macOS 10.14 Mojave on Unsupported Macs Thread

[avz]

I know sometimes it's the weird kinks that makes something work, and I'm very open to any idea that might fix my broken iMac however the 2012 keyboard and mouse was wireless and is currently for sale.

It's the original Apple keyboard from the 2009 iMac that used to work but stopped working after installing Mojave Patch. I just ignored it since it's very rare you need those key commands and I ran it for 3/4 of a year. Then after trying to upgrade to 10.4.4 Mojave Patch I could not get the machine to boot from any drive, internal or external.<<

The 2009 keyboard used to do key commands just fine on the 2009 iMac but stopped working after installing the Mojave Patch.

I also had a problem when installing the patch for the first time on both my 2009 iMac and a buddy's iMac 2010, where it would also not boot up after installing Mojave Patch. I then had to disconnect the internal SSD and thereby FORCE it to reboot from the USB key, then reconnect the SSD with the iMac still running, and then run the post-install. This was a problem every time on both the 2009 and 2010 iMacs. I figured it was a bug in the Mojave Patch. Interesting thing is that this was not only my machine but also a buddies where we used the same USB key.

I am not sure I understood your issue correctly but have you tried using a different USB sticks to create a patcher? Not all USB brands are bootable on Macs.
Some time ago(before I applied the APFS ROM patch) I had a similar issue with my MacBook5,1 where I could not boot into the USB patcher to apply the post install patches(after formatting my whole SSD as APFS and successful install). Luckily for me it is very easy to access the SSD in MacBook5,1 so I took it out and connected it externally to the USB port on my MBP9,2 and applied the post install patches by booting into the patcher on MBP9,2. After that I put my SSD back into the MacBook5,1 and Mojave is working great ever since.

 

[Zab the Fab]

It refuses to boot HighSierra since iMac 20" 2009 doesn't support natively HighSierra, you should put El Capitan on it or earlier OSX.

"Question mark folder" could indicate in some cases an SSD controller incompatibility especially with EFI partition.

yikes. Why was I so sure it could run High Sierra? Let me try that right away. Thanks!

 

[Zab the Fab]

It refuses to boot HighSierra since iMac 20" 2009 doesn't support natively HighSierra, you should put El Capitan on it or earlier OSX.

"Question mark folder" could indicate in some cases an SSD controller incompatibility especially with EFI partition.

This took a while. Finding an El Capitan to download (removed from Mac App Store) and then createinstallmedia via Terminal. But still it just shows me the "folder-question".

I'll try another USB key.
[doublepost=1557697557][/doublepost]

I am not sure I understood your issue correctly but have you tried using a different USB sticks to create a patcher? Not all USB brands are bootable on Macs.
Some time ago(before I applied the APFS ROM patch) I had a similar issue with my MacBook5,1 where I could not boot into the USB patcher to apply the post install patches(after formatting my whole SSD as APFS and successful install). Luckily for me it is very easy to access the SSD in MacBook5,1 so I took it out and connected it externally to the USB port on my MBP9,2 and applied the post install patches by booting into the patcher on MBP9,2. After that I put my SSD back into the MacBook5,1 and Mojave is working great ever since.

This is exactly the process I've been through several times. The first time I installed on my iMac 2009 and on a friends iMac 2010, and with every update we did.

Unfortunately the last time around my iMac 2009 just shows the "folder question" no matter what I do.
[doublepost=1557697646][/doublepost]

yikes. Why was I so sure it could run High Sierra? Let me try that right away. Thanks!

I just tried the other USB stick that I have been using for Mojave Patcher every time on my 2009 iMac and my buddy's 2010 iMac, but the 2009 iMac just keeps showing the "folder question".

 

[jackluke]

This took a while. Finding an El Capitan to download (removed from Mac App Store) and then createinstallmedia via Terminal. But still it just shows me the "folder-question".

