ATI X800XT Startup Issues: New ROM Update released, Tiger compatibility notes

We previously reported some serious issues with the just-released ROM update for the newly shipping, high-end ATI Radeon X800XT, specifically a problem where Macs with the card installed will not startup properly after the April 2005 ROM update is applied.

ATI has now released a new ROM update fro the high-end graphics card that purportedly resolves the previously reported issues.

ATI's release notes read:

Added ability to downgrade to original ROM version 104 The updated April 2005 ROM installer now provides the ability to revert to the original ROM for the RADEON X800 XT MAC EDITION, in the unlikely event of kernel panics or boot issues known to occur in a small number of configurations. The ROM Update installer provides this downgrade option at setup (suggested to perform a Safe Boot), and may be used if you experience difficulties.

Added built-in Firmware Fan control Fan control has been implemented within the card's firmware to maintain full fan control with or without the presence of the ATI ROM Xtender file. This update is recommended for all RADEON X800 XT MAC EDITION cards. Previous reports documented the loss of fan control after accidentally losing the ATI ROM Xtender in the System's Extension folder. With this update, fan control is enabled early in the boot process and maintained with or without this extension file present.

ATI also says that installation of the ROM update under Mac OS X 10.4 requires you to perform a Safe Boot (holding Shift key during boot).

The new April ROM update is available as a 2.7 MB download.

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