Issue upgrading to OS X Mountain Lion, not seeing primary sata.

Question

I am trying to upgrade my Mac Pro 4,1 2009 to OS X Mountain lion. I cannot do a stright update because the upgrade process fails when the system goes through it&#x27;s reboot phase. It spins for a long time then shows the Icon for a boot issue were the apple logo was. I have even tried to do a clean install. The OS does not want to see the drives that are attached to my primary "ICH10 AHCI" sata controller. I have tried every thing, reset the PRam, SMC clear, swapped a drive, nothing works. ML will only show the drives as "unknown".Thank you for any input.System Info: Model Name:          Mac Pro  Model Identifier:          MacPro4,1  Processor Name:          Quad-Core Intel Xeon  Processor Speed:          2.26 GHz  Number of Processors:          2  Total Number of Cores:          8  L2 Cache (per Core):          256 KB  L3 Cache (per Processor):          8 MB  Memory:          14 GB  Processor Interconnect Speed:          5.86 GT/s  Boot ROM Version:          MP41.0081.B07  SMC Version (system):          1.39f5  SMC Version (processor tray):          1.39f5Current OS:Software  Mac OS X Lion 10.7.4 (11E53)Serial-ATA Info:Intel ICH10 AHCI:  Vendor:          Intel  Product:          ICH10 AHCI  Link Speed:          3 Gigabit  Negotiated Link Speed:          1.5 Gigabit  Description:          AHCI Version 1.20 SupportedHL-DT-ST DVD-RW GH41N:  Model:          HL-DT-ST DVD-RW GH41N                     Revision:          PQ05      Serial Number:          16BE7194D239          Native Command Queuing:          No  Detachable Drive:          No  Power Off:          No  Async Notification:          Yes  Bay Name:          UpperHL-DT-ST DVD-RW GH41N:  Model:          HL-DT-ST DVD-RW GH41N                     Revision:          PQ05      Serial Number:          16BE7194D239          Native Command Queuing:          No  Detachable Drive:          No  Power Off:          No  Async Notification:          Yes  Bay Name:          UpperIntel ICH10 AHCI:  Vendor:          Intel  Product:          ICH10 AHCI  Link Speed:          3 Gigabit  Negotiated Link Speed:          1.5 Gigabit  Description:          AHCI Version 1.20 SupportedATAPI   iHES106   2:  Model:          ATAPI   iHES106   2                       Revision:          AL02      Serial Number:                                Native Command Queuing:          No  Detachable Drive:          No  Power Off:          No  Async Notification:          No  Bay Name:          LowerATAPI   iHES106   2:  Model:          ATAPI   iHES106   2                       Revision:          AL02      Serial Number:                                Native Command Queuing:          No  Detachable Drive:          No  Power Off:          No  Async Notification:          No  Bay Name:          LowerIntel ICH10 AHCI:  Vendor:          Intel  Product:          ICH10 AHCI  Link Speed:          3 Gigabit  Negotiated Link Speed:          3 Gigabit  Description:          AHCI Version 1.20 SupportedOWC Mercury Electra 6G SSD:  Capacity:          120.03 GB (120,034,123,776 bytes)  Model:          OWC Mercury Electra 6G SSD              Revision:          501ABBF0  Serial Number:          EX6G12012E07H6357     Native Command Queuing:          Yes  Queue Depth:          32  Removable Media:          No  Detachable Drive:          No  BSD Name:          disk0  Medium Type:          Solid State  TRIM Support:          Yes  Bay Name:          Bay 1  Partition Map Type:          GPT (GUID Partition Table)  S.M.A.R.T. status:          Verified  Volumes:disk0s1:  Capacity:          209.7 MB (209,715,200 bytes)  BSD Name:          disk0s1  Content:          EFIMacintosh HD:  Capacity:          119.69 GB (119,690,149,888 bytes)  Available:          52.61 GB (52,607,213,568 bytes)  Writable:          Yes  File System:          Journaled HFS+  BSD Name:          disk0s2  Mount Point:          /  Content:          Apple_HFSOWC Mercury Electra 6G SSD:  Capacity:          120.03 GB (120,034,123,776 bytes)  Model:          OWC Mercury Electra 6G SSD              Revision:          501ABBF0  Serial Number:          EX6G12012E07H6357     Native Command Queuing:          Yes  Queue Depth:          32  Removable Media:          No  Detachable Drive:          No  BSD Name:          disk0  Medium Type:          Solid State  TRIM Support:          Yes  Bay Name:          Bay 1  Partition Map Type:          GPT (GUID Partition Table)  S.M.A.R.T. status:          Verified  Volumes:disk0s1:  Capacity:          209.7 MB (209,715,200 bytes)  BSD Name:          disk0s1  Content:          EFIMacintosh HD:  Capacity:          119.69 GB (119,690,149,888 bytes)  Available:          52.61 GB (52,607,213,568 bytes)  Writable:          Yes  File System:          Journaled HFS+  BSD Name:          disk0s2  Mount Point:          /  Content:          Apple_HFSIntel ICH10 AHCI:  Vendor:          Intel  Product:          ICH10 AHCI  Link Speed:          3 Gigabit  Negotiated Link Speed:          3 Gigabit  Description:          AHCI Version 1.20 SupportedST750LX003-1AC154:  