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Problems trying to update OS X

Avatar Michael Corgan
This is from our nbewest member, Russell Clarke:

My basic problem is with my early 2008 Mac Pro, which is currently running Lion successfully.
It should according to the specs be happy running El Cappuccino or whatever they call it.....
I have tried installing Mavericks and Yosemeti, which appear to instal correctly, but then when you try and start from them ALL the USB ports die completely.

These instals have all been installs over the previous system.
My next thought was to try a fresh install and then use the migration assistant to bring my user accounts and apps over.
However I have tried a Yosemite and Mavericks installer on a memory stick (made via terminal commands) and in both cases when you attempt to run the installer from the USB port on the sticks, they are not recognised and display a grey no entry symbol on the screen.

I have tried all the usual things of resetting PRAM and NVRAM and resetting the SMC (or whatever t's called!) all to no avail.

I have tonight found (after some digging) a link which has allowed me to purchase an app store download of Mountain Lion, which I'm waiting for the activation link for.
I will then try that to see if it will work.
Needless to say I am not hopeful

Re: Problems trying to update OS X

Avatar Mick Burrell
if you start from the Recovery partition, can you see the USB sticks then?

Re: Problems trying to update OS X

Avatar Russell Clarke
Hi Mick, not afraid not. Already tried that and the USB ports die if you try and start from it too.
Update to original post:-

Have purchased Mountain Lion and saved it as bootable memory stick.
Exactly the same problem as previous; memory stick shows no entry sign if I try and boot from it to do clean instal.

Most recent thing I have tried is downloading the Apple Firmware Restore (version 1.5) for my model 3.1 Mac Pro.
Burnt it to CD and tried restoring firmware.
No go. I do not get the correct series of flashing lights and/or tones and CD tray does not open (if CD not in at start up).
I get rapid flashing LED for a few seconds and then one single tone for a second or two.
Does not seem to matter when I release the power key - it refuses to restore firmware from CD.

Any thoughts anyone?

Cheers Russell F

Re: Problems trying to update OS X

Avatar Russell Clarke
Here's a thought. There is an old utility called Open Firmware which can no longer be used as it is a PPC application only.
I simply cannot recall if I ever set an open firmware password or not many years ago!

If I had, could this be causing the update problems AND causing the inability to restore the Firmware?
If this is the case I would have expect the Lion Instal to deal with this!

Cheers Russell F

Re: Problems trying to update OS X

Avatar Mick Burrell
Let's look at the two issues separately.

Firstly, the update. Do you have, or can you create a bootable clone on a firewire (I'm assuming your firewire ports work OK) external hard disc? If so, could you put the installer on that in readiness, boot from the external and try updating from there - if necessary, wipe the internal ready for a clean install. Do make sure you're confident in your backup before wiping though!

As an alternative, how about buying a new internal hard drive for one of the four bays - hoping you don't have them all full - and doing a clean install on that?

If that all works, see if you have your USB ports back, if not we'll go on though that may require a physical repair.

Re: Problems trying to update OS X

Avatar Russell Clarke
I have a horrible feeling that my particular mac may have an old chip set in it which will not work with the newer firmware properly, although I am struggling to find much relevant information about it. Something to do with the differences between BIOS & EFI & UEFI.

Anyway since yesterday I did the following: deleted main problem drive again and did clean install on it from DVD of Snow Leopard.
Ran all the updates and then installed Lion from the app store.
Ran all the updates and then installed Mountain Lion from app store.
Whilst doing install the USB ports died.
After instal USB ports behaving erratically, but mostly not at all.
I can only get an Apple mouse working with judder and no double click available.
Keyboard not recognised at all…..

Haven't got around to swapping HD's around, but I think that's groping a bit.

Cheers Russell F

Re: Problems trying to update OS X

Avatar Russell Clarke
Now had yet another lengthy conversation with Apple and did not get fobbed off this time with "you'll have to take it to an Apple Store", as I've already tried that avenue.

Spoke to a more senior person who is going to take it up with the engineers and get back to me on the weekend.

Fingers Crossed!

Re: Problems trying to update OS X

Avatar Tony Still
There's some chatter on the web that an SMC reset may help (and one I saw that suggested PRAM). These smell slightly of black magic but they shouldn't do any harm, could be a timing issue with El Capitan's ropey comms stacks. Worth a try?

See, for example:
http://osxdaily.com/2015/08/09/mac-usb-ports-not-working-fix/
http://forums.macrumors.com/threads/usb-not-working-in-el-capitan.1903290/
 
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