Mac Pro 1.1 Lion Bootcamp 3.x Windows 7 32 bit and upgrading to Windows 10

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Level 1

23 points

Mac Pro 1.1 Lion Bootcamp 3.x Windows 7 32 bit and upgrading to Windows 10

I removed Vista from my Mac Pro's 1.1 and replaced it with Windows 7 32 bit. I got an invitation from Microsoft to upgrade to Windows 10. According to Microsoft my computer is a candidate for Windows 10.

Has anyone else managed to get Windows 10 on a Mac Pro 1.1? I assumed Windows 10 was 64bit.

Just curious in all likelihood I will not upgrade and risk crashing my bootcamp.

Mac Pro, Mac OS X (10.7.5), 2SSD2HDD 11GbRAM ATI Rad HD5770

Posted on Aug 15, 2015 12:08 PM

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Answer 1

FoxFifth

Level 10

475,449 points

Aug 15, 2015 1:28 PM in response to Robert Pena

The following link may be of interest: Use Windows 10 on your Mac with Boot Camp - Apple Support

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Answer 2

Robert Pena Author

Level 1

23 points

Aug 15, 2015 3:08 PM in response to FoxFifth

Thank you I did come across that link before posting.

Technically, my Mac Pro 1.1 should not be able to install Windows Vista. I attempted doing 7, but it would not even work. Since I had Vista reinstalled again on a SSD I inserted the disk and was amazed it prompted me to upgrade. It failed and suggested doing a complete install. It did with Bootcamp 3.x. Now Microsoft says my Mac is capable and asked if I wanted to upgrade to 10.

I was wondering if others with the same Mac Pro have successfully upgraded or had a complete fail.

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Answer 3

Aug 15, 2015 3:16 PM in response to Robert Pena

Microsoft is not saying your "Mac" is capable to upgrade to Windows 10. Microsoft is saying that based on your current installation of Windows, Windows is capable of being upgraded.

Here is the list of Windows 10 supported computers.

Mac computers that support Windows 10

The following Mac models support 64-bit versions of Windows 10 when installed using Boot Camp. Use About This Mac to see which Mac you have, then check this list to see if it supports Windows 10.

MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Mid 2015)
MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch, Early 2015)
MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Mid 2014)
MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch, Mid 2014)
MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Late 2013)
MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch, Late 2013)
MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Early 2013)
MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch, Early 2013)
MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch, Late 2012)
MacBook Pro (Retina, Mid 2012)
MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid 2012)
MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2012)

MacBook Air (13-inch, Early 2015)
MacBook Air (11-inch, Early 2015)
MacBook Air (13-inch, Early 2014)
MacBook Air (11-inch, Early 2014)
MacBook Air (13-inch, Mid 2013)
MacBook Air (11-inch, Mid 2013)
MacBook Air (13-inch, Mid 2012)
MacBook Air (11-inch, Mid 2012)

MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, Early 2015)

iMac (Retina 5k, 27-inch, Mid 2015)
iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, Late 2014)
iMac (21.5-inch, Mid 2014)
iMac (27-inch, Late 2013)
iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2013)
iMac (27-inch, Late 2012)
iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2012)

Mac mini (Late 2014)
Mac mini Server (Late 2012)
Mac mini (Late 2012)

Mac Pro (Late 2013)

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Answer 4

Robert Pena Author

Level 1

23 points

Aug 15, 2015 3:24 PM in response to BobTheFisherman

Thank you for your response.

I know which model I have and I know it can't officially support 64bits that's why I am stuck on Lion unless I do hack to get it to upgrade to Yosemtie.

The prompt from Microsoft didn't mention my Windows 7, it said 'this PC' was qualified to run Windows 10. I doubt it can and expect a failed upgrade installation. Just wondering if anyone else has come across this.

For a hoot I might try to upgrade. I have all personal files backed up so if it fails no problem. This cat is just curious on what might kill it.

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Answer 5

Aug 15, 2015 4:51 PM in response to Robert Pena

Have fun. You won't kill anything. You can always go back with a clean install of OSX if things go really wrong. You already said you have a backup of your data so that won't be a worry.

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Answer 6

Robert Pena Author

Level 1

23 points

Aug 15, 2015 5:01 PM in response to BobTheFisherman

Thanks. Windows has it's own SSD. Prefer it that way. Let's see I have a couple of hours to kill before the nephews arrive for PS3 Pizza, and root beer debauchery

.

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Answer 7

Robert Pena Author

Level 1

23 points

Aug 15, 2015 5:44 PM in response to Robert Pena

I'm running Windows 10.

Can't figure out how to do a screen capture, but it sees all 10Gb of memory, but only using 1.99Gb. It labels my system 32bit and it didn't take more than 40 minutes. Wow I have to say I am surprised and pleased.

This Mac Pro 1.1 still has plenty of life yet. 🙂

If only I could upgrade to Yosemite when it comes out.

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Answer 8

Loner T

Level 9

59,536 points

Aug 15, 2015 5:47 PM in response to Robert Pena

On Windows side use Snipping tool for screen capture.

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Answer 9

Robert Pena Author

Level 1

23 points

Aug 15, 2015 6:11 PM in response to Loner T

Thanks looked for it where it usually is.....lol

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Answer 10

Loner T

Level 9

59,536 points

Aug 15, 2015 6:38 PM in response to Robert Pena

Please see https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/aa366796(v=vs.85).aspx .

I assume you have already seen Use Windows 10 on your Mac with Boot Camp - Apple Support .

In OSX Terminal can you run the highlighted command. Here is an example from my machine.

sysctl hw.cpu64bit_capable

hw.cpu64bit_capable: 1

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Answer 11

Robert Pena Author

Level 1

23 points

Aug 19, 2015 8:04 PM in response to Loner T

Regarding Windows 10 and new Macs not older Mac Pro 1.1 which maxes out at Lion and Windows Vista.

Is this done through the command line prompt? I have installed Windows Vista on three occasions because of hard drive failures. The second time I installed Vista I saw all memory on the Mac Pro and it showed it using it all. Figured it was an error from installation because 32 bit can't address more than 2 gigs of RAM.

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Answer 12

Loner T

Level 9

59,536 points

Aug 19, 2015 8:51 PM in response to Robert Pena

32-bit with PAE can and does. The M$ link has the explanation about PTE/PDEs, etc.

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