MP 1,1-5,1 Best way to install Mojave on NVME SSD?

[bdavid32]

Hello and once again, thanks a lot for the great resources on this forum!

I need to install Mojave on my 5.1 flashed MacPro 2009, on the newly installed PCIe NVMe SSD.
I currently have High Sierra on the HDD. Also, all my files and apps ar on my MacBook Pro 2011's SSD (also runs High Sierra), so I will need to transfer them, probably via Migration Assistant.

The current BootRom on the MacPro is MP51.0089.B00.
What is the shortest, safest way to get Mojave and all the data from my MacBook?

A. Update the BootRom by running the installer on the HDD, cancelling the installation, making a bootable Mojave installer, installing on the PCIe SSD, Migration assistant with target disk by installing the SSD from my MacBook in the DVD tray of the Mac Pro?
B. Upgrading to Mojave on the HDD, recovery startup, installing from recovery mode to the PCIe SSD (is this possible?), Migration assistant?
C. Installing High Sierra on the Pcie SSD, Migration assistant, Upgrade to Mojave? (would this give more stability to the apps, since I am Migrating them from High Sierra to High Sierra?)

Please let me know if there is anything I am missing.
Other questions would be:
1. Do I need to remove the Pcie SSD while making the Boot Rom Update or while installing Mojave on the HDD?
2. My display is a 24in Cinema Display connected to a firmware-flashed GeForce GTX 680 via a display port 1.2 to Mini Display Port adapter. According to what I read here, there is a problem upgrading the BootRom while a DP1.2 is connected. I don't have any other displays I can use. Should I try running the installer, or better try to get another display first?

Thank you!

 

[bsbeamer]

Lots to parse through here... migration assistant works best if both machines are running identical OS version. If that is not possible, I'd suggest to get them "close" before attempting.

I'd really suggest you get a SATA SSD (or HDD) setup with the MacPro first, then use Carbon Copy Cloner to clone that working system drive to the PCIe NVMe. Then you have working SATA a bootable backup option in case it is ever needed. You can get ~500GB SATA SSDs for $25-30 on sale if you shop around.

 

[bdavid32]

Lots to parse through here... migration assistant works best if both machines are running identical OS version. If that is not possible, I'd suggest to get them "close" before attempting.

I'd really suggest you get a SATA SSD (or HDD) setup with the MacPro first, then use Carbon Copy Cloner to clone that working system drive to the PCIe NVMe. Then you have working SATA a bootable backup option in case it is ever needed. You can get ~500GB SATA SSDs for $25-30 on sale if you shop around.

Thank you! So the Carbon Copy Cloner option would be more reliable... So I'll do everything on the SATA HDD, including Migration, and afterwards make a Carbon Copy to the PCIe SSD.

Now the only thing that is still keeping me from doing the upgrade is the Display Port 1.2 question.
Thanks again!

 

[KeesMacPro]

Now the only thing that is still keeping me from doing the upgrade is the Display Port 1.2 question.

I think an Apple Cinema Display will work fine for the Mojave install.
The adapter may be 1.2 compatible but , what matters is the GPU and Display itself.

Apple displays like the common Apple Cinema Display are DP1.1 or even DVI and work fine for firmware upgrades.

BTW: about your questions post #1:
1-yes, remove the PCIe SSD during update and installation.

 

[bdavid32]

I think an Apple Cinema Display will work fine for the Mojave install.
The adapter may be 1.2 compatible but , what matters is the GPU and Display itself.



BTW: about your questions post #1:
1-yes, remove the PCIe SSD during update and installation.

Thanks a lot!

Meanwhile, the BootRom update went through flawlessly. I installed the NVMe SSD back in, rebooted, intended to install Mojave on the HDD, but the installer asked me if I want to install Mojave on the HDD or the SSD, and that was too tempting, I chose the SSD, to see how it goes... during the installation it asked me if I want to restore from a backup or a Startup Disk, so I inserted the SSD from my laptop. Everything works perfectly fine for now (except the crackling sound, which I hope will go away after upgrading the CPUs).
Thanks a lot one more time