[Guide] Success! Install 10.8 on old unsupported Mac

[Rastafabi]

You may manage to boot a MB2,1 in 64bit mode with the Chameleon method, but there's no 64bit supports for Intel GMA graphics. That has not changed and probably never will.

Actually you do not even need to have a boot-loader to boot the 64Bit kernel on 32bit efi machines. All you need is a hacked boot.efi - you won't have nvram (iMessage, FaceTime, etc.) but everything else will work.
I'm currently using this hacked efi as I want to use 64Bit for the FusionDrive, which won't work with the 32bit CoreStorage.kext and I don't like having a BIOS bootloader (graphics issues on my machine). Concerning the GMAs I just posted something in the Mavericks thread.

 

[gavinstubbs09]

Anyone know why this keeps happening to me? I have tried 2 different .app files (of course the correct ones not InstallESD.dmg) and the MLPF app seems to act like it's working, and burns through the thing in 30 seconds, no matter what drive I use (flash drives, external drives, Firewire TDM drives) errything.

 

[porg]

^ If MLPF always takes the same time regardless of the medium it writes to, this feels like a sign that something (main or sub process) is crashing/aborting, the crash/abortion exception being reproducible, thus taking the same duration each time.

 

[T'hain Esh Kelch]

I am not sure I understand the previous posts correctly - But does using the 10.8.5 installer with MLPF 0.3 work, if you select 10.8.4 in the MLPF installer?

 

[RV-ABZ]

I am not sure I understand the previous posts correctly - But does using the 10.8.5 installer with MLPF 0.3 work, if you select 10.8.4 in the MLPF installer?

Yes, it does. You will end up with "OS X 10.8.4 (MLPostFactor V0.3)" in About this Mac, which is just cosmetic and can be manually modified.

 

[T'hain Esh Kelch]

Excellent! Thank you. I think I'll give my '06 MBP a rush up soon then..

 

[porg]

@T'hain Esh Kelch: Please post whether you succeeded with your MBP'06 and please state your exact model, MLPF & OS X version & build. Thx!

Sadly MLPF both with 10.8.4 and 10.8.5 has failed me with my MacBookPro 2,2, Late 2006, 15", 2.16Ghz, A1211, but possibly it was a corrupt "OS X Mountain Lion Installation.app" or a strange partition setup — See post #3357 — had no time yet to try alternative copy.

 

[T'hain Esh Kelch]

@T'hain Esh Kelch: Please post whether you succeeded with your MBP'06 and please state your exact model, MLPF & OS X version & build. Thx!

Sadly MLPF both with 10.8.4 and 10.8.5 has failed me with my MacBookPro 2,2, Late 2006, 15", 2.16Ghz, A1211, but possibly it was a corrupt "OS X Mountain Lion Installation.app" or a strange partition setup — See post #3357 — had no time yet to try alternative copy.

When I get around to do it, it will be with the exact same MBP model as you - Although mine has an SSD in the original spot, and a HDD in place of the Superdrive. I will use MLPF 0.3 and 10.8.5 from the Appstore.

 

[RV-ABZ]

MBP2,2 with ATI X1600 is actually among the rare models that could boot in 64bit mode, well at least it appeared to be supported with MLPF v0.2 64bit. But I guess it would be Ok in 32bit mode with v0.3.

 

[Caesar_091]

Is MLPF still not working with 1,1 MacPros? (ATI Radeon HD 5870 here)

 

[indiecraig]

I seem to recall that version 0.3.1 was due to be released in September but was delayed. Is this version still planned, or has the focus shifted to Mavericks?

Due to the need to reinstall for each update, I don't want to make the jump to 10.8.5 until 0.3.1 is released. And that, unfortunately, will the the last OS install my MacBook gets before I prepare it for sale

 

[porg]

When I get around to do it, it will be with the exact same MBP model as you - Although mine has an SSD in the original spot, and a HDD in place of the Superdrive. I will use MLPF 0.3 and 10.8.5 from the Appstore.

So how was the MBP2,2 A1211 performance-wise under 10.7.5? For me it was unacceptable slow compared to 10.6.8. But maybe the SSD made the difference, particularly for multitasking (virtual memory HDD lag). Or more RAM? Or was it also so slow, that you hope for 10.8 now?

Slightly off topic, but still on topic HW/OS upgrade and chance for performance improvement: How did you built in a HDD into the optical drive area? I thought those adapters were only available starting with Unibody MBPs. And how is your storage connected? SSD via SATA, HDD via PATA? The optical drive has a PATA connector, doesn't it?

 

[daviesgeek]

Mavericks Support?