Capacity:          750.16 GB (750,156,374,016 bytes)  Model:          ST750LX003-1AC154                         Revision:          SM12      Serial Number:                      W2006M4G  Native Command Queuing:          Yes  Queue Depth:          32  Removable Media:          No  Detachable Drive:          No  BSD Name:          disk1  Rotational Rate:          7200  Medium Type:          Rotational  Bay Name:          Bay 2  Partition Map Type:          GPT (GUID Partition Table)  S.M.A.R.T. status:          Verified  Volumes:disk1s1:  Capacity:          209.7 MB (209,715,200 bytes)  BSD Name:          disk1s1  Content:          EFIdisk1s2:  Capacity:          749.81 GB (749,812,400,128 bytes)  BSD Name:          disk1s2  Content:          Apple_RAIDBoot OS X:  Capacity:          134.2 MB (134,217,728 bytes)  BSD Name:          disk1s3  Content:          Apple_BootST750LX003-1AC154:  Capacity:          750.16 GB (750,156,374,016 bytes)  Model:          ST750LX003-1AC154                         Revision:          SM12      Serial Number:                      W2006M4G  Native Command Queuing:          Yes  Queue Depth:          32  Removable Media:          No  Detachable Drive:          No  BSD Name:          disk1  Rotational Rate:          7200  Medium Type:          Rotational  Bay Name:          Bay 2  Partition Map Type:          GPT (GUID Partition Table)  S.M.A.R.T. status:          Verified  Volumes:disk1s1:  Capacity:          209.7 MB (209,715,200 bytes)  BSD Name:          disk1s1  Content:          EFIdisk1s2:  Capacity:          749.81 GB (749,812,400,128 bytes)  BSD Name:          disk1s2  Content:          Apple_RAIDBoot OS X:  Capacity:          134.2 MB (134,217,728 bytes)  BSD Name:          disk1s3  Content:          Apple_BootIntel ICH10 AHCI:  Vendor:          Intel  Product:          ICH10 AHCI  Link Speed:          3 Gigabit  Negotiated Link Speed:          3 Gigabit  Description:          AHCI Version 1.20 SupportedST750LX003-1AC154:  Capacity:          750.16 GB (750,156,374,016 bytes)  Model:          ST750LX003-1AC154                         Revision:          SM12      Serial Number:                      W2006K9V  Native Command Queuing:          Yes  Queue Depth:          32  Removable Media:          No  Detachable Drive:          No  BSD Name:          disk2  Rotational Rate:          7200  Medium Type:          Rotational  Bay Name:          Bay 3  Partition Map Type:          GPT (GUID Partition Table)  S.M.A.R.T. status:          Verified  Volumes:disk2s1:  Capacity:          209.7 MB (209,715,200 bytes)  BSD Name:          disk2s1  Content:          EFIdisk2s2:  Capacity:          749.81 GB (749,812,400,128 bytes)  BSD Name:          disk2s2  Content:          Apple_RAIDBoot OS X:  Capacity:          134.2 MB (134,217,728 bytes)  BSD Name:          disk2s3  Content:          Apple_BootST750LX003-1AC154:  Capacity:          750.16 GB (750,156,374,016 bytes)  Model:          ST750LX003-1AC154                         Revision:          SM12      Serial Number:                      W2006K9V  Native Command Queuing:          Yes  Queue Depth:          32  Removable Media:          No  Detachable Drive:          No  BSD Name:          disk2  Rotational Rate:          7200  Medium Type:          Rotational  Bay Name:          Bay 3  Partition Map Type:          GPT (GUID Partition Table)  S.M.A.R.T. status:          Verified  Volumes:disk2s1:  Capacity:          209.7 MB (209,715,200 bytes)  BSD Name:          disk2s1  Content:          EFIdisk2s2:  Capacity:          749.81 GB (749,812,400,128 bytes)  BSD Name:          disk2s2  Content:          Apple_RAIDBoot OS X:  Capacity:          134.2 MB (134,217,728 bytes)  BSD Name:          disk2s3  Content:          Apple_BootIntel ICH10 AHCI:  Vendor:          Intel  Product:          ICH10 AHCI  Link Speed:          3 Gigabit  Negotiated Link Speed:          3 Gigabit  Description:          AHCI Version 1.20 SupportedST95005620AS:  Capacity:          500.11 GB (500,107,862,016 bytes)  Model:          ST95005620AS                              Revision:          SD23      Serial Number:                      5YX04G2D  Native Command Queuing:          Yes  Queue Depth:          32  Removable Media:          No  Detachable Drive:          No  BSD Name:          disk3  Rotational Rate:          7200  Medium Type:          Rotational  Bay Name:          Bay 4  Partition Map Type:          GPT (GUID Partition Table)  S.M.A.R.T. status:          Verified  Volumes:disk3s1:  Capacity:          209.7 MB (209,715,200 bytes)  BSD Name:          disk3s1  Content:          EFIdisk3s2:  Capacity:          499.76 GB (499,763,888,128 bytes)  BSD Name:          disk3s2  Content:          Apple_RAIDBoot OS X:  Capacity:          134.2 MB (134,217,728 bytes)  BSD Name:          disk3s3  Content:          Apple_BootST95005620AS:  Capacity:          500.11 GB (500,107,862,016 bytes)  Model:          ST95005620AS                              Revision:          SD23      Serial Number:                      5YX04G2D  Native Command Queuing:          