[Guide] Success! Install 10.8 on old unsupported Mac

[Daniel97]

Okay finally got the files I need and it's installing as we speak ..

I have a bigger concern though ..

My Mac mini has a 64gb ssd.

Partition 1 - main OS (lion)
Partition 2 - install
Partition 3 - ML

When this has all finished can I delete the install partition and migrate all data and apps from the main partition into ML and delete partitions 2 & 3?

 

[gpatpandp]

RE: Chameleon 2.2svn-r2251 OS X 10.8.4 & OS X 10.9 on Unsupported Mac Pro

I have further good news to report and this new info can be considered an update to what I have posted here thus far. NOT ONLY can the latest Chameleon version (2.2svn-r2251) now be used as a substitute for 21_1921 in jabbawok's Mac Pro 10.8 guide, it can dually be used to BOOT both OS X 10.8.4 AND OS X 10.9 Mavericks. Further to that and while noting the OS X 10.9 Mavericks instructions as I had previously posted here a bit over a week ago, the new Chameleon version 2.2svn-r2251 completely eliminates the need to use Chameleon Wizard entirely. Use the exact same “Extra” folder you use/have used in jabbawok’s guide. The ONLY needed additions for installing OS X 10.9 Mavericks in conjunction with this (jabbawoks’s) guide are installing Chameleon version 2.2svn-r2251 (instead of the aforementioned 21_1921) and the alternative method of copying over the “mach_kernel” which as a refresher is:

“Things you will need:

the “mach_kernel” file ONLY from the “Essential Dp1 V2.zip” acquired/downloaded from here:

http://www.insanelymac.com/forum/top…install-guide/

***OR:

The link provided is merely a way to save some steps in getting your OS X 10.9 Mavericks OS system up and running with the least amount of effort. While is necessary to copy a OS X 10.9 Mavericks “mach_kernel” into the root of the Installer disk image you created, this specific “mach_kernel” is NOT necessary.

If you are so inclined and prefer to acquire your own “mach_kernel” from the original OS X 10.9 Mavericks .app here is how:

You will need to launch/open the Pacifist .app. Once you have done this, you will need to Locate your 10.9 installer. Right-click and chose ‘show package contents’. Locate InstallESD.DMG in the SharedSupport folder. Double ckick on InstallESD.DMG to mount it. Once mounted, you will see a folder entitled “Packages”. Open that folder and locate the OSinstall.mpkg file. Take that file and “drag and drop” it into your Pacifist .app. Continue clicking through the following content folders: “Contents of EssentialSystemSoftware”, then “Contents of EssentialSystemSoftwareGroup”, then finally “Contents of BaseSystemBinaries.pkg”. About half way down the list you will come across the “mach_kernel”. Before clicking on the “mach_kernel” file, find the “Not Authorized” lock icon located in the top upper right hand corner of your Pacifist .app and click it. Enter in your admin password when prompted. Then click on the “mach_kernel” and select the “Extract To…” icon in the upper left of the Pacifist menu list and extract the “mach_kernel” to the root of the OS X 10.9 “Installer” boot image that you created.”

And THAT IS IT !

I personally (in the interest of consolidating Hard Drives) have also gone the extra step in eliminating the need for two actual/physical hard drives by formatting my entire Hard Drive to “MBR” i.e. Master Boot Record versus GUID (while also still selecting Mac OS Extended Journaled) and cloning/restoring all the needed partitions (BOOT, Installer, Mac OS X Systems etc.) onto One (1) Hard Drive and booting up exactly the same as I have been. I clone the “Installer” partition over so that I have access to an external disk utility and terminal. Obviously your NOT using the “Installer” to install on your OS X Systems partition on the same MBR Hard Drive as OS X WILL ONLY INSTALL ON A GUID partitions. For your initial install, you will have to use an alternative Hard Drive formatted to GUID/Mac OS Extended Journaled and then once installed, clone/restore on the MBR OS X partition.

 

[ferreguetti]

I see in your second picture there's a bootcamp partition. Did you install windows 7 or windows 8 on 10.8.4?

I have windows 7 but installed it before with lion, never tried W8 or any with 10.8.*

----------

Okay finally got the files I need and it's installing as we speak ..

