macOS 10.15 Catalina on Unsupported Macs

[hvds]

.5 Beta 3 (build 19F72f) installed OK on MBP5,2.

Usual procedure followed: install OTA using CatalinaOTAswufix.app, post-install patch with 1.4.3; and also needed re-boot to 2nd OTA phase with OpenCore booter prepared with USBOpenCoreAPFSloader2, to inject LegacyUSB for old hardware of mid 2009 machine (I'm using external SSD for betas).
Transparency is there. Didn't find the new feature of Beta 3 (battery charging improvement) yet; won't miss it.

Thanks to jackluke, dosdude, ASentientBot, all!

 

[TimothyR734]

Successfully installed 10.15.5 Dev Beta 3

 

[windrider42]

Thanks! This fixed my Office Applications and Google Chrome.

Quick Question. Do I have to perform this after every single update?

Is this something only needed on 10.5.4 patched? Is this something that can be fixed in an update?
Thanks for the help!

I had trouble with Google Chrome but your fix didn't work for me. So I did this one instead

codesign --force --deep --sign - /Applications/Google\ Chrome.app

That worked for me.

For Microsoft Edge, all I had to do was load it a second time, after it crashed first time loading. Haven't had any issues since.

My only other issue with Catalina is it will just randomly restart my MBP

Successfully installed 10.15.5 Dev Beta 3 View attachment 910676

That looks great. Glad it went well for you

 

[TimothyR734]

I have a spare usb made with the USBOpenCoreAPFSloader2, then ran the swupatch in the terminal. Then ran the catalinafix5 around 300mb of the update downloaded. Then you get a black screen with Apple Logo and progress bar, then a bit into it it will reboot once you hear the chime hold the option button choose the usb OpenCoreAPFSloader then choose macOS installer it will reboot and finish installing the update then apply the post install patches.

 

[skiabox]

Thanks! This fixed my Office Applications and Google Chrome.

Quick Question. Do I have to perform this after every single update?

Is this something only needed on 10.5.4 patched? Is this something that can be fixed in an update?
Thanks for the help!

I must perform this procedure every Thursday.

 

[0403979]

2011 iMac Graphics Card Upgrade

EDIT: 8/16/20 NEW AGC kexts have been added to change "board-id" to "board-ix" in the AppleGraphicsDevicePolicy binary. This has the same affect as "agdpmod=pikera" from Whatevergreen, this upload is for AMD users. "instant on" K3100m/k4100m/k5100m/780m etc cards need this kext to fix...

forums.macrumors.com

In a PM with @dosdude1 I mentioned a separate checkbox should be added for "2011 MXM Metal iMac's", what i'm assuming would happen is when this checkbox is clicked it will install the some additional patches from a separate folder within the post installer. Some of the Kexts in his installer are redundant such as HD3000/SNBFramebuffer/plugins etc, IOSurface and MCCS. Yes a separate AppleGraphicsControl needs to be added to the installer and placed inside this presumed "MXM-Metal-iMac" folder.

When this "2011 MXM Metal iMac's" option is selected the following need to be installed from "video card patches" folder. These kexts already exist and a duplicate folder isn't needed.

• AppleIntelHD3000Graphics.kext
• AppleIntelHD3000GraphicsGA.plugin
• AppleIntelHD3000GraphicsGLDriver.bundle
• AppleIntelHD3000GraphicsVADriver.bundle
• AppleIntelSNBGraphicsFB.kext
• AppleIntelSNBVA.bundle
• AppleMCCSControl.kext
• IOSurface

A new folder (within video card patches) will need to be added such as "MXM-Metal-iMac" which contains the following to be installed

• AppleGVA.framework to PrivateFrameworks (fixes Airplay/enables iGPU encoding)
• AppleGraphicsControl.kext (a stock copy with added board ID's, fixes blank screen)

Hope this clears things up a bit.

So, if I want to update macOS Patcher with this. What version of the AppleGVA framework do I need? Is there one AppleGraphicsControl kext I can use for Mojave and Catalina? And which models is this patch specifically for (cause I assume it's best to make it model specific since it uses a modded kext)?

 

[honglong1976]

I had trouble with Google Chrome but your fix didn't work for me. So I did this one instead

codesign --force --deep --sign - /Applications/Google\ Chrome.app

That worked for me.

For Microsoft Edge, all I had to do was load it a second time, after it crashed first time loading. Haven't had any issues since.

My only other issue with Catalina is it will just randomly restart my MBP



That looks great. Glad it went well for you

I tried this in terminal (is this correct?) but I get the error:

codesign --force --deep --sign - /Applications/Google\ Chrome.app


/Applications/Google Chrome.app: replacing existing signature


/Applications/Google Chrome.app: resource fork, Finder information, or similar detritus not allowed

Thanks

 

[highvoltage12v]

So, if I want to update macOS Patcher with this. What version of the AppleGVA framework do I need? Is there one AppleGraphicsControl kext I can use for Mojave and Catalina? And which models is this patch specifically for (cause I assume it's best to make it model specific since it uses a modded kext)?

