MP 6,1 Latest Boot ROM and SMC version on Mac Pro Late 2013 (trashcan)

[tsialex]

Monterey 12.6.8 (21G713) beta1 have the same 474.0.0.0.0 EFI firmware version, no changes.

Since Apple moved from the expected 12.6.7 beta 3 to 12.6.8 beta 1, 12.6.7 will be released soon.

 

[tsialex]

Monterey 12.6.8 (21G713) beta1 have the same 474.0.0.0.0 EFI firmware version, no changes.

Since Apple moved from the expected 12.6.7 beta 3 to 12.6.8 beta 1, 12.6.7 will be released soon.

Just a warn, 12.6.8 (21G713) runs so badly with a MacPro6,1 (crashing after a day or so, slow, no working network shares) that I had to do a clean install earlier today.

Internet Recovery with 12.6.6 can't even overwrite the 12.6.8 install.

 

[tylerwatt12]

Hi guys, I just bought a used trashcan off ebay and the bootrom it came with is 430.2.0
I haven't heard anyone discuss anything about this version. When I do an internet restore it installs 10.11.6. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to get any SSD to recognize in the nvme slot yet. I tried with a Crucial P3, and it wouldn't show anything on the screen. I ended up installing OS X onto a portable USB drive for the time being. I'm trying to see if I need to borrow an OEM Apple SSD to update the smbios further, but lack of any talk about 430.2.0 leaves me scratching my head. Thoughts?

Edit: I'm starting to wonder if my Mac actually has 430.140.2.0.0 and System Profiler is misreporting it as 430.2.0 because the versioning scheme was different in older versions of OS X

 

[tsialex]

Hi guys, I just bought a used trashcan off ebay and the bootrom it came with is 430.2.0
I haven't heard anyone discuss anything about this version. When I do an internet restore it installs 10.11.6. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to get any SSD to recognize in the nvme slot yet. I tried with a Crucial P3, and it wouldn't show anything on the screen. I ended up installing OS X onto a portable USB drive for the time being. I'm trying to see if I need to borrow an OEM Apple SSD to update the smbios further, but lack of any talk about 430.2.0 leaves me scratching my head. Thoughts?

It's not 430.2.0, before HighSierra the EFI firmware version is incorrectly truncated to 2 digits with SystemInformation, the complete EFI is 430.120.6.0.0 or 430.140.6.0.0.

You need to install BigSur or Monterey to the internal blade, then after you run Software Updates, the EFI firmware will update to the current version, 474.0.0.0.0. Internet Recovery to install the most recent supported macOS release is Option-Command-R.

Other macOS installation options
When you install macOS from Recovery, you get the current version of the most recently installed macOS, with some exceptions:
If you just used Disk Utility to erase your startup disk, you might be offered an earlier compatible version of macOS.
On an Intel-based Mac, if you use Option-Command-R during startup, you might be offered the latest macOS that is compatible with your Mac.
On an Intel-based Mac, if you use Shift-Option-Command-R during startup, you might be offered the macOS that came with your Mac, or the closest version still available.
If the Mac logic board was just replaced during service, you might be offered the latest macOS that is compatible with your Mac.

Anything earlier than Big Sur will not update the EFI firmware. You can also download the latest BigSur/Monterey from Apple and make a createinstallmedia USB installer.

NVMe is only supported after Sierra (4096 bytes per sector blades) or High Sierra (512 and 4096 bytes per sector blades).

 

[DeltaMac]

Hi guys, I just bought a used trashcan off ebay and the bootrom it came with is 430.2.0
I haven't heard anyone discuss anything about this version. When I do an internet restore it installs 10.11.6. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to get any SSD to recognize in the nvme slot yet. I tried with a Crucial P3, and it wouldn't show anything on the screen. I ended up installing OS X onto a portable USB drive for the time being. I'm trying to see if I need to borrow an OEM Apple SSD to update the smbios further, but lack of any talk about 430.2.0 leaves me scratching my head. Thoughts?

Edit: I'm starting to wonder if my Mac actually has 430.140.2.0.0 and System Profiler is misreporting it as 430.2.0 because the versioning scheme was different in older versions of OS X

What SSD came with your "new" MPro 6,1 (Try that one for the update install?)
Make a bootable USB installer for Big Sur, or Monterey (latest supported for your MPro), either should also update the firmware as part of the install process.
Then, you should be able to try the SSD that you actually want to use.

 

[tylerwatt12]

What SSD came with your "new" MPro 6,1 (Try that one for the update install?)
Make a bootable USB installer for Big Sur, or Monterey (latest supported for your MPro), either should also update the firmware as part of the install process.
Then, you should be able to try the SSD that you actually want to use.

The machine came with 430.140.2.0.0 and no SSD, after swapping the Crucial P3 with a Samsung 980, and doing a fresh install of Monterey from flash drive, the SMBIOS is 474.0.0.0.0. Everything works as it should.

