5,1 bad nvram args cant boot

[davidosomething]

Tried to enter recovery mode using
sudo nvram "recovery-boot-mode=unused"
sudo reboot


Now my 5,1 on mojave with an rx580 just gets stuck on a blank screen. I tried optcmd PR, and even going back to a 5770 with usb install medium for high sierra (all drives unplugged).

Anyone have advice on how to get this thing booting again?

 

[startergo]

Try NVRAM reset 3 consecutive times.

 

[davidosomething]

Tried 3x consecutive, still getting the black screen
Is there a hardware switch for nvram reset maybe?

 

[handheldgames]

Tried 3x consecutive, still getting the black screen
Is there a hardware switch for nvram reset maybe?

What's your system config? What has been working? What were you booting from? What changed to get you here?

With these questions answered in detail, many here can help.

 

[davidosomething]

mojave 10.14.5, fw 144.0.x
single x5680 48gb ram
booting from evo970
sapphire radeon rx580 single display over hdmi
real apple wireless card with bt4

everything was working up until rebooting with the nvram flag above

 

[crjackson2134]

Is there a hardware switch for nvram reset maybe?

No.

How long did you let the computer sit on the black screen before declaring it was stuck?

What NVMe adapter are you using? Is there a recovery partition on the SSD. Sometimes people clone a working install over to NVNe using CCC and don’t copy the recover partition.

Did you try using a different display port?

 

[h9826790]

Remove all drives.

Remove RX580.

Install HD5770.

Press and hold Command + Option + P + R.

Press power button to switch on the Mac.

Keep hold down the keys until you hear the 4th chimes. (You should able to see the white screens during this process. If not, check the cable / monitor)

If reset successful, you should see a folder with question mark, which means can’t locate the boot drive.

Shutdown, install the boot drive.

Press and hold Option key, then power up the Mac.

Now you should able to select the boot drive,

Once you can boot to desktop. Shutdown, remove the HD5770, re-install the RX580.

 

[davidosomething]

No.

How long did you let the computer sit on the black screen before declaring it was stuck?

What NVMe adapter are you using? Is there a recovery partition on the SSD. Sometimes people clone a working install over to NVNe using CCC and don’t copy the recover partition.

Did you try using a different display port?

I've left it on overnight in its stuck state
Using a Angelbird Wings PX1 PCIe x4 M.2 Adapter -- I think you've hit the nail on the head there - no recovery partition and NVRAM is set to try to load from one.

I've booted into recovery before with the same hardware setup.


I'll try h982690's boot 5770 and no drives too, but I think the fact that NVRAM reset via Cmd-Opt-P-R not working is going to get in the way. Tried a 5770 with a USB high sierra before to no progress.

 

[tsialex]

Did you used an USB keyboard? Apple wireless keyboards sometimes don't work after the first clear NVRAM and you need 3 to really clear the NVRAM settings.

 

[davidosomething]

Did you used an USB keyboard? Apple wireless keyboards sometimes don't work after the first clear NVRAM and you need 3 to really clear the NVRAM settings.

Ordered and received an real mac wired keyboard. Only with this was I TRULY able to reset NVRAM and boot in recovery.
Turns out the Wireless Magic keyboard and an offbrand wired macally keyboard both could not modify startup options

Thanks everyone in this thread!

 

[tsialex]

Ordered and received an real mac wired keyboard. Only with this was I TRULY able to reset NVRAM and boot in recovery.
Turns out the Wireless Magic keyboard and an offbrand wired macally keyboard both could not modify startup options

Thanks everyone in this thread!

A lot of cheap USB wired keyboards works too. For example, Microsoft Wired 500/600 works for the clearing NVRAM 3 times. I keep one at the office and one at home.