Needing Some MAC Help

[lesmac]

Why not roll back to yosemite and just try to upgrade to sierra on another drive, then try high sierra on that drive.
It sounds like its not worth the bother yet.
Been wondering how you have been getting on with it
EDIT; I noticed in a google search they recommended upgrading to Sierra first and then updating to HS. Did you go that route?

[Len911]

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208691

I think this is what you are looking for. "Mac Pro (Mid 2010) and Mac Pro (Mid 2012) require manual firmware updates after updating or before reinstalling macOS.

Firmware updates aren't installed automatically alongside macOS on Mac Pro (Mid 2010) and Mac Pro (Mid 2012), unlike other Mac models."

I'm pretty sure I did the firmware update as described; I remember being asked to hold down the power button for a really long time Seriously, my app store search did not turn up an installer for High Sierra, but there was an update that says it'll take 37 minutes. Gonna reboot and try again.

I would check the firmware version you have installed,
http://www.chriswrites.com/how-to-check ... -firmware/

[Len911]

https://youtu.be/Mlx33YD_qxU

maybe this will help.
here is the link for the mac daddy app
https://macdaddy.io/install-disk-creator/

[Kolstad]

You could see if the optimation guide from Sweetwater solves something, Mojo.. https://www.sweetwater.com/sweetcare/ar ... gh-sierra/

[mojobone]

I re-downloaded the High Sierra installer app and tried again; it looks like the firmware update didn't take, because I was again instructed to hold in the power button, 'til I hear a tone. At least I now know that I got the full, complete 5Gb installer package.

[mojobone]

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208691

I think this is what you are looking for. "Mac Pro (Mid 2010) and Mac Pro (Mid 2012) require manual firmware updates after updating or before reinstalling macOS.

Firmware updates aren't installed automatically alongside macOS on Mac Pro (Mid 2010) and Mac Pro (Mid 2012), unlike other Mac models."

I'm pretty sure I did the firmware update as described; I remember being asked to hold down the power button for a really long time Seriously, my app store search did not turn up an installer for High Sierra, but there was an update that says it'll take 37 minutes. Gonna reboot and try again.

I would check the firmware version you have installed,
http://www.chriswrites.com/how-to-check ... -firmware/

I'm not seeing the "Software Update" option in the Apple dropdown menu. Curious.

[mojobone]

Why not roll back to yosemite and just try to upgrade to sierra on another drive, then try high sierra on that drive.
It sounds like its not worth the bother yet.
Been wondering how you have been getting on with it
EDIT; I noticed in a google search they recommended upgrading to Sierra first and then updating to HS. Did you go that route?

Indeed I did not; went direct from Yosemite.

[Len911]

I'm pretty sure I did the firmware update as described; I remember being asked to hold down the power button for a really long time Seriously, my app store search did not turn up an installer for High Sierra, but there was an update that says it'll take 37 minutes. Gonna reboot and try again.

I would check the firmware version you have installed,
http://www.chriswrites.com/how-to-check ... -firmware/

I'm not seeing the "Software Update" option in the Apple dropdown menu. Curious.

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201518#macpro

Open System Information.
Select the Hardware section to view the Model Identifier, Boot ROM version, and SMC version numbers. the software update option not showing up is probably why those other links say you have to manually download the firmware for those specific years. https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201518#macpro "... If you try to use a manual updater that's not designed for your Mac, or if it's not needed, the installer alerts you and the software isn't installed." So I suppose you could try them all if you can't find in the hardware section what boot rom version or smc version you have installed. I think the video below is burning the firmware update and OS update at the same time by using the macdaddy app to burn the installable images onto a usb drive and using the usb drive to update your mac pro.

https://youtu.be/Mlx33YD_qxU

maybe this will help.
here is the link for the mac daddy app
https://macdaddy.io/install-disk-creator/

[mojobone]

Yeah, I haven't tried connecting a USB thumb drive, but since the OS isn't recognizing my Delkin card reader or my camera, it seems doubtful that could work, unless I load the disk image from my pc laptop. Might be do-able, since a file is a file, but Apple might not let me DL to a PC, and right now my only other Mac is a Mac II SE. Interestingly, and luckily my Antelope interface is running just fine, and my iLok plugins are recognized. I'd try unplugging the iLok and re-plugging, but it might break something I need to work. The USB keyboard and mouse are working OK, Bluetooth is greyed out in AudioMIDI setup and doesn't show up at all in new profiles/scans. I'm gonna try connecting a USB MIDI keyboard directly, bypassing the MOTU I/F, and if there's no joy (I expect none) roll back to Yosemite using CCC, at least 'til I can get some better infos.

[mojobone]

Thanks to all, for your help and suggestion!