I'll try another USB key.
[doublepost=1557697557][/doublepost]
This is exactly the process I've been through several times. The first time I installed on my iMac 2009 and on a friends iMac 2010, and with every update we did.

Unfortunately the last time around my iMac 2009 just shows the "folder question" no matter what I do.
[doublepost=1557697646][/doublepost]
I just tried the other USB stick that I have been using for Mojave Patcher every time on my 2009 iMac and my buddy's 2010 iMac, but the 2009 iMac just keeps showing the "folder question".

Have you tried to remove the RAM sticks and reseat? SMC reset?

When you create a bootable usb drive, just unplug the ssd and check if you can boot directly from the usb installer.

As last attempt from the question mark folder with the ssd unplugged, hold cmd+R.

Or try hold cmd+option+R that should be the globe apple internet recovery.

If none of these and nor your previous tests worked I guess it could be a efi firmware issue.

 

[Kevbasscat]

This took a while. Finding an El Capitan to download (removed from Mac App Store) and then createinstallmedia via Terminal. But still it just shows me the "folder-question".

I'll try another USB key.
[doublepost=1557697557][/doublepost]
This is exactly the process I've been through several times. The first time I installed on my iMac 2009 and on a friends iMac 2010, and with every update we did.

Unfortunately the last time around my iMac 2009 just shows the "folder question" no matter what I do.
[doublepost=1557697646][/doublepost]
I just tried the other USB stick that I have been using for Mojave Patcher every time on my 2009 iMac and my buddy's 2010 iMac, but the 2009 iMac just keeps showing the "folder question".

I know your point is the only consistent here is Dosdudes patcher on your. USB stick. It may have corrupted, they do that. No one else is complaining about his patcher being bad, they may not understand it though. Using new unused USB stick if you have one, format it HFS journaled, make a complete new patcher. Sounds like your missing a firmware update, or efi update. Maybe you should go back to 10.14.3, it's a safe & stable OS. 10.14.4 has real issues. !0.14.5 is much better. I haven't been on in while, but I read somewhere there was a recent efi or firmware update. Those USB sticks go bad, so that may be the case. Either or, at this point we're kind of guessing.

 

[Zab the Fab]

I know your point is the only consistent here is Dosdudes patcher on your. USB stick. It may have corrupted, they do that. No one else is complaining about his patcher being bad, they may not understand it though. Using new unused USB stick if you have one, format it HFS journaled, make a complete new patcher. Sounds like your missing a firmware update, or efi update. Maybe you should go back to 10.14.3, it's a safe & stable OS. 10.14.4 has real issues. !0.14.5 is much better. I haven't been on in while, but I read somewhere there was a recent efi or firmware update. Those USB sticks go bad, so that may be the case. Either or, at this point we're kind of guessing.

Thanks for your input.
The USB stick works fine for booting and installing on my new iMac 2012 and a buddy's 2010 iMac. I'm not trying to install the Mojave Patch on my 2009. I just want to install El Capitan, but I can't make it boot from anything.
[doublepost=1557701900][/doublepost]

Have you tried to remove the RAM sticks and reseat? SMC reset?

When you create a bootable usb drive, just unplug the ssd and check if you can boot directly from the usb installer.

As last attempt from the question mark folder with the ssd unplugged, hold cmd+R.

Or try hold cmd+option+R that should be the globe apple internet recovery.

If none of these and nor your previous tests worked I guess it could be a efi firmware issue.

I gave it a try to remove Ram and put it back back in, then SMC reset, and boot with several key-commands but I just get the folder-question. As I wrote in the beginning, I have a feeling it's the EFI.
There is no internal SSD so the only option to boot is the USB stick with El Capitan boot installer createinstallmedia.

 

[K two]

Thanks for your input.
The USB stick works fine for booting and installing on my new iMac 2012 and a buddy's 2010 iMac. I'm not trying to install the Mojave Patch on my 2009. I just want to install El Capitan, but I can't make it boot from anything.
[doublepost=1557701900][/doublepost]
I gave it a try to remove Ram and put it back back in, then SMC reset, and boot with several key-commands but I just get the folder-question. As I wrote in the beginning, I have a feeling it's the EFI.
There is no internal SSD so the only option to boot is the USB stick with El Capitan boot installer createinstallmedia.