Hello,
The Copy of AppleGVA.framework & hd3000 kexts can be found here but i'll also attach it again here. The Version i'm using is from 10.13.6. As for AppleGrahpicsControl.kext when I try a Mojave copy in Catalina the menu bar items at the top are blank "Finder, File, Edit, View, Go" ETC. I'll also attach the copy that we are using here. Our main target of iMacs to currently patch right now are Nvidia Swapped because at the moment, those cards are still supported and it's relatively cheap to get a supported MXM card. A k2100m is about $40 on eBay and fits 21" iMacs and 27" iMacs.

Here a a chart for the model's iMacs supported

iMac12,2	(27-inch Mid 2011)	Mac-942B59F58194171B
iMac12,1	(21.5-inch Mid 2011)	Mac-942B5BF58194151B
iMac11,3	(27-inch Mid 2010)	Mac-F2238BAE
iMac11,2	(21.5-inch Mid 2010)	Mac-F2238AC8
iMac11,1	(27-inch Late 2009)	Mac-F2268DAE

However there are still some issues with some AMD's cards not posting with 2011 iMacs, something I need to look into in the future.

 

[windrider42]

I tried this in terminal (is this correct?) but I get the error:

codesign --force --deep --sign - /Applications/Google\ Chrome.app


/Applications/Google Chrome.app: replacing existing signature


/Applications/Google Chrome.app: resource fork, Finder information, or similar detritus not allowed

Thanks

Maybe try what skiabox posted first

First you do (optionally) xattr -lr <path_to_app_bundle> to get the list of the files that cause the error.
Then you do xattr -cr <path_to_app_bundle>

Then maybe try again.

 

[straycat23]

Will someone please tell me how to load the Catalina Beta instead of the OS from the Apple website? I think I have to update by installing the patcher utility each time there is an update. I think I have that correct. I've been running Catalina on my Mac Pro 5.1, which is unsupported, by using the Patcher and loading directly onto my SSD. I think OS v.10.15.4 is out on the Apple website, but I want to use the Beta instead. I have the Beta in my downloads. When I "browse for a copy", the Beta is grayed out. Please help

 

[Pinarek]

here as always everything without any intervention thanks to dosdude1 Patch 1.4.3 after the 2nd phase.
BIOS reset has also been successfully resolved.

 

[gigi90]

Hello, I've installed 10.15.4 over 10.15.3 with those steps:
- download the patcher
- clicked on "install on this drive"

After the reboot I now see the terminal at boot like if APFS patch was reinstalled. Is that possible? Ho can I remove that? I'm on a Macbook 5,1 with rom patched. Thanks

 

[windrider42]

Maybe try what skiabox posted first

First you do (optionally) xattr -lr <path_to_app_bundle> to get the list of the files that cause the error.
Then you do xattr -cr <path_to_app_bundle>

Then maybe try again.

Sorry forgot to add yes in terminal

But you need the Command Line Tools installed to be able to run your code signing.
To install, in Terminal type:

xcode-select --install

 

[vinaypundith]

I am trying to use the Catalina Patcher to install on a 2008 model Mac Pro 3,1, by running the patcher tool on another MacBook and selecting "Create Bootable Installer", but the Mac Pro won't boot the bootable installer (which in my case is a SATA 2.5" hard drive on a SATA to USB adapter tail). It shows the progress bar, but the progress bar loads to about 60%, then moves very slowly for half an hour or so, and then once it reaches 100% it just stays at that Apple logo screen doing nothing.
Does anyone here know why that could be happening? I have been at this all day.......

I just used the same MacBook with the same external hard drive and the same Bootable Installer creation process with the MacOS Mojave Patcher to install Mojave on the same 2008 Mac Pro and it worked great. But when I do the same thing with the Catalina patcher it gives me the problem I just described above.

When I try to run the Catalina Patcher on the 2008 Mac Pro itself, the tool gives me an error saying "Error Mounting InstallESD.dmg image", both while trying to create a bootable installer or directly using "Install to This Machine". I tried it both with the Mac Pro running OS X El Capitan and Mojave, and the latest patcher tool. Both gave me the exact same error.

Any help would be much appreciated.

 

[highvoltage12v]

I am trying to use the Catalina Patcher to install on a 2008 model Mac Pro 3,1, by running the patcher tool on another MacBook and selecting "Create Bootable Installer", but the Mac Pro won't boot the bootable installer (which in my case is a SATA 2.5" hard drive on a SATA to USB adapter tail). It shows the progress bar, but the progress bar loads to about 60%, then moves very slowly for half an hour or so, and then once it reaches 100% it just stays at that Apple logo screen doing nothing.
Does anyone here know why that could be happening? I have been at this all day.......