Yes  Queue Depth:          32  Removable Media:          No  Detachable Drive:          No  BSD Name:          disk3  Rotational Rate:          7200  Medium Type:          Rotational  Bay Name:          Bay 4  Partition Map Type:          GPT (GUID Partition Table)  S.M.A.R.T. status:          Verified  Volumes:disk3s1:  Capacity:          209.7 MB (209,715,200 bytes)  BSD Name:          disk3s1  Content:          EFIdisk3s2:  Capacity:          499.76 GB (499,763,888,128 bytes)  BSD Name:          disk3s2  Content:          Apple_RAIDBoot OS X:  Capacity:          134.2 MB (134,217,728 bytes)  BSD Name:          disk3s3  Content:          Apple_BootUnknown AHCI Standard Controller:  Vendor:          Unknown  Product:          AHCI Standard Controller  Link Speed:          3 Gigabit  Negotiated Link Speed:          1.5 Gigabit  Description:          AHCI Version 1.00 SupportedWDC WD2001FASS-00W2B0:  Capacity:          2 TB (2,000,398,934,016 bytes)  Model:          WDC WD2001FASS-00W2B0                     Revision:          1.00101  Serial Number:               WD-WMAY00340215  Native Command Queuing:          Yes  Queue Depth:          32  Removable Media:          Yes  Detachable Drive:          No  BSD Name:          disk6  Rotational Rate:          7200  Medium Type:          Rotational  Partition Map Type:          GPT (GUID Partition Table)  S.M.A.R.T. status:          Verified  Volumes:disk6s1:  Capacity:          209.7 MB (209,715,200 bytes)  BSD Name:          disk6s1  Content:          EFIBackup HD:  Capacity:          2 TB (1,999,539,175,424 bytes)  Available:          590.5 GB (590,501,691,392 bytes)  Writable:          Yes  File System:          Journaled HFS+  BSD Name:          disk6s2  Mount Point:          /Volumes/Backup HD  Content:          Apple_HFSRecovery HD:  Capacity:          650 MB (650,002,432 bytes)  File System:          Journaled HFS+  BSD Name:          disk6s3  Content:          Apple_BootWDC WD2001FASS-00W2B0:  Capacity:          2 TB (2,000,398,934,016 bytes)  Model:          WDC WD2001FASS-00W2B0                     Revision:          1.00101  Serial Number:               WD-WMAY00340215  Native Command Queuing:          Yes  Queue Depth:          32  Removable Media:          Yes  Detachable Drive:          No  BSD Name:          disk6  Rotational Rate:          7200  Medium Type:          Rotational  Partition Map Type:          GPT (GUID Partition Table)  S.M.A.R.T. status:          Verified  Volumes:disk6s1:  Capacity:          209.7 MB (209,715,200 bytes)  BSD Name:          disk6s1  Content:          EFIBackup HD:  Capacity:          2 TB (1,999,539,175,424 bytes)  Available:          590.5 GB (590,501,691,392 bytes)  Writable:          Yes  File System:          Journaled HFS+  BSD Name:          disk6s2  Mount Point:          /Volumes/Backup HD  Content:          Apple_HFSRecovery HD:  Capacity:          650 MB (650,002,432 bytes)  File System:          Journaled HFS+  BSD Name:          disk6s3  Content:          Apple_BootUnknown AHCI Standard Controller:  Vendor:          Unknown  Product:          AHCI Standard Controller  Link Speed:          3 Gigabit  Negotiated Link Speed:          1.5 Gigabit  Description:          AHCI Version 1.00 SupportedWDC WD2001FASS-00W2B0:  Capacity:          2 TB (2,000,398,934,016 bytes)  Model:          WDC WD2001FASS-00W2B0                     Revision:          1.00101  Serial Number:               WD-WMAY00391991  Native Command Queuing:          Yes  Queue Depth:          32  Removable Media:          Yes  Detachable Drive:          No  BSD Name:          disk5  Rotational Rate:          7200  Medium Type:          Rotational  Partition Map Type:          GPT (GUID Partition Table)  S.M.A.R.T. status:          Verified  Volumes:disk5s1:  Capacity:          209.7 MB (209,715,200 bytes)  BSD Name:          disk5s1  Content:          EFITimeCapsule:  Capacity:          2 TB (2,000,054,960,128 bytes)  Available:          1.61 TB (1,605,099,638,784 bytes)  Writable:          Yes  File System:          Journaled HFS+  BSD Name:          disk5s2  Mount Point:          /Volumes/TimeCapsule  Content:          Apple_HFSWDC WD2001FASS-00W2B0:  Capacity:          2 TB (2,000,398,934,016 bytes)  Model:          WDC WD2001FASS-00W2B0                     Revision:          1.00101  Serial Number:               WD-WMAY00391991  Native Command Queuing:          Yes  Queue Depth:          32  Removable Media:          Yes  Detachable Drive:          No  BSD Name:          disk5  Rotational Rate:          7200  Medium Type:          Rotational  Partition Map Type:          GPT (GUID Partition Table)  S.M.A.R.T. status:          Verified  Volumes:disk5s1:  Capacity:          209.7 MB (209,715,200 bytes)  BSD Name:          disk5s1  Content:          EFITimeCapsule:  Capacity:          2 TB (2,000,054,960,128 bytes)  Available:          1.61 TB (1,605,099,638,784 bytes)  Writable:          Yes  File System:          Journaled HFS+  BSD Name:          disk5s2  Mount Point:          /Volumes/TimeCapsule  Content:          Apple_HFS

