Mid-2010 MacPro not upgrading to HighSierra.

Hello,

I have a mid-2010 Mac Pro 3.33 GHz 6-Core Intel Xeon w/ fully loaded Ram running Sierra Mac OS X (10.12.6).

According to the requirements for HighSierra, it states mid-2010 models should be able to run it.

https://support.apple.com/kb/SP765?locale=en_US

However, after following all the directions and multiple attempts, the system just starts up in Sierra and SoftwareUpdate App keeps telling me to update to High Sierra and its free.

Has anyone had this issue? or know of this issue? Are mid-2010 models really compatible? Or do I have the wrong mid2010 model.

Mac Pro, macOS Sierra (10.12.6), 2010 Mac Pro 3.33 GHz 6-Core Intel

Posted on Jul 26, 2018 10:31 AM

Top-ranking reply

Kurt Lang

Level 9

68,710 points

Posted on Jul 26, 2018 10:56 AM

I have exactly the same model, and yes, High Sierra will install on your Mac.

First check macjack's suggestions to see if the High Sierra installer is still in the Applications folder. Download it again if necessary.

A major point with this model, High Sierra will not install right away. The first thing the installer should do is inform you the Mac needs a firmware update. This must be done so it will be able to see, read/write, and boot to an APFS formatted drive. Once the firmware update is finished, then High Sierra should install.

View in context

Similar questions

16 replies

Jul 31, 2018 9:22 AM in response to Hypotenus Love Triangle

Yes the Mac Pro 2010 can run High Sierra. It will first want to update the firmware, if the firmware install fails it will not proceed to the actual High Sierra install but try once again to do the firmware.

To do the firmware you need a video card which has Mac firmware in it which means that if you hold down the Option key when you turn on the Mac you should see the standard boot select screen. If your Radeon 7950 is not a Mac version then it will not have the Mac firmware to support this. A genuine Mac edition of the Radeon 7950 has a white plastic cover, PC versions have red plastic covers.

It is possible to 'flash' a PC version to convert it to a Mac version but this is a fairly complex process done in Windows usually via Boot Camp.

As I recall from back when High Sierra was released it was not possible to update the firmware unless you had a proper Mac video card.

If you go to the Apple Menu on your Mac Pro and select About This Mac and then click on System Report you will get a window and in this will be listed the current version of your Mac Pro firmware on the line saying 'Boot ROM Version'.

Have a look at this post - APFS support enabled in High Sierra for cMP | MacRumors Forums

What is your current firmware version?

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

Mid-2010 MacPro not upgrading to HighSierra.