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[Guide] Installing 10.9 Mavericks on older Macs. -HackerWayne

Hennesie2000 said:
I guess the best thing is to just have several options. Only negative for me is I have to keep my Lion install around just in case something goes wrong. I'll have to play around with the EFI method some. Maybe setup a backup Mavericks drive instead.
Click to expand...

The Lion drive mentioned in my guide actually is just for the execution of the bless command in case you need it. I just noted it because I plan do release another guide on how to install and set up Clover, which I think is a better option than chameleon (another point of view).

So actually you don't need a Lion drive (although it's nice, as it comes with a Finder). A Snow Leopard install DVD would already be enough (even a Tiger on should work).
 
I probably found a solution on how to download Mavericks (Mountain Lion) on an unsupported Mac the easy way. Just download the zip file, apply it, reboot and go ahead downloading.

This should work but is not confirmed yet! Please feedback.

WORKS. One user noted, that it doesn't, but I could finally test it myself and found it working. Remember that you still need a system version (10.6.8, 10.7.5, 10.8.5 I think), which is actually certified for making the Mavericks upgrade.

EDIT:
UPDATED! This one does not work anymore...
 

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Rastafabi said:
The Lion drive mentioned in my guide actually is just for the execution of the bless command in case you need it. I just noted it because I plan do release another guide on how to install and set up Clover, which I think is a better option than chameleon (another point of view).

So actually you don't need a Lion drive (although it's nice, as it comes with a Finder). A Snow Leopard install DVD would already be enough (even a Tiger on should work).
Click to expand...

I wasn't talking about your method. I keep a Lion drive around for the bless command too with the Chameleon method. I don't have Mac GPU so I haven't gotten an install disk to work with just my GTX570 installed. The disc boot but I don't get any video. My Lion install has the right NVIDIA drivers installed so the card works fine with that.
 
Hennesie2000 said:
I wasn't talking about your method. I keep a Lion drive around for the bless command too with the Chameleon method. I don't have Mac GPU so I haven't gotten an install disk to work with just my GTX570 installed. The disc boot but I don't get any video. My Lion install has the right NVIDIA drivers installed so the card works fine with that.
Click to expand...

Couldn't you just move those drivers to the install drives Extension directory and repair permission?
Additionally you can move them to a folder (e.g. nvidea) on the drives root.
Then just install as you would normally.
Afterwards, from the install drives terminal you may run
Code: 
sudo cp /nvidea/* /Volumes/[target volume]/System/Library/Extensions
and than repair permissions again
Code: 
sudo chown -R 0:0 /Volumes/[target volume]/System/Library/Extensions
sudo chmod -R 755 /Volumes/[target volume]/System/Library/Extensions
sudo kextcache -v 1 -a x86_64 -m /Volumes/[target volume]/System/Library/Caches/com.apple.kext.caches/Startup/Extensions.mkext /Volumes/[target volume]/System/Library/Extensions

hope that helps
 
Rastafabi said:
Couldn't you just move those drivers to the install drives Extension directory and repair permission?
Additionally you can move them to a folder (e.g. nvidea) on the drives root.
Then just install as you would normally.
Afterwards, from the install drives terminal you may run
Code: 
sudo cp /nvidea/* /Volumes/[target volume]/System/Library/Extensions
and than repair permissions again
Code: 
sudo chown -R 0:0 /Volumes/[target volume]/System/Library/Extensions
sudo chmod -R 755 /Volumes/[target volume]/System/Library/Extensions
sudo kextcache -v 1 -a x86_64 -m /Volumes/[target volume]/System/Library/Caches/com.apple.kext.caches/Startup/Extensions.mkext /Volumes/[target volume]/System/Library/Extensions

hope that helps
Click to expand...

Thanks! I look into this. I'd love to have a bootable disc again.
 
Hello, I was just wondering if there is a simple method here to be able to install Mavericks on older Mac Mini machines? For example we have some Core 2 Duo Mac Minis from Mid 2007, is there a way to get Mavericks onto those?
 
LRSFC-djackson said:
Hello, I was just wondering if there is a simple method here to be able to install Mavericks on older Mac Mini machines? For example we have some Core 2 Duo Mac Minis from Mid 2007, is there a way to get Mavericks onto those?
Click to expand...

No, at least not with graphic acceleration. There might be a method later.
If you do not need graphics read the previous page.
 
@Rastafabi

I gathered up all of the Nvidia GeForce kexts but on the 10.7.4 install .dmg that I have there isn't an extensions folder in System/Library/. Can I just create an Extensions folder and then add those kext files?
 
Hennesie2000 said:
@Rastafabi

I gathered up all of the Nvidia GeForce kexts but on the 10.7.4 install .dmg that I have there isn't an extensions folder in System/Library/. Can I just create an Extensions folder and then add those kext files?
Click to expand...

You need to mount BaseSystem.dmg, which is a hidden file on the InstallESD.dmg. To Show hidden files you can use my tool included with the efi guide. The volume creation for Lion is actuall the same as the Mavericks one apart from modifying the install drive.
 
Rastafabi said:
You need to mount BaseSystem.dmg, which is a hidden file on the InstallESD.dmg. To Show hidden files you can use my tool included with the efi guide. The volume creation for Lion is actuall the same as the Mavericks one apart from modifying the install drive.
Click to expand...