I have a bigger concern though ..

My Mac mini has a 64gb ssd.

Partition 1 - main OS (lion)
Partition 2 - install
Partition 3 - ML

When this has all finished can I delete the install partition and migrate all data and apps from the main partition into ML and delete partitions 2 & 3?

I believe so, in my case I removed the install, that was located in a external SSD and it was still working, I don't see why not, but you will have to delete partition 1 and 2 since you ML is the one you are using if booting ML... but I would suggest delete the lion and install only ML by testing it the way you have it there, when you see it's all good, delete and make a clean install with ML and INSTALL. or better use a pendrive as INSTALL (8gb).

 

[SteaKnife]

GMAbooster?

Anyone remember GMABooster? Any chance of that ever working with 10.8?

 

[Buddygor]

Anyone remember GMABooster? Any chance of that ever working with 10.8?

Have at it! I use it on my Lion partition, so it might work.

 

[SteaKnife]

Have at it! I use it on my Lion partition, so it might work.

Do you notice a significant difference? Launchpad is slow opening folders on my MB 2,1

 

[JPM42]

Hey guys. I'm using an early 2008 MacBook and I'm ready to make the plunge to 10.8. However, does anyone know how to bypass the prompt in the Mac App Store that prevents Mountain Lion from being purchased? I've tried looking around in the thread, but haven't been able to find anything. Do you need a supported Mac to buy it?

Also, if I install Mountain Lion, but everything turns disastrous, could I just wipe out the partitions and be back to using Lion like before?

Thanks.

 

[Serge N Gin]

Do you need a supported Mac to buy it?

Thanks.

That and if you can't access a supported mac, just download the trial version of Parallels 8 & install Lion onto a virtual machine ... then use the app store and that will bypass the restrictions.

When ML is downloaded, just open a finder window in the Virtual Machine and drag the ML file across to the sidebar of that window and onto the icon that represents you Mac's HD then onto your Applications Folder on your HD

Hope that's clear

 

[Daniel97]

Okay all finished but when I do the last step and boot into the ML partition after install I just get a loading wheel and then nothing else happens? It doesn't load .. What's the problem

 

[Dread Head]

Hey guys. I'm using an early 2008 MacBook and I'm ready to make the plunge to 10.8. However, does anyone know how to bypass the prompt in the Mac App Store that prevents Mountain Lion from being purchased? I've tried looking around in the thread, but haven't been able to find anything. Do you need a supported Mac to buy it?

Also, if I install Mountain Lion, but everything turns disastrous, could I just wipe out the partitions and be back to using Lion like before?

Thanks.

To download Mountain Lion on unsupported systems you need to install Lion on a VM under VMWare Fusion or Parallels. Inside the VM you are able to download.

After ML installation, nothing turns disastrous!!
But yes, you can just wipe the partition and insert the Lion installation disk to travel in time to 2011!

Cheers!

 

[bidwellian]

Laggy Graphics

I know I'm using a pre-release, but my graphics are really laggy on my Mac Pro 1.1 (with Nvidia Gforce 8800GT)

I got 10.8.4 working now, the only dealbreaker is the graphics right now.

Maybe it's time for gfx card update? Has anyone tried the PNY Quadra 600? Looks like a great card for the money.

BTW, great job getting full access to my ram!!!

[ I'm using MLpostfacto 3 - 32mb ]

 

[H2SO4]

I have further good news to report and this new info can be considered an update to what I have posted here thus far. NOT ONLY can the latest Chameleon version (2.2svn-r2251) now be used as a substitute for 21_1921 in jabbawok's Mac Pro 10.8 guide, it can dually be used to BOOT both OS X 10.8.4 AND OS X 10.9 Mavericks.................

I can only find 2.2r2248, where did you get 2251?

 

[djwalter]

I can only find 2.2r2248, where did you get 2251?

I don't know if this is where he got it but I did find this. The link says 2252, maybe this helps. I'm still a newbie at this ML thing.

http://www.osx86.net/view/3856-chameleon-2.2svn-r2235.html

 

[Voiden]

MLPostfactor V0.3 can't find 'Install OS X Mountain Lion.app' in Application Folder on my Mac Mini 1.1 that is upgraded to 2.1 with T7600 CPU, 2.1 firmware and 4GB RAM.

