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Is it possible to select a High Sierra external boot drive in Mojave?
- Thread starter machenryr
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What's your GPU? Does it show boot screens?
Assuming it doesn't, then the way to select a different boot drive is via System Preferences > Startup Disk. You have to unlock it with your login password, then highlight your HS drive and click the reboot button. You would go through the same process when you want to return to Mojave.
Assuming it doesn't, then the way to select a different boot drive is via System Preferences > Startup Disk. You have to unlock it with your login password, then highlight your HS drive and click the reboot button. You would go through the same process when you want to return to Mojave.
What type of Buss is your external enclosure connected to. USB 2, USB 3, FireWire, eSATA, etc...
USB 3.0 isn’t bootable on the cMP btw...
No. Really??? Usb 3 isn’t bootable? Damn. The OWC enclosure also has eSATA but I don’t think I can use that. Is there that connection on a MacPro 2009?
you can plug it into a USB 2 port and it should boot fine. You just won't be able to boot from a USB 3.0 add on card.
USB 3 booting (from a usb 3 add in card) isn't supported in the cMP firmware.
The enclosure only has usb 3 and eSATA. Sad. The Mac only has FireWire 800. Another enclosure has the same box style 800 fw. Luckily I have two adapters 800 to 400, but I suppose Mac won’t be fooled.
For the time being I’m going to have to keep the older HD in the bay until I’ve made the full transition.
For the time being I’m going to have to keep the older HD in the bay until I’ve made the full transition.
You can use this (https://eshop.macsales.com/item/New...gclid=CL6Vi-P33-ICFQ-1wAodp6UGAg&gclsrc=aw.ds) to hookup you external eSATA port, it is bootable but not hot swappable
You can plug the enclosure (USB3) into any of the cMP "native" USB2 ports and it should work fine. The problem I was intimating was that if you have installed a USB3 PCIe card as an upgrade, you can't plug it in there and expect it to be bootable (many people have done this by mistake). The drive is usable only as a data drive when plugged into a USB3 port on an upgrade card. It's should be bootable if plugged into you USB2 ports, but it will only have USB2 speeds.
Your Mac Pro has 2 free eSata ports on the mother-board.
Use something such as this and you're good to go.
https://eshop.macsales.com/item/NewerTech/MPQXES2/
No, it's the 2008 that have SATA ports for the ODD but use PATA. MP4,1 and MP5,1 don't have any available SATA ports.
Maybe we should bring that fact to the attention of OWC, they are not often wrong about their products.
This is a real bummer for those of us who trust in their info when making purchases.
Edit:
Just watched this install video and it shows how they do it by borrowing the unused Optical drive Sata port as seen in this video.
https://eshop.macsales.com/installvideos/macpro_2009_esata/
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The only wait that I see this cable being used with a MP4,1 or MP5,1 is if you disconnect the SATA data cables for the ODD bays. But I don't really know if it will fit correctly.
I have a bare logic board in front of me now. The only connections available on the 4,1 or 5,1 board are the optical bay connectors period.
If you notice in the video, he removed an optical disc connector I order to install this. I believe OP already has those in use by SSD’s installed in his optical bay. He would have to sacrifice using the optical bay drives on at least one port, to gain one external port.
Btw, these can be easily damaged on some boards where the connectors get stuck at the plastic union that separates the twisted-pins coming off the LB. It can be difficult if not nearly impossible to repair.
If you notice in the video, he removed an optical disc connector I order to install this. I believe OP already has those in use by SSD’s installed in his optical bay. He would have to sacrifice using the optical bay drives on at least one port, to gain one external port.
Btw, these can be easily damaged on some boards where the connectors get stuck at the plastic union that separates the twisted-pins coming off the LB. It can be difficult if not nearly impossible to repair.
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