Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
macOS 10.15 Catalina on Unsupported Macs
- Thread starter 0403979
- WikiPost WikiPost
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
- Status
This sounds like a loginwindow or WindowServer crash, but I've never experienced it on my system. Are you using an external monitor? Do you have any unusual configuration that we should know about? In any case, please upload the contents of
/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports so we can inspect them.Really though, you just shouldn't be using these patches on a critical production system. The non-Metal acceleration fixes are simply not stable enough to be relied upon for your job. You should always keep a High Sierra or Mojave system for emergencies.
You must make a new bootstick with Catalina Patcher 1.2.3 (no older version!!), and install the way, I did describe. Otherwise it is not possible.
Installing the latest Catalina version using the latest Catalina Patcher version should most likely resolve this issue.
Use a wired (USB) mouse during installation and a wired keyboard. Bluetooth than should be functional after reboot.
@ASentientBot, I agree with your analysis of the issue. I'll found some WindowsServer .crash files in
/Library/logs in diagnostic mode. I'll get them uploaded in a bit for analysis. I have no idea what I'm looking at... 
As for the purpose and use of my iMac, it is not a work machine. However, I use it for personal financial management and, being mildly afflicted with CDO (OCD... in alphabetic order... as it should be!
), I use Quicken and online sources to check on bank accounts, etc., pretty much every day...I do have a MacBook, which is also running Catalina. However, I have avoided applying these patches from Patch Updater when they "brick" my iMac.
Thanks
Last edited:
The patches will not brick you iMac bricking means it is totally useless and won't boot at all@ASentientBot, I agree with your analysis of the issue. I'll found some WindowsServer .crash files in/Library/logsin diagnostic mode. I'll get them uploaded in a bit for analysis. I have no idea what I'm looking at...
As for the purpose and use of my iMac, it is not a work machine. However, I use it for personal financial management and, being mildly afflicted with CDO (OCD... in alphabetic order... as it should be!
I do have a MacBook, which is also running Catalina. However, I have avoided applying these patches from Patch Updater when they "brick" my iMac.
Thanks
MBP5,2 17", still on 10.15.0 supplemental (19A602).
When trying to connect to open Wifi networks which would nevertheless ask for some credentials like mobile phone number or just an OK to be clicked (typically in airports, hotels) in a pop-up window, in Catalina such window does not show up but the connection is made immediately (and is not working).
In Mojave it does work correctly.
Also when rebooting into Catalina after having established the connection while in Mojave, it works without the pop-up window showing: the network seems to remember the machine. That‘s my workaround.
Will retry once I have 10.15.1 installed after traveling.
When trying to connect to open Wifi networks which would nevertheless ask for some credentials like mobile phone number or just an OK to be clicked (typically in airports, hotels) in a pop-up window, in Catalina such window does not show up but the connection is made immediately (and is not working).
In Mojave it does work correctly.
Also when rebooting into Catalina after having established the connection while in Mojave, it works without the pop-up window showing: the network seems to remember the machine. That‘s my workaround.
Will retry once I have 10.15.1 installed after traveling.
Last edited:
Rastafabi's Catalina loader
READ THIS ENTIRE POST AND THE INCLUDED README FIRST!
It took me a while, but finally I managed to create a "Catalina loader", which enables you to install macOS 10.15 Catalina on unsupported Macs with compatible hardware. It's meant for Mac Pro 4,1 & 5,1 and iMac 2010/2011 systems, which have a Metal compatible GPU. A upgraded WiFi/Bluetooth card might be necessary to have OOB support. I have not yet looked into audio, though on my Mac Pro 4,1 it works OOB. The download includes an installation guide with additional details.
It is not meant for systems without a Metal GPU or with Core2 Duo (based) CPUs.
The loader is based on rEFInd and OpenCore, which spoofs the Mac to be a compatible model.
View attachment 842732
Download the Catalina loader.zip
————————————
Some might be reminded of my old Mavericks download enabler.
————————————
Dual CPU Mac Pros also require to be running non x55xx CPUs to omit audio stuttering. Thanks @tsialex
————————————
Questions:
The Catalina Loader is confirmed to work with the first macOS Catalina developer beta installer (DP1).
No other installers have been tested and thus are not supported at the moment as those can potentially damage your hardware.
Yes. If your GPU is not metal compatible it will install and boot. However it’s usually not worth it.
Just about any should work. Find an old 512mb drive and you are good to go. Of course larger drives will work, too. BTW: You may also use SD-Cards, if your Mac can boot from those.
You can't. Just install it manually afterwards. There is now way to add anything, as this basically just enables you to run the legit unmodified Catalina installer.
@Starplayr apparently wrote a little script for the Mac Pro 3,1. It should work for other Macs, too.
It seems to install and boot on 2010 & 2011 MacBooks. However you will not have any graphics acceleration natively.
I am very sorry. However there is nothing I can do. You have been warned (README) and proceeded at your own risk.
————————————
Updates:
- Fixed large file size (60mb), due to an oversight one may part.
- Removed experimental flag causing issues.
Edit: nvm I went back to Mojave from the recovery partition, It has been mentioned using this loader is not safe for the bootrom apparently because is based on a old version of OpenCore and may corrupt the bootrom in a similar way the Windows 10 over EFI is reported to do on cMP 5,1.
This tool has to be updated with the most recent version of OpenCore or to be disabled from downloading.
Last edited:
Hi, Windows dxdiag does show, that 3D-accelartation does work, so the poping window does not mean anything. This is a only a small glitch, that VMware Fusion 11.5.0 does not recognize that.
3d-acceleration does work.