Yea, I know how to do all of that and have done it many times starting with the Mavericks Install app. Lion is actually easier since you just need to use the InstallESD.dmg and not worry about the BaseSystem.dmg. The 10.7.4.dmg that I have is already to be booted from as an installer. However there isn't an Extensions folder in the /System/Library/ folder, just CoreServices and LaunchDaemons. So my question is do I just create a /System/Library/Extensions folder and then place the Nvidia kext files in that folder?

------
I think I answered my own questions after re-reading your post above. Nvm... thanks again.
 
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Rastafabi said:
For all the ones having a Mac Pro and disliking legacy boot loaders.
If you can't wait, here you are!

KEEP IN MIND, that hackerwaynes/MLforAlls release will include this AND it will be automated and more advanced!
I just made some basic file modifications, while they will even support updating.
And here you are: Mavericks Install Tools.

!!! I forgot to mention in the included guide, that you (may) need to delete "/System/Library/Caches/com.apple.kext.caches/Startup/kernelcache"

JUST FOR CLARIFICATION:
It's designed for Mac Pros with upgraded, Mavericks compatible graphic cards.
It will work on other platforms but you won't have graphic acceleration.
If it's supposed to run as a server OS or for testing purpose your good to go.

You won't have iMessage/FaceTime.

The reason I released it is, that it will bypass the need of an legacy boot loader (Chameleon/Chimera/CloverBIOS).
Click to expand...

i am unable to get it my USB drive to boot with this method

i followed everything twice to a tee and can't figure where i am going wrong... it appears in the boot list. i select it and an X with a circle around it appears.

it is a GUID Partition Table formatted as MacOS Extended
 
2006 iMac

Hey Guys
I know there is a huge focus on the Mac Pro which I will be going through these threads to get my 1,1 setup

But one of the original Posts was getting 10.9 On an imac 2006 working
I would like to Upgrade my iMac 1st is there a walk through or easy process for the iMac?

FYI its the same iMac as the original post
 
erek said:
i am unable to get it my USB drive to boot with this method

i followed everything twice to a tee and can't figure where i am going wrong... it appears in the boot list. i select it and an X with a circle around it appears.

it is a GUID Partition Table formatted as MacOS Extended
Click to expand...

I'm pretty sure something went wrong while editing the PlatformSupport.plist…
To prove/refute this boot from the install drive again, and immediately after hitting enter hit "cmd" () "v". If it's says, that your board (Mac-*****) is not supported you should redo the edits to the plist file.
Else post what you see while trying to boot with cmd-v.

Best,
Rastafabi
 
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Rastafabi said:
I'm pretty sure something went wrong while editing the PlatformSupport.plist…
To prove/refute this boot from the install drive again, and immediately after hitting enter hit "cmd" () "v". If it's says, that your board (Mac-*****) is not supported you should redo the edits to the plist file.
Else post what you see while trying to boot with cmd-v.

Best,
Rastafabi
Click to expand...

i just redid the whole thing and i thought i was getting further because the spinning circle came up, but then above the spinning circle thing you usually when booting up there is now an X with a circle around it and it's sitting there.

that's after trying cmd-v

but is cmd-v in PC keyboards alt-v ?

----------

it was windows-key + v, and it ends up saying

"Still waiting for root device..." with a big X and circle around it
 
erek said:
i just redid the whole thing and i thought i was getting further because the spinning circle came up, but then above the spinning circle thing you usually when booting up there is now an X with a circle around it and it's sitting there.

that's after trying cmd-v

but is cmd-v in PC keyboards alt-v ?

----------

it was windows-key + v, and it ends up saying

"Still waiting for root device..." with a big X and circle around it
Click to expand...

Repartition the drive (First to MBR and immediatly after to GUID - just to be sure). If you've already tried so use another one. I got this error using a broken hd. After I tried with another one it worked fine.
 
Rastafabi said:
Repartition the drive (First to MBR and immediatly after to GUID - just to be sure). If you've already tried so use another one. I got this error using a broken hd. After I tried with another one it worked fine.
Click to expand...

could it be, "/System/Library/Caches/com.apple.kext.caches/Startup/kernelcache"

?

----------

when i remove "/System/Library/Caches/com.apple.kext.caches/Startup/kernelcache"

it doesn't work at all... and the verbose moves so fast back to the default HDD that i can't see what's wrong because of

"/System/Library/Caches/com.apple.kext.caches/Startup/kernelcache"
 
I got further... I had to restore the partition, not the whole drive... that is where i lost it

don't try and restore the whole drive
 
erek said:
I got further... I had to restore the partition, not the whole drive... that is where i lost it

don't try and restore the whole drive
Click to expand...

If it worked for you this way it's great! I'll add this to the guide.
About the kernelcache file: I removed it and it still works.
Although your right I think. It probably does not need to be removed.
 
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the installation failed as expected, but it take considerable amounts of time say ~1 hour, and now it seems to be taking forever if not booting up at all


just sits on the swirling circle


alt+v doesn't seem to work
 
I think it booted now.. strange enough... working on filling out my information
 
it's installed and seems to be running fine now, but is Mavericks more RAM intensive than Lion was?
 
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