If all conditions are right and all the requirements for the firmware upgrade are met, the firmware upgrade is easy and simple. If something is wrong anywhere, then you are where you are.
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MP 1,1-5,1 MacPro5,1: What you have to do to upgrade to Mojave (10.13/10.14 BootROM upgrades instructions thread)
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If all conditions are right and all the requirements for the firmware upgrade are met, the firmware upgrade is easy and simple. If something is wrong anywhere, then you are where you are.
The problem solved. It was all because OC was installed. I installed it before because of Titan Ridge. Now FW is upgraded.
Hi, thank you for this very helpful thread. I am about to take the leap in attempting this to give more life to my machine, but have a question I have not found the answer to in this thread.
My mid-2012 5,1 meets the requirements (Metal-Compatible GPU, firmware is at MP51.0089.B00, running High Sierra 10.13.6) but the first post's note section regarding PCIe leads me to this question: my boot drive is via PCIe but I believe it is being seen as SATA (I do not know how "Containers" work but it is within a container if it matters). Can I update directly from the OS running on the boot drive and forego the fresh 10.13.6? System pics attached. I purchased this machine in 2017 from the now-defunct Create.pro service. Thank you!
My mid-2012 5,1 meets the requirements (Metal-Compatible GPU, firmware is at MP51.0089.B00, running High Sierra 10.13.6) but the first post's note section regarding PCIe leads me to this question: my boot drive is via PCIe but I believe it is being seen as SATA (I do not know how "Containers" work but it is within a container if it matters). Can I update directly from the OS running on the boot drive and forego the fresh 10.13.6? System pics attached. I purchased this machine in 2017 from the now-defunct Create.pro service. Thank you!
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Update to this: Firmware updated and Mojave OS 10.14.6 installed successfully with the specs in the screenshots
Good morning, first of all thanks for doing this!
Here's what I'm using:
Mac Pro 5.1 (2010) 12 cores, 96 gb ram
K5000 Mac edition graphic card that works fine in High Sierra (nvidia web driver are installed, no cudo drivers)
Boot ROM Version: 144.0.0.0.0
Ssd M.2 Samsung Evo Plus (connected to the 4 upper Pcie) APFS format
30 inc. Apple Cinema Display
If I try to upgrade to Mojave by usb installer, Mojave install but it says that web driver can't be used anymore and the system switches to generic drivers, the problem after this is that the cursor of the mouse start to freeze every 5 seconds.
What I'm doing wrong here?
Nvidia K5000 Mac Edition is one of the metal supported graphic cards that works with Mojave!
Thank you in advance and have a good day!
Luke
NVIDIA WEB drivers are supported up to 10.13.6. Uninstall the web drivers before anything.
Hi, first thanks for all the information.
Is this a one time proces, or do you have to do all these steps everytime you want a clean install of mojave?
If a 2010 mac pro 12-core with a third party gtx680 is succesfull updated to mojave for the first time, does one have to repeat all the steps again if you want to do a new clean mojave install?
Or is the BootRom firmware upgrade permanently and after a succesfull mojave update you can always do a clean install of high sierra or mojave from usb without all the steps?
Is this a one time proces, or do you have to do all these steps everytime you want a clean install of mojave?
If a 2010 mac pro 12-core with a third party gtx680 is succesfull updated to mojave for the first time, does one have to repeat all the steps again if you want to do a new clean mojave install?
Or is the BootRom firmware upgrade permanently and after a succesfull mojave update you can always do a clean install of high sierra or mojave from usb without all the steps?
Installing Mojave with a NVIDIA card always will require running the Mojave installer from a previous macOS release and install to another disk (or upgrade). No workaround that, or better this is already the workaround.
BootROM upgrade is one time operation.
Ole thanks,
So basically after a mojave update, whenever i want to do a clean install again all i need is a spare old sata harddrive with high sierra os installed on it, swap that drive in the mac, perform the mojave install on a clean ssd and remove the high sierra sata hd.
Well a spare drive is a little bigger then a usb stick and swapping it in and out requires a little more work but I'm ok with that.
Thanks!
So basically after a mojave update, whenever i want to do a clean install again all i need is a spare old sata harddrive with high sierra os installed on it, swap that drive in the mac, perform the mojave install on a clean ssd and remove the high sierra sata hd.
Well a spare drive is a little bigger then a usb stick and swapping it in and out requires a little more work but I'm ok with that.
Thanks!
UPDATE: In response to my own question below about moving beyond Mojave, I guess I already know the answer.
Check this thread linked below and read it all!
forums.macrumors.com
=============================
Note: I am not deleting the post below, even though it's not really relevant for this thread.
Other cMP "newbies" may end up here, and it might be helpful down the road if they have the same question.
=============================
This is question that really needs to be asked.
Right now I am running 10.14.6 (Mojave) and everything is very stable.
