Resolved MP5,1 using Big Sur 11.6 - Generally good so far

[M-L-R]

So far (2021, Sept 19) Big Sur 11.6 generally works well (Mac Pro 4,1 flashed to 5,1).
11.5.2 to 11.6 took about 45 minutes including multiple (natural) auto-restarts.
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I only (rarely) get hanging-reboots when I'm experimenting with configurations.
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My worst issue is; My bluetooth driver doesn't always load when booting up.
I upgraded to Bluetooth 4.0 (including a wi-fi upgrade).
I could have installed Bluetooth 4.2, but I want to (also) be compatible with Mavericks 10.9.5.
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Occasionally my USB wired mouse won't "initialize" when booting up.
But my bluetooth mouse may (instead work).
A restart almost always fixes one or both issues.
My USB wired mouse must be plugged in before I boot up.
My wired USB keyboard & USB flash-drives always work (as usual).
So, this is not a general" USB issue (maybe a mouse related issue).
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Big Sur doesn't know what Firewire is (Big Sur partly freezes).
I boot into Mavericks to use my old Firewire peripherals.
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This post is a record of my notes (processes); incase it helps.
I'm a novice, so I'm not advising. My testing is ongoing.
Please research anything I state, before you apply.
Some of my terminology may not be accurate.
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Here's my computer's (current) IMPORTANT upgrades.
Mac Pro 2009 > 4,1 flashed to 5,1.
Cleaned BootROM including a number of IMPORTANT fixed issues.
Mac Pro firmware version 144.0.0.0.0 (before Big Sur upgrade).
2 x 3.46GHz 6-Core Intel Xeon Westmere processors (replaced old Nehalem versions).
64GB 1333MHz RAM.
SSDs (SATA solid-state hard-drives) + sleds.
Radeon RX580 8GB (Metal support).
Bluetooth 4.0, AirPort Extreme (0x14E4, 0x111) > adaptor kit.
Mac Magic Mouse 2 (Bluetooth). A generic wired USB mouse (for backup).
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Big Sur installation process (after the above upgrades):
OpenCore-Legacy-Patcher (see the links section below).
Version 0.2.4 (includes Latebloom boot "race" fix < an IMPORTANT improvement).
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Caveat notes:
A cleaned BootROM was IMPORTANT for me (thank-you @tsialex).
See the links section below.
After installing the new (clean) BootROM, I re-ran OpenCore-Legacy-Patcher 0.2.4.
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Once I installed my 3.46GHz 6-Core Intel Xeon Westmere processors,
my RAM showed 1333MHz , instead of its original 1066MHz.
Meaning: My old Nehalem processors only allowed a max of 1066MHz "RAM speed".
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I had a "fatal" garbled audio issue until I upgraded my
old Nehalem processors to Westmere (thank-you @tsialex).
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My (SATA) 6Gb/s solid-state hard-drives max out at 3Gb/s (normal for my machine).
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I have a 250GB SSD (SATA) for booting into Mavericks or Mojave.
Above: Can be used if Mac Pro 5,1 is having a Big Sur boot-up issue.
Mavericks/Mojave (when used) > SATA bay 1. Big Sur SATA bay 2 (permanent).
Mavericks must be in "bay one" when I perform (occasional) BootROM cleaning.
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Mavericks doesn't fully support my Radeon RX580 GPU. Works good enough for me.
I also run a different (virtual) installation of Mavericks inside Big Sur (via Parallels).
There, my Radeon RX580 GPU (with Mavericks) is "fully" supported.
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BootROM repair services by @tsialex:

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

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OpenCore-Legacy-Patcher (install Big Sur on an unsupported Mac):

OpenCore Legacy Patcher

Experience macOS just like before

dortania.github.io

Releases · dortania/OpenCore-Legacy-Patcher

Experience macOS just like before. Contribute to dortania/OpenCore-Legacy-Patcher development by creating an account on GitHub.

github.com

YouTube instructional video:

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[M-L-R]

