macOS 10.15 Catalina on Unsupported Macs

[NutherBob]

OpenCoreAPFSloader3 is needed if your Mac won't natively boot an APFS drive. In the case of updates, it's needed to allow such Macs to see the update installer. Without it, your Mac would simply boot straight back to the original OS without actually updating the system.

Thanks again

 

[NutherBob]

You have an unpatched ROM. Make a USB using the built-in instructions within OpenCoreAPFSloader3. Booting into that USB will allow selection of the macOS installer to complete the update, you may have to redo all of the previous steps including deleting everything in the /Library/Updates ƒ. Tedious, I know but patience and perseverance will eventually pay off.

Very helpful thanks K two

 

[trifero]

Try this - instructions are built-in.

Thank you so much, sir. Updated without any problem. Much appreciated.

 

[naniscola]

I found a post on another site how to make Atheros WIFI Cards work in Catalina (10.15.07//cMp4.1-5.1.). That worked already for me in Mojave. Hope it will for you too!

How to fix wifi Atheros AR9285 in macOS Mojave - Ur Computer Technics - Expert Views & Guides on Gaming Hardware & Tech Solutions

Atheros ar9285 wifi adapter is not working in macOS Mojave it got removed from macOS Mojave is mostly because of the fewer features and but here is I'm

urcomputertechnics.com

 

[windrider42]

Thanks, and from what build did you update this to? (Asking because I tried from 19H512 and screwed up completely, instable and crashing Finder afterwards).
Edit: Did it again starting from 19H2 and this time it worked as intended. So either a one-shot mishap when I did the 2021-002 update starting with 19H512 or (unlikely) there could be some problem with that update combination.

View attachment 1727082

I updated from the 10.15.7 (19H15)

macOS 10.15 Catalina on Unsupported Macs

I finally updated my Catalina with the supplemental update 10.15.7 (19H15) , and I must say this is the best Catalina has worked for me. I used the MD5 tool to download it, and dosdudes patcher to make the installer. Worked perfectly.

forums.macrumors.com

Glad you got it sorted out.

 

[wire_]

Little help?

Trying to supplemental update a Mac Pro 3,1 (no APFS boot) from 10.15.7 19H2 to 19H15 and getting stuck.

I've got the supplemental update in the Software Update list, and I a USB flash drive with working USBOpenCoreAPFSLoader3. But I can never find the secondary supp, update installer in the OpenCore boot list. So the system moves on to the last part of the installation which leaves me back where I started.

I've reviewd all the steps listed in this thread, but I must be missing something simple.

1. Clear /Library/Updates
2. Find the macOS Catalina 10.15.7 Supplemental Update 10.15.7 1.34 GB in Software Update
3. Click Install, it downloads and initiates restart
4. Shuts down into a black screen with brief progress bar like it's getting an installer area ready
5. Warm boots without startup chime into a white screen for 30 seconds; Option key boot-menu is not available
6. Reboots again without startup chime into white screen for 30 seconds (a repeat of 5)
7. Fully reboots, Option key boot-menu has OpenCore option from thumb drive. If I were to just let it go here it would panic, so option into OpenCore.
8. OpenCore loader list contains no update partition; only list options Macintosh HD and DosDude installer recovery which I keep on same drive just to be handy.

I've tried hard resetting using power button and using Option > OpenCore at various points in process and never find an Supp. installer area to choose. Only choice is to go back to Macintosh HD where I wait for 10 minutes for the last part of the install to run with no purpose landing me back at 19H2.

What am I missing?

TIA

 

[wire_]

Little help?

Trying to supplemental update a Mac Pro 3,1 (no APFS boot) from 10.15.7 19H2 to 19H15 and getting stuck.

I've got the supplemental update in the Software Update list, and I a USB flash drive with working USBOpenCoreAPFSLoader3. But I can never find the secondary supp, update installer in the OpenCore boot list. So the system moves on to the last part of the installation which leaves me back where I started.

I've reviewd all the steps listed in this thread, but I must be missing something simple.

