MP 1,1-5,1 OCLP 1.5.0 Monterey install, no efi in Boot picker

[MacintoshDude24]

Morning,

Am hoping the forum can help point me in the right direction as I'm trying to upgrade from 11.7.5 to 12.7 via OCLP 1.5.0 on a 2010 MP 5,1.

Previously I used OCLP 0.4 to upgrade from 10.5 to 11.7 and everything went as expected after following numerous guides, especially the thread here and Mr Macintosh on YT. However this time round it's just not happening for some reason.

This is the order in which I've attempted the upgrade:

1. DL OCLP 1.5 from github (Have tried using older versions of OCLP as well but with the same result)
2. Open and install into Apps folder
3. Erase and prepare 128gb USB thumb drive drive using Disk Utility (Mac OSX Extended Journaled, GUID Partition etc)
4. Boot OCLP and create Mac OS Installer on USB drive using existing Monterey installer (Already DL'd using OCLP)
5. Install OCLP to USB
6. EFI Partition created on USB drive (EFI Partition is created and then mounted etc.)
7. OCLP asks to reboot whist holding down the option key.
8. When I reboot with option key held down the boot up screen is black with two options. Macintosh HD and Install Monterey.
9. What I should see is the Boot picker screen showing the USB EFI Partition but it's not shown?

So without being able to boot from the USB EFI, it's impossible to proceed any further. I've seen other users on reddit etc have had the same issue going back to OCLP v1.0 and I've tried the options given but no luck. I've tried different USB thumb drives in different ports but end result always the same. Would be grateful if anyone else has had this happen but found a solution, could share it.

Thanks in advance

McD

 

[Macschrauber]

Try the bootloader on an internal drive.

 

[Borowski]

Try a coldboot, switch of the machine, instead of restarting. Then hold down alt-key and select "EFI Boot" to proceed.

 

[MacintoshDude24]

Hi,

Try the bootloader on an internal drive.

I did try that but no joy. What is odd is with Alt (Option) key held down, I should see the internal SSD EFI as that is what is booting Big Sur so I'm wondering if there's something in the OCLP settings which is preventing EFI from showing up?

 

[MacintoshDude24]

Try a coldboot, switch of the machine, instead of restarting. Then hold down alt-key and select "EFI Boot" to proceed.

Hi, going to try that today along with the usual suspects (NVRAM reset..)

 

[MacintoshDude24]

Tried all the above, no luck. Can't understand why the SSD EFI doesn't show up with the alt key on start up? That has OCLP 1.5 on it and allows Big Sur to run. It's really confusing.

 

[Macschrauber]

Reduce the machine to the bare minimum and try step by step.

Sometimes drives or controllers act weird, when it comes to bootloaders.

 

[MacintoshDude24]

Reduce the machine to the bare minimum and try step by step.

Sometimes drives or controllers act weird, when it comes to bootloaders.

Tried that, took of all the drives still no luck. I notice you have a 5,1 and did you manage to use OCLP 1.5.0 to upgrade without issue?

 

[Macschrauber]

I have various installations of OS from Lion to Sonoma on various MP5,1

Maybe something unseen is wrong. You may try my bunch of ESP tools to identify the bootloaders. I have also a tool to copy bootloaders around (ESP copy)

Part of the Dumper project.

Macschrauber-s-Rom-Dump/ESP_tools.md at main · Macschrauber/Macschrauber-s-Rom-Dump

A tool for dumping and analysing Mac firmwares. Plus flashing for Mac Pro 4.1 / 5.1 - Macschrauber/Macschrauber-s-Rom-Dump

github.com

 

[MacintoshDude24]

I have various installations of OS from Lion to Sonoma on various MP5,1

Maybe something unseen is wrong. You may try my bunch of ESP tools to identify the bootloaders. I have also a tool to copy bootloaders around (ESP copy)

Thanks Macschrauber, will have a look at that. Dumb question but could this be caused by SIP still being enabled? I don't recall having to disable previously to install Big Sur......

 

[Macschrauber]

Thanks Macschrauber, will have a look at that. Dumb question but could this be caused by SIP still being enabled? I don't recall having to disable previously to install Big Sur......

no, nothing to do with sip, this happens way before loading the OS where SIP has an impact.

I still think of a glitch with interacting medias, incompatible disk or blade, controllers, USB stuff... Maybe a firmware/NVRAM glitch as well, but when you load the Dumper you can do a firmware check and backup, too.

 

[MacintoshDude24]

Thanks for the heads up. Will report back 👍

 

[MacintoshDude24]

Morning, after a bit of back and forth along with assistance from the good folk here at MR and the discord community, managed to get Monterey installed and working via OCLP 1.5. So far no issues and all working. It seems the problem was down to not doing a PRAM reset at the start along with a USB keyboard incompatibility with OCLP. Am going to replicate on my other Macs to make sure and then upgrade. Thank you for your valued help and patience 👍

 

[Macschrauber]

You should check your nvram / firmware. For example with the Dumper. Maybe there is a glitch.

 

[basslik]

Macschrauber, I have a question if I may.​

Running two Mac OS's on my 5,1 via partitions. Monterey & Sonoma via OCLP.

I have a Separate OWC Acceslior PCIe drive with Mt. Lion on it.

Can I stick that in the machine and hold down the option key to choose to run Mt. Lion, while having the other two Mac OS's in the machine ?

 

[Macschrauber]

Macschrauber, I have a question if I may.​

Running two Mac OS's on my 5,1 via partitions. Monterey & Sonoma via OCLP.

I have a Separate OWC Acceslior PCIe drive with Mt. Lion on it.

Can I stick that in the machine and hold down the option key to choose to run Mt. Lion, while having the other two Mac OS's in the machine ?

If the GPU provides a bootscreen via vga bios / via the firmware, then yes.

 

[basslik]

If the GPU provides a bootscreen via vga bios / via the firmware, then yes.

I appreciate all your knowledge Macschrauber

I do have firmware 144, with the RX580. Will it fly?, thank you.

 

[Macschrauber]

I appreciate all your knowledge Macschrauber

I do have firmware 144, with the RX580. Will it fly?, thank you.

I dont know if you get the native Apple bootscreen, directly after the chime, with pressing the alt-key.

You can get it with
a) a RX580 bios with a boot screen, like from MacVidCards
b) EnableGop in the RX580 bios
c) EnableGop in the Mac firmware

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/enablegop-pre-opencore-gop-support-for-efi-era-imacs-and-mac-pros.2378942/post-31924217