Mac Pro 2009 & Big Sur 11.6.1 is generally working (so far).
Here's a progress update (pre-Big Sur 11.6.1 update):
My computer now boots-up with Bluetooth on & discoverable.
I have a pre-boot routine. Now, I will eventually determine
which steps of my pre-boot routine are not required.
#1) For my previous shut-down, Bluetooth & wireless is left on.
#2) I reset SMC (remove & re-insert my power-chord, including 20 second pauses).
#3) Turn on my Bluetooth mouse.
#4) Press my computer's power button.
#5) Click my Bluetooth mouse twice (including 3 second pauses).
After the start-up chime; my CD tray opens (which previously didn't happen).
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#6) The following helped with Bluetooth driver load consistency.
TUI (terminal user interface).
OpenCore Legacy Patcher 0.2.5 > TUI version (not GUI version)
has an option to set "Latebloom" delay length.
Mac Pro's default is 250 milliseconds. I changed it to 350 milliseconds.
Latebloom pauses the boot-up at specific points to prevent improper "race" situations.
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A newer YouTube video:

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[M-L-R]

A note regarding my update from MacOS 11.6 to 11.6.1:
It may be this issue is due to my specific computer ...
During my computer's (update process) second auto-restart;
my process hung at a point where my (verbose mode) screen printout stated;
(something like) ... 56 buffers ... 512 buffers.
Above: Shortly after (OpenCore Legacy Patcher) Latebloom's main long pause.
After 20 minutes of waiting, I did an SMC reset > restart.
My computer hung at the same progress point.
After 1.2 hours, I did an SMC reset > restart > PRAM reset.
This additional PRAM reset worked (for me).
Then, at (or just before) the "loading the user account" phase;
The 11.6.1 began its (10 minute long) final update phase.
Then my desktop appeared (there may have been an auto-restart I forgot about).

 

[robretoimperdible]

Hi, I have a Mac Pro 5.1 with Big Sur 11.6.1 installed with Opencore Legacy Patcher and I wanted to know how to make a bootable backup, I don't know if with Time machine or Carbon Copy. Please help me, all my files depend on this backup, thank you all very much and best regards!

 

[M-L-R]

Hi Rob, My knowledge is limited. If required, I hope you can get your answers from other forum members.
I assume Carbon Copy should work. I get a lot of my (procedural) help from YouTube.
I didn't clone my OS. I just wanted a bootable Big Sur back-up.
I have a 250GB SSD (SATA) that I only insert when required.
I installed 3 MacOSs including Big Sur 11.6.1 (including OCLP 0.2.5).
I used the same process to install Big Sur on both my primary (bay2) SSD & my back-up SSD.
Note: When installing Big Sur on the back-up, remove other hard-drives that contain an OS.
Above: This may help the automated install process "get less confused".
So, if you get stuck, you could do the above & (then) install your programs & data.

 

[robretoimperdible]

Hi Rob, My knowledge is limited. If required, I hope you can get your answers from other forum members.
I assume Carbon Copy should work. I get a lot of my (procedural) help from YouTube.
I didn't clone my OS. I just wanted a bootable Big Sur back-up.
I have a 250GB SSD (SATA) that I only insert when required.
I installed 3 MacOSs including Big Sur 11.6.1 (including OCLP 0.2.5).
I used the same process to install Big Sur on both my primary (bay2) SSD & my back-up SSD.
Note: When installing Big Sur on the back-up, remove other hard-drives that contain an OS.
Above: This may help the automated install process "get less confused".
So, if you get stuck, you could do the above & (then) install your programs & data.

Thank you!

 

[robretoimperdible]

How can I disable SIP with OCLP?
Thank you!

 

[hwojtek]

Post-Install Issues | OpenCore Install Guide

 

[M-L-R]

Thank you!

Hi Rob, You're welcome

 

[robretoimperdible]

Hi, I have a Mac Pro 5.1 with Big Sur 11.6.1 and OCLP 0.31, my problem is that the audio does not recognize the HDMI cable, do you have a solution please. Thank you very much!

 

[M-L-R]

Hi Rob, I don't have an answer I can say "this will work".
The following might be relevant.
Maybe you can find something similar but for HDMI.
Or (below; if this works), then you additionally purchase an HDMI adaptor.
I'm considering purchasing the following (I require more research) ...
https://www.gigabyte.com/us/Motherboard/GC-TITAN-RIDGE-rev-10#kf
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Currently; When I want to use my Firewire, I boot into Mavericks.
Meaning; I remove my Big Sur sled-drive & insert my Mavericks sled-drive.
I don't mean, I boot into my Parallels > Mavericks virtual machine.