1. Clear /Library/Updates
2. Find the macOS Catalina 10.15.7 Supplemental Update 10.15.7 1.34 GB in Software Update
3. Click Install, it downloads and initiates restart
4. Shuts down into a black screen with brief progress bar like it's getting an installer area ready
5. Warm boots without startup chime into a white screen for 30 seconds; Option key boot-menu is not available
6. Reboots again without startup chime into white screen for 30 seconds (a repeat of 5)
7. Fully reboots, Option key boot-menu has OpenCore option from thumb drive. If I were to just let it go here it would panic, so option into OpenCore.
8. OpenCore loader list contains no update partition; only list options Macintosh HD and DosDude installer recovery which I keep on same drive just to be handy.

I've tried hard resetting using power button and using Option > OpenCore at various points in process and never find an Supp. installer area to choose. Only choice is to go back to Macintosh HD where I wait for 10 minutes for the last part of the install to run with no purpose landing me back at 19H2.

What am I missing?

TIA

Ahhh, what is the name of the Supp. Update installer?

Is it something like "Recovery (10.15.7 dmg)"

 

[windrider42]

Little help?

Trying to supplemental update a Mac Pro 3,1 (no APFS boot) from 10.15.7 19H2 to 19H15 and getting stuck.

I've got the supplemental update in the Software Update list, and I a USB flash drive with working USBOpenCoreAPFSLoader3. But I can never find the secondary supp, update installer in the OpenCore boot list. So the system moves on to the last part of the installation which leaves me back where I started.

I've reviewd all the steps listed in this thread, but I must be missing something simple.

1. Clear /Library/Updates
2. Find the macOS Catalina 10.15.7 Supplemental Update 10.15.7 1.34 GB in Software Update
3. Click Install, it downloads and initiates restart
4. Shuts down into a black screen with brief progress bar like it's getting an installer area ready
5. Warm boots without startup chime into a white screen for 30 seconds; Option key boot-menu is not available
6. Reboots again without startup chime into white screen for 30 seconds (a repeat of 5)
7. Fully reboots, Option key boot-menu has OpenCore option from thumb drive. If I were to just let it go here it would panic, so option into OpenCore.
8. OpenCore loader list contains no update partition; only list options Macintosh HD and DosDude installer recovery which I keep on same drive just to be handy.

I've tried hard resetting using power button and using Option > OpenCore at various points in process and never find an Supp. installer area to choose. Only choice is to go back to Macintosh HD where I wait for 10 minutes for the last part of the install to run with no purpose landing me back at 19H2.

What am I missing?

TIA

After it downloads, I just shut down.
Then hold Option key upon chime when starting
Select the SBOpenCoreAPFSLoader3 USB, and when it comes up , Select Option 2 I believe it was to install the MacOS supplemental Update
After that installs, shut down and boot into Recovery and then you can do the Dosdude1 patches

 

[wire_]

Thk you

I retraced steps:

1. Cleared /Library/Updates again
2. Went to Software Update and found Supp Upd.
3. Interrupted d/l and reapplied CatalinaOTAswufix (I'd gone through all this before but must have got something out of order.
4. Choose Software Update Install, which prompted Download and Restart.
5. This shut down into a black progress bar which took much longer than before. When it went to warm boot, I force-reset suing power button and Option key to get to OpenCore, and its list now includes a new "macOS Install". Chose this and the install proceeded.
6. After installer announced complete and timer to reboot, power-cycled again, patched
7. System booted and reported a Security Update. Choosing to install this caused a pause, then it disappeared, while Patch Updated offered a library patch. Applied and restarted. Then Software Update offered an Epson Printer update which ran.

Now at 19H524 and Software Update reports empty (well Big Sur but nvm).

Confusing but looks like success.

Do I need to re-apply CatalinaOTAswufix?

For future updates, will I need to retrace all these steps, including keeping an OpenCore flash handy? Can I place OpenCore partition next to Macintosh HD and DosDude Catalina Install so it's all on the one drive?

Thanks again for the help

 

[Larsvonhier]

Thk you

I retraced steps:

1. Cleared /Library/Updates again
2. Went to Software Update and found Supp Upd.
3. Interrupted d/l and reapplied CatalinaOTAswufix (I'd gone through all this before but must have got something out of order.
4. Choose Software Update Install, which prompted Download and Restart.
5. This shut down into a black progress bar which took much longer than before. When it went to warm boot, I force-reset suing power button and Option key to get to OpenCore, and its list now includes a new "macOS Install". Chose this and the install proceeded.
6. After installer announced complete and timer to reboot, power-cycled again, patched
7. System booted and reported a Security Update. Choosing to install this caused a pause, then it disappeared, while Patch Updated offered a library patch. Applied and restarted. Then Software Update offered an Epson Printer update which ran.

