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

tracer1

tracer1

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jan 6, 2013
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What do I need to do to upgrade to the latest OS? Here are my specs:
Mac Pro 5,1 Mid 2010
Processor: 2x3.06 GHz 6 Core Intel Xeon (12 cores)
Memory: 32Gb 1333MHz DDR3
GPU: Nvidia GeForce GTX680 2Gb flashed to boot screen
Currently running 10.15.1
Boot Rom: 138.0.0.0.0

I have read that I have to upgrade the boot rom but going back to High Sierra is totally confusing.
Also, would anyone have a full install thumb drive with Monterey or what ever the latest is) to sell.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
 
Last edited:
Before anything, you have to upgrade your BootROM firmware from 138.0.0.0.0 to 144.0.0.0.0.

The easiest way is installing High Sierra to an empty disk, then download the current Mojave full installer, not one you downloaded years ago, and open it to upgrade the firmware. See all the steps on the first post of the thread below:

forums.macrumors.com

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 forums.macrumors.com

Btw, Apple completely removed NVIDIA GPU support from Monterey, Big Sur is the last macOS release to still have drivers for NVIDIA GPUs. It's still possible to use a NVIDIA GPUs hacking Monterey, but is a convoluted process for a newbie and needs to be redone again every time Apple release a software update.
 
tracer1 said:
What do I need to do to upgrade to the latest OS? Here are my specs:
Mac Pro 5,1 Mid 2010
Processor: 2x3.06 GHz 6 Core Intel Xeon (12 cores)
Memory: 32Gb 1333MHz DDR3
GPU: Nvidia GeForce GTX680 2Gb flashed to boot screen
Currently running 10.15.1
Boot Rom: 138.0.0.0.0

I have rear that I have to go upgrade the boot rom but going back to High Sierra is totally confusing.
Also, would anyone have a full install thumb drive with Monterey or what ever the latest is) to sell.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...
Just press the apple logo in the top left hand corner of your mac and press about this mac..Then press software update...Mojave or OS Catalina will pop up...then press update now...hope that helped.
 
stevecc said:
Just press the apple logo in the top left hand corner of your mac and press about this mac..Then press software update...Mojave or OS Catalina will pop up...then press update now...hope that helped.
Click to expand...
Download patched big sur,Its pretty easy,Watch a video on utube....os big sur on an unsupported mac..
 
big sur is not supported butt this is very easy and 100%..Big sur is much better then Catalina..Big Sur on unsupported mac...or Os Monterey on unsupported Mac with OCLP wHich im running on a 2012 Mac Mini thats only gos up to Catalina but its running like a champ on my old Mac..Try BIg Sur first..its way easier.Patched Sur does everything for you...its easy...Good luck.
 
I would go with Big Sur using OCLP. Start with the advice from @tsialex in the second post above (as a point of advice always listen when @tsialex talks). Then look at the first post here - OpenCore on the Mac Pro. If going that way seems too daunting follow the link for OCLP (in the first post of that thread near the beginning). If you haven't upgraded your wifi/bluetooth card you will want to do that to keep wifi/bluetooth working.
 
Last edited:
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stevecc said:
Just press the apple logo in the top left hand corner of your mac and press about this mac..Then press software update...Mojave or OS Catalina will pop up...then press update now...hope that helped.
Click to expand...
Mine shows Catalina is up to date.
 
My gpu shows:
Graphic Displays - Metal: Supported, feature set macOS GPUFamily1 v4
 
tracer1 said:
My gpu shows:
Graphic Displays - Metal: Supported, feature set macOS GPUFamily1 v4
Click to expand...
Don"t matter at all for the issue at hand, Apple removed the NVIDIA GPU drivers from Monterey, no more supported Macs with NVIDIA GPUs.

The last macOS release that have NVIDIA GPU driver support is Big Sur. Big Sur can run completely vanilla (no hacks) with just OpenCore if you already upgraded to an updated AirPort Extreme (BCM94360CD and BCM943602CS).
 
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Card Type: AirPort Extreme (0x14E4, 0x8E)

Firmware Version: Broadcom BCM43xx 1.0 (5.106.98.102.31)

So I have to get another AirPort Extreme? Also, can I load High Sierra to a 64gb, then Mojave to update the boot rom?
 
tracer1 said:
Card Type: AirPort Extreme (0x14E4, 0x8E)
Firmware Version: Broadcom BCM43xx 1.0 (5.106.98.102.31)
Click to expand...
BCM94322MC, not compatible with Catalina anymore, officially supported up to Mojave.
tracer1 said:
So I have to get another AirPort Extreme?
Click to expand...
Up to you, if you need Wi-Fi and BT, start to think about upgrading it.
tracer1 said:
Also, can I load High Sierra to a 64gb, then Mojave to update the boot rom?
Click to expand...
Yes, see the first post of the stickie thread that I linked on my first post here.
 
