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Macbookprodude

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If you do that, you'll never log in into iCloud/iMessage/FaceTime again. DON'T EVER DO THIS.

Ok.. But I still am not understanding one thing.. if I had the boards replaced, shouldn't it work though ? What could the apple tech (a friend of mine) have done to mess this up ? I was able to install originally high sierra when it came out and the firmware worked then. I swear these are 2010-2012 boards, at the time 2010 boards.. and I sent you also the screen shot of the SMC version.
 

tsialex

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Jun 13, 2016
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Ok.. But I still am not understanding one thing.. if I had the boards replaced, shouldn't it work though ? What could the apple tech (a friend of mine) have done to mess this up ? I was able to install originally high sierra when it came out and the firmware worked then. I swear these are 2010-2012 boards, at the time 2010 boards.. and I sent you also the screen shot of the SMC version.
The generic MP51.fd don’t have any hardwareIDs. NVRAM and LBSN sector are totally blank.

LBSN sector is not filled by Apple, it’s done by the original manufacturer at the manufacture time and once erased, not even Apple can get it original again.
 
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Macbookprodude

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The generic MP51.fd don’t have any hardwareIDs. NVRAM and LBSN sector is totally blank.

I am not understanding.. so, the boards i have aren't 5,1 boards ?
[doublepost=1546701491][/doublepost]
The generic MP51.fd don’t have any hardwareIDs. NVRAM and LBSN sector is totally blank.

LBSN sector is not filled by Apple, it’s done by the original manufacturer and once erased not even Apple can get it original again.

I may just sell this then and get a true 5,1.. maybe that is the solution.. I am sure i can get a base model and just swap my memory and processor. Sounds like this was a total mistake from the beginning, but how was i supposed to know Apple would do something like this from 10 YEARS AGO ?
[doublepost=1546701632][/doublepost]
I am not understanding.. so, the boards i have aren't 5,1 boards ?
[doublepost=1546701491][/doublepost]

I may just sell this then and get a true 5,1.. maybe that is the solution.. I am sure i can get a base model and just swap my memory and processor. Sounds like this was a total mistake from the beginning, but how was i supposed to know Apple would do something like this from 10 YEARS AGO ?

OR... Maybe I should just get new boards(they are even cheaper now) and just install them.. and not copy over the 2009 serial to them. Would this work ? I am trying to save money here... really, I don't need Mojave as a metal card is too expensive for me anyway. But just to update the firmware - maybe I just need to get new boards from a 5,1 and not even copy over the 2009 serial ?
 

tsialex

Contributor
Original poster
Jun 13, 2016
13,454
13,601
I am not understanding.. so, the boards i have aren't 5,1 boards ?
[doublepost=1546701491][/doublepost]

I may just sell this then and get a true 5,1.. maybe that is the solution.. I am sure i can get a base model and just swap my memory and processor. Sounds like this was a total mistake from the beginning, but how was i supposed to know Apple would do something like this from 10 YEARS AGO ?
[doublepost=1546701632][/doublepost]

OR... Maybe I should just get new boards(they are even cheaper now) and just install them.. and not copy over the 2009 serial to them. Would this work ? I am trying to save money here... really, I don't need Mojave as a metal card is too expensive for me anyway. But just to update the firmware - maybe I just need to get new boards from a 5,1 and not even copy over the 2009 serial ?
You didn't understood what I wrote and you are totally confused. I’ll explain later, I’m at work now.
 
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Macschrauber

macrumors 68030
Dec 27, 2015
2,979
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Germany
Clarification:

Supported as have acceleration - once installed with a hacked install or with a METAL GPU, you can boot Mojave with a ATI HD5770/5780.

It's a EFI GPU and Mojave will show the screen using the default EFI drivers, but it's un-accelerated and it's practically useless as the UI is slow as molasses.

Don't want to argue with the chief :)

but, the 5770/5870 are at least usable for simple 2D stuff IF you don't check the "legacy GPU drivers" in DosDudes Patcher. Its logical that you do so, but if, there will be those glitches what makes the Radeons very unusable.

Also you have to switch to
Framebuffer Depth: 24-Bit Colour

for some weird sake the driver thinks of being 32-Bit Colour and so you get wrong colours like grey gets brownish. Can be done with ResXtreme.

Writing this with a MP3.1 and an Apple HD5870 on 14.2.
 

tsialex

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Original poster
Jun 13, 2016
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Don't want to argue with the chief :)

but, the 5770/5870 are at least usable for simple 2D stuff IF you don't check the "legacy GPU drivers" in DosDudes Patcher. Its logical that you do so, but if, there will be those glitches what makes the Radeons very unusable.

