macOS 10.15 Catalina on Unsupported Macs

[roysterdoyster]

View attachment 1921718

K two, Would you advise to select a specific Big Sur version for the tryout on my MBP4,1? Thank you very much for your expertise, which I value highly

P.S.: In one of your posts on this page I read your tip to put the machine model/specs into the signature, which I found a great idea and did so promptly myself.

 

[roysterdoyster]

Reporting success on latest Sec. Upd. pumping my MBP4,1 17-inch (Early 2008) to latest build 19H1612.
No flaws.

 

[FergusFlint]

Suggest SMC reset plus a 3-bong NVRAM reset also please cite your Mac in the signature? External display, etc.

Tried that then tried to install 2021-007 update.
Progress was the same with the install hanging when the progress bar reached the end.
I forced shutdown and option booted from Catalina patcher as usual but this time I was asked to set language, which I haven't seen before.
I selected MacOS post install and the patches were installed but it stopped at 'updating dyld cache'.
I then quit post install and reselected it but this time it hung at 'applying SIP disabler patch' and I had to force shutdown.
After restarting I was still at 19H1217.

Thanks for trying to help.

---

Mac Mini 3,1 2GHz 4GB 1TB SSD, Dell 2209WA display

 

[K two]

Tried that then tried to install 2021-007 update.
Progress was the same with the install hanging when the progress bar reached the end.
I forced shutdown and option booted from Catalina patcher as usual but this time I was asked to set language, which I haven't seen before.
I selected MacOS post install and the patches were installed but it stopped at 'updating dyld cache'.
I then quit post install and reselected it but this time it hung at 'applying SIP disabler patch' and I had to force shutdown.
After restarting I was still at 19H1217.

Thanks for trying to help.

---

Mac Mini 3,1 2GHz 4GB 1TB SSD, Dell 2209WA display

How is the display connected?

 

[FergusFlint]

How is the display connected?

With a mini DVI to DVI adapter.
Silly question, but why would the display connection affect the OS?

 

[K two]

With a mini DVI to DVI adapter.
Silly question, but why would the display connection affect the OS?

I had boot-up problems on the Mini3,1 with certain connections and resolutions. The only bootable DVI connection that would boot everytime was mDP to HDMI/DVI. Juggling the variables fixed the problem. YMMV

Additional - We also have a 2GHz Mini, sometimes it appears stalled when it's just being pedestrian. So far, Mojave, Catalina, Big Sur and Monterey have installed perfectly and run as intended.

 

[K two]

K two, Would you advise to select a specific Big Sur version for the tryout on my MBP4,1? Thank you very much for your expertise, which I value highly

P.S.: In one of your posts on this page I read your tip to put the machine model/specs into the signature, which I found a great idea and did so promptly myself.

Since your Mac is listed on Page 1 of the BigSur Unsupp page, macOS 11.6.1 should run just fine. The Install Assistant is up on gibMacOS-master. Use OCLP_031 the release version for reliabilty.

 

[FergusFlint]

I had boot-up problems on the Mini3,1 with certain connections and resolutions. The only bootable DVI connection that would boot everytime was mDP to HDMI/DVI. Juggling the variables fixed the problem. YMMV

Good grief!
Not having a mDP adapter I can't test that, but it doesn't explain why the 19H1217 update worked like a charm.
I might try the 008 beta update to see what happens.

 

[K two]

Good grief!
Not having a mDP adapter I can't test that, but it doesn't explain why the 19H1217 update worked like a charm.
I might try the 008 beta update to see what happens.

On this Mini3,1 SU Beta 2021-008 runs perfect, see #14,889.

 

[K two]

Did hibernation ever get supported on MacBook5,1 (and MacBookPro5,5)? If not, I may downgrade to Mojave.

Also, is there a way to turn off verbose bootup mode for the original dosdude1 patcher on APFS?

Yes, it can be by-passed so it won't display the dd1 scrolling text using some form of OpenCore to boot. OCLP is installed for Big Sur and Monterey but a dd1 Catalina or Mojave can be selected with the Startup Disk CP which OCLP respects - by-passing the dd1 EFI but still booting the dosdude1 installs perfectly w/o the scrolling text. OCLP_031 can also be used to install Catalina or Mojave with the right hardware but Dortania still recommends the dd1 patchers for 10.14 and 10.15 installs. And OCLP can also be configured to boot straight into the selected OS w/o seeing the OCLP boot-picker display at boot, as well.