Had the very same issue on the iMac11,2 where it would not access the patcher USB "stick."

• Shut-down the iMac, pull the plug from wall for 30 secs. plug back in and start the iMac
while holding Command+Option+P+R keys until it bongs, twice. Release all the keys and immediately hold down Option, the available bootable drives should appear, select the patcher USB "stick" with the arrow keys. Hit Return.

If the iMac is still uncooperative, the dreaded NVRAM (CR2032) battery on the back of the logic board may be dead? Thoughts and prayers if that is the case.

 

[sklein]

I know this thread is long, but .4 is very buggy for most. I would recommend either .3 (very stable) or the latest .5 betas.

Thank you. Please excuse newbie question:

How can I download 10.14.5 beta?

(Download option is not displayed on developers website, and when I install it to another machine via public beta program, I do not see an installer anywhere in my HD.

 

[avz]

Thank you. Please excuse newbie question:

How can I download 10.14.5 beta?

(Download option is not displayed on developers website, and when I install it to another machine via public beta program, I do not see an installer anywhere in my HD.

Public Beta does not have a full installer. You just download it through the System Preferences/Software update(once you sign up your machine for the Beta program). That's what I did with my MacBook5,1 anyway.

 

[jackluke]

@Zab the Fab I recap why original apple keyboard is needed for iMac, Mac mini, Mac Pro to allow the apple-key-combinations:

without an original apple keyboard right for a Mac year-model from a cold boot (power-off state) you cannot type none of these essentials apple-key-combinations after the power-on:

CMD+R , CMD+S , alt-option key, CMD+option+P+R and so on.

Instead these work with a "non-apple keyboard" only when a complete OSX reboot is done.

Since the Patcher bless the Mojave Volume as bootable drive and it is not patched on-the-fly with Post-Install because you have 30 seconds countdown after installation complete to quickly open the Post-Install app, but surely you haven't monitored the installation, and so in this case you cannot complete a OSX reboot to allow third party keyboard to be detected as "apple-key-combination mode".

The fact I guess is that some internal preliminary kext are stored in the EFI EEPROM firmware, and I guess also using a 2012 apple keyboard won't work with a 2009 iMac from a cold boot.

So now my question is which iMac 2009 keyboard model are you using ?

Because I still think it's all there the issue.

 

[Zab the Fab]

@Zab the Fab I recap why original apple keyboard is needed for iMac, Mac mini, Mac Pro to allow the apple-key-combinations:

without an original apple keyboard right for a Mac year-model from a cold boot (power-off state) you cannot type none of these essentials apple-key-combinations after the power-on:

CMD+R , CMD+S , alt-option key, CMD+option+P+R and so on.

Instead these work with a "non-apple keyboard" only when a complete OSX reboot is done.

Since the Patcher bless the Mojave Volume as bootable drive and it is not patched on-the-fly with Post-Install because you have 30 seconds countdown after installation complete to quickly open the Post-Install app, but surely you haven't monitored the installation, and so in this case you cannot complete a OSX reboot to allow third party keyboard to be detected as "apple-key-combination mode".

The fact I guess is that some internal preliminary kext are stored in the EFI EEPROM firmware, and I guess also using a 2012 apple keyboard won't work with a 2009 iMac from a cold boot.

So now my question is which iMac 2009 keyboard model are you using ?

Because I still think it's all there the issue.

Very interesting info, thanks!

The keyboard did key-commands on the 2009 iMac before I installed the Mojave Patch, so doesn't that settle that question? Or?

Since yesterday I've been trying to find a way to download El Capitan. I found a torrent file but it turned out to be "corrupted" or tampered with. It's no longer available in the Mac App Store (even if you have a direct link it won't download).

