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Does anyone have the .0087 firmware update for him to attempt? Likely the same situation, but maybe worth one shot.
Why that will work if the logic board can't enter the Firmware Programming Mode?

If he could enter Firmware Programming Mode, he would flash the reconstructed 138.0.0.0.0 with ROMTool or would update with HighSierra/Mojave installers…
 
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Again, doubt it would work but if nothing is working would be worth one shot.

Two machines at a client's office recently had issues getting to .0089 from previous versions (believe pre .0085) that were resolved with incremental step updates. They were on 10.12.X and I was updating to 10.13.6 while in their office. These machines had been using NVIDIA non-EFI GPUs and definitely were missing several firmware (and software) updates. Unsure if something was inadvertently "locked" or became locked, but previous 10.13 installers helped. Believe the fix was creating a 10.13.4 USB installer and was able to finally update firmware with a clean SATA SSD in slot #1. No clue why that worked, but it was the only USB installer that I could quickly create at the time. Do not recall the exact version/release dates of all the firmware updates and unsure what firmware 10.13.4 lined up with, but was able to successfully update to 10.13.6 and .0089 after that install.
 
Then it looks like your cMP can enter firmware flashing mode, just won't run the official updater.

I really suggest you stop here, dump the ROM, send it to tsialex, and let him make a 138.0.0.0.0 clean ROM image for you. Then use ROMTool to update the firmware.

It's a fact that the cMP BootROM can be slightly corrupted, and the error seems will be accumulated. And we actually suspect some sudden dead cMP are because the firmware finally corrupted to a level that can't boot.

Keep repeating this "flashing failure" cycle doesn't sounds good to me.

I went ahead and got a drive (Seagate 2GB), wiped it, and clean installed from a usb stick Sierra installer. Once Sierra booted, this is the pattern I can repeat.

1. Run HS Installer. When it asks to upgrade fw, I click the Shutdown button on the installer. It shuts down fine.
2. Reset SMC: unplug power cable from back of Mac for >1min. Plug back in, wait 15 sec.
3. Press and hold power button. LED comes on after about 2-3 secs, cd rom drive makes some noise, but does not open. Keep holding button, Mac powers down, LED goes off. No loud tone, flashing LED, through any of this.
4. Press and release power button. Mac starts up, the firmware update screen shows up for a split second and disappears. Mac reboots itself. No fw update for me!
5. I scratch my head, then bang it against the wall ;)
 
Again, doubt it would work but if nothing is working would be worth one shot.

Two machines at a client's office recently had issues getting to .0089 from previous versions (believe pre .0085) that were resolved with incremental step updates. They were on 10.12.X and I was updating to 10.13.6 while in their office. These machines had been using NVIDIA non-EFI GPUs and definitely were missing several firmware (and software) updates. Unsure if something was inadvertently "locked" or became locked, but previous 10.13 installers helped. Believe the fix was creating a 10.13.4 USB installer and was able to finally update firmware with a clean SATA SSD in slot #1. No clue why that worked, but it was the only USB installer that I could quickly create at the time. Do not recall the exact version/release dates of all the firmware updates and unsure what firmware 10.13.4 lined up with, but was able to successfully update to 10.13.6 and .0089 after that install.
Again, that’s not the problem. @macagain don’t need to use efiflasher to do the incremental upgrade, he already have a full reconstructed BootROM to do the full flash with ROMTool. He can use a non-EFI GPU with ROMTool, no problem.

The problem is that he can’t get into the FirmwareProgrammingMode, his board just do not enter that.

He can try whatever he wants, even the Firmware Restore CD, but if his Mac Pro can’t enter the Firmware Programming Mode, the only way to upgrade will be programming the SPI-flash externally.
 
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Again, doubt it would work but if nothing is working would be worth one shot.

Two machines at a client's office recently had issues getting to .0089 from previous versions (believe pre .0085) that were resolved with incremental step updates. They were on 10.12.X and I was updating to 10.13.6 while in their office. These machines had been using NVIDIA non-EFI GPUs and definitely were missing several firmware (and software) updates. Unsure if something was inadvertently "locked" or became locked, but previous 10.13 installers helped. Believe the fix was creating a 10.13.4 USB installer and was able to finally update firmware with a clean SATA SSD in slot #1. No clue why that worked, but it was the only USB installer that I could quickly create at the time. Do not recall the exact version/release dates of all the firmware updates and unsure what firmware 10.13.4 lined up with, but was able to successfully update to 10.13.6 and .0089 after that install.
From all my readings, 10.13.4 is the version that installed 85, which I'm already on, so not sure if it will trigger an updated.