The hatter · Answer

Have you thought to remove all your drives, especially the RAID, and leave just the drive you are installing onto?Also, consider installing to a non-SSD and then clone - there have been problems sometimes with installiing to SSDs.Asked OWC? also, would have liked to see something about: "Installing to two SSD drives (array or going to remain standalone), and have two Seagate drives in an array" and have TimeMachine."To do a clean install (and then just allow Setup Assistant to do the rest).How to make a bootable Lion or ML install drivehttp://osxdaily.com/2012/07/25/create-os-x-mountain-lion-boot-dvd-usb-drive-lion diskmaker/https://www.macworld.com/article/1167857/how_to_make_a_bootable_mountain_lion_in stall_drive.htmlhttp://blog.gete.net/lion-diskmaker-us/https://www.macworld.com/article/1167857/how_to_make_a_bootable_mountain_lion_in stall_drive.htmlML/Lion Disk Makerhttp://blog.gete.net/lion-diskmaker-us/Lion Disk Maker is an application programmed with AppleScript that you can use with Mac OS X 10.6, 10.7 and OS X 10.8 to burn a DVD or build a bootable drive from Mac OS X Lion or OS X Mountain Lion Installation program. As soon as you launch the application, it tries to find the OS X Install program with Spotlight. Then, it proposes to build a DVD or create a bootable install disk.To burn the DVD, you’ll need a SuperDrive and a writable DVD (single layer, 4,7 GB for Lion, or dual-Layer, 8,5 DVD-R). To build a bootable disk, you’ll need an 8 GB (minimum) USB thumb key drive, a USB or Firewire drive or an SD-Card.

dradovanovic · Answer

Thanks for the very quick reply. I will try it, but I am not too confident that it will work. As the system does not see the drive details at all.I already have a ML installed on an external drive and it does boot. I then go into the system info and it shows the controller but all drives are "unknown", no details at all. As for the Raided drives, the system should still be able to see the drive details even if the software raid is not recognized. I am hoping this is an ML bug and not an issue with my system 😟.

