macOS 11 Big Sur on Unsupported Macs Thread

[davidlv]

I’ve got an iMac 13,2 it’s a pity that 12.5 is having issues with Kepler GPUs it’s otherwise very good and serviceable hardware it was top of the line when I bought it. Quad core i7 with 32 gb of ram. Seems almost criminal from a sustainability point of view that they end up no longer being supported over time, but I guess for the IT industry 8 years of support is decent so I shouldn’t complain. There are options for it with other operating systems and the OCLP devs are amazing but they are not superhuman and these latest issues sound challenging.

Has there been any issues running the latest Big Sur patches?

You might want to read through the last few pages on the 'Monterey on non-supported hardware' thread.
There have been several developments, which also apply to Big Sur on hardware that has a Kepler GPU, such as the latest version of OCLP 0.4.10, which now supports those older nVidea graphics cards.
You need to boot up in safe mode and run the post install root patches, but several people have posted that it does work! (amazing development work by the devs at Dortania!)
I can't confirm it, as I don't have any related hardware. I am using OCLP 0.4.10 on my old MBP8,2, and it runs OK with Big Sur 11.6.8.

Releases · dortania/OpenCore-Legacy-Patcher

Experience macOS just like before. Contribute to dortania/OpenCore-Legacy-Patcher development by creating an account on GitHub.

github.com

 

[Ausdauersportler]

You might want to read through the last few pages on the 'Monterey on non-supported hardware' thread.
There have been several developments, which also apply to Big Sur on hardware that has a Kepler GPU, such as the latest version of OCLP 0.4.10, which now supports those older nVidea graphics cards.
You need to boot up in safe mode and run the post install root patches, but several people have posted that it does work! (amazing development work by the devs at Dortania!)
I can't confirm it, as I don't have any related hardware. I am using OCLP 0.4.10 on my old MBP8,2, and it runs OK with Big Sur 11.6.8.

Releases · dortania/OpenCore-Legacy-Patcher

Experience macOS just like before. Contribute to dortania/OpenCore-Legacy-Patcher development by creating an account on GitHub.

github.com

Kepler cards are still natively supported on Big Sur and so do not need any (graphics) patches. The latest patcher development applies to Monterey, only. In fact I guess even the old OLCP patcher versions back from June 2021 should work perfectly if your only target is Big Sur.

 

[davidlv]

Kepler cards are still natively supported on Big Sur and so do not need any (graphics) patches. The latest patcher development applies to Monterey, only. In fact I guess even the old OLCP patcher versions back from June 2021 should work perfectly if you only target is Big Sur.

Thanks for the clarification!

 

[Nomane]

I dont know how to post a new message so please excuse me. I installed Big-Sur on my 2011 Imac and everything works except OCLp starts to install open core to the hard drive but gives the error:

OSError: [Errno 28] No space left on device: '/Volumes/EFI/EFI/OC'

I would really appreciate any advice on how to get OCLP to install to the hard drive so I can remove the USB stick.

Thanks so much for any help.

 

[Ausdauersportler]

I dont know how to post a new message so please excuse me. I installed Big-Sur on my 2011 Imac and everything works except OCLp starts to install open core to the hard drive but gives the error:

OSError: [Errno 28] No space left on device: '/Volumes/EFI/EFI/OC'

I would really appreciate any advice on how to get OCLP to install to the hard drive so I can remove the USB stick.

Thanks so much for any help.

Mount your EFI partition manually and delete files not needed there. Check the OCLP online docs how to manage this, it is mentioned in the section about deleting OpenCore from your system.

 

[davidlv]

Ausdauersportier:
After the rushed Apple security updates for Monterey and iOS, etc., I haven't seen any related security updates for Big Sur (running 11.6.8 on an Older MBP8,2 with OCLP 4.10.0).
Is that security patch only applicable for Monterey? i.e., Is Big Sur safe?
What is your view of the situation for machines running Big Sur?

