Level 1

12 points

Mac Pro 5.1 nvram issue

Hi there,

I have a Mac Pro 5,1 and it's lagging on Mojave.

I've tried writing this on terminal over recovery mode:

nvram 8be4df61-93ca-11d2-aa0d-00e098032b8c:epid_provisioned=%01%00%00%00

It work's just fine!

But I have to do this time to time, when it starts to lag again (when I start the computer or it wake up from sleep mode)

Does anyone know a permanent fix?

Model Name: Mac Pro

Model Identifier: MacPro5,1

Processor Name: 6-Core Intel Xeon

Processor Speed: 2,4 GHz

Number of Processors: 2

Total Number of Cores: 12

L2 Cache (per Core): 256 KB

L3 Cache (per Processor): 12 MB

Memory: 24 GB

Boot ROM Version: 140.0.0.0.0

SMC Version (system): 1.39f11

SMC Version (processor tray): 1.39f11

Chipset Model: NVIDIA Quadro K5000

Type: GPU

Bus: PCIe

Slot: Slot-2

PCIe Lane Width: x16

VRAM (Dynamic, Max): 3584 MB

Vendor: NVIDIA (0x10de)

Device ID: 0x11ba

Revision ID: 0x00a2

ROM Revision: 3730

Metal: Supported, feature set macOS GPUFamily1 v4

Thank's

Posted on Jan 11, 2019 2:24 PM

Top-ranking reply

Grant Bennet-Alder

Level 10

141,439 points

Posted on Jan 17, 2019 7:27 AM

If NVRAM settings change when the power is disconnected, you need a new PRAM/NVRAM backup battery. The battery holder is very delicate --- use a bright light and do not force it open.

The original is a BR2032 nominal 3 volt non-recharging long life lithium coin cell. But a readily-available CR2032 (used in garage door openers and car key fobs) is an adequate replacement.

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24 replies

Top-ranking reply

Grant Bennet-Alder

Level 10

141,439 points

Jan 17, 2019 7:27 AM in response to JPGALVES

If NVRAM settings change when the power is disconnected, you need a new PRAM/NVRAM backup battery. The battery holder is very delicate --- use a bright light and do not force it open.

The original is a BR2032 nominal 3 volt non-recharging long life lithium coin cell. But a readily-available CR2032 (used in garage door openers and car key fobs) is an adequate replacement.

JPGALVES Author

Level 1

12 points

Jan 21, 2019 2:50 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Thank you all for the support, it seems like changing battery solved the issue!

macjack

Level 10

111,242 points

Jan 11, 2019 2:29 PM in response to JPGALVES

Here’s what Apple has to say about Sleep issues:

If your Mac doesn't sleep or wake when expected - Apple Support

FWIW, I gave up on the Sleep function years ago. Ever since the inception of OS X there have been Sleep related issues. And even more lately. I just use Display Sleep and keep it set for 15 minutes so I'm not burning the screen. That way your Mac uses very little power over Sleep and is ready to use at the touch of a key without any grogginess. UNIX based systems were made to be always on and they’ve been running busy servers 24/7 for decades.

lllaass

Level 10

210,519 points

Jan 11, 2019 2:55 PM in response to JPGALVES

What do you mean by lagging?

If you open up Activity Monitor is CPU or memory usage very high?

If so what is the major contributor?

Also, when laggy run this

‎EtreCheck on the Mac App Store

and post the results here. Use app's Paste to Clipboard feature and post it in the add text feature of this forum. To do that clickon the page with right corner bent over icon in the lower menu bar

JPGALVES Author

Level 1

12 points

Jan 16, 2019 12:02 PM in response to JPGALVES

Well, today I had to change my computer of place at home, and I'd turned it off from power chord. When I turn it on again the "lagging" "gasps" came back. I have reboot it again on recovery e type the strange code...I'm starting to think that the "solution" is not turn the computer off at all, as the first comment said....

JPGALVES Author

Level 1

12 points

Jan 11, 2019 3:02 PM in response to lllaass

lagging is like:

safari scroll stops and go.

Videos stops by half second and continues.

on premiere, the same half second kind of glitch.

Zbrush, Maya...the same....looks like a video card problem. When I do that nvram thing over recovery mode, everything works like a charm. But if turn the computer off, the next day a have to repeat all the processes of booting over recovery and type the code...

I'll check those things you said about Activity monitor when it happens again (probably tomorrow )....

JPGALVES Author

Level 1

12 points

Jan 24, 2019 11:55 AM in response to JPGALVES

Here I am again....the issue has came back.

same lagging thing.

There is a modification on this computer. I'd bought it this way. The SSD is mounted on the second CD Tray....and it is connected from there....Is it possible that this is causing the issue? because it seems to be a very odd thing that is happening with me.

