MP 1,1-5,1 Upgrading Mac Pro Classic to latest OS

[tsialex]

Ok, here is a update. I installed Snow Leopard. This is the same cd as Warrington has. Loaded with no problem and software update to 10.6.8. Downloaded Catalina patch from dosdude. Says it can’t install, I have to have 10.6.9??????? I’m really not surprised though. So it shows everything with my internet but can’t go online. This is what it says “safari can’t establish a secure connection to the server “. Boot rom is 138.0.0, which I don’t think it matters anyway. I don’t know if my cMP has anything to do with it. Its a 2010 with 2012 processors but again don’t think that matters either. BTW I am on my iPhone as there is no login when I go to the website. Oh, thanks Steve for the adapter info. So I am at loss again. Have no idea of what to do. Maybe just throw it away and get something else.

There isn't a 10.6.9, Snow Leopard ends with 10.6.8. Catalina won't install over SnowLeopard, download and install High Sierra and then upgrade your Mac Pro BootROM to 144.0.0.0.0.

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

How to download and install macOS - Apple Support

Download and install current or previous versions of the Mac operating system on compatible Mac computers.

support.apple.com

I have a 2009 with the GT120, actually my wife runs windows on it. So you are saying my thx 680 won’t work? But it it downloaded and screen graphics seem normal. Also where do I go to check the compatibility thingy? Also system library doesn’t show core or platform either.

GTX 680 support starts with 10.8.2. If your GTX 680 is Mac EFI flashed, the display will work, but unaccelerated (No QE/CI) with SnowLeopard/Lion/MountainLion before 10.8.2 using the fail-safe/unaccelerated EFI basic drivers since it's a not yet supported GPU.

If the GTX 680 is not flashed, the screen will not work when running macOS releases before 10.8.2.

Why would my airport have anything to do with it since it shows connected and has worked with everything up to Catalina????

Mac Pro mid-2010 AirPort Extreme (BCM94322MC) is natively supported from 10.6.4 to Mojave 10.14.6, after that you have to hack it for support, since Apple removed the drivers from /System/Library/Extensions/IO80211Family.kext/Contents/PlugIns/AirPortBrcm4331.kext after Mojave.

If I remember correctly, Dosdude1 hacked Catalina re-install the Mojave kext to Catalina.

 

[tracer1]

Changed my sad to my 2009 cMP. Still the same. But it does show core but not platform.

 

[Warrington]

Loaded with no problem and software update to 10.6.8. Downloaded Catalina patch from dosdude. Says it can’t install,

- with 10.6.8 working, install 10.11.6 El Capitan
- with 10.11.6 working, install 10.13.6 High Sierra. This will upgrade the firmware to MP51.0089.B00

later edit: I've missed the part regarding the 138.0.0 bios. If you already have that, firmware won't go back to MP51... but you still need the steps mentioned above.

 

[tracer1]

I did guess Snow ended at 10.6.8.
I can’ download sierra because I can’t connect to a server. Can I fix that. Both my computers show they are online and working fine. This also happens with Windows 10 on the 2009 machine. This was a 4,1 that I upgraded the firmware to 5,1

 

[tracer1]

If someone can tell me how to go online I believe it will work ok

 

[Warrington]

I'm missing something here. You are online since you are able to post here, aren't you?

If Safari can't connect to a server, download another browser. Opera, for example. Opera will be able to download El Capitan and after that you will be able to update Safari.

 

[tracer1]

I posted this from my iPhone

 

[tracer1]

Finally got my Mac up and running and on-line. Currently running High Sierra 10.13.6, boot rom 138.0.0.0.0, and trying to upgrade the boot to 144.0.0.0.0 with no luck. Power off, hold the power button, flashes and tone but reverts back to boot up. Am I doing something wrong or is it H. Sierra?

 

[tracer1]

Finally got the 144.0.0.0.0 boot rom

 

[tracer1]

Trying to install Catalina. Have 10.14.6 Mojave. Only thing I can find is Catalina 10.15.7 and it says I can't download that version. What do I have to do and where can I get it?
Thanks

 

[Macsonic]

Trying to install Catalina. Have 10.14.6 Mojave. Only thing I can find is Catalina 10.15.7 and it says I can't download that version. What do I have to do and where can I get it?
Thanks

Catalina is no longer supported in the cMac Pros 2009-2012 You would need to use Opencore to be able to install Catalina in your Mac Pro.

Activate AMD hardware acceleration

[For existing OpenCore users, you can always download my latest OpenCore package at post #1314 for update] Full HWAccel achieved now! Everything is covered in the OpenCore thread. The step by step tutorial to enable AMD hardware acceleration is now at here, but I strongly recommend you go...

forums.macrumors.com

 

[tracer1]

I know it is not supported. Before I just downloaded dosdudes patcher, now it only wants to load 10.15.7
This OC is totally greek to me, I see nothing but a list of items, no download this or that. Not everyone on here is not a programmer/developer, unfortunately. Dosdude does make it simple with his patch to download.

 

[sfalatko]

I know it is not supported. Before I just downloaded dosdudes patcher, now it only wants to load 10.15.7
This OC is totally greek to me, I see nothing but a list of items, no download this or that. Not everyone on here is not a programmer/developer, unfortunately. Dosdude does make it simple with his patch to download.

Dosdude certainly works well for Catalina - though not sure how it handles security updates.

While OpenCore can be daunting many find OCLP more approachable. If you haven't looked through the OCLP install guide look here - Dortania's OpenCore Install Guide.