 

[hvds]

Ausdauersportier:
After the rushed Apple security updates for Monterey and iOS, etc., I haven't seen any related security updates for Big Sur (running 11.6.8 on an Older MBP8,2 with OCLP 4.10.0).
Is that security patch only applicable for Monterey? i.e., Is Big Sur safe?
What is your view of the situation for machines running Big Sur?

From this https://www.engadget.com/apple-patch-ios-macos-security-vulnerabilities-043643469.html and the two links to Apple pages given there I understand that iOS and Monterey are affected, not Big Sur. 15.6.1 and 12.5.1 cure the kernel and webkit vulnerabilities (12.5.1 written in the end of the quoted article, should probably read 12.5).

 

[arw]

Ausdauersportier:
After the rushed Apple security updates for Monterey and iOS, etc., I haven't seen any related security updates for Big Sur (running 11.6.8 on an Older MBP8,2 with OCLP 4.10.0).
Is that security patch only applicable for Monterey? i.e., Is Big Sur safe?
What is your view of the situation for machines running Big Sur?

(...) I understand that iOS and Monterey are affected, not Big Sur.

For Big Sur (and Catalina) there is Safari 15.6.1 for the WebKit fix. Downloadable via Softwareupdate.

About the security content of Safari 15.6.1 - Apple Support

This document describes the security content of Safari 15.6.1.

support.apple.com

 

[hvds]

For Big Sur (and Catalina) there is Safari 15.6.1 for the WebKit fix. Downloadable via Softwareupdate.
View attachment 2044974

About the security content of Safari 15.6.1 - Apple Support

This document describes the security content of Safari 15.6.1.

support.apple.com

Thank you for the information. Updated Safari in my wife's MBP which runs Big Sur.

 

[mogaleksej]

Dear forum users, did you manage to launch AirPlay?

 

[Macschrauber]

11.6.8 on the Mac Pro box

 

[MisterAndrew]

I've kept Catalina on my 2012 MacBook Pro and some websites started asking to update the browser. Security updates are going to end so I used the Open Core Legacy Patcher to install Big Sur. It's working great! I installed Safari 16 beta and I got to upgrade the iWork apps to 12.1 too. I would have done the upgrade earlier, except it has still been getting some firmware updates with Catalina.

Thanks Open Core team!

 

[macinfo]

Apple Releases macOS Big Sur 11.7 (20G817)

 

[internetzel]

Updated from OCLP 0.4.10 booted 10.15.7 to 11.7 directly using the installer application.
Installation concluded without problems on this late 2009 iMac with upgraded WiFi/Bluetooth and graphics card.

 

[tomcatrr]

Updated from OCLP 0.4.10 booted 10.15.7 to 11.7 directly using the installer application.
Installation concluded without problems on this late 2009 iMac with upgraded WiFi/Bluetooth and graphics card.

Did you had Catalina by Dosdude patch?

 

[Ausdauersportler]

Did you had Catalina by Dosdude patch?

No, OpenCore (OCLP) based. Using a metal based GPU and some OpenCore injection you can run Catalina (any post High Sierra macOS version) completely unpatched on those (GPU modded) iMacs.

 

[SEJU]

I just received a 2011 27" iMac and would like to upgrade its GPU in order to upgrade macOS a couple of versions. It would be great to get it running Big Sur. I read in post #1 that in summer 2023 Apple will be stopping providing firmware updates for all older machines. What does that mean? Will I still be able to upgrade my iMac 12.2 and my Mac Pro 5.1 after that date? Where is the firmware coming from? I have full installers for all versions up to Big Sur sitting on my local network.

My iMac 12.2 currently runs 87.0.0.0.0 and the Mac Pro 5.1 runs 144.0.0.0.0.

Will I need newer Boot ROM Versions than those in order to bring both machines up to Big Sur? I was considering doing so through OCLP, but was not in a hurry .... I also still need a new GPU for the iMac ;0)

I hope someone can shed some light on this topic for me.