Is this dead in the water or are you going to be upgrading MLPostFactor for 10.8.5 and 10.9?

 

[AppleON]

Ahoy, I just stumbled across this after googling all day long and Im already happy to be here.

Ive got a :

-MacBook Core2Duo (Merom, 1.83/2.0/2.16GHz, GMA950*) von 11.2006 und 05.2007: 3GB
-Mac OS X 10.6.8 (Build 10K549)
-Boot ROM ist MB21.00A5.B07

As it seems to be a MacBook 2,1, the initial post already told me MLPFv0.3 is not (yet) compatible and Id have to wait for MLFPv0.3.1. I also see the initial post got last edited on Sep. 7 and as I havent read through all the 101 pages Id like to ask 2 questions:

1.) Using this to install ML will make you able to "update" to Mavericks ?
2.) MLFPv0.3.1. will come soon, right ?

Thanks in advance, Im happy to be here.

 

[Rastafabi]

Ahoy, I just stumbled across this after googling all day long and Im already happy to be here.

Ive got a :

-MacBook Core2Duo (Merom, 1.83/2.0/2.16GHz, GMA950*) von 11.2006 und 05.2007: 3GB
-Mac OS X 10.6.8 (Build 10K549)
-Boot ROM ist MB21.00A5.B07

As it seems to be a MacBook 2,1, the initial post already told me MLPFv0.3 is not (yet) compatible and Id have to wait for MLFPv0.3.1. I also see the initial post got last edited on Sep. 7 and as I havent read through all the 101 pages Id like to ask 2 questions:

1.) Using this to install ML will make you able to "update" to Mavericks ?
2.) MLFPv0.3.1. will come soon, right ?

Thanks in advance, Im happy to be here.

0. Your hardware is MLPF ready - just give it a go!
1. No, no Mavericks (yet) and if it ever will be released for your hardware it propably won't be an update (reinstall).
2. Well... It will come soon (since quiet some time). However you don't need to wait, as this update won't improve the way Mountain Lion will work after the installation

*1. The problem is, that your graphics chipset isn't supported in 64bit mode, and as Mavericks is 64bit only since it's first Developer Preview (unlike Mountain Lion) it's very hard to make it work.

If you decide to install Mountain Lion remember to select 10.8.4 in MLPF.app even if it's 10.8.5 (currently available from Apple).

PS.: Your welcome

EDIT: You will need OS X Lion or later (on any Mac) to prepare the hacked installer. It won't work on Snow Leopard (yet).

 

[dakwar]

Has anyone run into problems with Chrome crashing? Seems to be the only problem so far for me (MLPostFactor on a Late 2007 White Macbook).

Same problem here (MacBook4,1, MLPF 0.3, 10.8.5, chrome 30.0.1599.101): almost every time I open a new tab when the first tab has a webpage loaded chrome crashes.

And NFS does not work - I can't connect to any windows machines on my network.

And Finder has crashed on me a few times, needing a relaunch.

These issues are serious enough that I think I'll go back to 10.7.

 

[RV-ABZ]

Is MLPF still not working with 1,1 MacPros? (ATI Radeon HD 5870 here)

Why bother with MLPF and run a slightly-defective bastardised ML version in 32bit mode when your hardware can run full vanilla ML in 64bit mode once you get past the EFI32 problem. You can even run Mavericks with that graphics card!

In your particular case, I would recommend to forget about MLPF and opt for the modified boot.efi or Chameleon solution. Head over to the "10.9 Mavericks on older Macs" thread for more details.

 

[T'hain Esh Kelch]

So how was the MBP2,2 A1211 performance-wise under 10.7.5? For me it was unacceptable slow compared to 10.6.8. But maybe the SSD made the difference, particularly for multitasking (virtual memory HDD lag). Or more RAM? Or was it also so slow, that you hope for 10.8 now?

Actually it ran quite okay. A tad slower here and there, compared to 10.6.8, but not something I really notices (More than a year later after installing Lion). Actually, since I have the Intel X25M SSD in it (Not the best, but on SATA1 it is fine), the '06 MBP is faster in most cases than my 2011 quad i7 iMac, so that is definitely a factor.
The reason I want to upgrade is not speed, but full iCloud support. And better app support, long term.

Slightly off topic, but still on topic HW/OS upgrade and chance for performance improvement: How did you built in a HDD into the optical drive area? I thought those adapters were only available starting with Unibody MBPs. And how is your storage connected? SSD via SATA, HDD via PATA? The optical drive has a PATA connector, doesn't it?