Also you have to switch to
Framebuffer Depth: 24-Bit Colour

for some weird sake the driver thinks of being 32-Bit Colour and so you get wrong colours like grey gets brownish. Can be done with ResXtreme.

Writing this with a MP3.1 and an Apple HD5870 on 14.2.
With a supported install, it's unusable. AFAIK, dosdude patcher install Sierra or High Sierra drivers.
 
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tsialex

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Jun 13, 2016
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I am not understanding.. so, the boards i have aren't 5,1 boards ?
It's the SMC that defines if a backplane and CPU tray are from a 2009 or 2010/2012 Mac Pro:
  • SMC version 1.39f5 = 2009 Mac Pro
  • SMC version 1.39f11 = 2010/2012 Mac Pro
Since your backplane and CPU tray have SMC 1.39f11, they are 2010/2012.

I may just sell this then and get a true 5,1.. maybe that is the solution.. I am sure i can get a base model and just swap my memory and processor. Sounds like this was a total mistake from the beginning, but how was i supposed to know Apple would do something like this from 10 YEARS AGO ?
Apple did nothing. You have a non-standard Mac Pro, that's the problem you are having, and you never updated firmware with it past MP51.0084.B00 - there are 6 firmware updates after that. All done manually, like all Mac Pros 2009/2010/2012.

It's more or less the reverse problem that most people have, 2009 boards with hacked MP5,1 firmware. You have a MP5,1 firmware but with hacked MP4,1 hardwareIDs.

Firmware updates are very complex with a Mac Pro 5.1. For start, it's the only supported Mac that has to bootstrap it manually and the update file, MP51.fd, it's made for ALL Mac Pros 5,1 - without any hardware identifications, the hardwareIDs. So, when updating, the updater have to update everything but the NVRAM volume and the LBSN sector, since these areas store the various hardwareIDs that need to be preserved.

If you flash a generic MP51.fd with flashrom/ROMTool into a Mac Pro you will lose every hardware identification, since these areas are blank into the generic firmware file.

Mac Pro 5,1 hardwareIDs are:

Stored into the NVRAM volume (filled by Apple, at Mac Pro assembly time):
  1. Hardware descriptor
  2. Base_XX
  3. SSN
  4. HWC
  5. SON
  6. Gaid
Stored into the LBSN sector (filled by the OEM, at backplane manufacture time):
  1. LBSN
  2. BD
Other Macs have different hardwareIDs. More recent Macs, with Intel ME/T2/T3 have different ways to store the hardwareIDs.

OR... Maybe I should just get new boards(they are even cheaper now) and just install them.. and not copy over the 2009 serial to them. Would this work ? I am trying to save money here... really, I don't need Mojave as a metal card is too expensive for me anyway. But just to update the firmware - maybe I just need to get new boards from a 5,1 and not even copy over the 2009 serial ?

Just follow the instructions that I sent you by PM, get everything done as I wrote and I'll reconstruct your BootROM with 140.0.0.0.0, the current one.
 
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Macbookprodude

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Ok, I will work on this later.. What about an SMC reset ? Would that work ? Also, I was not going to use "If you flash a generic MP51.fd with flashrom/ROMTool into a Mac Pro you will loose every hardware identification, since these areas are blank into the generic firmware file." the flashrom/ROMTool, I was going to try to use Netkas's tool and rename the firmware to MP51_0089_00B.fd as it is current LOCKED.fd.
 

tsialex

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Original poster
Jun 13, 2016
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Ok, I will work on this later.. What about an SMC reset ? Would that work ?
You don't have a SMC problem, but a BootROM problem.

Also, I was not going to use "If you flash a generic MP51.fd with flashrom/ROMTool into a Mac Pro you will loose every hardware identification, since these areas are blank into the generic firmware file." the flashrom/ROMTool, I was going to try to use Netkas's tool and rename the firmware to MP51_0089_00B.fd as it is current LOCKED.fd.
How you gonna edit the binary to insert the correct checksum for MP51.0089.LOCKED.fd? Don't even try, you gonna brick hard your Mac Pro.
 
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Macbookprodude

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You don't have a SMC problem, but a BootROM problem.

How you gonna edit the binary to insert the correct checksum for MP51.0089.LOCKED.fd? Don't even try, you gonna brick hard your Mac Pro.

Ok, that idea is dead.. Ok, I will do what you sent me in email later. As long as this problem can be fixed and then when the time comes for me to get a cheap Metal graphics card, i won't have issues.
 

chris.pielkenrood

macrumors member
Feb 24, 2018
34
3
Ok, after several attempts, clean installs. I managed to install Mojave on my upgraded 4,1 to 5,1 Mac Pro.