To answer your previous questions... I've been using (each on their own in bay 1 alone)

1. WD Black 1TB with Sierra.
2. SanDisk SSDPlus 120G with HS.
2. Seagate 2TB (which I pulled from a time capsule). This drive was wiped and Sierra installed clean.

For sh*ts and giggles, I went ahead and replaced the CR2032 just now per your suggestion... no cigar...
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Again, that’s not the problem. @macagain don’t need to use efiflasher to do the incremental upgrade, he already have a full reconstructed BootROM to do the full flash with ROMTool. He can use a non-EFI GPU with ROMTool, no problem.

The problem is that he can’t get into the FirmwareProgrammingMode, his board just do not enter that.

He can try whatever he wants, even the Firmware Restore CD, but if his Mac Pro can’t enter the Firmware Programming Mode, the only way to upgrade will be programming the SPI-flash externally.
the CD doesn't even open...
 
the CD doesn't even open...

When booting into your Sierra OS drive the CD drive will not open when pushing eject keyboard button, or when performing firmware update the drive does not auto open? Assume you mean during firmware only, but confirming.
 
When booting into your Sierra OS drive the CD drive will not open when pushing eject keyboard button, or when performing firmware update the drive does not auto open? Assume you mean during firmware only, but confirming.
Will not auto open when trying to get into firmware programming mode. It opens and closes fine once in OS using the eject button.
 
Weird that you say it makes sounds as if it's trying to open though. Just for giggles, what happens if you unplug the optical drive power & sata and try the fw upgrade?
 
Weird that you say it makes sounds as if it's trying to open though. Just for giggles, what happens if you unplug the optical drive power & sata and try the fw upgrade?
Doesn't sound like a trying to open sound. Just the regular sound Macs with dvd's make on boot up.

In any case, the dvd rom usually opens after the flashing LED and loud tone, and it never even gets to that. I'll try later after work... At this point in time, my fear is that it's either a hw or a corrupt existing fw issue, both of which will be a pain in the a** to deal with.
 
Doesn't sound like a trying to open sound. Just the regular sound Macs with dvd's make on boot up.

In any case, the dvd rom usually opens after the flashing LED and loud tone, and it never even gets to that. I'll try later after work... At this point in time, my fear is that it's either a hw or a corrupt existing fw issue, both of which will be a pain in the a** to deal with.
Can you desolder the SPI-Flash, solder a new one?
 
And you're having no other weird symptoms--even minor stuff? Very odd indeed.

I'd still try stripping the system down to bare bones (all but a single RAM stick, no optical drive, no other HDDs, only stock GPU, no USB devices other than kb. The intent is to remove as many potential variables as possible. Are you plugged in to a UPS? Remove that variable as well.

If it still won't flash, it looks like you can either:

1. Live with FW 0085. It's able to boot APFS drives so it should work. It's not ideal since it lacks the Meltdown/Spectre microcode updates but I think Mojave will load those at boot time anyway. You'll also miss out on the 5GT/s on slots 1 & 2, but not really that big of a deal. EDIT: not sure actually whether Mojave will install from a USB stick without the 138.0.0.0.0 firmware or not, but you could probably work around it by doing the install in another Mac and moving the drive over.

2. Replace the logic board. Expensive but would likely solve the problem.
 
And you're having no other weird symptoms--even minor stuff? Very odd indeed.

I'd still try stripping the system down to bare bones (all but a single RAM stick, no optical drive, no other HDDs, only stock GPU, no USB devices other than kb. The intent is to remove as many potential variables as possible. Are you plugged in to a UPS? Remove that variable as well.

If it still won't flash, it looks like you can either:

1. Live with FW 0085. It's able to boot APFS drives so it should work. It's not ideal since it lacks the Meltdown/Spectre microcode updates but I think Mojave will load those at boot time anyway. You'll also miss out on the 5GT/s on slots 1 & 2, but not really that big of a deal. EDIT: not sure actually whether Mojave will install from a USB stick without the 138.0.0.0.0 firmware or not, but you could probably work around it by doing the install in another Mac and moving the drive over.

