How can I install a 64-bit OS on a 2006 Mac Pro with 32-bit EFI?

Question

I have a Mac Pro 2006 that has 64-bit processors, yet only boots 32-bit operating systems (aside from OSX). Is there a way I can install 64-bit Ubuntu Server, or any 64-bit OS for that matter, on this Mac? I'm getting tired of Snow Leopard Server.

EDIT: Uhm, computer is silver and looks like a cheese grater. It's a Mac Pro 2006 (first gen) with a single 250 GB HDD (original), 2 GB DDR2, and 2 dual-core Xeons.

Welcome to AskDifferent! Could you please be more specific? Provide us more details about your computer and software. — Rushil Srivastava, Jul 20 '17 at 22:19

Alistair McMillan · Accepted Answer · 2017-07-21T10:14:26.047

1

There are instructions online that tell you how to replace the 32-bit EFI with a 64-bit version. Obviously this comes with certain risks and certain issues. Worth pointing out that I haven't tried this myself.

http://lowendmac.com/2014/modernizing-the-mac-pro-11-and-21/

If you want to install 64-bit versions of Linux there are a number of resources online that explain how to accomplish this. For example the following page has links to Linux install images that have been specifically modified to allow installation on 64-bit Macs with 32-bit EFI.

https://mattgadient.com/2016/07/11/linux-dvd-images-and-how-to-for-32-bit-efi-macs-late-2006-models/

edited Jul 21 '17 at 10:14

answered Jul 20 '17 at 22:54

Alistair McMillan

14,187

Thanks, but this seems to be for a newer version of OS X, which is what I don't want. Do I just have to follow that, then it will be able to boot 64-bit? – Matthew Jeppesen Jul 21 '17 at 02:45
Your question says "any 64-bit OS". :P – Alistair McMillan Jul 21 '17 at 10:14
I've updated my answer to point you in the right direction for 64-bit Linux. – Alistair McMillan Jul 21 '17 at 10:14
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It works! Just had to use MBR rather than GPT – Matthew Jeppesen Jul 21 '17 at 20:45

How can I install a 64-bit OS on a 2006 Mac Pro with 32-bit EFI?

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