[How to] Edit Boot.plist, to get higher resolution and etc.. Options

[want_a_mac]

Ok i copy pasted this from an old post that's already out there coz i see people asking the same question over and over....
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Messing with the boot options
Tired of typing '-x "Graphics Mode"="1280x1024x32@85" platform=ACPI or platform=X86PC' every time you boot? This is for you!

NOTE: It is best to test out your commands before editing the Boot file. By testing, we mean typing your command during boot (Darwin). If it works, then proceed. Why? Because your changes to the boot file is used EVERY time you boot into Mac OS. Typing out the commands during the boot only affects the OS during that current boot. Rebooting clears it.


Browse to
/Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/com.apple.Boot.plist
and open it up in your text editor- You can add some switches in here to make your life a little bit sweeter...
HINT: If you are having difficulty saving changes to com.apple.Boot.plist; Open Terminal and type "sudo nano /Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/com.apple.Boot.plist" (WITHOUT the quotes.. just copy and paste the text) and press enter. Use the arrow keys to move the cursor. Ctrl+O to save and Ctrl+X to close.


To automatically use a certain graphics mode
<key>Graphics Mode</key>
<string>1280x1024x32@85</string>
Note: If your video card is using VESA 2.0 drivers, leave out the '@85' part as it only works on VESA 3.0 will cause the system to reset before getting anywhere.

If you need to specify a platform
<key>Kernel Flags</key>
<string>platform=X86PC</string> or <string>platform=ACPI</string>


If you don't want to see the Darwin text on boot - HINT: You can get the prompt back by holding "ctrl" at boot.
<key>Quiet Boot</key>
<string>Yes</string>


If you want to show the Logo with spinning Boot Graphics
<key>Boot Graphics</key>
<string>Yes</string>


To put in switches (-v, -x, -s, etc)
<key>Kernel Flags</key>
<string></string>


Speed up Darwin's timeout count-down
<key>Timeout</key>
<string>8</string>


Replace 8 (default seconds) to a new value.

To set Darwin to boot from a particular partition:
<key>Kernel Flags</key>
<string>rd=diskXsY</string> Where X is your hard drive number and Y is the partition number (BSD naming scheme)
if you are unsure about the rd value open Aplications>Utilities>Disk Utiliy, click on the partition with OSX installed and click on info, the right "rd" value is the value from "Disk Identifier"

EDIT: I've tested this a few times, doesn't seem to want to work for me. Anyone got any ideas? T

This page has some info: http://www.opendarwin.org/pipermail/hacker...ust/004540.html
work fine for me, I use <string>rd=disk1s3</string> to boot from the 3rd primary partition of my second disk.
this doesn't work for me, i ended up having to reinstall, try this but make sure you can get back in to change it back if it doesn't work

NOTE: The kernel flags option has made some computers unbootable. </br> Type "-F mach_kernel -v" at the boot prompt if your computer fails to boot after messing around with this.

NOTE 2: **ONLY IF YOU HAVE PARTITIONMAGIC** In the event you are not provided with a boot prompt, just boot to Windows normally. In command prompt, use diskpart to set the second partition active. This will boot the computer directly to OS X 86. Once booted, delete the changes made to the com.apple.Boot.plist file, save, and reboot. Use PartitionMagic( There may be another way?) to boot the computer, then reset the Windows partition back to active. Reboot again and you're back to your OS Selection menu.

[dodo]

If you want to show the Logo with spinning Boot Graphics
<key>Boot Graphics</key>
<string>Yes</string>

this do not work for me.
is there any other way to do it?

[ntnwwnet]

To automatically use a certain graphics mode
<key>Graphics Mode</key>
<string>1280x1024x32@85</string>
Note: If your video card is using VESA 2.0 drivers, leave out the '@85' part as it only works on VESA 3.0 will cause the system to reset before getting anywhere.

I have a VESA 3.0 compatible video card (ATi Radeon X800 XL AGP) when I tried entering the graphics mode as 1280x1024x32@75 (my monitor's refresh rate), the system would only hang after OSx86 started up with the scrolling text. It said something along the lines of "Starting login application..."

Not including "@75" solved my problem. Maybe the "@" applies only to certain video cards?

[phoenix3200]

The (most likely) reason Kernel Flags doesn't work is because your physical hard drives keep swapping numbers. For example, in order to get my get my NTFS partitions attached to my SATA controller (nForce4 motherboard) to mount, I have to type the following:

CODE

sudo -s
mkdir /Volumes/"MX 300GB_1"
mount_ntfs /dev/disk0s1 /Volumes/"MX 300GB_1"

...but I have to keep changing disk0s1 to disk1s1, disk2s1, disk3s1, etc. until I get it mounted

[balanis]

I have a VESA 3.0 compatible video card (ATi Radeon X800 XL AGP) when I tried entering the graphics mode as 1280x1024x32@75 (my monitor's refresh rate), the system would only hang after OSx86 started up with the scrolling text. It said something along the lines of "Starting login application..."