2. Replace the logic board. Expensive but would likely solve the problem.
I am slowly approaching that stage of grief (option 1). Fortunately, the SSD has Mojave since I upgraded it from HS (which was when the fw update to 85 happened without a hitch), and has been updated with every PB update w/o complaints. Hopefully, it'll update to GM w/o requiring a fw update.

I just need to decide whether to keep the flashed GTX680 which runs at 5.0GT/s or the flashed 7950 at 2.5.
 
I am slowly approaching that stage of grief (option 1). Fortunately, the SSD has Mojave since I upgraded it from HS (which was when the fw update to 85 happened without a hitch), and has been updated with every PB update w/o complaints. Hopefully, it'll update to GM w/o requiring a fw update.

I just need to decide whether to keep the flashed GTX680 which runs at 5.0GT/s or the flashed 7950 at 2.5.

Don't give up on it. Be persistent and keep trying. My system doesn't open the DVD door and doesn't even try to since I started messing with the BootRom. It used to work, but not anymore.

Also, I had an instance similar to yours and it kind of freaked me out, I thought I was firmware locked.

I would push the power button and hold it, but anywhere from instantly, to 5 seconds, it would just power off and do noting. I tried over and over without disconnecting or doing any resets. After about 10 attempts (in very quick succession), it worked. I have no clue why, but sometimes it still acts up, but less severe. Also, it was somewhere around the 85 - 87 update where I lost the DVD opening during programming mode.

Sometimes I have to hold the power button upwards of a minute before things start happening (not normal IMHO). It used to be after about 10-15 seconds. Also, I have to wait a full minute minimum after power off to even have any luck at all. Keep trying, you've had indications that it at least started to enter program mode once (you said it flashed the progress bar, then stopped). I could be wrong, but that sounds like it did enter programming mode but the firmware was rejected.
 
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OMG!!! I was about to pack it in, but decided to take @crjackson2134's advice to be stubborn, and just keep trying. Well after another 5 or 6 tries with no luck and up to 3 start-stop cycles, I said, what the hell, one last time, I was on hold on the phone anyway, so I hit the power button, held it and lo and behold, after about 15-20 seconds the LED starts flashing, loud tone (never sounded so good before), and it went into firmware programming mode! I fired up ROMTool and installed @tsialex's patched 138.0.0.0.0 rom file. Flashing took 30-40 secs, reboot, and I'm on 130.0.0.0.0 in Sierra, and Mojave PB from today. Flashed 7950 (XFX HD 7950 single fan model) works great and running at 5.0GT/s.

I want to thank everyone on this forum for being so willing to jump in to help and offer suggestions, but a special Thank You! to @tsialex for responding so quickly and being so willing to give his time to look at my ROM and patching it. You all are incredible! There was not one single condescending reply.

If any one of you is ever in Denver, please do ping me... I'd love to buy you all a beer or 3!
 
OMG!!! I was about to pack it in, but decided to take @crjackson2134's advice to be stubborn, and just keep trying. Well after another 5 or 6 tries with no luck and up to 3 start-stop cycles, I said, what the hell, one last time, I was on hold on the phone anyway, so I hit the power button, held it and lo and behold, after about 15-20 seconds the LED starts flashing, loud tone (never sounded so good before), and it went into firmware programming mode! I fired up ROMTool and installed @tsialex's patched 138.0.0.0.0 rom file. Flashing took 30-40 secs, reboot, and I'm on 130.0.0.0.0 in Sierra, and Mojave PB from today. Flashed 7950 (XFX HD 7950 single fan model) works great and running at 5.0GT/s.

I want to thank everyone on this forum for being so willing to jump in to help and offer suggestions, but a special Thank You! to @tsialex for responding so quickly and being so willing to give his time to look at my ROM and patching it. You all are incredible! There was not one single condescending reply.

If any one of you is ever in Denver, please do ping me... I'd love to buy you all a beer or 3!

Congrats, been there with that issue, but I’m stubborn and it pays to be so at times.
 
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