MP 1,1-5,1 MacPro5,1: What you have to do to upgrade to Mojave (10.13/10.14 BootROM upgrades instructions thread)

[bokkow]

So I have a really weird issue which I recognize from a past OS upgrade but not sure what helped back then..

I’m at 184, so I downloaded 10.13.6 first to upgrade to 189. However after the download opens and asks for a helper to be installed, I put in my password, press shutdown and nothing happens..

Tried manually rebooting but then it doesnt update the firmware.

Tried CMD+Option+P+R and start the helper install again, nothing.

Tried removing the macOS install file and download again (which I kind of remember doing last time) but also doesnt help.

Anyone any suggesting what I’m doing wrong?

 

[bjar]

So I have a really weird issue which I recognize from a past OS upgrade but not sure what helped back then..

I’m at 184, so I downloaded 10.13.6 first to upgrade to 189. However after the download opens and asks for a helper to be installed, I put in my password, press shutdown and nothing happens..

Tried manually rebooting but then it doesnt update the firmware.

Tried CMD+Option+P+R and start the helper install again, nothing.

Tried removing the macOS install file and download again (which I kind of remember doing last time) but also doesnt help.

Anyone any suggesting what I’m doing wrong?

After it shut down did you hold down the power button until the light blinks or until you hear a long beep?

 

[macagain]

EVERYONE: PLEASE READ THE FIRST POST IN THIS THREAD BEFORE ASKING FOR ADDITIONAL HELP

https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...o-upgrade-your-mac-pro-5-1-to-mojave.2142418/

Nearly all the questions are answered.

You MUST be on MP51.0089.B00 before installing Mojave.
You NEED an EFI GPU to update any previous Boot ROM Version to MP51.0089.B00.
Once you are on MP51.0089.B00, then you can update to the Mojave firmware 138.0.0.0.0 with any compatible METAL GPU.

To get MP51.0089.B00, you need to download the High Sierra 10.13.6 installer from App Store.
When an EFI GPU is installed, you will be prompted for a firmware update.
Follow the on-screen instructions. (Write them down or print them out.)

When the machine completes firmware update, it will load your previous OS.
IF you are not yet on 10.13.6 (any OS version before build 17G65), you MUST install the 10.13.6 update.

I'm wondering if you have an EFI Metal capable card, e.g. original Sapphire HD 7950 Mac Edition or EVGA GTX 680 Mac Edition, or a EFI flashed Metal Capable card (i.e. it displays boot screen), e.g. HD7950 or GTX680, if you can skip 89 and go directly to 138.0.0.0.0/Mojave?
[doublepost=1537830345][/doublepost]

I was able to upgrade my 2010 CMP from the App Store without any issues. The firmware was updated after the download. I did start with 10.13.6 as suggested.

I have a flashed AMD 7950 and the Apple logo still shows on boot-up.

So-far-so-good!

Do you recall what firmware version you were at before the upgrade?

 

[iGobbleoff]

So I have my GT120 installed, downloaded the 10.13.6 installer, shut down, pressed for long beep, it sits and waits on the grey screen while it does its thing, but after about 4 goes, it still won't update to 0089. Any idea's on where to go to from here?

 

[bokkow]

After it shut down did you hold down the power button until the light blinks or until you hear a long beep?

Yep, but thanks for the suggestion, I tried it several times now, from the long beep it goes immediately to the bong and starts as usual without firmware update :/

@iGobbleoff I think we’re experiencing the same issue..

 

[iGobbleoff]

@bokkow I think so. I’m not fussed TBH if I get Mojave, if it doesn’t work it doesn’t work.

 

[hugo393]

Download the Full Mojave installer and upgrade your BootROM.

I am in the same boat. I have high sierra 10.13.6 on a flashed Mac Pro, 4.1 to 5.1 firmware.. my boot rom is
MP51.0085.B00. I have a metal ok card. I downloaded the metal benchmark app form the app store and it runs fine. AMD radeon R9 280x. I downloaded the Mojove full installer from the app store and it says my firmware needs to be updated and tells me to shutdown and hold power button for the firmware installer. (is that ok?) will that work on my set up?

