Workaround for BootROM version MP41.0081.B08?

Question

Workaround for BootROM version MP41.0081.B08?

2009 Mac Pro (4,1) two 2.93GHx Quad-core CPUs, GT-120 graphics card, 16GB RAM

BootROM version MP41.0081.B08, SMC version 1.39f5

Found this post and removed Airport card after trying everything else I could find to either upgrade or downgrade BootROM, but can’t seem to change it. Machine will boot/run from Sierra and High Sierra drives, but attempts to change firmware results in error 5570 or 5540 (SIP disabled).

Formatted a drive and installed 10.6 from an original (gray) Mac Pro CD, then following instructions from https://support.apple.com/kb/dl976?locale=en_US made a Firmware Restoration 1.8 CD for early 2009 4,1 (note that later versions of Disk Utility no longer have “burn” function).

Startup from the Restore 1.8 CD failed (Step 7) with a single long tone and startup from hard drive.

Boot with C key fails, Restore CD is a no-show in startup disk or startup manager. Another dead end.

We have everything needed to upgrade this great old tower, if we can get past BootROM B08.

Is there some other way to force startup/install from the Restore CD? Do I have to damage B08?

Any workaround for this obscure BootROM B08 version would be appreciated - thank you.

(BTW, I’m writing this on another 2009 Mac Pro that originally had MP41.0081.B07 on it, now running BootROM version 144.0.0.0.0 after successful upgrades.)

Mac Pro, macOS 10.14

Posted on Jan 13, 2021 8:01 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Grant Bennet-Alder

Level 10

134,737 points

Jan 14, 2021 3:20 PM in response to Motorcycle Michael

The link to the pertinent section of Greg Gant's blog and the paragraph right before it you has information you would like to read about, but can not be laid out in detail here, to avoid injuring innocents.

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Answer 2

Jan 14, 2021 7:03 AM in response to Motorcycle Michael

The change you refer to is a hobbyist hack, and is not officially supported.

We can not provide explicit instructions for how to perform this hack, because there is some risk you could "brick" your computer in the process.

A discussion of what firmware is officially supported in what version of MacOS for Mac Pro 2006-2012 models is included in Greg Gant's excellent blog on these Mac Pro models:

http://blog.greggant.com/posts/2018/05/07/definitive-mac-pro-upgrade-guide.html

.

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Answer 3

Jan 14, 2021 1:39 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Thank you for your prompt reply, Grant.

I understand the upgrade process is not officially supported, but what I'd like to do IS supported - why else would there be Firmware Restoration 1.8 CD for the MacPro 4,1? The source of BootROM MP41.0081.B08 is somewhat murky, but regardless of its source, I'd like to restore machine's original BootROM MP41.0081.B07. Made the Restore CD as instructed, but the install process (hold power button, three beeps, CD tray opens, etc. [step 7]) is ignored with no workaround that I can find, including link you graciously provided above.

Ready to risk bricking machine, if necessary, as it will become landfill if I can't restore original firmware. Install 10.5? Wondering what caused Apple to release the Firmware Restore CD 1.8 in the first place. Must have been something out there causing damage to BootROM, and I'd sure like to know what that something was. Seems to be only way forward.

In any case, thank you for taking time to reply and share your knowledge.

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Answer 4

Jan 14, 2021 5:17 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Understood, and quite right.

Extracted B08 and was about to brick it hoping Restore 1.8 CD would work, but thought I'd line-up all the ducks and take one more stab at it. Only thing different this time was waiting 15 seconds before press/hold power button. It worked! Upgrades went as they should, now looking at 144.0.0.0.0 - thank you!

(It's always human error, huh ;-)

BootROM MP41.0081.B08 may be a challenge, but it isn't the end.

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Workaround for BootROM version MP41.0081.B08?

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