Updating SMBios SnowLEO

[karimruan]

Hey guys. I chose the iMac11,1 SMBios during install. So I have a few questions regarding this. I have been trying to get wireless working, and have been following what others posted with similar cards. My first question is, does using the iMac SMBios mean I cannot use wireless (the iMac is not a laptop, so I would assume it does not have an airport card, right)?

 

Second, how would I go about updating my SMBios? I have been having trouble locating one. I'm not asking for a DL link, just some information. I read recently in a few posts that an updated SMBios might fix my ATM crash.

 

Also, I installed via the SnowLEO distribution. I was wondering, since it works this well this way, would it be more likely to work the same if I installed Retail with a boot disk? I found a tutorial specifically for installing Retail on AMD, and I would love to be able to update directly from Apple.

 

Thanks again for all your help, and my apologies if this thread was miscategorized.

[3.14r2]

(the iMac is not a laptop, so I would assume it does not have an airport card, right

Wrong. It has WiFi.

[karimruan]

OK. Thanks. I know if I look in system profiler it says there are no PC cards installed. Would I be correct in thinking I would have to take care of that issue before I could get wifi working.

[Dellmantt]

ATM crash, try http://www.insanelymac.com/forum/index.php...t&p=1579721

 

For your wifi, first find out what it is http://www.insanelymac.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=219584 See if it shows up.

 

EDIT if it is Atheros (AR242x) looks like you are out of luck You could replace the card or use USB WiFi.

[karimruan]

EDIT if it is Atheros (AR242x) looks like you are out of luck You could replace the card or use USB WiFi.

 

Yes, it is AR242x... lol. I have been aware of the slim chances to get it working, but I figure I will just keep plugging away at it hoping I will stumble across some random hackaround to getting it working LOL.

 

Thanks for the two links... I will check them out.

 

If you wouldn't mind, I have been trying to troubleshoot my Ethernet, it works mostly, but drops out and I have to disable the interface for a while, then re-enable it to get back online. I have found many workarounds, but not have seemed to work for me. Not sure if this is related or not:

 

 

sudo kextutil /System/Library/Extensions/IONetworkingFamily.kext
Warnings:
   The booter does not recognize symbolic links; confirm these files/directories aren't needed for startup:

/System/Library/Extensions/IONetworkingFamily.kext/Contents/CodeDirectory

"It also lists the following files in the same path:

/CodeRequirements
/CodeResources
/CodeSignature
"

 

I have been editing a lot of kexts and installing them from the net. I have been lead to believe that this could be cause by using a kext from a different version of SL.

[Dellmantt]

You are now asking about your wired ethernet I presume.

What is the chipset? - What version of OS X?

 

Have you checked the Console logs?

Is the Laptop the only device connected to the network?

[karimruan]

Sorry for not clarifying lol. Yeah I am talking about ethernet. Chipset is MCP67, the version of OS X I honestly have not been 100% able to narrow down. System Profiler just says 10.6, the build number (which I am assuming would be helpful, I will get that soon) and the darwin kernel (10.0). Yes, I check Console, that is what hinted me to the kextutil command in the first place. It seems that ethernet works ok, but it drops randomly. I have read of others having the same issue, but what seems to have worked for them makes little sense to me and didn't work either lol. I tried creating a new location in Network under System Prefs, same issue with intermittent droppage. I only need to disable the location momentarily for it to work again, but it can get annoying. Just read of someone deleting a System Configuration file. I have no idea what or where that is, or if it is a good idea to delete it, but according to the individual who made the comment, deleting the file and rebooting rebuilt the config file and fixed his ethernet. Sounds odd to me, so I figured I would ask someone who knows more about it than I do.

 

 

Oh, I have been doing a lot of reading on OSx86 and have decided I want to learn more about the kernels, what they do etc. If you could point me to any good reads on darwin and the Mach kernel (besides Wikipedia, I have read all of those already I think, lol) I would love it. It has me super curious!

 

Again, thanks ahead and sorry if my english is a bit odd LOL. I learned by learning to tell the store clerk that I want the green pants, the red socks, and that I can't find my suitcase LMAO!

[Dellmantt]

Run "System Info App" I have given you the link. That will give you the Device & Vendor ID of the Ethernet Chipset.

 

The file you need to delete is "/Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/NetworkInterfaces.plist " You then add your Network back into Network preferences.

 

At a guess I would say your system is 10.6.0.

 

Two Hints.

