MP 1,1-5,1 MacPro5,1: What you have to do to upgrade to Mojave (10.13/10.14 BootROM upgrades instructions thread)

[ZombiePhysicist]

This thread is basically every Allrecipes review:

I think it's more like this

 

[Angelus]

I managed to find it.
For anyone who can't get the first link to work, try:
Get macOS High Sierra

 

[FenderStrat]

Hello!!!

I downloaded Mojave from the AppStore, and created a USB Installer. After booting I was greeted with the "unsupported graphic card" message. I do have a Flashed GTX 680 (With boot screen).

I was able to install Mojave onto another drive from within High Sierra, but I would like to have a USB Installer around for backup.

Does anyone know how to manually by pass the "unsupported graphic card" message? On the USB that is.

Thanks guys! Sorry for my english, I'm horrible with it.


Specs:
Model Name: Mac Pro
Model Identifier: MacPro5,1
Processor Name: 6-Core Intel Xeon
Processor Speed: 3.46 GHz
Number of Processors: 1
Total Number of Cores: 6
L2 Cache (per Core): 256 KB
L3 Cache: 12 MB
Memory: 32 GB
Boot ROM Version: 138.0.0.0.0
SMC Version (system): 1.39f11
SMC Version (processor tray): 1.39f11
Chipset Model: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680
Type: GPU
Bus: PCIe
Slot: Slot-1
PCIe Lane Width: x16
VRAM (Dynamic, Max): 2048 MB
Vendor: NVIDIA (0x10de)
Device ID: 0x1180
Revision ID: 0x00a2
ROM Revision: 3731
Metal: Supported, feature set macOS GPUFamily1 v3

 

[tsialex]

Hello!!!

I downloaded Mojave from the AppStore, and created a USB Installer. After booting I was greeted with the "unsupported graphic card" message. I do have a Flashed GTX 680 (With boot screen).

I was able to install Mojave onto another drive from within High Sierra, but I would like to have a USB Installer around for backup.

Does anyone know how to manually by pass the "unsupported graphic card" message? On the USB that is.

Thanks guys! Sorry for my english, I'm horrible with it.


Specs:
Model Name: Mac Pro
Model Identifier: MacPro5,1
Processor Name: 6-Core Intel Xeon
Processor Speed: 3.46 GHz
Number of Processors: 1
Total Number of Cores: 6
L2 Cache (per Core): 256 KB
L3 Cache: 12 MB
Memory: 32 GB
Boot ROM Version: 138.0.0.0.0
SMC Version (system): 1.39f11
SMC Version (processor tray): 1.39f11
Chipset Model: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680
Type: GPU
Bus: PCIe
Slot: Slot-1
PCIe Lane Width: x16
VRAM (Dynamic, Max): 2048 MB
Vendor: NVIDIA (0x10de)
Device ID: 0x1180
Revision ID: 0x00a2
ROM Revision: 3731
Metal: Supported, feature set macOS GPUFamily1 v3

It's a bug on the USB install with NVIDIA GTX 680, you have to install from macOS until Apple corrects it, use two disks for that, one with 10.13.6 and another to install 10.14.

 

[BillyBobBongo]

Does anyone know how to manually by pass the "unsupported graphic card" message? On the USB that is.

Ultimately the best solution to this would be to file a bug with Apple, after all this card is supported so it should work.

Throwing an idea in to the mix...is this not something that @dosdude1's macOS Mojave Patcher could circumvent for now?

 

[FenderStrat]

It's a bug on the USB install with NVIDIA GTX 680, you have to install from macOS until Apple corrects it, use two disks for that, one with 10.13.6 and another to install 10.14.

Thanks for your quick reply!

Do you have a place where I can donate a little something to you? I want to thank you for all your work on here, I do come across your posts often.

 

[tsialex]

Ultimately the best solution to this would be to file a bug with Apple, after all this card is supported so it should work.

Throwing an idea in to the mix...is this not something that @dosdude1's macOS Mojave Patcher could circumvent for now?

I really can't understand why on earth you will use a hacked system install on a fully supported Mac. It's valid on a unsupported Mac, but why on a supported one?

 

[FenderStrat]

I really can't understand why on earth you will use a hacked system install on a fully supported Mac? It's valid on a unsupported Mac, but why on a supported one?

This is why I didn't use that.

 

[BillyBobBongo]

I really can't understand why on earth you will use a hacked system install on a fully supported Mac? It's valid on a unsupported Mac, but why on a supported one?

Purely hypothesising/discussing what's possible and not possible. I've got hard drives going spare, but not everyone has that.

My preferred way, should I only have one available hard drive, would be to install a clean copy of High Sierra and upgrade to Mojave from there.

But as I said, the best option is to rattle Apple's cage and make them fix the problem in the first place.

