MP 1,1-5,1 Resetting NVRAM fails after a OC change

[scorpio333]

Mid '12 3.33 6 core, Radeon R9 280

I was running BS 11.2.3 since March with OpenCore 0.6.7. Everything (including wifi) worked fine...until yesterday.

Short version: When attempting to reset NVRAM, I get the forbidden sign after the 2nd chime.

Long version: It's been over six months since I did anything update-wise on the MP. The race thing just killed any momentum I had and now I can't remember a damn thing I did back then. My fault for not writing things down. I downloaded Martin's 0.7.3(V2). Mounted my EFI drive, copied the Boot and OC folders and rebooted. I DID NOT notice I was replacing OC with Martin's package. I honestly have no idea if that's ok.

Once the MP booted everything looked ok, but Wifi wasn't working. In menu bar it was "on", in System Preferences it was Off. Turning it on did nothing. Figured I'd reset NVRAM. Nope, the first chime happens rather quick, the second is a wait, then the forbidden sign. Ack. Switched the USB port the keyboard is using between front, rear and PCI card. No difference. Also tried using the ethernet ports, nope, they wouldn't work.

My drive layout:
SSD 1 - BS
SSD 2 - Mojave
Spinner - Time Machine, EFI

I've removed the spinner with EFI and obviously BS no longer boots. My thoughts are to start over. I was going to use Martin's 0.7.3(V2) on USB stick. However, first line of instructions:

Anyway, I tried to make the installation as simple as possible. Here is what you need to do

1. [Optional] 3x NVRAM reset to avoid some unknown issues.

Granted, it's optional but I'm not sure I should continue until I can zap it.

If anyone has thoughts or ideas I'd appreciate them. Going to take a break and come back later with maybe a clearer head.

 

[tsialex]

Some keyboards don't do multiple sequential NVRAM resets, all Apple Wireless keyboards just do one reset, you are probably getting the forbidden screen because your first NVRAM reset removed the blessing and -no_compat_check from the NVRAM and then your Mac Pro is booting BigSur without OpenCore.

Get a wired keyboard that works for multiple NVRAM resets and install your Mojave fail-safe disk on SATA bay one, then re-bless your OpenCore ESP with @cdf instructions on the first post of the thread below:

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

 

[scorpio333]

I was thinking the keyboard was disconnecting after the first reset. Weird thing is, I'm certain this was the same keyboard (Macally ACEKEY)I used back in March and don't recall a problem. Perhaps, there were problems back then I either didn't know about or have forgotten, I didn't have a smooth install back then. I doubt there are any Apple keyboards in the house anymore. Regardless, thanks for pointing out a path to follow!

 

[h9826790]

My suggestion as follow

1) Shutdown
2) Remove the BS drive
3) 3x NVRAM reset, this should makes your cMP reboot to Mojave
4) boot the Mojave recovery partition, disable SIP
5) install OpenCore
6) Check if OpenCore is working (e.g. BootROM spoofed to 9144.0.7.3.1)
7) Shutdown
8) Install the BS drive
9) Now you should able to boot to BS via OpenCore again

From your description, your first NVRAM reset was successfully. But what you did is just a single NVRAM reset. Please try to do that 3 times in a roll.

 

[scorpio333]

Got everything figured out, running 11.6 now with built in wifi.

Not OC related, I was hoping between 11.2.3 and 11.6 I could airplay to an airport express again, but no dice.

Now to push my luck, I'm going to move OC from the USB stick I used to get back up and running to a data drive I had it previously.