"If I have successfully made it through the steps in Post #1, and have my Mac Pro 4,1 -> 5,1 running Mojave, what is the best next step to get to Big Sur?"
I know the answer will involve Open Core in some incarnation, but is there ONE best way to get it installed?
I've tried OCLP and Martin Lo's patch. The former did not work. The latter seemed to work OK, but then something glitched and system would no longer boot. I had to go a clean install of High Sierra -> Mojave (using the steps from this thread) to get a working system again.
I know this does NOT belong in this thread, because the goal here is to get the firmware updated and do a "Factory Install" of Mojave. That I have a handle on, I am just struggling to get to the next step.
THANK YOU tsialex for all of your help!!!!!
Check this thread linked below and read it all!
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
=============================
Note: I am not deleting the post below, even though it's not really relevant for this thread.
Other cMP "newbies" may end up here, and it might be helpful down the road if they have the same question.
=============================
This is question that really needs to be asked.
Right now I am running 10.14.6 (Mojave) and everything is very stable.
"If I have successfully made it through the steps in Post #1, and have my Mac Pro 4,1 -> 5,1 running Mojave, what is the best next step to get to Big Sur?"
I know the answer will involve Open Core in some incarnation, but is there ONE best way to get it installed?
I've tried OCLP and Martin Lo's patch. The former did not work. The latter seemed to work OK, but then something glitched and system would no longer boot. I had to go a clean install of High Sierra -> Mojave (using the steps from this thread) to get a working system again.
I know this does NOT belong in this thread, because the goal here is to get the firmware updated and do a "Factory Install" of Mojave. That I have a handle on, I am just struggling to get to the next step.
THANK YOU tsialex for all of your help!!!!!
Last edited:
Hi there, excellent detailed article!
I picked up a 2012 (5.1) mac pro cheap and im currently stuck in the early stages of my upgrade. I installed a WD blue SSD in one of the four bays with a modified sled and formatted to recieve High Sierra. Made a bootable USB with High Sierra on it. was prompted to do a firmware upgrade. then installed High sierra. Now whenever i start up normally i get a gray cirlce with a line through it. If i start up with command R it will boot up on the SSD drive but thats the only way. Any ideas what i need to do to fix this. at this point what would you suggest i do.
thank you
jeff.
I picked up a 2012 (5.1) mac pro cheap and im currently stuck in the early stages of my upgrade. I installed a WD blue SSD in one of the four bays with a modified sled and formatted to recieve High Sierra. Made a bootable USB with High Sierra on it. was prompted to do a firmware upgrade. then installed High sierra. Now whenever i start up normally i get a gray cirlce with a line through it. If i start up with command R it will boot up on the SSD drive but thats the only way. Any ideas what i need to do to fix this. at this point what would you suggest i do.
thank you
jeff.
Datapoint - I was able to follow the instructions in post #1, using an RX 460 2GB (generic Hp) for the part that requires a metal compatible video card. It’s not listed there as one that works, but it did for me.
Something went wrong since the prohibited screen shouldn't ever show for HighSierra and a mid-2012, but can be a lot of things, from a defective incompatible SSD to a failure while blessing the disk.
I'd start from scratch, erasing the SSD and reinstalling. See if it works or not.
You can also use another drive to test the clean install, not all WD Blue SSDs are compatible with a Mac Pro. Recent WD track record with Mac Pro compatibility is really poor, several blades simply do not work and there is nothing that you can do.
Hi tsialex,
Need your advice. I have a 2009 Mac Pro 5.1 with ROM MP51.0089.B00. It has a RX580 and GT120 cards in it. My goal is to upgrade to Mojave and potentially more recent Apple Softwares with a patcher.
I use my Mac Pro mostly as a gaming PC running Windows 10. It really is an impressive machine when we consider its age.
The reason what I haven't installed Mojave is because of my dual boot. Right now it isn't ideal but works fine. I got both GT120 and RX580 installed. The GT120 serves only as my blind boot-select when chose the OS I want to boot from.
If I install Mojave I need to get the GT120 out because it doesn't support metal. However if I do that I will have no ability to switch between windows and Mac, especially that it wasn't installed through bootcamp.
I was wondering if you had any advise on what to do. I might also just let it go and leave it as is it is risky.
I attached computer details if this can help.
Thanks!
Need your advice. I have a 2009 Mac Pro 5.1 with ROM MP51.0089.B00. It has a RX580 and GT120 cards in it. My goal is to upgrade to Mojave and potentially more recent Apple Softwares with a patcher.
I use my Mac Pro mostly as a gaming PC running Windows 10. It really is an impressive machine when we consider its age.
The reason what I haven't installed Mojave is because of my dual boot. Right now it isn't ideal but works fine. I got both GT120 and RX580 installed. The GT120 serves only as my blind boot-select when chose the OS I want to boot from.
