Attention retro desktop enthusiasts and Windows power users! A new round of technical gymnastics has arrived, this time involving the classic Mac Pro (2010-2012 models) and Microsoft's policies for running Windows 11’s latest pre-release, the 24H2 update. If you’ve been hoarding a Mac Pro with a 12-core processor (think those beefy X5650 trays), you might want to buckle up because things are about to get nerdy!
A user named ZXRyuu shared their experience on the MacRumors forums, conducting a month-long test of Microsoft's upcoming Windows 11 24H2 build on older Mac Pro hardware. The results are, frankly, less than stellar for multi-core enthusiasts. Here’s the crux of the issue: running Windows 11 24H2 with a 12-core processor tray inside these "cheese-grater" marvels seems to result in repeated failures. Testers are hitting the infamous Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) featuring errors like "KMODE_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED" and "KERNEL_SECURITY_CHECK_FAILURE."
To add salt to the wound, simpler configurations worked just fine—cue applause for single-core trays like Intel’s 4-core W3530 or 6-core chips—while the real processing mavericks with dual 12-core setups were stopped in their tracks.
Here’s what we know so far:
If we dig into the practical implications here:
Will the enthusiast community find a way around these hurdles? Or will this signal yet another step towards obsolescence for beloved systems of the past? Let the tinkering continue—2024 is shaping up to be an interesting year for retro tech aficionados.
Source: MacRumors Forums Mac Pro 2010-2012 Windows 11 24H2 12-Core Compatibility
A user named ZXRyuu shared their experience on the MacRumors forums, conducting a month-long test of Microsoft's upcoming Windows 11 24H2 build on older Mac Pro hardware. The results are, frankly, less than stellar for multi-core enthusiasts. Here’s the crux of the issue: running Windows 11 24H2 with a 12-core processor tray inside these "cheese-grater" marvels seems to result in repeated failures. Testers are hitting the infamous Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) featuring errors like "KMODE_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED" and "KERNEL_SECURITY_CHECK_FAILURE."To add salt to the wound, simpler configurations worked just fine—cue applause for single-core trays like Intel’s 4-core W3530 or 6-core chips—while the real processing mavericks with dual 12-core setups were stopped in their tracks.
Here’s what we know so far:
- Troublemaker: 12-core processor trays, likely involving Xeon processors like the X5650.
- BSOD Central: Errors tied to hardware exceptions (KMODE) and security checks during installation or running.
- Some Good News: Rudimentary configurations pass with flying colors.
Why the Drama?
Let’s decode what’s possibly happening under the hood. Windows 11 introduces stringent security policies, dangling demands like TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot while leaving older but powerful machines scrambling to catch up. Combined with the notoriously finicky dual-processor setups that Mac Pros (2010-2012) are known for, there’s an intricate cocktail of issues:- Chipset Bottlenecks:
The Xeon X5650 hails from Intel’s Westmere architecture—a marvel back in its day but lacking the hardware-level instructions and compatibility needed by modern operating systems. Windows 11’s overarching requirements lean heavily on newer architecture support for virtualization, unified security policies, and performance optimizations. - Error-Specific Woes:
- KMODE_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED: This suggests the system choked on a driver or encountered a conflict between OS components and the outdated architecture.
- KERNEL_SECURITY_CHECK_FAILURE: A tip of the hat to Windows’ modern focus on data execution prevention or Secure Boot enforcement, both areas where legacy hardware struggles.
- Multi-Processor Mayhem:
Dual-processor configurations are notoriously finicky. Throw in advanced OS requirements from Windows 11, and you’re looking at a potential mismatch in memory handling, BIOS configurations, or, simply put, Windows refusing to play ball with aging hardware. - Hodgepodge of Tools:
Users have turned to OpenCore (a bootloader popular in the Hackintosh community) and Rufus for workarounds, but these tools often cater to macOS installations or simple boot patching, not fixing deep-rooted hardware/software incompatibilities.
Why Does This Matter?
This isn’t just nostalgia speaking—Mac Pro 2010-2012 models remain darlings of the enthusiast community. They’re built like tanks, with modular upgrades offering user-friendly tinkering potential that could shame today’s soldered-plastic sandwich devices. For many, the idea of “sunsetting” such functional machines because an OS refuses to integrate feels unjust.If we dig into the practical implications here:
- Microsoft’s Direction: You’ll notice Microsoft isn’t shy about prioritizing “future-facing” systems while leaving older, albeit powerful, machines behind.
- Niche Communities: This issue spotlights communities that still find purpose for these machines, relying on forums, mods, and bootkits to extend their working lives.
- Security Traps: Running an unsupported or patched OS invites big security risks—something users have to weigh against performance needs.
Can You Fix It? A Few Thoughts
Thankfully, the tinkerer community is a resourceful bunch. Some ideas circulating for overcoming these hurdles include:- Tweaking the Boot Environment:
Decoding whether OpenCore or similar patch kits can fake compliance with modern specs (think TPM emulation) is a biggie. However, as ZXRyuu discovered, this only goes so far. - Processor Downsize:
Facing the potential that 12-core setups won’t fly with 24H2, users might consider sacrificing cores to return to single trays with simpler setups. Sure, that’s a punch to processing power, but hey—it keeps the machine working. - Wait for Answers:
This issue has only recently popped onto the radar. The broader community may uncover through trial what component or setup nuance is knocking out the 12-core configuration. - Long-Term Alternatives:
- Move forward with macOS-based virtualization (with its own quirks).
- Retrofit Linux distributions, which are thriving in supporting older hardware.
Looking Ahead to 24H2 and Beyond
As Windows 11 gains traction beyond its initial 2021 release, the 24H2 build underscores Microsoft’s commitment to securing the OS landscape, albeit at the cost of legacy support. While this aligns with helping the masses, it cuts a little deeper for communities reliant on holding onto machines like the Mac Pro (2010-2012) series, known for unparalleled customizability and longevity.Will the enthusiast community find a way around these hurdles? Or will this signal yet another step towards obsolescence for beloved systems of the past? Let the tinkering continue—2024 is shaping up to be an interesting year for retro tech aficionados.
Source: MacRumors Forums Mac Pro 2010-2012 Windows 11 24H2 12-Core Compatibility
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