MP 1,1-5,1 So, flashed 4,1 to 5,1 need to clean install Mojave via usb

[Michael Nova]

So, I have a 2009 Mac Pro that I flashed from 4,1 to 5,1 and loaded Yosemite..

Then I updated the firmware through the High Sierra pre install package, then installed High Sierra

Then I got me a non mac edition MSI Radeon rx 560 4gb, (this is a metal compatible card OOTB). I then AGAIN updated the firmware from the Mojave installer and then installed Mojave (of course I know I won’t get a boot/loader screen doe to non Mac flashed gpu).

My intention all along was to make sure the card worked and then CLEAN install Mojave from a usb boot installer...

But wait, I didn’t predict that I won’t get the boot manager screen (by holding option at boot) to clean install Mojave from usb.

The question is: How does one clean install from a Mojave usb boot installer when it’s not possible to see the boot manager screen after booting with option key?

Is there another way to do this clean install from Mojave usb boot installer?

Thanks

 

[Nermal]

Disclaimer: I haven't tried this.

With that said, boot into your existing install, insert the USB drive, go to Sys Prefs/Startup Disk and choose to reboot from the USB drive. I imagine that that'll work.

 

[Michael Nova]

Disclaimer: I haven't tried this.

With that said, boot into your existing install, insert the USB drive, go to Sys Prefs/Startup Disk and choose to reboot from the USB drive. I imagine that that'll work.

Ok, that’s something I thought “might” work , also holding down “c” key, or that if I stuck the usb in, deleted the drive, that os would just go to the installer on its own after a few minutes..,

I thank you for your input but I want to hear suggestions from others for known/applied/tested methods too, thanks!

 

[tsialex]

So, I have a 2009 Mac Pro that I flashed from 4,1 to 5,1 and loaded Yosemite..

Then I updated the firmware through the High Sierra pre install package, then installed High Sierra

Then I got me a non mac edition MSI Radeon rx 560 4gb, (this is a metal compatible card OOTB). I then AGAIN updated the firmware from the Mojave installer and then installed Mojave (of course I know I won’t get a boot/loader screen doe to non Mac flashed gpu).

My intention all along was to make sure the card worked and then CLEAN install Mojave from a usb boot installer...

But wait, I didn’t predict that I won’t get the boot manager screen (by holding option at boot) to clean install Mojave from usb.

The question is: How does one clean install from a Mojave usb boot installer when it’s not possible to see the boot manager screen after booting with option key?

Is there another way to do this clean install from Mojave usb boot installer?

Thanks

After you have the 144.0.0.0.0 BootROM it's just a matter of removing all bootable drives from the Mac Pro, it will boot from the createinstallmedia USB installer automatically.

So, you have to erase the drive that you want to install Mojave previously, remove all other bootable drives, shutdown, connect the createinstallmedia USB installer then power on your Mac Pro. It will boot from the createinstallmedia USB installer and after two or three minutes, when the installer loads the GPU drivers, the installer will show on your display and you can go on with your clean USB install.

 

[Michael Nova]

After you have the 144.0.0.0.0 BootROM it's just a matter of removing all bootable drives from the Mac Pro, it will boot from the createinstallmedia USB installer automatically.

So, you have to erase the drive that you want to install Mojave previously, remove all other bootable drives, shutdown, connect the createinstallmedia USB installer then power on your Mac Pro. It will boot from the createinstallmedia USB installer and after two or three minutes, when the installer loads the GPU drivers, the installer will show on your display.

I see, excellent, what if I have the new empty ssd on PCIe slot adapter (owc)? Do you think Mojave usb will find it on its own being in such an unconventional place?

 

[tsialex]

I see, excellent, what if I have the new empty ssd on PCIe slot? Do you think Mojave usb will find it on its own being in such an unconventional place?

If it's a native supported PCIe adapter, won't matter. If it need drivers installed, won't work.

 

[Michael Nova]

If it's a native supported PCIe adapter, won't matter. If it need drivers installed, won't work.

Excellent help, thanks, OWC is native PCIe card OOTB, Thanks again

 

[tsialex]

Excellent help, thanks, OWC is native PCIe card OOTB, Thanks again

BTW, you can do totally clean installs from macOS without removing any drives, just point to an empty drive when you open the Mojave installer.

 

[Michael Nova]

BTW, you can do totally clean installs from macOS without removing any drives, just point to an empty drive when you open the Mojave installer.

DUH!!! I’m so used to choosing “Macintosh” drive that I didn’t even think about that!!!

Do I just disconnect the old drive once the clean install to empty drive is done? Or do I have to change the startup drive (and in which order is that done)? Thanks

Thanks

 

[tsialex]

DUH!!! I’m so used to choosing “Macintosh” drive that I didn’t even think about that!!!

Do I just disconnect the old drive once the clean install to empty drive is done? Or do I have to change the startup drive (and in which order is that done)? Thanks

Thanks

Mojave installer will bless the new drive and the install will proceed without you needing to do anything at all.

 

[Michael Nova]

Mojave installer will bless the new drive and the install will proceed without you needing to do anything at all.

So awesome, thanks again man...

 

[MacUser2525]

DUH!!! I’m so used to choosing “Macintosh” drive that I didn’t even think about that!!!