 

[M-L-R]

Mac Pro 2009 & Big Sur 11.6.2 is generally working (so far).
Here's a description of my update process (11.6.1 update to 11.6.2):
After I downloaded the update contents &
a longer than usual (10 min) install preparation process ...
the first boot-up hung shortly after the
OCLP (OpenCore Legacy Patcher) > main Latebloom ran.
I reset SMC & reset PRAM, but this boot-up still hung in the same "area".
Again, I reset SMC (only) & this boot-up was successful.
Meaning, the 11.6.2 update installation process now continued.
I am in verbose mode, so I watched the screen scroll for about 10 minutes.
Then, an auto-restart occurred.
Soon, the screen turned light-gray with an (apparently) frozen progress bar.
After about 5 minutes of this, an auto-restart occurred.
Soon, the screen turned light-gray with a progress bar performing a 10 minute countdown.
Then immediately to my login (password) screen (no re-boot).
I logged-in & "About This Mac" showed 11.6.2.
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Regarding some of my previous posts > pre-boot-up preparations:
Over time, my computer seems to have done some "self-healing".
The only pre-boot-up preparation I consistently do,
is an SMC reset before each boot-up.
After the start-up chime, my CD tray opens.
I must use a Bluetooth mouse when using 11.6.1+ (no USB2 mouse).
My USB2 keyboard & (thumb storage/stick) USB2 flash-drives work.
Obviously Firewire doesn't work.

 

[M-L-R]

My Mac Pro 2009 & Big Sur 11.6.3 is generally working (so far).
My installation process was similar to my previous two updates.
This time, a little shorter (overall time).
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Separately; I noticed (just before my 11.6.3 update),
my USB2 mouse is working (again).

 

[M-L-R]

My Mac Pro 2009 & Big Sur 11.6.4 is generally working (so far).
My installation process was similar to my previous three updates.
This time, a little longer (overall time).
After the first restart (just before the account load phase),
my screen went to a 5% progress bar that appeared to hang
for about five minutes, but (when it was done; still showing 5%)
my computer went into its next restart phase.
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During the final phase (account login),
my screen when black. I blessed the esc button.
My password field appeared. I signed in & Big Sur 11.6.4 was ready.

 

[M-L-R]

My Mac Pro 2009 & Big Sur 11.6.5 is generally working (so far).
My installation process was similar to my previous four updates.
This time, the overall (same) install stages were quicker.
And there were no hanging start-ups (where I had to manually restart my computer).

 

[M-L-R]

Today (at first glance) I may have fixed a few of my USB issues.
Before today, I used my native (original) USB 2.0 ports (busses).
Inserting a USB 2.0 flash drive always worked (for me).
#1) If I plugged in a USB mouse while my computer was on (booted into my user account),
then my finder would freeze. I (then) had to restart my computer,
with the USB mouse pre-plugged in.
#2) My (simple) USB audio interface received no (USB) power.
Solution: For $26.99, I purchased the following PCI-E to USB 3.0 card.
See my Amazon link (provided below).
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WARNING: While researching my purchase, I read (but I can't confirm),
the USB 3.2 card doesn't fully work for all Mac Pros (like mine).
To be safe, I chose the 3.0 version.
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PCI-E to Type C (2), Type A (3) USB 3.0 5-Port PCI Express Expansion Card with Internal USB 3.0 19-Pin Connector for Windows Mac Pro (UP5100)

PCI-E to Type C (2), Type A (3) USB 3.0 5-Port PCI Express Expansion Card with Internal USB 3.0 19-Pin Connector for Windows Mac Pro (UP5100)

www.amazon.com

 

[M-L-R]

My Mac Pro 2009 & Big Sur 11.6.6 is generally working (so far).
My installation process was similar to my previous five updates ...
EXCEPT; the first (automatic) restart hung.
I reset SMC & my next restart still hung (immediately after the main Latebloom).
I reset SMC & reset PRAM.
This restart was good, & the update installation continued.