I just used the same MacBook with the same external hard drive and the same Bootable Installer creation process with the MacOS Mojave Patcher to install Mojave on the same 2008 Mac Pro and it worked great. But when I do the same thing with the Catalina patcher it gives me the problem I just described above.

When I try to run the Catalina Patcher on the 2008 Mac Pro itself, the tool gives me an error saying "Error Mounting InstallESD.dmg image", both while trying to create a bootable installer or directly using "Install to This Machine". I tried it both with the Mac Pro running OS X El Capitan and Mojave, and the latest patcher tool. Both gave me the exact same error.

Any help would be much appreciated.

Your issue sounds like it needs the legacy USB Kext but it's not loading on boot.
Since it boots on the MacBook, can you use that to create the installation on the drive? You can then reboot the installer and go to the Post install application and select Mac Pro 3,1.

You can also move your install drive to one of the bays in the Mac Pro 3,1 to skip the USB issues. I have a 2,1 and I wedge an old phone charger above the fans and the 2.5" SSD for it to sit in place temporarily.

 

[honglong1976]

Maybe try what skiabox posted first

First you do (optionally) xattr -lr <path_to_app_bundle> to get the list of the files that cause the error.
Then you do xattr -cr <path_to_app_bundle>

Then maybe try again.

I tried that already, should it be in terminal?

xattr -lr <path_to_app_bundle>
zsh: parse error near `\n'

 

[FixerMX]

I'm having a bit of trouble understanding how to use @jackluke's OpenCore to update my MacBookPro 5,1 from 10.15.2 to 10.15.4-plus-Supplemental (just using the @dosdude1 patcher, either from bootable or in-place, is not working). I've pored through the last 200 pages and possibly missed it, if someone could point me toward step-by-step instructions.

Alternatively, would patcher 1.4.3 simply Just Work if I wiped the drive and installed cleanly?

 

[vinaypundith]

Your issue sounds like it needs the legacy USB Kext but it's not loading on boot.
Since it boots on the MacBook, can you use that to create the installation on the drive? You can then reboot the installer and go to the Post install application and select Mac Pro 3,1.

You can also move your install drive to one of the bays in the Mac Pro 3,1 to skip the USB issues. I have a 2,1 and I wedge an old phone charger above the fans and the 2.5" SSD for it to sit in place temporarily.

I don't think it's a USB issue.
The "bootable installer" does not boot on my MacBook (which BTW is a 2010 model white MacBook 7,1 running patched OS Catalina) either. Same issue as with the Mac Pro.
Putting the installer HDD into the Mac Pro's SATA port doesn't work either. Same issue.

Any other possible solutions? Something to do with the APFS booter, maybe?

Also, when I try to run the Catalina Patcher on the Mac Pro itself, why am I getting an error saying "Error Mounting InstallESD image"?

 

[windrider42]

[

I tried that already, should it be in terminal?

xattr -lr <path_to_app_bundle>
zsh: parse error near `\n'

I posted again. Just look here

macOS 10.15 Catalina on Unsupported Macs

Sorry forgot to add yes in terminal But you need the Command Line Tools installed to be able to run your code signing. To install, in Terminal type: xcode-select --install

forums.macrumors.com

Try that and see if it works for you

 

[quaccOS]

Patched Catalina Bugs (as of 10.15.4, Patcher 1.4.3) – to inform those especially who are thinking of upgrading from Mojave​

• Safari Extensions tick boxes seem to work on supported Macs (e.g. 1Blocker was enabled on a MacBook Pro 11,2)
However, I can't enable my ad-blocker on my MacBook Pro 7,1. I tried Safe Mode and switching between the Safari preference panes.
• Chinese & Japanese input methods/sources still don't work!
• AirDrop doesn't exist
• Launchpad unexpectedly reorganises itself
• Apps such as Zoom presume you have a Metal-capable GPU which prevents you from updating
• All Photos tab is gone from the Photos app
• Software Update pref. pane fails to show new updates – most people already know this
Don't hesitate to add to this list. This is the problems I've had so far as an MBP7,1 user.
I haven't spotted any issues in my Mojave partition, I don't use it much because I can't downgrade my Photos Library to work with 10.14, so Catalina is my primary

The biggest trade-offs to upgrading Catalina have been the loss of Chinese/Japanese input, and enabling Safari Extensions (since 10.15.3). If you find a fix for any of these, feel free to post.
Google's Japanese IME is not a "fix" but it has helped me get work done.