Now at 19H524 and Software Update reports empty (well Big Sur but nvm).

Confusing but looks like success.

Do I need to re-apply CatalinaOTAswufix?

For future updates, will I need to retrace all these steps, including keeping an OpenCore flash handy? Can I place OpenCore partition next to Macintosh HD and DosDude Catalina Install so it's all on the one drive?

Thanks again for the help

You only need the CatalinaOTAswufix whenever newer supplemental or security updates are released that you want to "see". No need before that (other than for checking from time to time, but alternatively better check back here and read about reported new releases).

 

[amstel78]

Thanks again

BTW, if you're on an MP3,1 then no need for OpenCoreAPFSloader3 if you flash your boot ROM to support native APFS booting. You can get the flasher from DosDude1's web page.

 

[amstel78]

Successfully updated my MP3,1 to 19H524 just a few moments ago. Took about 20 minutes, including running post-install patches.

 

[b251]

If you end up with the same build as before (19H2) you missed the 2nd stage installer phase.
Re-do everything but hold ALT key during reboot - and select the "Installer" drive instead of your primary boot volume.
Then let the 2nd stage do its deed.
Worked for me flawlessly.
Edit: I assume that your machine is already ROM-patched for APFS? Otherwise it´s a bit more tricky to select the right boot volume.

Yes, it's already APFS patched. And as you can see in my previous post I already figured that out that i've missed booting the second stage manually.

 

[K two]

Little help?

Trying to supplemental update a Mac Pro 3,1 (no APFS boot) from 10.15.7 19H2 to 19H15 and getting stuck.

I've got the supplemental update in the Software Update list, and I a USB flash drive with working USBOpenCoreAPFSLoader3. But I can never find the secondary supp, update installer in the OpenCore boot list. So the system moves on to the last part of the installation which leaves me back where I started.

I've reviewd all the steps listed in this thread, but I must be missing something simple.

1. Clear /Library/Updates
2. Find the macOS Catalina 10.15.7 Supplemental Update 10.15.7 1.34 GB in Software Update
3. Click Install, it downloads and initiates restart
4. Shuts down into a black screen with brief progress bar like it's getting an installer area ready
5. Warm boots without startup chime into a white screen for 30 seconds; Option key boot-menu is not available
6. Reboots again without startup chime into white screen for 30 seconds (a repeat of 5)
7. Fully reboots, Option key boot-menu has OpenCore option from thumb drive. If I were to just let it go here it would panic, so option into OpenCore.
8. OpenCore loader list contains no update partition; only list options Macintosh HD and DosDude installer recovery which I keep on same drive just to be handy.

I've tried hard resetting using power button and using Option > OpenCore at various points in process and never find an Supp. installer area to choose. Only choice is to go back to Macintosh HD where I wait for 10 minutes for the last part of the install to run with no purpose landing me back at 19H2.

What am I missing?

TIA

Make a new v.1.4.4 USB using 19H15 d/l from gibmacOS-master or MDS and install on top of 19H2. What you are missing is not deleting everything in the /Library/Updates ƒ. But the new patcher USB has numerous advantages when striving for 19H15 over the update method.

 

[K two]

Successfully updated my MP3,1 to 19H524 just a few moments ago. Took about 20 minutes, including running post-install patches.
View attachment 1728029

H524? on the release channel? Had H525 for awhile, now H1009 on Beta channel which runs flawlessly, btw.

 

[K two]

Thk you

I retraced steps:

1. Cleared /Library/Updates again
2. Went to Software Update and found Supp Upd.
3. Interrupted d/l and reapplied CatalinaOTAswufix (I'd gone through all this before but must have got something out of order.
4. Choose Software Update Install, which prompted Download and Restart.
5. This shut down into a black progress bar which took much longer than before. When it went to warm boot, I force-reset suing power button and Option key to get to OpenCore, and its list now includes a new "macOS Install". Chose this and the install proceeded.
6. After installer announced complete and timer to reboot, power-cycled again, patched
7. System booted and reported a Security Update. Choosing to install this caused a pause, then it disappeared, while Patch Updated offered a library patch. Applied and restarted. Then Software Update offered an Epson Printer update which ran.

Now at 19H524 and Software Update reports empty (well Big Sur but nvm).