 

[M-L-R]

My Mac Pro 2009 & Big Sur 11.6.7 is generally working (so far).
My installation process was similar to my previous six updates ...
EXCEPT; No hanging restarts.
The whole update only took 35 minutes.
I didn't need to do any SMC resets.
My fans ran at very high RPMs, until the last (update) stage.
(above) This is not unheard of.
During the second (auto) restart, I had the usual light-gray screen
with the frozen progress-bar (for about 10 minutes).

 

[cloudphrenia]

Thanks for these updates! I try to stay two versions behind fro the OS, so I am going to be upgrading to Big Sur in the fall. The last time I looked at Big Surprises on the 5,1 there were some issues, so I am glad to hear things are working for you.

 

[M-L-R]

Hi cloudphrenia, You're welcome ...
If you (later) decide to upgrade to Big Sur 11.6.7,
I hope you have positive results.
Because you & I have differences regarding our computers,
I can't recommend you upgrade.
If you haven't read this (my) full string (this full forum posting),
I recommend you learn what I did to my Mac Pro 2009.
If I could go back in time, before I spent any money on upgrades,
I would instead, spent that money on a new Mac.
My hardware upgrades were sequentially linear (snowballing over two years) ...
A further OS upgrade seemed to require a specific hardware upgrade.
My (recent) Big Sur upgrading is inspired by having better security.
I'm hoping, security updates are technically minor & won't mess up my OS.
I keep a way to reinstall my previous update.
I have no plans to (ever) upgrade my Mac Pro 2009 to Monterey (12.x).
Bye for now, MLR

 

[AntonyB]

Hi @M-L-R

Are you using your MacPro + BigSur for a specific application? (video editing? music? graphic arts?)

A reinstall of High Sierra to Mojave for me, questioning the need for Catalina then Big Sur upgrade (besides "latest", "most stable")

My main application is music with Logic Pro, a couple of Universal Audio interfaces (Thunderbolt 3 using the Titan Ridge card) and a bunch of sample libraries (local and networked with Vienna Ensemble Pro).
I am trying to judge if a Catalina upgrade and eventually Big Sur would bring anything else.

Current setup is pretty stable (besides the mess around Thunderbolt)

 

[M-L-R]

Hi AnthonyB, One of my primary applications is Logic Pro 10.7.4.
At this point, I (just) use a simple (single stereo) USB2 audio interface.
In a previous (above) reply, I mention my PCI-E to USB 3.0 card.
I (only) use Logic Pro X's native sound library.
I needed to upgrade from Logic Pro 7,
so I didn't lose the ability to open my Logic Pro projects.
All of my Logic Pro .lso files are now .logicx, but they're a real mess.
I spent two months (re)creating my primary Logic Pro X template.
Currently, I'm cleaning up my primary Logic Pro X projects.
It's a lot of work. I will clean-up projects "as needed".
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My previous Mac Rumors entries (in this post)
mentions my overall setup, process & opinions.
I use Parallels 17.1.2 (no higher > at this point) ...
so I can run Mavericks (10.9.5) > my older apps > Photoshop 12 (CS5).
I have other (old) apps I still use:
QuickTime 7 Pro, Microsoft Office 2008, Cinema 4D R13, ...
My Parallels (17.1.2) > Mavericks OS (virtual machine) generally works good.
It has a non-fatal audio issue & I don't get full use of my Radeon RX 580 8GB GPU.
Parallels 17.1.2 only (officially) supports (back to) High Sierra 10.13.6,
but (so far) Mavericks & High Sierra seem to work about the same.
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In a previous (above) Mac Rumors entry (in this post),
I briefly mention the GC-TITAN-RIDGE card.
So far, I have not purchased this.
Currently; When I want to use my Firewire, I boot into Mavericks.
Meaning; I remove my Big Sur sled-drive & insert my Mavericks sled-drive.
I don't mean, I boot into my Parallels > Mavericks virtual machine.
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I hope this helps.

 

[AntonyB]

Thank you M-L-R for you patience.
That'll teach me to read the entire thread before asking a question that has been answered before.

 

[M-L-R]

Thank you M-L-R for you patience.
That'll teach me to read the entire thread before asking a question that has been answered before.

Hi AnthonyB, You're welcome ... I added a little to my previous reply.

 

[M-L-R]

My Mac Pro 2009 & Big Sur 11.6.8 is generally working (so far).
The overall installation was the quickest (of all of my Big Sur updates).