Not including "@75" solved my problem. Maybe the "@" applies only to certain video cards?

Same here. Entering the refresh rate didn't work, so I tried it without and it works fine. Curious to know why, though. My video card is a built-in S3 ProSavage8, and it's VESA 3.0

[mb2]

the bootgraphics thing doesn't work for me either... does it for anyone? is there another way?

[ahanix1989]

For those who can't get bootgraphics to work, ensure that you don't have "-v" in <key>Kernel Flags</key>. The -v will override any bootgraphics options you have.

[Shadowspy]

I don't think thats the prob. Maybe it doesnt work for all people?

[glassJAw]

Would this work for 1280 x 800 Widescreen?

[Centurion88]

Hey peeps,

I have a question, why cant u change the rez manually when u have QE/CI enabled,
i dont want to run callisto cuz i loose DVI.

funny i can change it ok when QE/CI are not enabled anyone have any ideas

Radeon 9600ap rosewill AGP
Display:

Type: VGA-Compatible Controller
Bus: PCI
VRAM (Total): 256 MB
Vendor: ATI (0x1002)
Device ID: 0x4150
Revision ID: 0x0000
Displays:
Display:
Resolution: 1024 x 768
Depth: 32-bit Color
Core Image: Supported
Main Display: Yes
Mirror: Off
Online: Yes
Quartz 2D Extreme: Supported
Quartz Extreme: Supported

tried all kinds of commands what am i missing?

Thanks to anyone that can help

[Kiko]

Becasue your card aint fully supported XD

[galeot]

Please! i'm trying hard to change the resolution in terminal but no way! seems like that when booting the system doesn't care about the boot.plist.

[thegodfaza]

If you want to show the Logo with spinning Boot Graphics
<key>Boot Graphics</key>
<string>Yes</string>

this do not work for me.
is there any other way to do it?

Go to the first kernel flags listing and delete the "-v".

[Macpaq]

Could someone plzzzzzzzz help me with the headphone output?

I have ToH RC 2 install on my Compaq C571NR laptop. The installation work fine except for a few things.
The wireless doesn't work, (it's a boardcom 4311) and Initially there was no sound. I install the AppleAzaliaAudio.pkg, the sound works now. But I don't have headphone output. I tried to edit the AppleHDA.kext, I did a Linux codec dump. When I opened the Info.plist in AppleHDA, I really have no idea where to insert the NodeID as there are so many nodeids. I really what I am looking for. Pleas help.

MacPaq

[zOCK3R]

You must set the Graphics Mode to 1280x1024@75 without 32 --> NOT! 1280x1024x32@75

This work on all Resolutions tha are supported by your card.

[Dane33]

hi there....

i just edited my boot.plist

i did kernel flags -f
and the option darwin isn't shown on startup..

to get away the kernel flags as my laptop doesnt boot anymore,
i have to write something shown in post #1 ..

but i cant get to the prompt because of the option darwin not shown .. (silent boot = YES)

....

PLEASE HELP...!!!
CNTRL pressing on my HP Laptop nx7400 didn't work...

[RedEyz]

NOTE: The kernel flags option has made some computers unbootable. </br> Type "-F mach_kernel -v" at the boot prompt if your computer fails to boot after messing around with this.

that command did not work for me after changing some thing in my boot plist. i still get my darwin boot prompt up, and have tried -x -v and -s -v but all i get is a bunch of garbage text, and then the system halts - no hdd activity, no need to 'hard boot' [or hold power for a lengthy period of time] as a quick touch will power down the system immediately.

unsure now how i am supposed to regain access to my boot.plist in order to revert changes made.

any help?

thanks.


please see attached .avi file - pause around 11 seconds to see the garbage that's being spit back at me.

thanks.

http://www.sendspace.com/file/96cxff

[RedEyz]

well, for anyone else who can't get the -f prefix to work, or just a simple mach_kernel without it locking up on you, find yourself an install of Mac Drive 7 for Windows (free trial here: http://www.mediafour.com/products/macdrive...ial/default.asp)

after you have that all set up, find your OSX install disk or partition and use the directory tree to get yourself to Library -> Preferences -> SystemConfiguration and open up your com.apple.boot.plist with WORDPAD [notepad won't line wrap]

fix up whatever you botched and try booting up your osx side again.

i'm about to go try to boot right now. =)

[RedEyz]

no sweat.

[kenkenc]

How do I edit my boot list to

boot using "mach_kernel.voodoo"