Confusing but looks like success.

Do I need to re-apply CatalinaOTAswufix?

For future updates, will I need to retrace all these steps, including keeping an OpenCore flash handy? Can I place OpenCore partition next to Macintosh HD and DosDude Catalina Install so it's all on the one drive?

Thanks again for the help

One can install the @dosdude1 patcher v.1.4.4 and USBOpenCoreAPFSloader3.app on the same USB which can be very handy.

 

[SpookTheHamster]

Looks like a bad macOS install. Rebuild the v.1.4.4 USB w/Build#19H15. Use gibMacOS-master or MDS to get that version. Also, the Broadcomm card may have gone south. Is there another install that can be booted?

No luck . The steps I have tried (in order):

• Reinstall over current install
• Erase SDD and reinstall
• Apply post-install patches
• Run Onyx Maintenance

I did those with the original version I downloaded (19H2) and 19H15 as you suggested. I've also tried installs with/without the Broadcom BCM4321 patch, as I'm not actually sure of the WiFi card in a MBP5,5 (I can't check, because it doesn't report one!)

 

[amstel78]

H524? on the release channel? Had H525 for awhile, now H1009 on Beta channel which runs flawlessly, btw.

Yes, release channel. According to Apple, H524 for Catalina was just released as a supplementary update yesterday (9 Feb). Not running Dev at the moment.

 

[K two]

No luck . The steps I have tried (in order):

• Reinstall over current install
• Erase SDD and reinstall
• Apply post-install patches
• Run Onyx Maintenance

I did those with the original version I downloaded (19H2) and 19H15 as you suggested. I've also tried installs with/without the Broadcom BCM4321 patch, as I'm not actually sure of the WiFi card in a MBP5,5 (I can't check, because it doesn't report one!)

Looks a bit like the radio card went south? Perhaps the connection to the motherboard?

 

[SpookTheHamster]

Looks a bit like the radio card went south? Perhaps the connection to the motherboard?

That’s been my underlying fear all along. Particularly as it occurred so suddenly while I was using the computer. The iFixit tear down looks pretty gruesome, but I’ll give it a look when I’ve next got some free time in the workshop. I’ll not buy another card, I’ve already decided to buy the next MBP.

 

[wire_]

Yes, release channel. According to Apple, H524 for Catalina was just released as a supplementary update yesterday (9 Feb). Not running Dev at the moment.

Notice you have a Mac Pro 3,1.

In general SW runs with performance exactly as one would expect for this generation of CPU. Which means the system is quite useable, but a bit I/O bound by todays standards due to SATA.

The one exception is Parallels VM on the 3,1. Tremendous performance loss someone in VM code (not the guest) as if I/O literally is taking a 1000 times longer than it should, maybe because caches are being completely destroyed for VM or something in the syscall/interrupt cycle is weird.

I have the same install running on a Gigabyte Brix dual i5 at 1.6GHz 4GB and its effective performance is quite literally at least 10x the Mac Pro 3,1. Very usable. A 2012 Macbook Pro i7 also runs the same install fine. Only the Mac Pro 3,1 is pathological, esp for Win10, but Win7 and Ubuntu also suffer.

I can find NO comments on this topic after much googling.

My guess is that low-level workarounds to RAM side-channel security bugs in IA (can't recall what this exploit was called but is was a big deal around 2015?) spoiled pre-iSeries Macs and this is one of many reasons why the older generation systems got left behind... But this is nothing more than a guess; and of course there are many, many other factors.

But if my guess were right, I would expect other SW to also tank, but I'm not seeing this. The key is that performance disappears into a black-hole somewhere in the VM itself.

Any thoughts?

 

[amstel78]

Notice you have a Mac Pro 3,1.

In general SW runs with performance exactly as one would expect for this generation of CPU. Which means the system is quite useable, but a bit I/O bound by todays standards due to SATA.

The one exception is Parallels VM on the 3,1. Tremendous performance loss someone in VM code (not the guest) as if I/O literally is taking a 1000 times longer than it should, maybe because caches are being completely destroyed for VM or something in the syscall/interrupt cycle is weird.

I have the same install running on a Gigabyte Brix dual i5 at 1.6GHz 4GB and its effective performance is quite literally at least 10x the Mac Pro 3,1. Very usable. A 2012 Macbook Pro i7 also runs the same install fine. Only the Mac Pro 3,1 is pathological, esp for Win10, but Win7 and Ubuntu also suffer.

