InsanelyMac Forum > Change a Mac's Model ID?

530sCheapMac

Sep 5 2009, 09:57 PM

GlossyWhite over at MacRumors has a theory that Snow Leopard reads your Mac's Model ID to see if it can be installed (reading it for PPC, etc.) Obviously this would help us over here out too, so I am here to request a fast tutorial on how to change a Mac's Model ID (Macmini3,1 to Macmini2,1) for him so he can test his theory.

Can anyone help?

EDIT: Here's the thing. It IS a genuine mac, so we don't want to do any permanent changes, nor install any unnecessary kexts that would change his system beyond MID.

BTW: Here is GolssyWhite's OP:

QUOTE (GlossyWhite)

I want to try something out with the Snow Leopard installer. I have a debate going with someone, and I am pretty sure the SL installer checks MODEL ID of the machine, as part of the UPGRADE DVD qualification process.

I know certain things can be modded via open firmware - if I can (temp) change my MODEL ID to Macmini2,1, and have SL UTD DVD reject the install (on a blank internal HDD) I can prove the installer IS looking at hardware IDs.

Please tell me how I change from Macmini3,1 to Macmini2,1. Thanks

eovnu87435ds

Sep 15 2009, 03:12 AM

QUOTE (530sCheapMac @ Sep 5 2009, 05:57 PM)

GlossyWhite over at MacRumors has a theory that Snow Leopard reads your Mac's Model ID to see if it can be installed (reading it for PPC, etc.) Obviously this would help us over here out too, so I am here to request a fast tutorial on how to change a Mac's Model ID (Macmini3,1 to Macmini2,1) for him so he can test his theory.

Can anyone help?

EDIT: Here's the thing. It IS a genuine mac, so we don't want to do any permanent changes, nor install any unnecessary kexts that would change his system beyond MID.

BTW: Here is GolssyWhite's OP:

In my opinion, i think it would be more than the model ID, since the serial number can be used to instantly determine what model, where it was manufactured, and narrow it down to a 3 day period of when it was manufactured. But I am sure if you could change one value, you could change the other too.

vbetts

Sep 15 2009, 05:57 AM

Could it be ran on PPC though? That's the thing. Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't all applications for snow leopard completely built for Intel? Including all services and the kernel as well?