 

[bsbeamer]

At least two people on these forums had issues updating firmware from pre .0089 to .0089 and then to 138.0.0.0.0 beta. After NUMEROUS tries it eventually worked. One was a 4,1>5,1.

Try. Try again. Try again. Make sure you are using correct EFI GPU to get to 0089, powered correctly. One monitor. Remove other stuff from system.

If all fails, replace battery on board (CR2032) and try again.

 

[MuNLoK]

Brilliant thread. Thank you tsialex!!

I have a MacPro 4.1>5.1 with a GTX 970.

After updating the firmware to MP51.0089.B00 (using the original graphic ATI HD 4870), and then to 138.0.0.0.0 (with the GTX 970), how can I do a Mojave fresh install on another HD without being able to see the boot screen (usb boot / createinstallmedia) with a non-efi card (GTX 970)? How can I see the installation process?

And another question, do you know if the GTX 970 work 'out of the box' with Mojave or still need the NVidia Web Driver?

Thank you!!

 

[hugo393]

I am in the same boat. I have high sierra 10.13.6 on a flashed Mac Pro, 4.1 to 5.1 firmware.. my boot rom is
MP51.0085.B00. I have a metal ok card. I downloaded the metal benchmark app form the app store and it runs fine. AMD radeon R9 280x. I downloaded the Mojove full installer from the app store and it says my firmware needs to be updated and tells me to shutdown and hold power button for the firmware installer. (is that ok?) will that work on my set up?

thanks.. just wanted to be sure. I already updated in a virtual machine on a win10 machine and it looks great.

 

[bsbeamer]

I'm wondering if you have an EFI Metal capable card, e.g. original Sapphire HD 7950 Mac Edition or EVGA GTX 680 Mac Edition, or a EFI flashed Metal Capable card (i.e. it displays boot screen), e.g. HD7950 or GTX680, if you can skip 89 and go directly to 138.0.0.0.0/Mojave

According to Apple, no. Requires 10.13.6 (and corresponding firmware) to update to Mojave. See the link with notes.

(Would also personally not recommend.)

 

[PianoPro]

Can the full Mojave installer (download from App Store) be used to UPDATE the final Beta version to the release version? i.e. does it reset any settings or erase an data? I do NOT want to wipe and do a clean install.

 

[bjar]

Yep, but thanks for the suggestion, I tried it several times now, from the long beep it goes immediately to the bong and starts as usual without firmware update :/

@iGobbleoff I think we’re experiencing the same issue..

What graphics card are you using? When I did my firmware update I removed all drives and all pci cards except the graphics card. Also unplugged all usb devices except keyboard and mouse. Maybe try that if you haven’t.

 

[macagain]

Can the full Mojave installer (download from App Store) be used to UPDATE the final Beta version to the release version? i.e. does it reset any settings or erase an data? I do NOT want to wipe and do a clean install.

Yep, mine just finished doing that. I was on final PB, no update showing in System Prefs->Software Update, so I download from App Store, and it went on its merry way. Don't really know if it did a full install or update, but it took about 30 mins. Nothing was deleted, everything was as it was before the update. Build # is now 18A391 as others have noted.

 

[MacGarage]

I'm wondering if you have an EFI Metal capable card, e.g. original Sapphire HD 7950 Mac Edition or EVGA GTX 680 Mac Edition, or a EFI flashed Metal Capable card (i.e. it displays boot screen), e.g. HD7950 or GTX680, if you can skip 89 and go directly to 138.0.0.0.0/Mojave?
[doublepost=1537830345][/doublepost]
Do you recall what firmware version you were at before the upgrade?

My firmware was several versions prior to the new one...I did check it prior but do not recall the number.

This is my current video card. It is a flashed metal capable card that does show the boot screen. It is great being able to still use my 30-inch Cinema display I bought new in March 2008!

 

[tu2thepoo]

EVERYONE: PLEASE READ THE FIRST POST IN THIS THREAD BEFORE ASKING FOR ADDITIONAL HELP

https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...o-upgrade-your-mac-pro-5-1-to-mojave.2142418/

Nearly all the questions are answered.

You MUST be on MP51.0089.B00 before installing Mojave.
You NEED an EFI GPU to update any previous Boot ROM Version to MP51.0089.B00.
Once you are on MP51.0089.B00, then you can update to the Mojave firmware 138.0.0.0.0 with any compatible METAL GPU.