1- Noticed you just bumped your other thread, Don't, it is against forum rules and it annoys people. People do help on this forum, but the people who can help are volunteers and are not here 24 hours a day.

2- Don't use OSx86 Tools on Snow Leopard (Actually never use it especially for ATM)

[karimruan]

Thank you for the hints. I was only playing around out of boredom anyway with the bubump thing. But I will refrain from doing so further. Thank you for the hint on using OSx86 Tools on SL. I have already used it for ATM, as well as to try to enable Quartz. Not sure if the Quartz enable worked though . Have I done some damage to SL by using OSx86 Tools for ATM?

 

And I like your sig...

 

ATM crash, try http://www.insanelymac.com/forum/index.php...t&p=1579721

 

For your wifi, first find out what it is http://www.insanelymac.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=219584 See if it shows up.

 

EDIT if it is Atheros (AR242x) looks like you are out of luck You could replace the card or use USB WiFi.

 

Is it safe to use AppleSMBiosEFI on my AMD64? Think I need to update my sig, my specs are :

 

AMD Turion x64 (dual-core) Mobile [registers as Athalon on linux] 2.5GHz

MCP67 everything, HDA, Ethernet, USB

 

I always thought EFI was Intel only, unless I misunderstood what I was reading.

[Dellmantt]

Enable quartz - read all Gringo's posts in this thread - http://www.insanelymac.com/forum/index.php...t&p=1594739

Have you done any damage by using OSX86 tools on ATM- I don't know but there a lots of cases where it has made unusable.

AppleSMBiosEFI.kext is safe to use on AMD. You may have to remove the smbios.plist you have now.

 

Google EFI & google Bios to understand the difference. All Macs have used EFI since Apple went to Intel processors. To run Mac OS X on non Mac hardware you have to emulate the EFI among other things. Chameleon boot loader does this for you. So on AMD machines EFI is emulated. AS well the kernel needs to be patched to run on a Processor that is not used in Apple hardware. (Basic Explanation)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OSx86

 

Is the ethernet device id " 0x054C"

[karimruan]

Is the ethernet device id " 0x054C"

 

Yes, actually it is... is that a bad thing, lol... Thank you for the information above as well. My 'Project' bookmarks folder in Firefox is getting filled up quite well thanks to you. I had just read about EFI vs BIOS this morning. I had no idea. Do all intel machines use EFI instead of BIOS? It is actually very cool.

 

I read about kernels too. I read that Voodoo kernel is pretty much the de-facto kernel to use for AMD users. I am using the Chocolate kernel on my SL install. I read it is quite buggy, so I was wondering if there are any other kernels you could suggest I try. I can choose a kernel at the darwin prompt if I am correct, so it should generally be reversible if it does not work.

 

Thank you so much for you assistance and the links you share with me.

 

 

UPDATE: Read the thread about Quartz GL. I get the concept. Got it from the first post Gringo posted LOL. It gave me another question. I will be searching google in the meantime for the answer. Was wondering how do I know if Quartz Extreme is anything I should focus on. My video card is recognized in System Profiler, though it's performance is less than favorable. I'll look into it more. I think I am working on too much at one time. I just feel like I have entered a potential treasure chest of new information!

 

UPDATE 2: May have found a kext for my ethernet (0x054c10de) EDIT: Posted the wrong link. Will update once again with correct link, it is in my bookmarks on my MBP which my wife currently has. THE KEXT CURRENTLY SEEMS TO BE WORKING GREAT. HAD ISSUES WITH NVENET.KEXT BUT AFTER READING I LEARNED WHAT TO DO... RENAME NVENET.KEXT IN /SYSTEM/LIBRARY/EXTENSIONS/IONETWORKINGFAMILY.KEXT/CONTENTS/PLUGINS [uSE TERMINAL, RUN

 SUDO SU

TO RENAME THE EXTENSION AS FOLLOWS

 

mv nvenet.kext nvenet.kext.noload

 

^ must be run as root.

 

The 0x054c10de device id is listed as a supported device, so I will be trying that out today. I will update with my results whether it works or not.

 

UDPATE 3:

 

Tried the AppleSMBIOSEFI.kext but when I rebooted I was greeted with some little {censored} saying "Still Waiting For Root Device". I hate that error, so decided to just reload AppleSMBIOS.kext for the time being instead of messing with boot flags.

