MP 1,1-5,1 Mac Pro 5,1 from Mojave to Catalina

[Mactrunk]

Please forgive this simple request.
I've searched through thousands of posts and can't find a solution.
I'm on a 5,1 with boot rom 138.
It is used for music production.
Is there a way to go from Mojave to Catalina that won't break my machine?
I still need firewire and internal cards and a plethora of USB channels.
I think anything beyond Catalina won't work with my mixing console.
Thanks!

 

[sfalatko]

Please forgive this simple request.
I've searched through thousands of posts and can't find a solution.
I'm on a 5,1 with boot rom 138.
It is used for music production.
Is there a way to go from Mojave to Catalina that won't break my machine?
I still need firewire and internal cards and a plethora of USB channels.
I think anything beyond Catalina won't work with my mixing console.
Thanks!

Several people will chime in with options to move to Catalina. The two main options are the dosdude1 patcher and OpenCore.

I would first start with upgrading your bootrom to 144. Read the first post of this threat to understand the steps you need to take to do that:

MP5,1: What you have to do to upgrade to Mojave (BootROM upgrade instructions thread)

Please fully read this first post, you will probably find that you have one or more problems described into the various notes below. Mojave will only install if you have upgraded your BootROM to the current release and your Mac Pro have a Metal capable GPU*. If you are trying to install Mojave...

forums.macrumors.com

For dosdude1 you can go here to understand how to do that - macOS Catalina Patcher

For a more flexible option you can use OpenCore either by reading the first post in the this thread to build your own configuration:

OpenCore on the Mac Pro

This guide explains how to use the excellent OpenCore boot loader to install, run, and update the latest version of macOS on the MacPro5,1, resulting in a clean, unaltered operating system just like on a supported Mac.

forums.macrumors.com

If you want a more plug and play installation you can use the OpenCore Legacy Patcher:

OpenCore Legacy Patcher

Experience macOS just like before

dortania.github.io

Look over these links and come back with questions. There are many users here who will give you the benefit of their experience and advice.

Regards,
sfalatko

 

[Mactrunk]

Many thanks for your kind reply!
A truly generous holiday gift.
I will check out the links that you sent.
I'm just looking for an easy upgrade that won't break anything.
With gratitude,
MT

 

[Macschrauber]

Most important: have a bootable backup and keep the original Graphics Card in the drawer just in case something goes wrong.

 

[sfalatko]

Most important: have a bootable backup and keep the original Graphics Card in the drawer just in case something goes wrong.

Macshrauber hit on the necessary first step. Make sure you have a bootable backup of your working configuration. A good idea would be to get another SSD - clone your current install - confirm you can boot fine from the clone - then try your upgrade to Catalina

 

[Macschrauber]

Although relatively easy for us nerds, this can end in total disaster for the novice user.

Therefore, always maintain the possibility to go back the step.

And also test this backup.

 

[Mactrunk]

Although relatively easy for us nerds, this can end in total disaster for the novice user.

Yikes!
That is my fear.
I am a total novice in this area.

That said...
I have successfully cloned my main drive and and the clone boots fine.
I've been running Mojave for a year with no problems.

I can't find a way to get the boot rom from 138 to 144.
All of the stuff I've read assumes that I haven't installed Mojave yet.
Is there a specific way to just do a boot rom upgrade from Mojave without taking all of the drives out of my mac?

The dosdude1 solution says it installs Catalina.
Does it also update the boot rom?
Is that the best way to get to Catalina?

The more I read, the more confused I become.

Thanks to all for your kind expertise.

 

[Macschrauber]

start by reading the 1st post:

#1

You will need a metal capable GPU to run the firmware upgrade. As you run Mojave I assume you have one.

Just start the Mojave installation progress, the firmware update routine will run, after that you can abort.

 

[carylee2002]

Since you will be using your rig for music production, make sure all your programs is 64bit, once you go to Catalina, no more 32bit programs will work. Thats why I'm staying with Mojave.

 

[Mactrunk]

O.K. I'm about to jump in.
Just to be sure...
Do I need to pull out all of my PCIE cards and internal drives to update the firmware?
My boot drive is on a PCIE card as is my GPU.
The instructions say I can't do this boot rom update from a USB drive.
Should I find a blank hard drive to install in the internal drive bays?
I've got one week between projects and am hoping to get to Catalina.
Thanks!

 

[tsialex]

O.K. I'm about to jump in.
Just to be sure...
Do I need to pull out all of my PCIE cards and internal drives to update the firmware?

Most people have issues when updating from anything than a SATA drive connected to the Mac Pro native SATA ports, but you can try.

My boot drive is on a PCIE card as is my GPU.
The instructions say I can't do this boot rom update from a USB drive.

Correct.

Should I find a blank hard drive to install in the internal drive bays?

Yes, you should.

I've got one week between projects and am hoping to get to Catalina.
Thanks!

 

[Mactrunk]

Thanks!