To get MP51.0089.B00, you need to download the High Sierra 10.13.6 installer from App Store.
When an EFI GPU is installed, you will be prompted for a firmware update.
Follow the on-screen instructions. (Write them down or print them out.)

When the machine completes firmware update, it will load your previous OS.
IF you are not yet on 10.13.6 (any OS version before build 17G65), you MUST install the 10.13.6 update.

This thread is basically every Allrecipes review:

 

[bsbeamer]

My firmware was several versions prior to the new one...I did check it prior but do not recall the number.

Wrong screen. Look for Boot ROM Version.

 

[dylanbdrake]

Read the first post.

Hi, so I did what you said but still cant upgrade to Mojave, what should I do?

Thanks again

 

[MacGarage]

As mentioned, do not recall what the prior firmware was but this is the new Boot ROM. The video card was flashed (see above).

 

[hugo393]

I am in the same boat. I have high sierra 10.13.6 on a flashed Mac Pro, 4.1 to 5.1 firmware.. my boot rom is
MP51.0085.B00. I have a metal ok card. I downloaded the metal benchmark app form the app store and it runs fine. AMD radeon R9 280x. I downloaded the Mojove full installer from the app store and it says my firmware needs to be updated and tells me to shutdown and hold power button for the firmware installer. (is that ok?) will that work on my set up?

Thanks.. just to let everyone know. I am on 2009 Mac Pro ,4.1 flash to 5.1.. I was already on high sierra 10.13.6 boot rom
MP51.0085.B00. I downloaded the full installer, ran it, it said i needed to update firmware, did the shutdown, held the power button until it flashed, let go, then a beep, machine updated firmware but could not see anything on the screen, it rebooted back into OSX, installer was still open and ready to continue, checked boot rom and it updated to 138.0.0.0.0.
( so for me it updated from MP51.0085.B00 to 138.0.0.0.0.) no issue; but I was already on 10.13.6.

Installed running now. I will report back. My card was already flashed from the person i bought it from for any future updates. You can test your card by downloading the metal benchmark app form the app store. if it runs then you know it is metal compatible already.
[doublepost=1537836132][/doublepost]

Thanks.. just to let everyone know. I am on 2009 Mac Pro ,4.1 flash to 5.1.. I was already on high sierra 10.13.6 boot rom
MP51.0085.B00. I downloaded the full installer, ran it, it said i needed to update firmware, did the shutdown, held the power button until it flashed, let go, then a beep, machine updated firmware but could not see anything on the screen, it rebooted back into OSX, installer was still open and ready to continue, checked boot rom and it updated to 138.0.0.0.0.
( so for me it updated from MP51.0085.B00 to 138.0.0.0.0.) no issue; but I was already on 10.13.6.

Installed running now. I will report back. My card was already flashed from the person i bought it from for any future updates. You can test your card by downloading the metal benchmark app form the app store. if it runs then you know it is metal compatible already.

A mentioned above my card is - AMD radeon R9 280x. Installer is running now with 33 min left. I will report back once done. (i see the apple logo at boot as well)

 

[kings79]

There is a spreadsheet.

Please fill in your results after installing Mojave on your cMP.

LINK

 

[hugo393]

There is a spreadsheet.

Please fill in your results after installing Mojave on your cMP.

LINK

ok. will do

 

[zemaker]

I can't install even though the firmware was updated correctly, here is the error.

"you may not install to this partition because the computer is missing a firmware partition"

 

[bsbeamer]

What hack did you use to ID as 5,1? Some of the hacks have Mojave updates, including the often used dosdude. Unsure if that’s related or not.

 

[tsialex]

I can't install even though the firmware was updated correctly, here is the error.

"you may not install to this partition because the computer is missing a firmware partition"

You found the external drive bug. Erase your SSD, remove all other drives, use a createinstallmedia USB key to install. The best way to fully erase is this:


Find what are your SSD disk number.

diskutil list

Unmount your SSD, replace diskXX for the number you found.

diskutil unmountdisk diskXX

Fullu erase, replace diskXX for the number you found.

sudo gpt destroy diskXX