It is an original ML that I bought from App Store.
And it is located in my Application Folder.

It works on my MacBook 2.1, but not on my Mini.

Can anybody help me?

 

[H2SO4]

I don't know if this is where he got it but I did find this. The link says 2252, maybe this helps. I'm still a newbie at this ML thing.

http://www.osx86.net/view/3856-chameleon-2.2svn-r2235.html

It's difficult to get hold of specific builds of this thing.

 

[SteaKnife]

MLPostfactor V0.3 can't find 'Install OS X Mountain Lion.app' in Application Folder on my Mac Mini 1.1 that is upgraded to 2.1 with T7600 CPU, 2.1 firmware and 4GB RAM.

It is an original ML that I bought from App Store.
And it is located in my Application Folder.

It works on my MacBook 2.1, but not on my Mini.

Can anybody help me?

Set it up on your MB and clone the partition to your MM with a fire-wire or super-duper image maybe?

 

[Buddygor]

Do you notice a significant difference? Launchpad is slow opening folders on my MB 2,1

Well it doesn't work miracles; having a crappy integrated GPU doesn't help, but GMABooster makes it a little more smooth - but don't expect what you seen on a table at an Apple Store.

Oh, BTW, I have a
White MB 2,1
2GHz
3GB RAM
320GB 7200RPM WD Black

 

[gpatpandp]

It's difficult to get hold of specific builds of this thing.

Yes that is the correct link where I originally acquired Chameleon-2.2svn-r2251 from. Apparently it has now been updated to 2.2svn-r2252 since I downloaded 2.2svn-r2251 though I can only assume that will work equally as well.

Also just an f.y.i the link (http://www.insanelymac.com/forum/top…install-guide/) in which to more easily acquire an already extracted OS X 10.9 "mach_kernel" does not seem to be available any longer. Despite the steps involved, using Pacifist as I have outlined is VERY straight forward and will accomplish the task albeit not quite as simply.

 

[JPM42]

To download Mountain Lion on unsupported systems you need to install Lion on a VM under VMWare Fusion or Parallels. Inside the VM you are able to download.

After ML installation, nothing turns disastrous!!
But yes, you can just wipe the partition and insert the Lion installation disk to travel in time to 2011!

Cheers!

Thanks to you and Serge N Grin for this helpful information, and, of course, to hackerwayne for making this possible. The Parallels trick worked and I now have Mountain Lion running very smoothly. Definitely a noticeable performance improvement over Lion. Really enjoying this.

However, just a few quick questions, and forgive my ignorance of this stuff, as I've never done anything like this before...

1. It's great to have ML installed, but given it's installed on a 20 GB partition, there's only 8 GB or so to play with. All of my applications, and documents, are still on the regular Macintosh HD, which still has Lion (10.7.5) on it. How do I deal with this pickle? Since ML seems stable enough, would it make sense to just wipe out the Lion partition, expand the ML partition, and bring in the remaining files/applications to ML via Migration Assistant from my Time Machine backup? Is this possible?

2. If I do this, do I still need the Installer partition? Or can I just create it when I need to update the entire system? Also, can I rename the ML partition back to Macintosh HD or does it need to be kept as ML?

3. I know it's beta software and nothing is guaranteed, but there should be no problem with updating anything non-OS related, right? Things like software, security, repairing disk permissions, AirPort, etc., should be safe, right?

Thanks again for all the help. Much appreciated.

 

[nslyax]

Anybody having issues with the Evernote Helper not responding or acting otherwise strange since putting 10.8.4 on their MacBook? Trying to decide if it is due to the hacks for the X3100 or unrelated to MLPF.

 

[Jakimo]

Create crippled Restore partition for Find My Mac

I remember on this thread SOMEWHERE, someone casually mentioned a quick Terminal command to enable a fake Restore partition - for the purpose of enabling Find My Mac.

I've looked and looked, can't find it now. Does anyone recall?

thanks

 

[pgrif]

Install Partition

Thanks to you and Serge N Grin for this helpful information, and, of course, to hackerwayne for making this possible. The Parallels trick worked and I now have Mountain Lion running very smoothly. Definitely a noticeable performance improvement over Lion. Really enjoying this.

