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Will my Mac Pro 2,1 run Mountain Lion?

I have read that the Mac Pro 2,1 would not run Mountain lion because of EFI32 in the graphics. If THAT part of the machine is upgraded, COULD it run X.8?

Mac Pro

Posted on Jul 16, 2012 4:49 PM

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12 replies

Jul 16, 2012 4:59 PM in response to Kappy

Hm. I guess I am a little confused. If the system supports 64 bit, what part of it is only 32 bit? And if that jam-up is in softhware, why could a new ROM be written or possible?


Well, I have also heard that X.8 could run with 'Parallel' software. It just feels weird that my older MacBook Pro would run it, but my newer MacPro will not. •sigh•

Jul 16, 2012 5:10 PM in response to pashalah

It's not just the firmware. It's also the hardware datapath on the logic board. This is not an issue of running 64-bit software. This is a matter of booting a 64-bit kernel which is altogether different. It's also an issue with drivers. Mountain Lion has no 32-bit driver support for all the MP ports that require 32-bit drivers.


Mountain Lion can run inside Parallels but not very fast.


If you have a Mac Pro 2.1 model then it's not very new. It pre-dates 2008. Only Mid/Later 2007 MBPs or later can run Mountain Lion. Your MP is from Mid-2007. So in reality your MBP is not older than your MP.

Jul 16, 2012 5:22 PM in response to Kappy

Thank you for your words. Yes, I know it is not 'technically' newer, but I did buy the MBP before the MP. It SEEMS a little odd that they could not have made the WHOLE box 64-bit when it was probably possible.


It is slightly depressing that I WILL need a new machine when I do not really want one. Gee. And why did I bother upgrading this thing to 12 GB RAM? Side question: I have been able to shuffle the MAIL program data back/forth, using similar OS, will I be able to do that still with the difference in OS?

Jul 17, 2012 5:21 AM in response to pashalah

The "EFI64" or Unified EFI 2.x, was never final or adopted until late 2007, found its way into the Early 2008 Mac Pro.


The MacPro 1,1 actually existed, in engineering and such, with its EFI32, all the way back in June 2005, a year before we saw it. 2,1 added support for new processors was all.


64-bit processors, yes. Just think how the G5 folks who thought they had 64-bit systems, only not all the registers, not all the factors from top to bottom to be 64-bit.


I run 64-bit OS and drivers on EFI32 just not Mountain Lion. But my graphic card options have been one area where might matter. And 64-bit graphics is where Apple wants to go. Probably not 100% technical but some.


It does more than it did. 12GB kit (6x2GB) is now only $160. I paid that for a single 512MB DIMM in Sept 2006 ($320 the pair).


Apple supported (oddly) 64-bit Vista on MacBook in Early 2008, then dropped support in late 2008. The iMac did not get such "blessed to run Vista 64-bit" until later, 2009, even though they had Penryn 64-bit class processors in iMac already. None of it 'makes sense.' MacBook, MacBook Pro, iMac.

Jul 17, 2012 2:28 PM in response to The hatter

Heh... While I am more about sound, than I am aboout visual things, if that sort of arrangement were possible, (EFI32 Graphics) Is there a posssability, or is Apple just gonna say "Nah, just buy a new one."? I guess I am just not in the mood to have a NEW one that I do not really NEED. My MBP will run it just fine. How well do you think 'Parallels' would run that OS? Rather, do you think it would be worth the effort trying to get MntnLion running on this ANTIQUE MacPro?

Jul 17, 2012 3:12 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Touché. I had contemplated staying 'up to date' with all my machines. Mail, basic communication I wish to be able to work back & forth with a simple move. I am "worried" that I will not be able to shift around my machine use, as I usually do, as the OS updates. And I am slightly annoyed that a good machine, that I decided to buy a few years ago, claims to have 64-bit processors, but that is essentially useless to keep 'up to date'. I am recovering from brain damage, I am needenig to re-learn patience, and to contemplate not having 'prim & proper' toys. A hard memory of those days when you couldn't run OS-7.6 on non-32-bit-clean 68030. :-)

Jul 17, 2012 3:29 PM in response to pashalah

Where there is a will there is a way as they say. Lion still has work to do to get better graphic drivers, so give ML another year as well.


I see it partially as turning 65 lbs into a giant iPad. the iosification, Metro on Windows 8 is horrible and cannot find anyone that likes it, luckily under the hood it is smoother and you can stick to the traditional desktop and never bother with the other.


The only reason for ML might be to use Nvidia GTX 670 but only after they get the drivers optimized which could and would normally take say a year. Six to nine months for major products too. Can;t have the CS4 issues that 10.6.4 had or etc etc etc.


My guess is someone thought Nvidia (GTX 6xx) and Intel (IvyBridge-E) would make for a perfect storm... err, wedding, come July 2012 only no one showed up for the vows. So can't offer 2012 6,1 model built around ML. Good news is they when they do they will and will be a better fit.


Production was never about bleeding edge or if it foced a move from Quark etc.

Nov 4, 2012 8:11 AM in response to Kappy

To Kappy about his post (partially) who wrote:


"If you have a Mac Pro 2.1 model then it's not very new. It pre-dates 2008. Only Mid/Later 2007 MBPs or later can run Mountain Lion. Your MP is from Mid-2007. So in reality your MBP is not older than your MP."

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The bottom line is that a MacBook Pro is upgradable despite being made almost literally at the same time as the non-upgradable Mac Pro 2,1 (which I understood was referred to as the late 2007 8-core model). Apple's main reason was the differing graphics cards and architecture in the base systems. Of course, I had hoped that my having an ATI 5770 in my MacPro 2,1 would allow mine to upgrade, but alas, it's much more complicated than that.

Will my Mac Pro 2,1 run Mountain Lion?

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