Thank's

Jan 25, 2019 8:00 AM in response to JPGALVES

Have you re-applied the patch to epid_provisioned ??

Perhaps it got clobbered.

I wish I could find out whose variable that is and what that it does. That seems like it would make understanding the problem a whole lot easier.

JPGALVES Author

Level 1

12 points

Jan 11, 2019 2:42 PM in response to macjack

Thank's, but that is not a fix, is just an energy waste.

I'm sure that there is a way of putting this nvram weird code on the system start up...But I have no ideia how to do it.

macjack

Level 10

111,242 points

Jan 11, 2019 2:52 PM in response to JPGALVES

No, it's a workaround. If you're getting tired of running NVRAM, it could be worthwhile until you find a fix.

JPGALVES Author

Level 1

12 points

Jan 11, 2019 2:54 PM in response to macjack

Sure. Thank's for the tip.

But let's hope for an official fix.

lllaass

Level 10

210,519 points

Jan 24, 2019 12:16 PM in response to JPGALVES

Have a drive connected to the SATA connection normally used for a second optical drive is not abnormal. It is used when one does not want to use one of the 4 slide-out bays normally used for drives.

JPGALVES Author

Level 1

12 points

Jan 24, 2019 3:31 PM in response to lllaass

ok...Thank's for the reply.

so I think that this is not causing my problem than....What else should I do? this issue is really annoying....

JPGALVES Author

Level 1

12 points

Jan 25, 2019 5:16 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

How do I reapply this patch?

JPGALVES Author

Level 1

12 points

Jan 15, 2019 8:19 AM in response to lllaass

EtreCheck version: 5.1 (5020)

Report generated: 2019-01-15 14:16:44

Download EtreCheck from https://etrecheck.com

Runtime: 2:46

Performance: Excellent

Sandbox: Enabled

Full drive access: Disabled

Problem: Other problem

Major Issues:

Anything that appears on this list needs immediate attention.

No Time Machine backup - Time Machine backup not found.

Minor Issues:

These issues do not need immediate attention but they may indicate future problems.

Unsigned files - There are unsigned software files installed. They appear to be legitimate but should be reviewed.

Vintage hardware - This machine may be considered vintage.

32-bit Apps - This machine has 32-bits apps that may have problems in the future.

Limited drive access - More information may be available with Full Drive Access.

Hardware Information:

Mac Pro (2010 - 2012) - Vintage!

Mac Pro Model: MacPro5,1

2 2,4 GHz 6-Core Intel Xeon (Xeon(R)) CPU: 12-core

24 GB RAM - Upgradeable

DIMM 1 - 4 GB DDR3 ECC 1333 ok

DIMM 2 - 4 GB DDR3 ECC 1333 ok

DIMM 3 - 4 GB DDR3 ECC 1333 ok

DIMM 4 - Empty

DIMM 5 - 4 GB DDR3 ECC 1333 ok

DIMM 6 - 4 GB DDR3 ECC 1333 ok

DIMM 7 - 4 GB DDR3 ECC 1333 ok

DIMM 8 - Empty

Video Information:

NVIDIA Quadro K5000 - VRAM: 3584 MB

LED Cinema Display 2560 x 1440

Drives:

disk0 - Samsung SSD 850 EVO 250GB 250.06 GB (Solid State - TRIM: No)

Internal SATA 3 Gigabit Serial ATA

disk0s1 - EFI (MS-DOS FAT32) [EFI] 210 MB

disk0s2 [APFS Container] 249.85 GB

disk1 [APFS Virtual drive] 249.85 GB (Shared by 4 volumes)

disk1s1 - M********D (APFS) (Shared - 85.51 GB used)

disk1s2 - Preboot (APFS) [APFS Preboot] (Shared)

disk1s3 - Recovery (APFS) [Recovery] (Shared)

disk1s4 - VM (APFS) [APFS VM] (Shared - 20 KB used)

disk2 - WDC WD1001FALS-41Y6A1 1.00 TB (Mechanical - 7200 RPM)

Internal SATA 3 Gigabit Serial ATA

disk2s1 - EFI (MS-DOS FAT32) [EFI] 210 MB

disk2s2 - H***B (Journaled HFS+) 999.86 GB (187.87 GB used)

disk3 - WDC WD20EARS-00J2GB0 2.00 TB (Mechanical)

Internal SATA 3 Gigabit Serial ATA

disk3s1 - EFI (MS-DOS FAT32) [EFI] 210 MB

disk3s2 - P********3 (Journaled HFS+) 1.74 TB (989.16 GB used)

disk3s3 - W***D 258.44 GB (60.99 GB used)

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Mac Pro 5.1 nvram issue