I can find NO comments on this topic after much googling.

My guess is that low-level workarounds to RAM side-channel security bugs in IA (can't recall what this exploit was called but is was a big deal around 2015?) spoiled pre-iSeries Macs and this is one of many reasons why the older generation systems got left behind... But this is nothing more than a guess; and of course there are many, many other factors.

But if my guess were right, I would expect other SW to also tank, but I'm not seeing this. The key is that performance disappears into a black-hole somewhere in the VM itself.

Any thoughts?

I don't run parallels but I'm assuming you've increased the number of logical cores as well as accessible RAM for the virtual machine? Windows 10 legacy via Bootcamp on my 3,1 runs ok given the aging hardware. I've even managed to edit short 2K clips in Resolve 17 on it.

My 3,1 is more or less relegated to a test bed now as my MP5,1 used for all other applications that require Mac OS. Otherwise, all of my serious editing work is done on an AMD Threadripper with a 1080TI. Only problem is the TR is in my NYC apartment which I haven't been to since last March.

 

[joevt]

The one exception is Parallels VM on the 3,1. Tremendous performance loss someone in VM code (not the guest) as if I/O literally is taking a 1000 times longer than it should, maybe because caches are being completely destroyed for VM or something in the syscall/interrupt cycle is weird.

I have the same install running on a Gigabyte Brix dual i5 at 1.6GHz 4GB and its effective performance is quite literally at least 10x the Mac Pro 3,1. Very usable. A 2012 Macbook Pro i7 also runs the same install fine. Only the Mac Pro 3,1 is pathological, esp for Win10, but Win7 and Ubuntu also suffer.

Parallels performance on MacPro3,1 was broken starting with Mohave 10.14.4. Performance in 10.14.3 is normal.
https://forum.parallels.com/threads/mojave-10-14-4-update-cripples-parallels-14-1-3-45485.346858/
https://forum.parallels.com/threads/high-cpu-usage-basically-unusable.348355/
https://forum.parallels.com/threads...access-since-update-to-mojave-10-14-4.346849/

 

[Larsvonhier]

Notice you have a Mac Pro 3,1.

In general SW runs with performance exactly as one would expect for this generation of CPU. Which means the system is quite useable, but a bit I/O bound by todays standards due to SATA.

The one exception is Parallels VM on the 3,1. Tremendous performance loss someone in VM code (not the guest) as if I/O literally is taking a 1000 times longer than it should, maybe because caches are being completely destroyed for VM or something in the syscall/interrupt cycle is weird.

I have the same install running on a Gigabyte Brix dual i5 at 1.6GHz 4GB and its effective performance is quite literally at least 10x the Mac Pro 3,1. Very usable. A 2012 Macbook Pro i7 also runs the same install fine. Only the Mac Pro 3,1 is pathological, esp for Win10, but Win7 and Ubuntu also suffer.

I can find NO comments on this topic after much googling.

My guess is that low-level workarounds to RAM side-channel security bugs in IA (can't recall what this exploit was called but is was a big deal around 2015?) spoiled pre-iSeries Macs and this is one of many reasons why the older generation systems got left behind... But this is nothing more than a guess; and of course there are many, many other factors.

But if my guess were right, I would expect other SW to also tank, but I'm not seeing this. The key is that performance disappears into a black-hole somewhere in the VM itself.

Any thoughts?

We have the same issue here in the office - with MP3,1 / parallels (tried all versions: 10 to 15, 16 not yet) / windows (7/8/10): The only real almost lag-less solution is to reduce (!) number of virtual CPU cores to 1 or 2. As soon as more cores are used, somehow parallels does not work right any more and booting windows already takes ages...
Ticket to parallels did not do any good and there is nothing about this on their web pages either.
On C2D and i5 / i7 machines, the same setup runs fine with all cores virtualized.
Try 1 core and see for yourself!

 

[TitanTiger]

So I updated an old 2008 MacBook to Catalina using dosdude1's patch several months ago. It's on 10.15.6. But I've noticed that under Software Update, it never offers 10.15.7 as an update option, much less the recent supplemental update patches. I can't find anything on his site addressing this, but am I supposed to go download the standalone update file for future point upgrades or is there a setting I'm missing that would allow it to pull them like normal under Software Update?