Last edited:
FWIW, I was getting the damaged error too when I first tried to install using Catalina Patcher (1.1.7 at the time). I downloaded several times, tried installing in place, using USB stick but always got the same error. After much researching this forum, it looked like SIP was enabled but I couldn't disable it it even with the Patcjher. I booted to recovery mode then I was able to disable the SIP and then I also set NVRAM to no-compat and then the install went as expected.
I've attached my notes I took during this process. Not sure why but my MBP5,1 installed with no problems at all and I didn't need to disable SIP.
Sorry for the late reply, man
I downloaded de patcher compatible with 10.15.1 and, when prompted to choose between install on the machine or create a bootable drive, I simply installed on the machine. Everything that was already in the Mac stayed just as it was.
You can also do that with the bootable drive, all you have to do is not to erase the previous installation, just install over it.
Thanks @ASentientBot, at least your old CoreDisplay & SkyLight wrapper from last Catalina (pre-release / DP) still keep my laptop with NVDA Fermi (OpenGL) alive #LOL. Just updated to 10.15.2 Beta (19C32e). There was something weird related to SMC (like; need few reboot attemps for successful update) as well with NVRAM or even EC reset. Though yeah.. I hope, it only ocurred on non-real macs.
(Sorry for the screenshot, my MBP is currently not in my hand for testing, so.. you know what I mean)
(Sorry for the screenshot, my MBP is currently not in my hand for testing, so.. you know what I mean)
Last edited:
My question to the great people @dosdude1, @jackluke, & @ASentientBot maybe others who have greatly contributed for us unsupported Mac users to run Macs with OS that was not meant to be.
1. Cant the upcoming patch include methods of not having to tweak sh commands, ktext replacements for Airdrop, Continuity so that after applying update of patches for upcoming OS updates goes smoothly.
2. Currently after applying updates all theses steps needs to be done again and sometimes these steps don't work and one is again left looking around for solutions in the forum.
3. Can the upcoming patch updates allow apple software update without hindering the existing patched OS.
4. Lastly, for non metal graphics would there be a solution to tweak the drivers so that airplay, Netflix in safari @1080p, and other missing issues could work.
I know it is asking for a bit over the edge but since this forum has many good developers perhaps its good to have hope.
Soon Catalina OS 15.2 will be on the way
Have a nice weekend all.
1. Cant the upcoming patch include methods of not having to tweak sh commands, ktext replacements for Airdrop, Continuity so that after applying update of patches for upcoming OS updates goes smoothly.
2. Currently after applying updates all theses steps needs to be done again and sometimes these steps don't work and one is again left looking around for solutions in the forum.
3. Can the upcoming patch updates allow apple software update without hindering the existing patched OS.
4. Lastly, for non metal graphics would there be a solution to tweak the drivers so that airplay, Netflix in safari @1080p, and other missing issues could work.
I know it is asking for a bit over the edge but since this forum has many good developers perhaps its good to have hope.
Soon Catalina OS 15.2 will be on the way
Have a nice weekend all.
Last edited:
@ASentientBot any luck in tracking down the secondary monitor login problems?
iMac 2010 owners (Radeon HD 5xxxx and 6xxx) have any way to install and use Catalina patcher ?
Last edited:
Just go to dosdude1 link and download latest patcher 1.2.3. Launch the patcher and it will download latest catalina OS. Make a bootable usb stick and install to your iMac. The patch has legacy graphic patch and you will not face any issues. Just make sure your SIP is disabled.
here is the link
http://dosdude1.com/catalina/
You can also find the video in youtube for procedure and installation.
-
Thank you for your answer! But there's a warning on the patch's front page:
#AFAICT GTX 860 is Maxwell (GM) and it needs WebDriver to works. But neither Apple & Nvidia provided any driver for it since 10.14, so.. Guessing; stay with 10.13.6 as the only option to achieve graphics 3D Acceleration.
I just released the final version of macOS Patcher 3.0. Enjoy.
Release notes for macOS Patcher 3.0:
Important notes:
Release notes for macOS Patcher 3.0:
- Full support for macOS 10.15.1 Catalina
- Use openinstallmedia script, resolving issues on older versions of macOS
- Use bash for scripts, providing possible future support for Linux
- Add new CoreDisplay and SkyLight wrappers for macOS 10.15 Catalina
- Add new SkyLight transparency patch for macOS 10.14 Mojave
- Add MouSSE by Syncretic, supporting Metal graphics cards on the MacPro3.1
- Remove support for cleaning up resources from macOS Patcher 1 releases
Important notes:
- You have to run macOS Patcher with the -legacy-prelinkedkernel flag when creating an installer for the MacBook4,1.
Last edited:
"AMD/ATI Radeon HD 5xxx and 6xxx series graphics acceleration: Currently, it is not possible to achieve full graphics acceleration under Catalina on any machines that use a Radeon HD 5xxx or 6xxx series GPU. If you have a machine with one of these GPUs installed, I'd advise upgrading it if possible (can be done in 2010/2011 iMacs, iMac11,x-12,x), disabling the dedicated GPU if using a 2011 15" or 17" MacBook Pro (MacBookPro8,2/8,3, instructions to do so can be found here), or not installing Catalina. Running Catalina without full graphics acceleration will result in extremely poor system performance."
"I'd advise upgrading it if possible" means, that you have to change the GPU (purchase a compatible GPU, open the iMac, get the AMD 5xxx/6xxx GPU out (it is on a socket, not soldered), put the new GPU in). That for a normal user is not possible (to difficult), you have to get help from your local Apple user group.
Last edited:
BlueSky 2.0 is out now. Older versions will no longer function. https://github.com/rmc-team/bluesky/releases/tag/2.0
Release notes for BlueSky 2.0:
Release notes for BlueSky 2.0:
- Add new SkyLight patches, full transparency patch
- Use bash for script
- Include resources in source
- This tool isn't needed for macOS Patcher users.