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TWR2005

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Nov 16, 2018
4
0
Roundup Montana
Mac 1 A1289 Early 2009 2.93 x2 16gb ram GT120 OSX El Capitan 10.11.6 Bios v. B08
Mac 2 A1289 Early 2009 2.26 x2 32gb ram GT120 OSX El Capitan 10.11.6 Bios v. B08

ok, i downloaded latest Mac Pro 2009-2010 Firmware Tool and MacProEFIUpdate as of today, i opened but did not click the efi update and then opened and clicked on the firmware tool. it took the drivers and created a ramdisk and showed no errors. when done i shut the machine down using the dropdown commands, held button until the audible tone after flashing lights and it...booted normally... after 4-5 failed attempts to update firmware, I installed a fresh copy osx El Capitan onto a SSD and hooked it in where the 2nd optical drive would be located, again i created the ramdisk and after several more failed attempts it just booted normally. for some reason it will not upload the new firmware. I have scoured the posts and found nothing helpful as i had no errors, the second machine is the same and refuses the updated firmware. I watched several videos on youtube and the only thing i noticed different was a prompt after the ramdisk was made to shut the machine down. i do not get this, and am unsure if its just due to an older loader or maybe the problem. I turn the machine off or reboot using the commands in the drop-down bar. i have all the upgrades waiting cpu's ram and graphics cards but am stuck on this issue. any help would be greatly appreciated
 
Mac 1 A1289 Early 2009 2.93 x2 16gb ram GT120 OSX El Capitan 10.11.6 Bios v. B08
Mac 2 A1289 Early 2009 2.26 x2 32gb ram GT120 OSX El Capitan 10.11.6 Bios v. B08

ok, i downloaded latest Mac Pro 2009-2010 Firmware Tool and MacProEFIUpdate as of today, i opened but did not click the efi update and then opened and clicked on the firmware tool. it took the drivers and created a ramdisk and showed no errors. when done i shut the machine down using the dropdown commands, held button until the audible tone after flashing lights and it...booted normally... after 4-5 failed attempts to update firmware, I installed a fresh copy osx El Capitan onto a SSD and hooked it in where the 2nd optical drive would be located, again i created the ramdisk and after several more failed attempts it just booted normally. for some reason it will not upload the new firmware. I have scoured the posts and found nothing helpful as i had no errors, the second machine is the same and refuses the updated firmware. I watched several videos on youtube and the only thing i noticed different was a prompt after the ramdisk was made to shut the machine down. i do not get this, and am unsure if its just due to an older loader or maybe the problem. I turn the machine off or reboot using the commands in the drop-down bar. i have all the upgrades waiting cpu's ram and graphics cards but am stuck on this issue. any help would be greatly appreciated
B08 is a non public firmware, the 4,1 to 5,1 script expects that you have B07.

It's easier to dump the 4,1 Mac Pro BootROM and then manually reconstruct 140.0.0.0.0 than workaround B08 with the 4,1>5,1 upgrade.

I'll PM instructions.
 
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B08 is a non public firmware, the 4,1 to 5,1 script expects that you have B07.

It's easier to dump the 4,1 Mac Pro BootROM and then manually reconstruct 140.0.0.0.0 then workaround B08 with the 4,1>5,1 upgrade.

I'll PM instructions.

Alex to the rescue! TWR, you’re in the best of care if Alex is helping you directly via PM. Thanks, Alex! :D
 
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ok good news and bad news, the good news is both machines upgraded to 5,1/high sierra...bad news mac #1 had a stroke and appears brain dead. i attempted to upgrade to Mojave and when upgrading firmware it quit halfway through installation. now computer only partially powers up no sound, no display not accepting pram reset, or any key commands. went over similar posts...swapped out Power Supply with a spare, tried swapping memory, CPU trays removed/swapped, reinstalled battery. only thing of note is CPU tray from @1 doesn't respond in either machine. have some spare 2.66 CPU's will try swapping once i buy some thermal paste. also downloaded tech manual, however it seems dependent on higher functions that the machine doesnt have to troubleshoot. i assume now i should not have attempted to install Mojave, but perhaps i was just unlucky and something old just gave... if anyone has any idea of a fix or even where yo look i would appreciate it, otherwise it off to read 204 pages of tech manual
 
if you read anything in that there manual about using mountain lion OSX with full internets and intertwining usage of a 2017 ipad, let me know, and i will buy you a brew pub in Kalispel, or Cutbank, helk even in Calgary. oh good luck, we are all counting on you! And another thing, make sure you dont trigger the BootROM corruption which is a common occurrence recently, I dont think anyone would offer to reconstruct the BootROM for you.
 
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ok good news and bad news, the good news is both machines upgraded to 5,1/high sierra...bad news mac #1 had a stroke and appears brain dead. i attempted to upgrade to Mojave and when upgrading firmware it quit halfway through installation. now computer only partially powers up no sound, no display not accepting pram reset, or any key commands. went over similar posts...swapped out Power Supply with a spare, tried swapping memory, CPU trays removed/swapped, reinstalled battery. only thing of note is CPU tray from @1 doesn't respond in either machine. have some spare 2.66 CPU's will try swapping once i buy some thermal paste. also downloaded tech manual, however it seems dependent on higher functions that the machine doesnt have to troubleshoot. i assume now i should not have attempted to install Mojave, but perhaps i was just unlucky and something old just gave... if anyone has any idea of a fix or even where yo look i would appreciate it, otherwise it off to read 204 pages of tech manual
You triggered the BootROM corruption. It's a common occurrence now a days and why I offered to reconstruct the BootROM for you. One more brick to the list.

You will need to reprogram the SPI flash or use a MATT card.
 
B08 is a non public firmware, the 4,1 to 5,1 script expects that you have B07.

It's easier to dump the 4,1 Mac Pro BootROM and then manually reconstruct 140.0.0.0.0 than workaround B08 with the 4,1>5,1 upgrade.

I'll PM instructions.

To me, too, please. I've spent far too long on trying to upgrade the firmware from my 4,1 to 5,1. I could sure use some help.

thanks!
 
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