The problem with the P3 was that the Mac wouldn't show anything on the display at all, not even a black screen. It would chime as if it were booting though. I ended up returning the P3

 

[tsialex]

Today's Monterey 12.6.8 (21G725) still have the same 474.0.0.0.0 EFI firmware version, no changes.

Hardware Overview:

  Model Name:	Mac Pro
  Model Identifier:	MacPro6,1
  Processor Name:	6-Core Intel Xeon E5
  Processor Speed:	3,5 GHz
  Number of Processors:	1
  Total Number of Cores:	6
  L2 Cache (per Core):	256 KB
  L3 Cache:	12 MB
  Hyper-Threading Technology:	Enabled
  Memory:	64 GB
  System Firmware Version:	474.0.0.0.0
  OS Loader Version:	540.120.3~22
  SMC Version (system):	2.20f18
  Panel Illumination Version:	1.4a6

 

[SirVikon]

Okay, i will get a 6,1 next weekend and i used a MP5,1 the last 14 Years. If i have to update the SMC, i will have to install the Mac OS afterwards, right? So i look on which BootROM the 6,1 will come and then i can see, where i have to begin to install the old Mac OS Versions. It's a 6,1 with 6-core and D700 (most used privately and only for not really high Performance Tasks).
A little OT, but anything else important for me? I will use iStats for monitoring the Temps to see, if there is a reason to change the Coolingpaste (i don't know the word in englisch, in German is it Wärmeleitpaste like Arcting Cool).

EDIT: Okay, found the Filter for 6,1 and i will read the Posts. I swap my 5,1 for the 6,1. My is more faster, but i really like the Trashcan and i only use it for normal private use. My 5,1 is 12 Core 3,06GHZ with 32GB and RX580. Monterey runs with OCLP. With the new 6,1 Monterey is supported via Apple, so i don't have to use OCLP anymore.

 

[tsialex]

Okay, i will get a 6,1 next weekend and i used a MP5,1 the last 14 Years. If i have to update the SMC, i will have to install the Mac OS afterwards, right? So i look on which BootROM the 6,1 will come and then i can see, where i have to begin to install the old Mac OS Versions. It's a 6,1 with 6-core and D700 (most used privately and only for not really high Performance Tasks).
A little OT, but anything else important for me? I will use iStats for monitoring the Temps to see, if there is a reason to change the Coolingpaste (i don't know the word in englisch, in German is it Wärmeleitpaste like Arcting Cool).

My advice is to take it slow, very slow. Do not tear it down right now.

Inspect it when arrives, clean it with compressed air, then boot it via Internet Recovery and nuke the blade/reinstall. You will probably need to do this twice or more depending on the macOS release that it came - with Mavericks you probably need to do it three times - since you will need to update the firmware in steps and it's automatically done by Software Updates without your intervention, unlike a MacPro5,1. Worst case, let's say it's a 2014 made one and still have Mavericks, so, the first Internet Recovery will probably get updated to High Sierra, do it again and it will upgrade probably to Big Sur, do it again then you got to Monterey. Maybe someone already did all the updates or part of them, so, this will be probably different. Btw, it's not just doing the Internet Recovery, you'll need to do all the High Sierra updates, reboot some times, then when no updates show anymore, you can do the Internet Recovery again, repeat.

Only after is fully firmware upgraded and you have used it for at least a week to be sure that the Mac Pro hardware have no problems at all you'll go to the teardown, clean-up and reapply thermal paste. Do not do it before fully testing Mac Pro.

Btw, do it via Internet Recovery and not installing with createinstallmedia USB installers. Internet Recovery will download the correct images for the firmwares currently installed and will do it in less steps than you doing it manually. Even if you do it manually, you will need to do all the softwares updates available to get to the firmwares needed - there are several intermediate steps, you will not upgrade from something like 120.0.0.0.0 to 474.0.0.0.0 directly.

 

[Spacedust]

Any news in bootrom updates in macOS Monterey‌‌ 12.6.9 ?

 

[tsialex]

Still 474.0.0.0.0 with today's Monterey 12.7 (21G816):

Hardware Overview:

  Model Name:	Mac Pro
  Model Identifier:	MacPro6,1
  Processor Name:	6-Core Intel Xeon E5
  Processor Speed:	3,5 GHz
  Number of Processors:	1
  Total Number of Cores:	6
  L2 Cache (per Core):	256 KB
  L3 Cache:	12 MB
  Hyper-Threading Technology:	Enabled
  Memory:	64 GB
  System Firmware Version:	474.0.0.0.0
  OS Loader Version:	540.120.3~37
  SMC Version (system):	2.20f18
  Panel Illumination Version:	1.4a6

 

[Spacedust]

How about 12.7.1 ?

 

[aldergood]

How about 12.7.1 ?

Just update and the same firmware. I don't think Apple will ever release new firmware for MacPro 6.1 after 474.0.