 

[Fastsavage]

Try this link as well

OpenCore Legacy Patcher

Experience macOS just like before

dortania.github.io

 

[tracer1]

I wish I did know how to use OC but I am just a total dummy when it comes to terminal, etc. On Catalina patcher, that I used before, worked with a problem. I guess I have to download 10.15.1 or 2 or 3. Whatever the requirement is. I would love to use OC, I just don't want to screw up my mac because of my ignorance.

 

[Fastsavage]

If you follow the instructions on the open core legacy patcher you’ll be fine.

 

[hutzi20]

I wish I did know how to use OC but I am just a total dummy when it comes to terminal, etc. On Catalina patcher, that I used before, worked with a problem. I guess I have to download 10.15.1 or 2 or 3. Whatever the requirement is. I would love to use OC, I just don't want to screw up my mac because of my ignorance.

Building and installing OpenCore | OpenCore Legacy Patcher

Is that so difficult to understand? Download, open. press 1 and enter, press 2 and enter, decide for the Harddrive. Reboot the machine while holding control button, in the boot picker select "EFI boot" while holding control and hit enter.
That's it and opencore is installed. Now install Monterey from an USB Drive and when its finished you open the download of OCLP again and select "post install" for your gpu.

 

[tracer1]

Is that so difficult to understand? Download, open. press 1 and enter, press 2 and enter, decide for the Harddrive. Reboot the machine while holding control button, in the boot picker select "EFI boot" while holding control and hit enter.
That's it and opencore is installed. Now install Monterey from an USB Drive and when its finished you open the download of OCLP again and select "post install" for your gpu.

Evidently yes...........just where does it say press 1, 2 and enter and yada, yada, yada. My sister speaks 5 foreign languages, do you? In other words, if I knew how to do it, I wouldn't ask.

 

[sfalatko]

Is that so difficult to understand? Download, open. press 1 and enter, press 2 and enter, decide for the Harddrive. Reboot the machine while holding control button, in the boot picker select "EFI boot" while holding control and hit enter.
That's it and opencore is installed. Now install Monterey from an USB Drive and when its finished you open the download of OCLP again and select "post install" for your gpu.

Evidently yes...........just where does it say press 1, 2 and enter and yada, yada, yada. My sister speaks 5 foreign languages, do you? In other words, if I knew how to do it, I wouldn't ask.

tracer1,

You could always install OC and another macOS version on a second disk to preserve your existing install - lowering your risk of messing up what is working for you.

I understand that no matter how simple the directions appear no one wants to mess up a perfectly working system. A second disk for install and putting both OC and the other macOS install on that disk allows you to simply remove it and be back exactly where you are now.

 

[hutzi20]

It seems that you don't want to read anything. In the link is a very simple description with pictures. You need to read it. Its just a 5 minute job with OCLP.

Building and installing OpenCore | OpenCore Legacy Patcher

 

[Warrington]

It seems that you don't want to read anything.

Is not that. Some people really need to understand what they are doing, in order to do it. While other people are like monkeys, they can do things having no idea what they are doing.

Each of those two types of people should accept the existence of the other type of people. So much about ...

 

[Fastsavage]

I wish I did know how to use OC but I am just a total dummy when it comes to terminal, etc. On Catalina patcher, that I used before, worked with a problem. I guess I have to download 10.15.1 or 2 or 3. Whatever the requirement is. I would love to use OC, I just don't want to screw up my mac because of my ignorance.

Hey tracer1

Look honestly using open core legacy patcher is really easy. Just follow the instructions and if you get stuck on one part tell us here and we’ll help.

No problems

 

[KeesMacPro]

I understand @tracer1 's point of view very well.
Although it may take just a few minutes to install OCLP , we all know that's not the whole truth.
Even if so, in case of an issue, without the proper knowledge you'll have no clue at all how to solve it.
Just look at about 10.000 posts in the main OC thread.

OpenCore is fascinating and I installed it on one of my Mac Pros as described in the main OC thread by cdf.
My main MP still runs Mojave though.
Personally I'd only install OC if there's a reason for it like for example the need to install the latest OS version.

I would also take the time to read as much as possible to get some insight before installing OpenCore regardless the method i.e. Martin's package, OCLP or cdf's .

 

[GlynH]

Well I've been around IT for 30 years now and unknown to me my 5,1 Mac Pro came with OpenCore installed and the more I read about it the more confused I got!

Couldn't wait to disable/remove it and happy running 10.13.6 High Sierra although I might try Mojave at some point.

My peace of mind is good knowing I don't have any jiggery pokery going on at boot or any other time and I am using my computer as Apple designed and I prefer.

Having said that if I wanted/needed a later macOS then there is no choice in that I would have to resort to using 3rd party patches and live with the consequences. Or buy a newer machine of course...

-=Glyn=-

 

[Fastsavage]

Well I've been around IT for 30 years now and unknown to me my 5,1 Mac Pro came with OpenCore installed and the more I read about it the more confused I got!

Couldn't wait to disable/remove it and happy running 10.13.6 High Sierra although I might try Mojave at some point.

My peace of mind is good knowing I don't have any jiggery pokery going on at boot or any other time and I am using my computer as Apple designed and I prefer.

Having said that if I wanted/needed a later macOS then there is no choice in that I would have to resort to using 3rd party patches and live with the consequences. Or buy a newer machine of course...

-=Glyn=-

Point taken - but you aren't really using it as apple designed, check out your upgrades .....

@tracer1 said in their original post that they "need" to upgrade so as you say either buy a newer machine or bit the bullet and do it - really its the best way to learn as well.
@cdf and others have put lots of time and effort into a great guide, read it and learn

I've been around IT for a long time as well - lots of it self taught and trail and error.
An IT professional told me, only a few days ago, that one of the biggest things in IT today is using "Google"