....searching ....

 

[jackluke]

Very interesting info, thanks!

The keyboard did key-commands on the 2009 iMac before I installed the Mojave Patch, so doesn't that settle that question? Or?

Since yesterday I've been trying to find a way to download El Capitan. I found a torrent file but it turned out to be "corrupted" or tampered with. It's no longer available in the Mac App Store (even if you have a direct link it won't download).

....searching ....

You can use even a "Snowleopard or Lion OSX DVD" to boot the Installer, anyway the only apple original keyboards that I am 99% sure will work with "key-commands" after a cold boot (so automatically detected by iMac firmware) from a 2009 iMac are the "Bluetooth one with two AA batteries" and the "wired usb one with two USB ports embedded".

edit:

No, only the wired usb will work in your case, I just read that iMac 20" doesn't have an embedded bluetooth: https://support.apple.com/kb/sp616

this does have: https://support.apple.com/kb/sp507

Anyway I am 100% sure that an original apple keyboard is required to allow key-commands from cold boot.

 

[Zab the Fab]

You can use even a "Snowleopard or Lion OSX DVD" to boot the Installer, anyway the only apple original keyboards that I am 99% sure will work with "key-commands" after a cold boot (so automatically detected by iMac firmware) from a 2009 iMac are the "Bluetooth one with two AA batteries" and the "wired usb one with two USB ports embedded".

edit:

No, only the wired usb will work in your case, I just read that iMac 20" doesn't have an embedded bluetooth: https://support.apple.com/kb/sp616

this does have: https://support.apple.com/kb/sp507

Anyway I am 100% sure that an original apple keyboard is required to allow key-commands from cold boot.

Interesting! I actually have the small USB keyboard wired, with two USB inputs.

The bigger problem right now is finding El Capitan ....

 

[pkouame]

Thank you. Please excuse newbie question:

How can I download 10.14.5 beta?

(Download option is not displayed on developers website, and when I install it to another machine via public beta program, I do not see an installer anywhere in my HD.

Depends. I believe the latest patcher (1.3.1) will only download .4. I you have a previous boot stick for maybe .3, I would re-install .3 since it's stable. Then you should have the option of software update (via preferences) with either the latest .5 public beta or latest .5 developer's seed (if you are signed up as a developer). Allow the software update to complete - it should reboot to the no entry sign until you post-install with the latest patcher (1.3.1 - make sure you use that version).

You can also wait until the latest patcher can build a .5 stick for you. Your choice.

 

[avz]

Interesting! I actually have the small USB keyboard wired, with two USB inputs.

The bigger problem right now is finding El Capitan ....

I am not quite sure what you are hoping to achieve with the El Capitan installer. I have a 64GB USB stick that has the Mojave patcher along with other Mac OS X installers from Leopard to El Capitan. When I had a similar issue, I was unable to boot to any of them on a MacBook5,1. But I was able to boot it on a MBP9,2.
Looks like the solution offered to you by jackluke is the most logical one.

 

[jackluke]

I am not quite sure what you are hoping to achieve with the El Capitan installer. I have a 64GB USB stick that has the Mojave patcher along with other Mac OS X installers from Leopard to El Capitan. When I had a similar issue, I was unable to boot to any of them on a MacBook5,1. But I was able to boot it on a MBP9,2.
Looks like the solution offered to you by jackluke is the most logical one.

Apparently @Zab the Fab is using a genuine apple keyboard so it's the right keyboard for cmd-functions at cold boot, it's really weird that can't at least make working alt-option for the apple startup manager. Maybe broken alt-option/cmd keys? Or incompatible ssd sata controller side effects.

 

[macsba]

The macOS Mojave 10.14.5 update has been released to the public.

 

[0403979]

I released a cloud update to macOS Downloader to add 10.14.5 installer download support. I’ve also released a macOS Patcher update to add 10.14.5 installer support and fix 10.14.4 and 10.14.5 graphics patch issues.