If I install Mojave I need to get the GT120 out because it doesn't support metal. However if I do that I will have no ability to switch between windows and Mac, especially that it wasn't installed through bootcamp.
I was wondering if you had any advise on what to do. I might also just let it go and leave it as is it is risky.
I attached computer details if this can help.
Thanks!
Attachments
Thanks for this very informative thread Alex. 👍 New Mac Pro 5,1 owner here. I followed your instructions in the first post to check the health of my boot rom before I start diving into upgrades. Viewing it
A BootROM reconstruction service with EnableGOP injection will solve both your issues at the same time, you will have 144.0.0.0.0 without needing to install Mojave and will have pre-boot configuration with your RX-580 without needing the GT-120 (if the RX-580 GPU firmware was not modded for mining/still have the factory installed firmware).
Thank you. My Goal would be to install the latest Mac software available while also be able to switch to Windows. Not exactly sure you can I go to to do a BootROM service with EnableGOP, any suggestions?
Thank you!
I've sent you a PM about the BootROM reconstruction service.
Hello. I have a Mac Pro 4,1 that I flashed to 5,1. I then installed High Sierra on a new SSD, no problem. I have now swapped the GT120 for an Asus Radeon RX 560 4GB and have successfully upgraded to Mojave, the official way as my now Mac Pro 5,1 is recognised as a machine that is Mojave supported. All went well, BootROM is now 144.0.0.0.0.
However, since installing the new (to me) card and going to Mojave, Photoshop doesn't work as smooth as it used to (on High Sierra with the GT120 card). Whenever I use the brush I get a spinning ball. Just for a split second, but it is annoying. I am using the last stand-alone version of Photoshop (CS6).
My question is how the more powerful Radeon RX 560 can be slower, apparently, than the GT120? I had expected an improved performance.
Also: I know I can go back to High Sierra. But with the BootROM at 144.0.0.0.0 can I swap the Radeon for the GT120, go back to my old set-up (but able to use NVMe cards now)?
If I asked in the wrong place, I apologise. I wasn't sure where to ask exactly.
However, since installing the new (to me) card and going to Mojave, Photoshop doesn't work as smooth as it used to (on High Sierra with the GT120 card). Whenever I use the brush I get a spinning ball. Just for a split second, but it is annoying. I am using the last stand-alone version of Photoshop (CS6).
My question is how the more powerful Radeon RX 560 can be slower, apparently, than the GT120? I had expected an improved performance.
Also: I know I can go back to High Sierra. But with the BootROM at 144.0.0.0.0 can I swap the Radeon for the GT120, go back to my old set-up (but able to use NVMe cards now)?
If I asked in the wrong place, I apologise. I wasn't sure where to ask exactly.
I'm no PS expert in any way, you probably can get a lot better help with Adobe forums, but did you tried a clean install of Mojave on a spare disk to eliminate any macOS upgrade issues? This would be my first step to diagnose it.
GT120 is a 2008-ish GPU that is 1/11 or less of the performance of a RX 560 and 1/4 or 1/8 of the VRAM - your problem is software related, not performance related.
NVIDIA GeForce GT 120 Mac Edition Specs
NVIDIA G96C, 550 MHz, 32 Cores, 16 TMUs, 8 ROPs, 512 MB GDDR3, 800 MHz, 128 bit
Yes. Btw, this scenario is clearly covered on the first post.
Before buying any NVMe blades, first see the PCIe NVMe stickie thread, a lot of NVMe blades are not compatible with Mac Pro - hardware, firmware or endurance wise.
Not related to the thread, but no problem.
Thanks very much, Alex. Most helpful!I'm no PS expert in any way, you probably can get a lot better help with Adobe forums, but did you tried a clean install of Mojave on a spare disk to eliminate any macOS upgrade issues? This would be my first step to diagnose it.
GT120 is a 2008-ish GPU that is 1/11 or less of the performance of a RX 560 and 1/4 or 1/8 of the VRAM - your problem is software related, not performance related.
View attachment 2171450
NVIDIA GeForce GT 120 Mac Edition Specs
NVIDIA G96C, 550 MHz, 32 Cores, 16 TMUs, 8 ROPs, 512 MB GDDR3, 800 MHz, 128 bitwww.techpowerup.com
Yes. Btw, this scenario is clearly covered on the first post.
Before buying any NVMe blades, first see the PCIe NVMe stickie thread, a lot of NVMe blades are not compatible with Mac Pro - hardware, firmware or endurance wise.
Not related to the thread, but no problem.
Since the Netkas forum is definitively dead and with domain taken by someone else and now the DNS redirects to an Indonesian gambling site, I removed it from the first post.
Thx @rlumsvale for the warning.
Thx @rlumsvale for the warning.