Mojave/ArchLinux/Windows10 on NVMe

[Manzana]

Mac Pro 5,1 booting Mojave from NVMe in PCIe slot 2.
Adding 2nd NVMe to PCIe slot 3 and want to partition this ssd into ArchLinux/Windows10.

Is this possible? I've done searching around and a little confused as to whether it is possible or not.

If it's possible, I have an RX590 so I do not get boot screen. So I have no option to choose startup disk, in this case how would I choose the system to boot into?

I was thinking of making 2 MS-DOS (FAT) partitions for Linux/Windows to live there, but when I opened boot camp assistant it tells me that it is not available on my computer. Is this because I'm using NVMe as boot drive or a limitation by Mojave or specific to my Mac Pro?

I do have an internal SATA SSD that has High Sierra, and it seems like it will allow me to create a boot camp partition. The issue there is that my video card (RX590) seems a bit flaky on High Sierra so I'm not too keen on using that for the install process. I do still have the original video card that came with the machine so I can use that for the install.

Any input or feedback?

 

[Alex Sanders74]

This thread might help you with this issue. Lots to read....

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/how-to-boot-camp-without-a-boot-screen.2114788/

 

[cdf]

Adding 2nd NVMe to PCIe slot 3 and want to partition this ssd into ArchLinux/Windows10.

Is this possible? I've done searching around and a little confused as to whether it is possible or not.

Windows 10 on a PCIe SSD requires a UEFI installation. Such an installation, however, is not recommended, because it can corrupt your machine's Boot ROM. Hopefully, Microsoft will fix the problem. In the mean time, your best bet is installing to a SATA drive in CSM mode.

 

[Manzana]

Could I install to a SATA drive and then clone the disk to an NVMe drive?

 

[stayupforever909]

This might be able to help you

https://www.rodsbooks.com/refind/installing.html#osx

 

[cdf]

Could I install to a SATA drive and then clone the disk to an NVMe drive?

As far as I know, this will still not work. Not in CSM mode. Of course, you are free to try. But those booting from a PCIe drive often later realize that they are actually in UEFI mode...

 

[Alex Sanders74]

Boot ROM corruption is a serious risk installing Windows in UEFI mode. It should be done with CSM mode, unless you want to risk bricking your backplane... tsialex had discussed your question here.

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/blade-ssds-nvme-ahci.2146725/page-42#post-27597877

Most people run Windows in CSM mode off the internal SATA ports to get around this problem. If you're not concerned about potentially bricking things, you can go for the UEFI route.