 

[Ausdauersportler]

I just received a 2011 27" iMac and would like to upgrade its GPU in order to upgrade macOS a couple of versions. It would be great to get it running Big Sur. I read in post #1 that in summer 2023 Apple will be stopping providing firmware updates for all older machines. What does that mean? Will I still be able to upgrade my iMac 12.2 and my Mac Pro 5.1 after that date? Where is the firmware coming from? I have full installers for all versions up to Big Sur sitting on my local network.

My iMac 12.2 currently runs 87.0.0.0.0 and the Mac Pro 5.1 runs 144.0.0.0.0.

Will I need newer Boot ROM Versions than those in order to bring both machines up to Big Sur? I was considering doing so through OCLP, but was not in a hurry .... I also still need a new GPU for the iMac ;0)

I hope someone can shed some light on this topic for me.

Again? I created this spoiler about the firmware updates.

Have you read it, especially the very first line? Do you own a system still supported with Catalina, but support has been dropped with Big Sur?

 

[SEJU]

Again? I created this spoiler about the firmware updates.

Have you read it, especially the very first line? Do you own a system still supported with Catalina, but support has been dropped with Big Sur?

What spoiler do you mean? I read post #1 and I asked myself, if there were any firmware updates necessary like when I had to get MP51.0089.B00 before updating my 5.1 to Mojave back in the day. And yes, how did you know? Indeed I own a Mac Mini 2012 6.2 ;0) But it is not going to be updated, since the software stack is not supported on higher OSs ;0( I will nevertheless probably try to upgrade its firmware before 2023...

After rereading through the tread I understand that the problem with OC appears to be a different one: not getting a new unwanted update ;0) Thanks for the help!

 

[richie8]

Hey Community! I have a Macbook pro mid 2009. The graphical switching between igpu and dgpu are working on big sur or monterey? I tried with monterey, with no luck. In system report there is the 2 gpu. Thanks for the help!

 

[Person132]

Hey Community! I have a Macbook pro mid 2009. The graphical switching between igpu and dgpu are working on big sur or monterey? I tried with monterey, with no luck. In system report there is the 2 gpu. Thanks for the help!

If you’re talking about automatic gpu switching, the 2009 MacBook Pro doesn’t actually have any and only the 2010 and newer has auto gpu switching.

 

[richie8]

If you’re talking about automatic gpu switching, the 2009 MacBook Pro doesn’t actually have any and only the 2010 and newer has auto gpu switching.

Thanks for your reply. Maybe manual switch? I tried gfxcardstatus but wont switch the gpus.

 

[Person132]

Thanks for your reply. Maybe manual switch? I tried gfxcardstatus but wont switch the gpus.

I can’t really can’t remember because I haven’t used an 09 in a hot minute. What I do remember though is the option to switch gpus was under energy saver under El Capitan but I’m not sure if it’s under there on Monterey or Big Sur. I remember it would give you two options like energy saver and performance mode and it would then make you log out. Also it’s kind of strange that gfxstatus isn’t working.

 

[rehkram]

I can’t really can’t remember because I haven’t used an 09 in a hot minute. What I do remember though is the option to switch gpus was under energy saver under El Capitan but I’m not sure if it’s under there on Monterey or Big Sur. I remember it would give you two options like energy saver and performance mode and it would then make you log out. Also it’s kind of strange that gfxstatus isn’t working.

In Big Sur & Monterey 'Energy Saver' got renamed to 'Battery'.

System Preferences > Battery > Battery (in left menu) > Automatic Graphics Switching

.... and also at:

System Preferences > Battery > Power Adapter > Automatic Graphics Switching

... plus if you're connected to a UPS:

System Preferences > Battery > UPS > Automatic Graphics Switching

 

[richie8]

I can’t really can’t remember because I haven’t used an 09 in a hot minute. What I do remember though is the option to switch gpus was under energy saver under El Capitan but I’m not sure if it’s under there on Monterey or Big Sur. I remember it would give you two options like energy saver and performance mode and it would then make you log out. Also it’s kind of strange that gfxstatus isn’t working.

On dosdudes catalina that energy saver option is definitely working. On monterey this option is doesnt do anything. I havent see it under big sur yet.