Release notes for macOS Patcher 2.2.1:

• Add 10.14.5 installer support
• Fix 10.14.4 and 10.14.5 graphics patch issues

macOS Patcher 2.2.1 can be downloaded here and macOS Downloader 2.0.1 here.

 

[dosdude1]

Just to update this thread: The current version of Mojave Patcher (v1.3.1) can successfully download and patch a copy of the 10.14.5 installer. No further update is required.

 

[jackluke]

Just OTA updated from .5 beta 5 to .5 final, everything confirmed to work as expected.

I'll add just few notes later.

First of all, to those who edit and update the OP, add a credit to @ASentientBot for CoreDisplay fix , since non-metal acceleration work fine on .5 final, and there are also good chances that this will be valid till 10.15 and forward .

Then a quick recap:

- IOUSB* kext work OOB
- @pkouame even on .5 final I have News without News+ and doesn't crash under acceleration
- DualGPU dynamic switching still require a manual fix, I attach a semi-automated script I did for myself during betas, and share for those who want to try it.

@0403979 take a look to the script, it works correctly on dualGPU MacBookPro 6,2 15" mid 2010 and I assume it could work also on few other machines.

edit:
The script has a fixed position, so it must executed directly from the downloads folder without moving or renaming the folder, I forgot that.

 

[pkouame]

Thank you. Please excuse newbie question:

How can I download 10.14.5 beta?

(Download option is not displayed on developers website, and when I install it to another machine via public beta program, I do not see an installer anywhere in my HD.

Just an update. .5 is released so @dosdude1 's patcher will get you to .5 final.
EDIT: or you can checkout @0403979 's patcher.
[doublepost=1557776410][/doublepost]

Just OTA updated from .5 beta 5 to .5 final, everything confirmed to work as expected.

I'll add just few notes later.

First of all, to those who edit and update the OP, add a credit to @ASentientBot for CoreDisplay fix , since non-metal acceleration work fine on .5 final, and there are also good chances that this will be valid till 10.15 and forward .

Then a quick recap:

- IOUSB* kext work OOB
- @pkouame even on .5 final I have News without News+ and doesn't crash under acceleration
- DualGPU dynamic switching still require a manual fix, I attach a semi-automated script I did for myself during betas, and share for those who want to try it.

@0403979 take a look to the script, it works correctly on dualGPU MacBookPro 6,2 15" mid 2010 and I assume it could work also on few other machines.

Great. Thanks.

 

[pippox0]

Thanks Dosdude1, Great job, as usual ...

 

[jackluke]

A curious note: I still have a copy of .5 beta 5 and comparing with .5 final I can confirm that latest apple developers internal core binaries "date modified" match with May 4th 2019, so there are very few changes from .5 beta 5 to .5 final, I almost can affirm that they are the same, only the build version numbering is changed from 18F131a to 18F132 , but really I've double checked, and all the internal binaries are exactly the same.

 

[hvds]

Just to update this thread: The current version of Mojave Patcher (v1.3.1) can successfully download and patch a copy of the 10.14.5 installer. No further update is required.

Thank you dosdude.

MBP5,2 17" 2.8GHz now running 10.14.5 final.
I've used the 1.3.1 patcher to download 10.14.5 and prepare a USB installer with it. Used this to install 10.14.5 over the existing 10.14.3, post-install w/ force rebuild caches.

Running happily so far with the 9600M GT GPU. I'll run jackluke's script from post #15045 tomorrow before further testing... thanks!

(PS: saw two processes SafeEjectGPUService, SafeEjectGPUAgent in the activity monitor. Maybe I just didn't notice them in earlier versions.)

 

[Blackriton]

I just upgraded my MacPro 3,1 with Nvidia GTX 680 to 10.14.5 without any hitch following the same method than for the recent upgrades : using System prefs to install the upgrade the booting on the USB key patched by Dosdude1 patcher to post install and force reboot rebuild. It took around 20 minutes and I am testing some apps.......