 

[deeveedee]

After that, everything set up, I've installed the latest version of Microsoft Office 2019. Everything seemed to be fine until I tried to present - fullscreen - a pptx file. If you use slide transition effects, Powerpoint shows only black screen. If you remove slide transition effects, everything else runs smoothly. This is kind of weird and disappointing. I have no idea how to even start to fix it.

@brmarinho - I've observed the same problem on my MBP6,2 / 10.15.4. I thought I found a solution, but no luck. The only work-around I've found in 10.15.4 is to export the self-paced slide show to .mov and play in Quick Time.

Note: The same version of MS Office / PowerPoint does not have this problem on my MBP6,2 when running DosDude-patched Mojave 10.14.6.

 

[windrider42]

I am trying to use the Catalina Patcher to install on a 2008 model Mac Pro 3,1, by running the patcher tool on another MacBook and selecting "Create Bootable Installer", but the Mac Pro won't boot the bootable installer (which in my case is a SATA 2.5" hard drive on a SATA to USB adapter tail). It shows the progress bar, but the progress bar loads to about 60%, then moves very slowly for half an hour or so, and then once it reaches 100% it just stays at that Apple logo screen doing nothing.
Does anyone here know why that could be happening? I have been at this all day.......

I just used the same MacBook with the same external hard drive and the same Bootable Installer creation process with the MacOS Mojave Patcher to install Mojave on the same 2008 Mac Pro and it worked great. But when I do the same thing with the Catalina patcher it gives me the problem I just described above.

When I try to run the Catalina Patcher on the 2008 Mac Pro itself, the tool gives me an error saying "Error Mounting InstallESD.dmg image", both while trying to create a bootable installer or directly using "Install to This Machine". I tried it both with the Mac Pro running OS X El Capitan and Mojave, and the latest patcher tool. Both gave me the exact same error.

Any help would be much appreciated.

I don't think it's a USB issue.
The "bootable installer" does not boot on my MacBook (which BTW is a 2010 model white MacBook 7,1 running patched OS Catalina) either. Same issue as with the Mac Pro.
Putting the installer HDD into the Mac Pro's SATA port doesn't work either. Same issue.

Any other possible solutions? Something to do with the APFS booter, maybe?

Also, when I try to run the Catalina Patcher on the Mac Pro itself, why am I getting an error saying "Error Mounting InstallESD image"?

I am a bit confused. In your second post you say you tried the installer on a Macbook 7,1 running patched OS Catalina. But in Earlier post you talk of El Capitan and Mojave

Do you have an SSD hdd your installing to. Catalina requires APFS and a SSD to install on.

As for the Catalina Patcher in your first post it sounds like you tried to boot already with it, sounding to me like you successfully made a USB installer. Did it all say success when done?

But then your saying you get an error on running the Patcher. I would suggest to try downloading it again and start over.
Erase the drive your using as a USB installer again.
Sometimes starting from scratch fixes things.

 

[rafolas]

Hi!

I'm having a problem with Python in Catalina. I've just redonwload the patcher and reinstalled Catalina, so now I have an iMac early 2008 with 10.15.4.

The problem I have is that every time I try to import a somewhat complex library or execute a program from terminal, I get this message:

zsh: illegal hardware instruction python3

And I've found only two webs with similar problems... but with solutions not valid for me

Any idea of a solution. I'm trying to learn Python. I need Python. But I would like to continue using Catalina

Thank you for your interest in advance

 

[Vyzantion]

My machine seems to be failing, not just for macOS, but also, somewhat, for Linux and for Windows. I was thinking to get a refurbished new one, perhaps with Intel i3 (I have Intel Core 2 Duo now), or build a new one from refurbished components (long time Hackintosh user...(. But I was thinking to wait until the new Apple June conference, to see what the requirements for the succesor of Catalina would be, perhaps Intel i3 would be a too little. Who knows? Apple has surprised us so many times. Would you recommend to buy now or wait until then? I hope this machine would not fail completly until then.

 

[hvds]

Hi!

I'm having a problem with Python in Catalina. I've just redonwload the patcher and reinstalled Catalina, so now I have an iMac early 2008 with 10.15.4.

The problem I have is that every time I try to import a somewhat complex library or execute a program from terminal, I get this message:

zsh: illegal hardware instruction python3

And I've found only two webs with similar problems... but with solutions not valid for me

Any idea of a solution. I'm trying to learn Python. I need Python. But I would like to continue using Catalina

Thank you for your interest in advance

I didn't observe that yet, neither with python 2.7.16 nor 3.7.3 - mayby my python usage is too simple.

(MBP5,2 17" mid 2009, 2.8GHz T9600, Nvidia 9600M GT, 8GB, APFS ROM patch applied, Samsung SSD 840/860 EVO with APFS. Catalina 10.15.4supp and 10.15.5b3)