 

[tsialex]

Just update and the same firmware. I don't think Apple will ever release new firmware for MacPro 6.1 after 474.0.

Monterey still have around 11 months of support, if anything security wise arise in the coming months, Apple will release newer BootROM versions.

Apple is always building updated versions internally with the most recent codebase - that never get the light of the day outside the mothership - for this exact reason. Too much hassle/risk to release it if not for a major reason.

 

[Mac_Pro_User]

Just updated and the firmware is not the same. New build number is 478.0.

 

[tsialex]

MacPro6,1 BootROM upgraded to 478.0.0.0.0 with today's Monterey 12.7.1 (21G920):

Hardware Overview:

  Model Name:	Mac Pro
  Model Identifier:	MacPro6,1
  Processor Name:	6-Core Intel Xeon E5
  Processor Speed:	3,5 GHz
  Number of Processors:	1
  Total Number of Cores:	6
  L2 Cache (per Core):	256 KB
  L3 Cache:	12 MB
  Hyper-Threading Technology:	Enabled
  Memory:	64 GB
  System Firmware Version:	478.0.0.0.0
  OS Loader Version:	540.120.3~37
  SMC Version (system):	2.20f18
  Panel Illumination Version:	1.4a6

 

[aldergood]

MacPro6,1 BootROM upgraded to 478.0.0.0.0 with today's Monterey 12.7.1 (21G920):

Hardware Overview:

  Model Name:    Mac Pro
  Model Identifier:    MacPro6,1
  Processor Name:    6-Core Intel Xeon E5
  Processor Speed:    3,5 GHz
  Number of Processors:    1
  Total Number of Cores:    6
  L2 Cache (per Core):    256 KB
  L3 Cache:    12 MB
  Hyper-Threading Technology:    Enabled
  Memory:    64 GB
  System Firmware Version:    478.0.0.0.0
  OS Loader Version:    540.120.3~37
  SMC Version (system):    2.20f18
  Panel Illumination Version:    1.4a6

I don't have change to cross check but do you have any idea why the firmware on my mac are still the same?

 

[tsialex]

I don't have change to cross check but do you have any idea why the firmware on my mac are still the same?

View attachment 2302753

Difficult to pinpoint. Usually is a non-compatible SSD installed internally, booting via external SSD (does not update the BootROM) or even something unexpected like Apple pulling the update.

 

[aldergood]

Difficult to pinpoint. Usually is a non-compatible SSD installed internally, booting via external SSD (does not update the BootROM) or even something unexpected like Apple pulling the update.

Got it. It is because non-genuine Apple SSD in my Mac. After replace with the original and perform the upgrade, it is now 478.0

Thanks a lot @tsialex

 

[MoerBoer]

Any idea what the firmware changes? I suppose it's only for security? I wonder if it has a performance hit.

 

[avro707]

Any idea what the firmware changes? I suppose it's only for security? I wonder if it has a performance hit.

I'm using mine a lot and have 478 and haven't noticed anything obvious. Still running fine. Another 8 core with D700 machine here at work also on 12.7.1 with 478 also running fine.

 

[TzunamiOSX]

Short feedback from my side:

Updated Monterey on an external USB drive, and the firmware was also updated.
Internal SSD is a KINGSTON SFYRD2000G

 

[Spacedust]

Windows says:

Version/system BIOS date Apple Inc. 478.0.0.0.0, 2023-08-03

 

[tsialex]

No System Firmware/BootROM update with macOS 12.7.2 (21G1974), still 478.0.0.0.0:

Hardware Overview:

  Model Name:	Mac Pro
  Model Identifier:	MacPro6,1
  Processor Name:	6-Core Intel Xeon E5
  Processor Speed:	3,5 GHz
  Number of Processors:	1
  Total Number of Cores:	6
  L2 Cache (per Core):	256 KB
  L3 Cache:	12 MB
  Hyper-Threading Technology:	Enabled
  Memory:	64 GB
  System Firmware Version:	478.0.0.0.0
  OS Loader Version:	540.120.3~37
  SMC Version (system):	2.20f18
  Panel Illumination Version:	1.4a6

 

[rapidlaser]

My Mac pro was booting fine until I did the latest update now it refuses to boot, I can boot it from my external bootable back up and from my win10 partition, I have tried re installing but it still reporting the error in the 2nd image below, first one is incorrect.
I don't understand it.


Model Name: Mac Pro
Model Identifier: MacPro6,1
Processor Name: 6-Core Intel Xeon E5
Processor Speed: 3.5 GHz
Number of Processors: 1
Total Number of Cores: 6
L2 Cache (per Core): 256 KB
L3 Cache: 12 MB
Hyper-Threading Technology: Enabled
Memory: 64 GB
System Firmware Version: 478.0.0.0.0
OS Loader Version: 540.120.3~37
SMC Version (system): 2.20f18
Panel Illumination Version: 1.4a6