However, just a few quick questions, and forgive my ignorance of this stuff, as I've never done anything like this before...

1. It's great to have ML installed, but given it's installed on a 20 GB partition, there's only 8 GB or so to play with. All of my applications, and documents, are still on the regular Macintosh HD, which still has Lion (10.7.5) on it. How do I deal with this pickle? Since ML seems stable enough, would it make sense to just wipe out the Lion partition, expand the ML partition, and bring in the remaining files/applications to ML via Migration Assistant from my Time Machine backup? Is this possible?

2. If I do this, do I still need the Installer partition? Or can I just create it when I need to update the entire system? Also, can I rename the ML partition back to Macintosh HD or does it need to be kept as ML?

3. I know it's beta software and nothing is guaranteed, but there should be no problem with updating anything non-OS related, right? Things like software, security, repairing disk permissions, AirPort, etc., should be safe, right?

Thanks again for all the help. Much appreciated.

I think that you could re-install 10.8.x to an 8 gb flash drive then use it to update the OS on your Lion partition. Then you can use Disk Utility to resize your Install and ML partitions back into one partition with all files and have an installer that you can keep.

 

[H2SO4]

Yes that is the correct link where I originally acquired Chameleon-2.2svn-r2251 from. Apparently it has now been updated to 2.2svn-r2252 since I downloaded 2.2svn-r2251 though I can only assume that will work equally as well.

Also just an f.y.i the link (http://www.insanelymac.com/forum/top…install-guide/) in which to more easily acquire an already extracted OS X 10.9 "mach_kernel" does not seem to be available any longer. Despite the steps involved, using Pacifist as I have outlined is VERY straight forward and will accomplish the task albeit not quite as simply.

I'll give that 2252 a try some time. I'll do 109 at somepoint but need a perfect 108 first.

 

[SalocinHB]

WPA2 Enterprise broken

I'm running OS X 10.8.4/MLPF 0.3 on my MacBook 3,1. Everything seems to be running great, except for using WiFi with WPA2 Enterprise, which my university is using to authenticate users in their campus WiFi. The MacBook seems to be able to authenticate with the network, but then doesn't get an IP address allocated. After a while, it self-allocates a 169.x.x.x address, but of course that doesn't help. Every other network connection seems to be fine, DHCP works in my home WiFi. The same MacBook also receives an IP address via DHCP from the university's network when I'm running Lion. Does anyone have an idea how to fix this? If you need any log files, let me know.

 

[msyeed]

1. It's great to have ML installed, but given it's installed on a 20 GB partition, there's only 8 GB or so to play with. All of my applications, and documents, are still on the regular Macintosh HD, which still has Lion (10.7.5) on it. How do I deal with this pickle? Since ML seems stable enough, would it make sense to just wipe out the Lion partition, expand the ML partition, and bring in the remaining files/applications to ML via Migration Assistant from my Time Machine backup? Is this possible?

I remember hackerwayne warning about Time Machine restores, because sometimes it will replace modded binaries with archived ones and break MLPostfactor. It's fixable, but sounded like a hassle. What I did instead was I made a clone of my boot drive as an exact, bootable backup, then just went ahead and installed Mountain Lion right on top of my Lion partition. The only problems I've had are minor and may be universal: B&W greyscale PNGs and some scaled JPGs in Safari draw incorrectly (rare); the App Store always reports 10.8.4 update available (even though I'm running 10.8.4) and occasionally downloads and launches the update.

2. If I do this, do I still need the Installer partition? Or can I just create it when I need to update the entire system? Also, can I rename the ML partition back to Macintosh HD or does it need to be kept as ML?

The names and existence of the partitions don't matter. However, you should test Find My Mac -- if it isn't working, you likely have to create a new Recovery Partition, but it apparently usually works even if it's a Lion-version.

3. I know it's beta software and nothing is guaranteed, but there should be no problem with updating anything non-OS related, right? Things like software, security, repairing disk permissions, AirPort, etc., should be safe, right?

Been using it since day 1 of v0.3, and ran a few non-OS-updates and installations since then. So far so good.