Do I just disconnect the old drive once the clean install to empty drive is done? Or do I have to change the startup drive (and in which order is that done)? Thanks

Thanks

Once you install, the newly installed drive becomes the first in the boot order, this is done by the installer.

 

[Michael Nova]

So awesome, thanks again man...

tsialex: since you’re just amazing, one more question that I’m having trouble getting a solid answer to:

I have 3 open PCIe slots open (in order from bottom to top going from video card up): (1) X16 then (1) X4 then at the top (1) X4 RAID (see pic)

My plan is to add (2) ssd drives mounted on (2) PCIe adapters

Which slots are best for these 2 drives? (One will be for system and audio software, the other will be for audio sessions and samples)

I’m worried because in any case I will either be mixing a combo of x4 and x16 slots OR I will be mixing x4 and x4 RAID slots

What is best for (2) PCIe adapter ssd placements in this case where only 3 slots are open?

Thanks!

 

[tsialex]

tsialex: since you’re just amazing, one more question that I’m having trouble getting a solid answer to:

I have 3 open PCIe slots open (in order from bottom to top going from video card up): (1) X16 then (1) X4 then at the top (1) X4 RAID (see pic)

My plan is to add (2) ssd drives mounted on (2) PCIe adapters

Which slots are best for these 2 drives? (One will be for system and audio software, the other will be for audio sessions and samples)

I’m worried because in any case I will either be mixing a combo of x4 and x16 slots OR I will be mixing x4 and x4 RAID slots

What is best for (2) PCIe adapter ssd placements in this case where only 3 slots are open?

Thanks!

Won't matter, all M.2 blades are x4 or less. M.2 connector is a miniaturised version of a x4 PCIe slot.

Use one x16 slot, if empty, and one of the shared x4 slots.

 

[Michael Nova]

Won't matter, all M.2 blades are x4 or less. M.2 connector is a miniaturised version of a x4 PCIe slot.

Use one x16 slot, if empty, and one of the shared x4 slots.

I just attached pic, wait, not m.2, I’m talking actual ssd drives mounted on OWC pcie adapters :

OWC Accelsior S Storage Expansion With a Speed Boost

Accelsior S is the simple solution to add a high speed SATA 6G drive to silver Mac Pro towers otherwise restricted to 3G architecture.

eshop.macsales.com

 

[tsialex]

I just attached pic, wait, not m.2, I’m talking actual ssd drives mounted on OWC pcie adapters :

OWC Accelsior S Storage Expansion With a Speed Boost

Accelsior S is the simple solution to add a high speed SATA 6G drive to silver Mac Pro towers otherwise restricted to 3G architecture.

eshop.macsales.com

With more than 500 MB/s of throughput, the Accelsior S dual-lane PCIe 2.0 card delivers flexible storage expansion - with a speed boost - to your Mac or PC. Accelsior S is the perfect complement to OWC's Mercury family of high-performance SSD's, allowing for super fast storage expansion.

Since it's a x2 card, you can even use the x4 shared slots.

 

[Michael Nova]

Since it's a x2 card, you can even use the x4 shared slots.

Ok, awesome as usual

So I can put these 2 in any combo of open slots shown in pic?

Ok to put one of the 2 in the one x4 that seems to be reserved or meant for “raid”?

Thanks!

 

[tsialex]

Ok, awesome as usual

So I can put these 2 in any combo of open slots shown in pic?

Ok to put one of the 2 in the one x4 that seems to be reserved or meant for “raid”?

Thanks!

Like I said, yes. RAID slot is a standard x4 slot + the RAID card connections and can be used as a normal slot for other cards.

 

[Michael Nova]

Like I said, yes. RAID slot is a standard x4 slot + the RAID card connections and can be used as a normal slot for other cards.

So great, Thanks a million

 

[Michael Nova]

Tsialex, after taking your advice, I now have my (soon to be be boot drive) ssd mounted on pcie and am about to erase and format, if I’m doing Mojave it should be apfs right?

What scheme? If it is going to be my main system drive (this ssd is replacing the old spinner) should it be GUID or MBR?

Keep in mind that I’m going to be installing Mojave on this new ssd through the existing Mojave Os which is still running the old spinner as the system drive

Thanks, refreshing constantly in hopes of an answer as it’s up and waiting for the install right now...

Thanks!!

 

[tsialex]

Tsialex, after taking your advice, I now have my (soon to be be boot drive) ssd mounted on pcie and am about to erase and format, if I’m doing Mojave it should be apfs right?

What scheme? If it is going to be my main system drive (this ssd is replacing the old spinner) should it be GUID or MBR?

Keep in mind that I’m going to be installing Mojave on this new ssd through the existing Mojave Os which is still running the old spinner as the system drive

Thanks, refreshing constantly in hopes of an answer as it’s up and waiting for the install right now...

Thanks!!

Mojave installer reorganises the partitioning of the disk itself, you just need to point to a GPT/HFS+ drive.

Find the what is the device name (diskXX) of the disk you want to install Mojave:

diskutil list

Change diskXX to the disk you want to install Mojave:

diskutil erasedisk jhfs+ "Macintosh HD" GPT diskXX