 

[tsialex]

Purely hypothesising/discussing what's possible and not possible. I've got hard drives going spare, but not everyone has that.

My preferred way, should I only have one available hard drive, would be to install a clean copy of High Sierra and upgrade to Mojave from there.

But as I said, the best option is to rattle Apple's cage and make them fix the problem in the first place.

Even if I have only one drive, I would do two partitions. Install 10.13.6 on the second one via USB, boot from it, then download and install 10.14 on the first one - just to have a unpatched system. Later I can erase the second partition if I need space.

People really need to report the USB firmware upgrade bug and the NVIDIA GTX 680 USB install.

 

[BillyBobBongo]

Even if I have only one drive, I would do two partitions. Install 10.13.6 on the second one via USB, boot from it, then download and install 10.14 on the first one - just to have a unpatched system. Later I can erase the second partition if I need space.

People really need to report the USB firmware upgrade bug and the NVIDIA GTX 680 USB install.

I don't know why, but it never crossed my mind to use partitions. A tidy solution.

See, this is why folks ask you questions about tech...and why folks ask me which tequila they should buy.

¡Salud!

 

[howiest]

I want to thank you for all your work on here, I do come across your posts often.

I often wonder if tsialex, (and a whole bunch of other regulars here) realize just how helpful they've been. Big THANKS to each and every one of them.

 

[crjackson2134]

and why folks ask me which tequila they should buy.

¡Salud!

Okay, which tequila should I buy? Do you recommend jose cuervo gold?

 

[kings79]

Okay, which tequila should I buy? Do you recommend jose cuervo gold?

No, Don Julio ONLY!

 

[crjackson2134]

...

 

[handheldgames]

Looks like the rx470 is blocked from installing the final version of Mojave.

I've had good luck so far with a 7950 and a rx480.

View attachment 788732

Downloading the Mojave installer with Dosdude1’s tool, I created an install boot disk on a newly created 8gb partition on my trusty xp941 boot disk, rather than a slow usb flash drive for the install.

While I was blocked from upgrading to the final version of Mojave from the beta release With the RX470, a fresh copy the Mojave Public release installed without issue.

Next step is to use migration assistant to move all of my data across to a 970pro 1tb in a Highpoint SSD7101-a, replacing a 512gb apple ssubx that will soon make its way to eBay.

 

[5883662]

Has anyone tried installing Mojave with a 1050Ti? The .105 web drivers never worked for me, it felt like the kext weren't loaded properly and the whole GUI in High Sierra was very slow with lots of graphical glitches. I also have the Ati 5770 still running but that one doesn't work at all in Mojave it seems?

I basically don't want to be stuck in Mojave with glitchy drivers. Also, does Bootcamp work from Mojave?

I've got a mid-2010 Quad 2.8 5.1 Mac Pro. The 1050Ti isn't shown as I have removed the nvidia web drivers again, as they didn't seem to work well.

 

[tsialex]

Has anyone tried installing Mojave with a 1050Ti? The .105 web drivers never worked for me, it felt like the kext weren't loaded properly and the whole GUI in High Sierra was very slow with lots of graphical glitches. I also have the Ati 5770 still running but that one doesn't work at all in Mojave it seems?

I basically don't want to be stuck in Mojave with glitchy drivers. Also, does Bootcamp work from Mojave?

I've got a mid-2010 Quad 2.8 5.1 Mac Pro. The 1050Ti isn't shown as I have removed the nvidia web drivers again, as they didn't seem to work well.

Seems reasonable to me to just wait NVIDIA release the drivers, no? 1050TI is know to not work with Mac Pros correctly even with the web drivers. Trying to install it now is just a futile exercise.

 

[5883662]

Seems reasonable to me to just wait NVIDIA release the drivers, no? 1050TI is know to not work with Mac Pros correctly even with the web drivers. Trying to install it now is just a futile exercise.

It's so annoying as there was a time the 1050Ti worked really well, then a driver release buggered it all up. I guess I wait and see if/when nvidia release more drivers.

 

[UKenGB]

I have a Mac Pro 4,1 updated to 5,1 but still running Sierra as I was initially unsure if the firmware update required for High Sierra was a problem, but then later just couldn't be bothered. But I would now like to get Mojave on it.

I have installers for Mojave and also full 10.13.6 as required. But first would appreciate some clarification:-

The OP's initial instructions indicate the 10.13.6 installer can be used to update the firmware to MP51.0089.B00 but then quit before actually installing the OS. Then Mojave can be installed. But later posts state 10.13.6 MUST be installed first. So, does 10.13.6 need to be fully installed, or can I just use the installer for the firmware update, then install Mojave from the current Sierra installation?