In your opinion, which is the best card BCM94360CD or CS. I don't what the difference is. Also, I was asking if the 64gb SSD would big enough to do it on.
 
tracer1 said:
In your opinion, which is the best card BCM94360CD or CS.
Click to expand...
BCM94360CD
tracer1 said:
I don't what the difference is.
Click to expand...
Time to research. :)

Everything you'll ever need to know about Mac Pros is linked on the first post of the stickie below:

forums.macrumors.com

cMP {classicMacPro}{4,1 & 5,1} - Upgrade Guide Sticky Discussion

Hey Folks, Lets start a discussion and collect everything relevant for cMP upgraders out there. Topics to consider: CPU Upgrades Compatibility chart CPU Delid / standoffs 4,1 to 5,1 firmware upgrade Memory Compatibility and Upgrades UDIMM Model Numbers RDIMM Model Numbers RAM...
forums.macrumors.com forums.macrumors.com

tracer1 said:
Also, I was asking if the 64gb SSD would big enough to do it on.
Click to expand...
Yes, already answered that.
 
When I try to open the installer (High Siera) I get this:
This copy of the “Install macOS” application is too old to be opened on this version of Mac.
So what do I do on this?
 
createinstallmedia, make a bootable USB installer.

Create a bootable installer for macOS - Apple Support

You can use a USB flash drive or other secondary volume as a startup disk from which to install the Mac operating system. These steps are primarily for system administrators and other experienced users who are familiar with entering commands in Terminal.
support.apple.com support.apple.com
 
When I try to open the installer in applications, I get this:
This copy of the “Install macOS” application is too old to be opened on this version of Mac.
 
tracer1 said:
When I try to open the installer in applications, I get this:
This copy of the “Install macOS” application is too old to be opened on this version of Mac.
Click to expand...
Read the support article, you don't need to open the installer at all.
 
Just wanted to say thanks to Steve and all you guys for your help. Unable to get much done. I have Sierra & Mojave on a disk drive but found out my SSD is no longer SSDing. Have to get another one. Been a long time since I fooled with this Mac. Last time was upgrading the processors to 3.06,12 core, 32 gigs of ram, and flashing the GTX680. I can't even remember how or when I did it. Is the pic-e and adapter better than the internal standard SSD/
Again thanks
 
Well, got a new ssd (WD Blue), does it have to formatted first. Right now I have OS whatsoever. No disk utility or anything. I have 2 old install disk (Leopard & Snow Leopard) from years ago. So thought I would install Leopard and do it the long way. All I get is a flashing folder. On Snow Leopard, get the apple logo that sits there forever. No recovery or anything, what can I do. Is it my machine or the ssd?
Thanks
 
tracer1 said:
Well, got a new ssd (WD Blue), does it have to formatted first. Right now I have OS whatsoever. No disk utility or anything. I have 2 old install disk (Leopard & Snow Leopard) from years ago. So thought I would install Leopard and do it the long way. All I get is a flashing folder. On Snow Leopard, get the apple logo that sits there forever. No recovery or anything, what can I do. Is it my machine or the ssd?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Would never work. Leopard was never supported with a MacPro5,1 and Snow Leopard DVDs are usually 10.6.3 while MacPro5,1 was only supported with a 10.6.4 special build issued only with the original mid2010 install DVDs.

You can't install this way, I've linked the support article and the correct way to do it:

forums.macrumors.com

Upgrading Mac Pro Classic to latest OS

Before anything, you have to upgrade your BootROM firmware from 138.0.0.0.0 to 144.0.0.0.0. The easiest way is installing High Sierra to an empty disk, then download the current Mojave full installer, not one you downloaded years ago, and open it to upgrade the firmware. See all the steps on...
forums.macrumors.com forums.macrumors.com

Create a bootable installer for macOS - Apple Support

You can use a USB flash drive or other secondary volume as a startup disk from which to install the Mac operating system. These steps are primarily for system administrators and other experienced users who are familiar with entering commands in Terminal.
support.apple.com support.apple.com
 
tracer1 said:
Well, got a new ssd (WD Blue), does it have to formatted first. Right now I have OS whatsoever. No disk utility or anything. I have 2 old install disk (Leopard & Snow Leopard) from years ago. So thought I would install Leopard and do it the long way. All I get is a flashing folder. On Snow Leopard, get the apple logo that sits there forever. No recovery or anything, what can I do. Is it my machine or the ssd?
Thanks
Click to expand...
yes, it does have to be formatted.open disk utility after you insert Snow Leopard.click on to the ssd, click erase.Name it osx or whatever.formatt it to os extended journal in the middle, and guid portion map, it must be those two picked.then press formats.It will erase and format the right way.when its finished and says done...turn of your iMac, hit restart and hold the option key..click snow leopard and install.But use Mojave if you have it..the newer the better.It must be formatted first before it will install.
 
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