MacPro 3.1 (Quad-Core Intel Xeon) Silver

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Level 1

26 points

MacPro 3.1 (Quad-Core Intel Xeon) Silver

Hi,

All the while i'm using MacPro 3.1 (Quad-Core Intel Xeon) Silver for Logic Pro with OS Snow Leopard. And now, it's time to upgrade all softwares. I'm here to ask for your opinion:

javascript:;javascript:;1) What's the highest OS could be supported by MacPro 3.1 (Quad-Core Intel Xeon) Silver ?

2) Can I remain the Snow Leopard version while using the Latest Upgraded OS? What should I do?

3) Can I just Install the Latest OS from External Drive or the other Mac, then slot in to the main tray of MacPro 3.1 (Quad-Core Intel Xeon) Silver? Will this works?

Thanks for now!

Logic Pro

Posted on Mar 27, 2017 8:18 PM

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Answer 1

Kappy

Level 10

362,007 points

Mar 27, 2017 8:39 PM in response to mactreouser

If you are using Snow Leopard 10.6.8 and have access to using the App Store, then you can upgrade as far as El Capitan. Beyond that you must have at least a 2010 Mac Pro.

Upgrading to El Capitan

You can upgrade to El Capitan directly from Snow Leopard. El Capitan can be downloaded from the Mac App Store for FREE.

To upgrade to El Capitan you must have Snow Leopard 10.6.8 installed. Download El Capitan from the App Store. Sign in using your Apple ID. El Capitan is free. The file is quite large, over 5 GBs, so allow some time to download. It would be preferable to use Ethernet because it is nearly four times faster than wireless.

Are my applications compatible? See App Compatibility Table - RoaringApps.

Basic Steps for Upgrading OS X

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Answer 2

Mar 28, 2017 3:13 AM in response to mactreouser

You can either fit an additional hard drive to a spare drive bay and then you can have your current Snow Leopard on one drive and El Capitan on the other, or if you have enough spare disk space you can add an additional partition to your current drive and the new partition could be used for El Capitan and the original for your current Snow Leopard.

After doing either approach you can use the Startup Disk option in System Preferences to switch between them.

Upgrading from Snow Leopard to El Capitan is free of charge. You 'buy' it via the Mac App Store but the cost is $0.00 i.e. zero. You may not find El Capitan listed but if you follow the instructions in the following Apple article and click on the special link it will take you to the free El Capitan upgrade.

See Upgrade to OS X El Capitan - Apple Support

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Answer 3

kaz-k

Level 9

51,108 points

Mar 27, 2017 8:51 PM in response to mactreouser

El Capitan is the latest OS X for your Mac Pro, though you can't get it from Mac App Store now unless you did purchased it when it was released.

I think you can't run Sierra on your Mac Pro whatever you try to do.

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Answer 4

mactreouser Author

Level 1

26 points

Mar 27, 2017 9:53 PM in response to Kappy

Thanks.
I'm thinking of this, I would like to remaining the current Drive with Snow Leopard, then Grab a new SSD for Highest OS. Is that way possible? So that I could switch in between the 2 OS due to some older projects needs.

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Answer 5

mactreouser Author

Level 1

26 points

Mar 28, 2017 5:51 PM in response to John Lockwood

Appreciate, John!

Does it mean, I can have EC on Tray 1, SL on Tray 2, boot up whenever I need either?

Just to ensure, for the boot up disk, not necessary to slot in tray 1? I can have my Main OS boot up Disk in External Drive?

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Answer 6

Mar 28, 2017 7:01 PM in response to mactreouser

Just to ensure, for the boot up disk, not necessary to slot in tray 1? I can have my Main OS boot up Disk in External Drive?

yes. The Mac will boot from any valid drive, Internal or external.

specify it in Startup Disk

Or select it after Option-boot.

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Answer 7

mactreouser Author

Level 1

26 points

Mar 27, 2017 9:55 PM in response to kaz-k

Thanks. This means El Capitan is the Highest OS for MacPro 3.1? And now, there is no more FREE Upgrade, I have to pay for it? So, I just Purchase then Download from App Store? That Simple?

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Answer 8

mactreouser Author

Level 1

26 points

Mar 31, 2017 4:56 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

That's cool! Will give it a try soon!

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