Seems that I needed several try's but also keep the power button pressed for a long period after the long beep AND chime. Suddenl the firmware started to install :)

Thanks for everyones help and patience here, really made a difference. Now the following step, it seems that I can no longer startup my basecamp HDD (EFI Boot). I will search on how to restore this.
 

Macbookprodude

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I give up.. I almost spent 20 hours trying to figure this out. I just bought a new 5,1 for 200.00 on eBay. I don't want to deal with this other mac pro.. so i will destroy it outside.. i Took out the processor board and once i get the new one and the serial is a true 5,1, then I should have no more issues. I was getting VERY ANGRY and decided to destroy it.
 

tsialex

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Jun 13, 2016
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I give up.. I almost spent 20 hours trying to figure this out. I just bought a new 5,1 for 200.00 on eBay. I don't want to deal with this other mac pro.. so i will destroy it outside.. i Took out the processor board and once i get the new one and the serial is a true 5,1, then I should have no more issues. I was getting VERY ANGRY and decided to destroy it.
You will have almost the same problem when the new one arrive, unless for a genuine strike of luck the previous owner already did all the necessary firmware upgrades…
 
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crjackson2134

macrumors 601
Mar 6, 2013
4,847
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Ok.. But I still am not understanding one thing..

I am not understanding..

If you don't understand and just can't get there, why don't you contact your "Apple Tech" friend who obviously does understand and just get his help?

I get it that you are frustrated beyond your threshold of rational reasoning. I'm not judging you, I've been there myself before (just not with this issue).

If you have a techie friend who is familiar with Apple, utilize him and stop beating your head against the wall. Take a break from it... You need a new strategy.
 
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Flocarino

macrumors 6502
Jun 4, 2010
260
38
Montreal, Canada
I need help guys.
I cannot boot into my Mac Pro anymore, even Recovery Mode.
I get the folder with the question mark.
I have the latest firmware 140.0.0.0.0 before I restarted in recovery mode to erase the main drive and reinstall a fresh copy of Mojave.
I erased the main drive and when I clicked on the reinstall latest OS Mojave....I get only the option quit on the installer page.
I have the line at the bottom for Metal card compatible and turn File Vault off......BOTH COMPLY
Card is a Nvidia Quadro Fx5000 Mac edition.
I start to panic here. What can I do?
Please help. Thank you
 

tsialex

Contributor
Original poster
Jun 13, 2016
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I need help guys.
I cannot boot into my Mac Pro anymore, even Recovery Mode.
I get the folder with the question mark.
I have the latest firmware 140.0.0.0.0 before I restarted in recovery mode to erase the main drive and reinstall a fresh copy of Mojave.
I erased the main drive and when I clicked on the reinstall latest OS Mojave....I get only the option quit on the installer page.
I have the line at the bottom for Metal card compatible and turn File Vault off......BOTH COMPLY
Card is a Nvidia Quadro Fx5000 Mac edition.
I start to panic here. What can I do?
Please help. Thank you
Quadro 5000 is a Fermi GPU, no? Only Kepler ones are supported - Quadro K5000 is the one supported by Mojave.
 

Flocarino

macrumors 6502
Jun 4, 2010
260
38
Montreal, Canada
Can't get it to work.....I installed a SSD drive with Mojave on it...it boots but I cannot download Mojave again for another install.
It doesn't even let me update to 10.14.2 as I get this message
SUErrorCodeNone
 

tsialex

Contributor
Original poster
Jun 13, 2016
13,454
13,601
Can't get it to work.....I installed a SSD drive with Mojave on it...it boots but I cannot download Mojave again for another install.
It doesn't even let me update to 10.14.2 as I get this message
SUErrorCodeNone
You probably have something wrong. I'd start running the AHT extended test.

Read here to know how to download it from Apple and install it:

https://github.com/upekkha/AppleHardwareTest

Use MP5.1, if you have a 2009 with MP51 firmware.
 

Flocarino

macrumors 6502
Jun 4, 2010
260
38
Montreal, Canada
You probably have something wrong. I'd start running the AHT extended test.

Read here to know how to download it from Apple and install it:

https://github.com/upekkha/AppleHardwareTest

Use MP5.1, if you have a 2009 with MP51 firmware.

It is an original 5.1
I download the file and it says it is damaged

I booted holding d.....black screen then the desktop

I downloaded the 10.14.1 update separately and still refuses to install/update!!!!
 
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tsialex

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Original poster
Jun 13, 2016
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It is an original 5.1
I download the file and it says it is damaged

I booted holding d.....black screen then the desktop
Ok, please open a thread about your problem - this is unrelated to the topic.
 
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