SSD via SATA in the original HDDs place. HDD in the optical drive using this guy. Works wonders, although the HDD takes a few second to spin up, when it has been idle. Not a big problem, as I only use it for my iTunes library.

 

[Caesar_091]

Why bother with MLPF and run a slightly-defective bastardised ML version in 32bit mode when your hardware can run full vanilla ML in 64bit mode once you get past the EFI32 problem. You can even run Mavericks with that graphics card!

In your particular case, I would recommend to forget about MLPF and opt for the modified boot.efi or Chameleon solution. Head over to the "10.9 Mavericks on older Macs" thread for more details.

Thanks, will take a look!

 

[Eweie]

Same problem here (MacBook4,1, MLPF 0.3, 10.8.5, chrome 30.0.1599.101): almost every time I open a new tab when the first tab has a webpage loaded chrome crashes.

And NFS does not work - I can't connect to any windows machines on my network.

And Finder has crashed on me a few times, needing a relaunch.

These issues are serious enough that I think I'll go back to 10.7.

Go to advanced options in chrome and disable hardware acceleration.

and I don't know about finder but to me works fine, in any case I use Pathfinder instead since leopard. 100x better than even the mavericks finder

and windows samba shares don't work at the moment. only apple file shares. personally I don't have a need to ever connect to a windows computer thank god. but there might be a work around I'm not sure.

 

[Diogones]

ML on 2006 iMac

First I want to thank everyone who has contributed to this thread, and to the ML on older Macs project. Us humble Mac users are all very grateful for your work, though it may seem like a thankless job at times!

I made a test partition on my 20'' C2D 2006 iMac running Lion, and installed ML on the partition using MLPF and 10.8.5 from the App Store. Everything went fine, and I rebooted and patched the installation after it got stuck on the grey screen.

I do have some updates for the fresh install of course, but I won't run them yet, as the system does seem somewhat slow. The partition size is only about 12GB, so could that have an impact on the system performance? Or would it be better if I used a copy of ML 10.8.4 and then upgraded to 8.5? Or would that undo the hack?

Why bother with MLPF and run a slightly-defective bastardised ML version in 32bit mode when your hardware can run full vanilla ML in 64bit mode once you get past the EFI32 problem. You can even run Mavericks with that graphics card!

Just to be sure, you just meant the Mac Pro only right? Or could this apply to my iMac as well?

 

[RV-ABZ]

Just to be sure, you just meant the Mac Pro only right? Or could this apply to my iMac as well?

Indeed, I was talking about the MacPro1,1.

I don't know the specs of your iMac.

 

[andreas79]

So i have a macbook mid 2007…mavericks doesn't look possible to be able to run on my mac…but would it be possible to just download safari 7 and work for example???

 

[AppleON]

0. Your hardware is MLPF ready - just give it a go!

I still read MacBook2,1 not supported in the initial post. (?)

1. No, no Mavericks (yet) and if it ever will be released for your hardware it propably won't be an update (reinstall).

Seems I havent fully understood the MLFP thing ? It is MLFP that does make it possible to install Mountain Lion on "Non supported" hardware, right ?

As my Mac doesnt even (officialy) support ML, I will never ever see (an official) release of Mavericks for it... right ?^^

So I would need something like "MVFP" or MLFP v0.5. Right ? ^^

If you decide to install Mountain Lion remember to select 10.8.4 in MLPF.app even if it's 10.8.5 (currently available from Apple).

Thanks

EDIT: You will need OS X Lion or later (on any Mac) to prepare the hacked installer. It won't work on Snow Leopard (yet).

Double Thanks ! =)

 

[RV-ABZ]

I still read MacBook2,1 not supported in the initial post. (?)

Seems I havent fully understood the MLFP thing ? It is MLFP that does make it possible to install Mountain Lion on "Non supported" hardware, right ?

As my Mac doesnt even (officialy) support ML, I will never ever see (an official) release of Mavericks for it... right ?^^

So I would need something like "MVFP" or MLFP v0.5. Right ? ^^

Thanks

Double Thanks ! =)

At best, you'll be able to run ML. Don't hold much hope for Mavericks as that requires full 64bit mode, which is not compatible with your GMA950 graphics card.

Your system therefore has the double disadvantage of being based on:
1) EFI 32 -> cannot boot 64bit Mac OS natively (-> 32bit MLPF addresses this issue)
2a) GMA 950 -> no 64bit support for that graphics chip
2b) GMA 950 -> hardware not capable to support OpenGL/OpenCL 4.x adopted by Apple since ML

In summary, you can use 32bit MLPF v0.3 to install ML up to 10.8.4/10.8.5 version. There should be no issue there.