More information required on Boot ROM MP.0081.B08 firmware used in Early 2009 Mac Pro

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More information required on Boot ROM MP.0081.B08 firmware used in Early 2009 Mac Pro

Could anyone confirm these comments and add additional info on this topic.

As far as I know this 'Mystery Version firmware' was found on late issue cMP 4,1 (Early 2009) single and dual processor versions - usually produced in the last six months before the 2010 Mac Pro was launched.

These Mac Pros were known as 're-furbished' and were sold through Apple resellers?

It has been said that B08 on the Early 2009 was a 'prototype firmware' for the later cMP 2010 and supported 6 core CPUs and the 1333 MHz RAM? (No need for a firmware flash to 5,1 then???)

What else is there to know about this firmware?

Posted on May 2, 2020 3:36 PM

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Answer 1

Wratten85 Author

Level 1

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May 2, 2020 6:00 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

I am not sure of the validity of my OP comments - a distillation from numerous comments extracted from other Mac user group's threads.

I have a cMP 4,1 Early 2009 still operating well with the original Apple hardware. Single 2.66/ 1066 ram/ ATI 4700!

I have used it for HD 1080 video editing and it has not missed a beat.

Will be upgrading, but was interested in the existing B08 firmware capabilities as it is different to the standard supplied originally.

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Answer 2

Wratten85 Author

Level 1

8 points

May 2, 2020 8:06 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Thanks, I have read Grant's blog on the upgrades that includes reference to the Netkas Firmware Upgrade Utility for flashing 4,1 to 5,1.

It is probably academic now given the years that have passed, but I was trying to get clarification if

the B08 was indeed a prototype firmware - as it was not common and to my understanding limited to very late sales of 'Early 2009' 4,1 Mac Pros - and did it have the identical firmware attributes that was introduced in the 2010 Mac Pro 5.1 firmware?

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