 

[roysterdoyster]

Since your Mac is listed on Page 1 of the BigSur Unsupp page, macOS 11.6.1 should run just fine. The Install Assistant is up on gibMacOS-master. Use OCLP_031 the release version for reliabilty.

Thank you very much for your help.

Will do as per your advice, which is as always the right thing to follow, K two.

I just now d/l'd gibMacOS-master.zip and am now about to d/l OCLP v.031, where 3 options are offered:
1. OpenCore-Patcher-GUI.app.zip
2. OpenCore-Patcher-TUI-Offline.app.zip
3. OpenCore-Patcher-TUI.app.zip

Which one should I use, please?

 

[K two]

Thank you very much for your help.

Will do as per your advice, which is as always the right thing to follow, K two.

With OCLP it is always better to have an ethernet connection, handy. And reading the Scriptures according to Dortania is absolutely essential, here: https://dortania.github.io/OpenCore-Legacy-Patcher/INSTALLER.html#building

Start with the left panel. ?

 

[K two]

Thank you very much for your help.

Will do as per your advice, which is as always the right thing to follow, K two.

I just now d/l'd gibMacOS-master.zip and am now about to d/l OCLP v.031, where 3 options are offered:
1. OpenCore-Patcher-GUI.app.zip
2. OpenCore-Patcher-TUI-Offline.app.zip
3. OpenCore-Patcher-TUI.app.zip

Which one should I use, please?

If you have a reliable ethernet connection #3, if not #2. Once installed report success on the unsupp Big Sur thread.

 

[NachoN]

Hello,

I'm having trouble installing the 2021-007 update on my 15" mid 2009 macbook pro 5,3.

I've followed the guide as close as possible and have had no luck after several attempts. I upgraded my MacBook using catalina patcher yesterday with no issues. It's sitting on build 19H2.

This is the process I've done with CatalinaOTAswufix:

Deleted all files in Updates folder.
Clicked Software Update fix
Software update then shows 2021-008 beta as available.
Click "details" and then "restore defaults"
Update then shows 2021-007 as available
Start the download for 2021-007
Click OTA update fix early in download process, about 60MB downloaded.
Macbook then downloads the update, and asks to restart.
On restart, I get to the loading screen with the Apple logo, and the progress bar says 10 min remaining. I assume this is the update installing.
Once this finishes, the MacBook restarts. I let it restart into the OS.
Login, click OTA update fix again.
Open software update
Click OTA update fix one more time.
Click install for the 2021-007 update again.
At the point the macbook restarts
It goes to the same loading screen with the Apple logo and 10 minutes remaining. However, after it finishes thus, instead of rebooting so I can run catalina patcher, it immediately goes to the login screen.
Once I login I'm still on 19H2.

I feel like I'm missing a step or doing a step wrong.

Anyone that can offer help?

Editing to add that OTAswufix is located on my desktop and returns no error messages when I click the buttons. It appears to be working correctly.

Thanks.

 

[Davidoldmac]

I am trying to create bootable installer with the dosdude1 process, following the instructions on his website. I tried using a USB thumb drive, and a USB external hard drive. The process is stuck at "patching BaseSystem.dmg." Both drives were formated at OS X Extended (Journaled); GUID Partition Map. Any help is appreciated? Thanks

 

[makra]

Hello,

I'm having trouble installing the 2021-007 update on my 15" mid 2009 macbook pro 5,3.

I've followed the guide as close as possible and have had no luck after several attempts. I upgraded my MacBook using catalina patcher yesterday with no issues. It's sitting on build 19H2.

This is the process I've done with CatalinaOTAswufix:

Deleted all files in Updates folder.
Clicked Software Update fix
Software update then shows 2021-008 beta as available.
Click "details" and then "restore defaults"
Update then shows 2021-007 as available
Start the download for 2021-007
Click OTA update fix early in download process, about 60MB downloaded.
Macbook then downloads the update, and asks to restart.
On restart, I get to the loading screen with the Apple logo, and the progress bar says 10 min remaining. I assume this is the update installing.
Once this finishes, the MacBook restarts. I let it restart into the OS.
Login, click OTA update fix again.
Open software update
Click OTA update fix one more time.
Click install for the 2021-007 update again.
At the point the macbook restarts
It goes to the same loading screen with the Apple logo and 10 minutes remaining. However, after it finishes thus, instead of rebooting so I can run catalina patcher, it immediately goes to the login screen.
Once I login I'm still on 19H2.