 

Ethernet is working, and as far as I know ATM is more for show anyway, so my next goal is to tweak my Nvidia Gefore Go (7150M) to work better. Framerate in 3d games is wretched, and I haven't even tried fullscreen modes yet.

[Dellmantt]

Yes, actually it is... is that a bad thing, lol...

Knowing the ID (which is why I asked twice for you to supply it) gives another options to search http://www.google.com.au/search?hl=en&...0l0l220l220l2-1 http://www.google.com.au/#hl=en&source...242&bih=888 http://www.google.com.au/#hl=en&source...242&bih=888

 

Do all intel machines use EFI instead of BIOS? It is actually very cool.

All Intel Macs do

 

I read about kernels too. I read that Voodoo kernel is pretty much the de-facto kernel to use for AMD users. I am using the Chocolate kernel on my SL install. I read it is quite buggy,

Voodoo Kernel was used on 10.5 Leopard Hacks, not sure if there was a version for 10.6 Snow. Chocolate kernel is the Legacy kernel renamed by the author of "myHack" (chocolate instead of vanilla- (get it)). Never owned a system with an AMD CPU so can't comment on Legacy Kernel stability. One thing that is important is that the Kernel & System versions match.

 

Tried the AppleSMBIOSEFI.kext but when I rebooted I was greeted with some little {censored} saying "Still Waiting For Root Device". I hate that error, so decided to just reload AppleSMBIOS.kext for the time being instead of messing with boot flags.

Ethernet is working, and as far as I know ATM is more for show anyway, so my next goal is to tweak my Nvidia Gefore Go (7150M) to work better. Framerate in 3d games is wretched, and I haven't even tried fullscreen modes yet.

Given the lack of support for your video card i am not surprised that there few people trying to run 10.6 Snow on this laptop. Quite a few post for Leopard http://www.insanelymac.com/forum/index.php...howtopic=128495 http://www.insanelymac.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=109241 Although you are adding to your knowledge base I wonder how much time you want to invest on this hardware given it's limitations.

[Gringo Vermelho]

Was wondering how do I know if Quartz Extreme is anything I should focus on.

It most definitely is. Having hardware accelerated graphics (aka Quartz Extreme/Core Image) working is mandatory on Snow Leopard. Lots of apps, both Apple and third-party, and even some features of the OS itself won't work without it.

[karimruan]

Thank you gringo, loved your posts in the thread mentioned above!

 

The reason I have been putting in so much time into this system (and yes I do know that I am loaded with some of the most unsupported software in one system lol) is because I have spent over a year trying to get OS X installed on this lappy. I have gotten a few things working before that no one else seems to have gotten working, so now, in addition to my own personal benefit, I just want to see what I might be able to do to add to the supported hardware list. I have a MBP and an old iBook G4 (with SL and Leo respectively) so it is not just an issue of wanting to use OS X. It is just learning and fun for me.

 

Though I do wonder, is it possible to use kexts from LEO or modify them in a way to make them usable?

 

As it stands, my nvidia card works, though it does not work *satisfactorily*. I tested a small demo of a game I have been writing on it (not very graphic intensive, works great with highest graphical settings on my iBook with it's 32mb video card). I like my OSx86 system though. I have it to the point where it is pretty much stable for general use, internet, word processing etc. Boots in under 30 seconds too.

[karimruan]

Although you are adding to your knowledge base I wonder how much time you want to invest on this hardware given it's limitations.

 

This install is pretty much a rescue, the system is worthless otherwise. After the SL install, it's internal dvd drive crapped out, leaving the only booting options via USB. This was once a laptop, and I swear it has taken quite the beating. No more screen, and it is almost pure skeleton, a mobo sitting on the bottom of what used to be its case. It likely will not survive very long any way, so I figured in the time it has left I would mess around with this. It was on this lappy that I discovered OSx86, and that was three years after I bought my first Mac lol.

 

I have been reading up in the forums about the origins of the nForceLan kext, how it came from the Linux forcedeth kext. I have become interested in porting other Linux drivers/what-nots to Linux, so I may just leave the system as it is for now. At least I can enjoy a mostly successful install (I am posting from SL now, so I guess successful counts).

 

I also have an old iBook G4, and we all no PPC is gone in the Apple world, and Adobe dropped support for flash. I am going to see what I can do to get some of the open source flash hacks working on powerpc. Not sure why... I guess I do that alot.

 

Thank you Dellmant, you have been most helpful and have tought me alot, and given me a great many links to continue reading from.