The hatter · Answer

I never like to see a straight upgrade over old OS. That to me can have issues, I prefer to see drive the system will be on to be initialized with the new OS. I can&#x27;t see over your shoulder as to whether you have PCIe something interferring; whether your external is an issue or not. So to troubleshoot, reduce the variables disconnect everything but the one device. I would not put it beyond feasible that SSD firmware are issues with many users and brands from OWC to Crucial m4 to others. Confidence comes from being paranoid and trying and limit the variables. I don&#x27;t think we needed to see all the profile(s) like the optical drives. And of course we can&#x27;t see the installer error message about unknown but maybe someone in the Mountain Lion community has, I have not seen a single mention here (I do read pretty much each and every thread too).

dradovanovic · Answer

Thank you again. I agree eliminating all the variables will be the best course of action. I will do exactly as you suggested.Remove all drives, and secondary sata controller (which was the first thing I tried). Then use a regular HD in the drive bay by itself, do a clean install of ML, then add the SSD only back to the mix. If it sees it I will clone then try to reboot from the ssd.Will keep you posted.Thanks Again for the watchful eye on these threads.

dradovanovic · Answer

OK, that did not work at all. I removed everything from the system, even the dvd drives. Had only 1 Hard drive a Regular WD 500GB. Booted in to ML using a usb stick. Went to disk utility to re-format the drive. There was only the USB stick listed. No other drive was there.I have reset the PRam and even removed the MB battery. So I am at a complete stop. I have nothing else I can try. The worst part, when I purchased this MacPro I bought the 3 year apple care which expired in April.

Grant Bennet-Alder · Answer

A drive that will not supply BOTH its Make&amp;Model and a reasonable non-zero size to Disk Utility cannot be repaired, initialized, or installed onto in its current state. If the cables and connections are OK, the drive has died.

dradovanovic · Answer

Drives are def not dead. I am in contact with apple support, they are passing me to a senior advisor. Will update the thread with any finding to help anyone that might have the same issue.

The hatter · Answer

Run AHT

dradovanovic · Answer

OK I have solved my issue. You would not believe the cause.......I had a Intel Mac Mini that died a few years back. It was out of warrenty so I canablized the parts. I took the internal wifi card from the Mini and had it in my MacPro for over 2 years now.The only thing that gave me a clue that this was the issue was that it too was missing from my USB drive install of ML. Then I checked the /var/log/system.logs and there it was an error starting the Arthos wifi card. So I remved it. All my hard drive are now visible in ML.Here is the exact card Model:Model No: AR5BXB6Apple BrandGo figure......😕

mkush · Answer

Man, I wish I could shake your hand! I was convinced that all was lost (but now it&#x27;s found!).Explanation: I bought a 2009 Mac Pro with intents to flash it to 2010 firmware and install a 3.33GHz 6-core Xeon. That went fine but upon booting to the ML USB, no SATA drives were ever displayed in Disk Utility. I thought it was an installer problem. I circumvented the problem by buying an OWC Accelsior PCIe SSD (which is an awesome speed up anyway and which DOES appear in Disk Utility). Then the time came to add HDDs for storage and none of them appeared either! Not an installer problem after all.In desperation I googled and found this thread. At first I thought surely not! But then I remembered that this Mac Pro had no wifi, or so I thought. But looking inside it had a wifi card, seems like this exact one although the last few letters are missing off the model number (worn off). I removed the card and, POOF, all my SATA drives showed up!I bought the computer used, so clearly the previous owner added this wifi card. How this could cause SATA drives to not show up is anyone&#x27;s guess but all I can say is THANKS!!!!! I&#x27;m so relieved.

The hatter · Answer

There have been 3-4 reports here of issues that go back to wifi cards. Which means there are many more that could would have this problem as well. I&#x27;d let Mike know, over the last 12 yrs has been a great resource for upgrades and user experience, and can help others. http://www.xlr8yourmac.com/

dradovanovic · Answer

Glad I was able to help. I did not think it was wifi card either but, when in doubt pull it all out and put is back one by one.

mkush · Answer

I sent the tip to xlr8yourmac.

TTTim · Answer

I removed the wireless card and now when i boot el capitan from an external drive, disk copy is able to see internal drives! Therefore, i think i&#x27;m going to be able to finally update my OS on my internal drive to the El Capitan! Thanks to dradovanovic!I have been running mac OSx 10.7 and os updates have failed. I&#x27;ve even tried to install on an external drive I was experiencing problems with the prohibited sign when i&#x27;d try to copy the disk image from an external drive to an internal drive and boot from the internal drive. I am optimistic that this will solve my mac pro boot problems from internal drives.

Quick Links

Issue upgrading to OS X Mountain Lion, not seeing primary sata.