whatcouldbe

NEW WIFI CARD:

I bought an  
Apple Airport Extreme Card MA688Z/B BCM94321MC 802.11n

WIFI card on ebay for $20. Plugged it in and it worked right away.

This is much better than using the RaLink software.

Solved!
(Ok, I know I keep posting questions after searching for a few hours without success, then answer my own questions after a few more hours, but hopefully my tribulations can help others in a similar situation).

Problem: I had edited my com.apple.boot.plist file, which was causing the computer to not boot.

Need: To edit the culprit file (back to its original form) without being able to log into the desktop.

Solution:  You can edit files from the pre-boot terminal as follows:

• tap shift at start-up to get to the chameleon bootloader
  
• type   "-s" to enter single-user mode
  
• type   "mount -uw /"    to mount the hard drive as read/writable
  
• type   "cd /extra"   the file I wanted to edit was in the "extra" folder
  
• type   "nano [file name]"   in my case  "nano com.apple.boot.plist"   This allows you to edit the file.
  
• edit the file however you need
  
• follow directions to Exit, Save,
  
• type "exit" to boot.

HELP! I'm stuck on blank grey screen.

I was able to update to 10.6.8 with success using this method (#97).

The fix for Sleep and waking from sleep also worked perfectly.

Then, I tried the fix for the Apple App Store and after editing the com.apple.boot.plist and rebooting, I get stuck at a blank grey screen. It's a grey screen after the Apple logo and spinning wheel. That is, when the desktop should appear, I get a blank grey screen.

I've tried booting with -x; -x -v; recovery=y; graphicsenabler=No; but none of those solver the problem. Please, any suggestions???

Cyberghoser1;

Thank you for the info on updating to 10.6.8. I used your method to update top 10.6.8 and everything went smoothly . . . UNTIL I edited my com.apple.boot.plist!
When I restarted, the boot stuck on a grey screen (after the Apple log + spinning wheel end, I get a blank grey screen.)

Update: SOLUTION

Problem: After editing my com.apple.boot.plist file, it caused the computer to not boot, and get stuck at a grey screen (not Apple logo nor spinning wheel)

Need: To edit the culprit file (com.apple.boot.plist back to its original form) without being able to log into the desktop.

Solution:  You can edit files from the pre-boot terminal as follows:

• tap shift at start-up to get to the chameleon bootloader
  
• type   "-s" to enter single-user mode
  
• type   "mount -uw"    to mount the hard drive as read/writable
  
• type   "cd /extra"   the file I wanted to edit was in the "extra" folder
  
• type   "nano [file name]"   in my case  "nano com.apple.boot.plist"   This allows you to edit the file.
  
• edit the file however you need
  
• follow directions to Exit, Save,
  
• type "exit" to boot.

I tried to install Sleepenabler.kext by doing this ...

Quote

I got a kernel error panic after restart!
I assume the important line after booting with -v is: "kernel Extensions in backtrace (with dependencies): sk.triaxis.kext.SleepEnabler(1.0.0)@0x2e684000->0x2e685fff"
Booting with -x or recovery=y doesn't work.

UPDATE!!
I'm DONE! Everything (except sleep) works.

SleepEnabler Kernel Panic

• To get around SleepEnabler kernel panic boot with : pmVersion=0 arch=i386
  
• Delete SleepEnabler.kext from everywhere.
  
• Make sure SleepEnabler.kext was emptied out of trash.
  
• Ran "UpdateExtra" to fix kexts (Not sure if I had to, but didn't hurt)

• I've tried a few methods (boot flag: darkwake=0 and darkwake=1 with no luck)
  
• In the end, I've just set my System Prefereces/Energy Saver to Never put computer or display to sleep.

   WIFI

• To get Wifi to work, I had to enable the WLAN in BIOS (f2; Advanced; Onboard Devices Configurations;  Onboard WLAN [enable]; f10)
  
  • When I got to desktop the RaLink window popped up.
    
  • I connected to a wifi my wifinetwork, but the internet did not work.
    
  • Once I connected and configured my ethernet connection, then disconnected my ethernet wire, the WIFI worked!
• I've heard people complain about the RaLink Wireless Utility feeling like it's clutter. Here's what I did to make it minimally invasive:
  
  • Under Site Survey tab, Log onto your network, then Add Profile. Create Profile for that network.
    
  • Under Profile tab, click network profile and hit Activate.
    
  • Now, the computer will log onto that network automatically when you start up the computer.
    
  • Each time you log in, make sure that it connects, then Click RaLink Wireless Utility (up top) and Quit Wireless Utility (or just hit Command+Q)
    
  • The utility will still run, but will not stay open on your dock.

HotKeys (esp. volume up/down/mute)

• To designate F12 as System Volume Up (without having to hold down Fn key) I used Spark for Mac (3.0b9).
  
• Download and Install Spark
  
• Double Click System (Hotkey Group)
  
• Enter F12 as shortcut; Volume Up under Action.
  
• Repeat for F11 (Volume down); F10 (Mute)
  
• Add any other keystrokes you want using Spark!