I will of course need a new graphics card, replacing the current Radeon HD 4870 with a Metal capable card before the Mojave install. I'm not after max.performance as I don't play games etc, but I don't want a slug either. However I'm not clear on what cards will provide what.

I'm thinking the Sapphire HD7950 Mac Edition would be a suitable card (assuming I can find one), but:-

Will that card provide a boot screen?
Could a (cheaper) PC version be used without re-flashing for Mac?

If so, would I have a boot screen?​

Could I simply re-flash it?

If so, would that provide the boot screen?​

Any better card to use?

Finally, I am using a fusion drive for my main boot disk, an individual HD and an SSD, combined together as a fusion drive. Can Mojave deal with this or must I revert to separate drives? I know this was originally a problem with the new filing system, but can it now handle a fusion drive combination like this?

Would be grateful for any advice on the above.

Thanks.

 

[bjar]

I have a Mac Pro 4,1 updated to 5,1 but still running Sierra as I was initially unsure if the firmware update required for High Sierra was a problem, but then later just couldn't be bothered. But I would now like to get Mojave on it.

I have installers for Mojave and also full 10.13.6 as required. But first would appreciate some clarification:-

The OP's initial instructions indicate the 10.13.6 installer can be used to update the firmware to MP51.0089.B00 but then quit before actually installing the OS. Then Mojave can be installed. But later posts state 10.13.6 MUST be installed first. So, does 10.13.6 need to be fully installed, or can I just use the installer for the firmware update, then install Mojave from the current Sierra installation?

I will of course need a new graphics card, replacing the current Radeon HD 4870 with a Metal capable card before the Mojave install. I'm not after max.performance as I don't play games etc, but I don't want a slug either. However I'm not clear on what cards will provide what.

I'm thinking the Sapphire HD7950 Mac Edition would be a suitable card (assuming I can find one), but:-

Will that card provide a boot screen?
Could a (cheaper) PC version be used without re-flashing for Mac?

If so, would I have a boot screen?​

Could I simply re-flash it?

If so, would that provide the boot screen?​

Any better card to use?

Would be grateful for any advice on the above.

Thanks.

If you are on 10.13.6 you need to check you bootrom to be sure it is 0089. It is probably not if you only ran high Sierra updates and not the full installer for 10.13.6. If it is not 0089 (mine was 0084), then you need to download and run the full installer and just do the firmware update to get to 0089. The. You run the mojave installer.

 

[tsialex]

Will that card provide a boot screen?

Any card that supports a Mac EFI, like AMD 7[7,8,9]xx to R9-280, Nvidia GTX-680.

Could a (cheaper) PC version be used without re-flashing for Mac?

Yes

If so, would I have a boot screen?

No​

Could I simply re-flash it?

If is one of the possible ones, yes. You need to do your homework.

If so, would that provide the boot screen?

Yes​

Any better card to use?

You need to do your homework, some cards are more better suited to some types of work/needs than others, only you can get this answer.

Finally, I am using a fusion drive for my main boot disk, an individual HD and an SSD, combined together as a fusion drive. Can Mojave deal with this or must I revert to separate drives? I know this was originally a problem with the new filing system, but can it now handle a fusion drive combination like this?

Mojave supports Fusion drives, but is always better to do a backup, then recreate the Fusion during the USB install. With a backup you can test what work and what not with your config.

 

[w1z]

Thanks for sharing these upgrade instructions with us. The bootrom updates went smooth. I carried out a clean install of Mojave but I'm not happy with the loss of filevault functionality on supported hardware. I'm using an alternate method of protecting my home folder but it's cumbersome.

Another strange thing I noticed was that I didn't need to disconnect my 4K dp1.2 connected display from my MVC flashed GTX 780 6GB GPU when updating the bootrom and was able to see the bootrom update progress bar when updating from 84 to 89 and a blank white screen from 89 to 138. Same applies for installing Mojave from an internal HD partition.

Are there major differences between the 680 and 780?

 

[tsialex]

Are there major differences between the 680 and 780?

The first GTX-780, version A, is a binned GTX-680. You can even install the same Mac Edition firmware from eVGA GTX 680.

The second, later version have better 4K support and lots of little improvements all around, this version don't work with eVGA GTX 680 Mac Edition firmware.

With every rule, we have a exception. Your case just proves it again.

 

[w1z]

The first GTX-780, version A, is a binned GTX-680. You can even install the same Mac Edition firmware from eVGA GTX 680.

The second, later version have better 4K support and lots of little improvements all around, this version don't work with eVGA GTX 680 Mac Edition firmware.

With every rule, we have a exception. Your case just proves it again.

Yup, mine is Ver B. Good to know.

I got the same card with my recent MP5,1 purchase so now I have 2. Will probably offload it on eBay at some point.

Thanks @tsialex