trying to get my Boot Camp to work in Vista so in Boot Camp I use XP Pro and to run Vista I am using Parallels and have had no troubles. You just do not have the eye candy as you would if boot camp was working right. Until Apple get all the Boot Camp problems fixed I will use Parallels to Run Vista.

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Answer 9

mohanman

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25 points

Apr 27, 2007 6:00 PM in response to Michael King9

I have boot camp and vista working perfeclty fine on my Mac Pro with the ati x1900 card and the newest catalyst drivers.

The seceret: You need 2gb memory

Lates!
Mo

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Answer 10

bandersnatch Author

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Apr 29, 2007 10:39 AM in response to bandersnatch

This is what I don't get. I have friends with custom built PC's that have Intel Core Duo 2 2.4ghz, either X1900 or X1950's and only 1 GB of RAM and they can run Vista with Aero fine.

The Mac Pro can run circles around their systems yet it chokes on 2 GB of Ram?

I'm a bit speechless.

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Answer 11

The hatter

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Apr 29, 2007 11:21 AM in response to bandersnatch

You have FBDIMMs that support quad-channel 256-bit bandwidth; an Xeon 5150. You would be best off with 4 x 1GB RAM.

We are speechless that a workstation would be given a starvation diet of memory when it is built to do work, and work with DIMMs on both Risers.

Vista gobbles up some of your system memory for video... talk to Microsoft why. With 4GB I would see 1.5GB in use, 1.5GB as cache, and 1GB free.

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Answer 12

bandersnatch Author

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Apr 29, 2007 11:27 AM in response to The hatter

I will be upgrading the RAM within the month just not ASAP.

And this problem with Vista has been a bit frustrating.

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Answer 13

Apr 29, 2007 1:26 PM in response to bandersnatch

The Mac Pro can run circles around their systems yet it chokes on 2 GB of Ram?

Being the cynic, maybe Microsoft knows this too and is playing funny buggers with Vista on Apple hardware.

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Answer 14

Apr 29, 2007 2:44 PM in response to bandersnatch

The Mac Pro needs 4 FB-DIMMS minimum.

While this Mac Pro I own is the most capable, flexible and enjoyable machine I have ever owned, who says it will run circles around your friend's custom built? I suspect for many/most tasks you would be correct. Except for 3D simulation. PC video cards have higher performance clocks and drivers.

After using my MP 2.66 for 6 weeks as a PC and a Mac I have concluded:
This is a Mac, and should be used to run Mac OS (the real reason to buy a Mac). While it's great to be able to run XP and Vista on a Mac, for general purpose apps usage (geek nirvana), if high performance video cards are critical get a PC.

The Macs strength, is the dividends returned by it's tight integration as a platform. For example, I popped in a second video card and it just worked. No half dozen pop-ups telling me about new hardware and all that blather.

Once I get this sling off of my arm, I will be building a PC for heavy duty simulation.

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Answer 15

bandersnatch Author

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Oct 15, 2008 9:54 PM in response to bandersnatch

Thank you to all. Your replies were spot on and resolved the issue.

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