I feel like I'm missing a step or doing a step wrong.

Anyone that can offer help?

Editing to add that OTAswufix is located on my desktop and returns no error messages when I click the buttons. It appears to be working correctly.

Thanks.

You're right: You're missing a step. Your MBP doesn't support AFPS natively, does it? Then you'll need USBOpenCoreAPFSloader3. See what K two wrote in #14,427 .

 

[NachoN]

You're right: You're missing a step. Your MBP doesn't support AFPS natively, does it? Then you'll need USBOpenCoreAPFSloader3. See what K two wrote in #14,427 .

Thank you so much! That was all I was missing. Updated to 2021-007 with no issues after following this.

 

[K two]

I am trying to create bootable installer with the dosdude1 process, following the instructions on his website. I tried using a USB thumb drive, and a USB external hard drive. The process is stuck at "patching BaseSystem.dmg." Both drives were formated at OS X Extended (Journaled); GUID Partition Map. Any help is appreciated? Thanks

Try a different USB plug. Preferably USB2 specific. Also, please cite your Mac in the signature. It helps those helping you.

 

[Davidoldmac]

Try a different USB plug. Preferably USB2 specific. Also, please cite your Mac in the signature. It helps those helping you.

Tried another USB2 port and cable, did not solve problem. Anything else? (specs of my Mac added.

 

[lcubed]

Tried another USB2 port and cable, did not solve problem. Anything else? (specs of my Mac added.

i think he wants you to use a different usb 2.0 stick

 

[Davidoldmac]

Tried another USB 2.0 stick, same problem. Then, tried the process with another computer (a slightly newer macbook pro). With both sticks, and an external hard drive, got an error message when the process was at the same place, patching basesystem.dmg. The log reports, hdiutil: couldn't unmount "disk5" - resource busy. Searching this thread I see a few others had the same problem. I could not find any posted solution.

Like a crazy person, I ran the process over and over again, hoping for a different result. Well, one time it actually worked, and I got the big green check mark of success! Next step is to make sure my time machine backup is up to date on the iMac I am upgrading, and then do the rest of the process.

 

[roysterdoyster]

If you have a reliable ethernet connection #3, if not #2. Once installed report success on the unsupp Big Sur thread.

Understood. Will do as advised. Still, I wonder why there is No#1 choice with the graphical user interface. Is this not any good?

Thank you very much for your help K two, I am looking forward to bumping my machine to macOS 11.

 

[K two]

Understood. Will do as advised. Still, I wonder why there is No#1 choice with the graphical user interface. Is this not any good?

Thank you very much for your help K two, I am looking forward to bumping my machine to macOS 11.

TUI is proven to be more versatile and complete, currently. The GUI by dosdude1 is still a WIP and works for many. Try it, you will be in new territory and you will find on the unsupp Big Sur thread many more than I, much better versed in OCLP on Big Sur willing to help. Also, OpenCore Patcher Paradise on Discord is somewhat enlightening but useful.

We are off-topic, now.

 

[Davidoldmac]

I am doing a dosdude1 Catalina install. I am at the stage of installing the new operating system, but got the "damaged" file error. The Cat Installer and the Cat Patcher were downloaded from his website a few days ago. Advice to someone else who may have this problem- I deleted all of the files I downloaded from dosdude1, and re-downloaded. This time the install seems to be working.

 

[lcubed]

I am doing a dosdude1 Catalina install. I am at the stage of installing the new operating system, but got the "damaged" file error. The FAQ says this about the error: "This happens when using a release of the macOS Catalina Installer App that is incompatible with the version of Catalina Patcher you are using. Download the latest Catalina Installer using the latest Catalina Patcher version." The Cat Installer and the Cat Patcher were downloaded from his website a few days ago. Are there newer files to be downloaded someplace else?

Another solution I read is to "Boot to a recovery partition and run csrutil -disable." My problem is that I have already converted my internal hard drive to APFS, so I can't figure out a way to get to a terminal when I boot into recovery. My only option when booting into a recovery partition is Disk Utility. I do have access to another Mac, if that somehow could be used to help. Any suggestions? Should I just try to install Mojave or High Sierra? Thanks

boot off the installer USB stick, run the terminal utility from there to set 'csrutil -disable'