Tricking software to install on older version of OS X

[Chemicalrubber]

Hi, I'm trying to install Adobe CS5 Master Collection on my iatkos v5i Acer Travelmate 4720, but it requires OS X 10.5.7 or above, but iatkos v5i is only 10.5.5. Is there any way to 'trick' the system to install the software, or is there a way to upgrade that particular flavour without a clean install? Thanks.

[a-l-e-x-x]

OS X stores the version number in /System/Library/CoreServices/SystemVersion.plist

If you edit this file, you will be able to install all software you need and apple's softwareupdate won't update to 10.5.8 anymore

[Beerkex'd]

is there a way to upgrade that particular flavour without a clean install?

 

All Hackintoshes can be updated.

 

You must identify which files on your iATKOS install that are non-vanilla, and are required for your PC to run OS X.

 

A system update replaces your patched drivers and other modified system files with unmodified ones and as a consequence you may lose functionality. In the worst case you may not be able to boot after installing an update.

 

Start by making a list of the fixes and patches you selected under 'customize' when you installed iATKOS on your PC. Then use the forum search and google to find out where in the OS these fixes go so that you can identify them on your installation.

 

Then replace them manually one by one with vanilla files (extracted from a combo update installer or install DVD using an app called Pacifist) and implement alternative solutions that do not get replaced by a system update, testing each one as you go.

Read this: http://www.insanelymac.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=209712

 

For example:

 

If you're using a patched IONetworkingFamily.kext to have your ethernet seen as EN0 and internal, instead use the Chameleon bootloader with EthernetBuiltIn=yes in /Extra/com.apple.Boot.plist. If you're using a patched network hardware driver in the plugins folder of IONetworkingFamily.kext, use a legacy kext instead. For Marvell 88E8056 LAN that would be LegacyAppleYukon2.kext for example - Legacy kexts don't get overwritten by Apple updates.

 

If you're using a modified AppleSMBIOS.kext, instead use the Chameleon bootloader with /Extra/smbios.plist

 

If you're using patched SATA or PATA drivers, try using legacy kexts and/or DSDT patch instead, the Chameleon download comes with two injectors that fix orange icons and injects most Intel ICHx models.

 

If you're using a patched kernel, rename it so that it doesn't get overwritten with a vanilla kernel when running the update:

http://www.insanelymac.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=209192

 

If you're using patched USB drivers, fix device ID in DSDT instead so that you can use unmodified drivers:

http://www.insanelymac.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=168014

And/or use Chameleon with USBBusFix=y in /extra/com.apple.Boot.plist

 

If you're using modified nvidia drivers with the device ID of your video card inserted, you will have to manually re-insert it after updating. Same thing goes for other modified video drivers, you will need to re-implement the modifications manually after updating, or find already modified drivers here on IM. Sometimes you'll be able to continue to use your older, modified drivers, so back them up before doing anything.

 

And so on and so on. Nearly every fix that is implemented on your iATKOS installation in a way that modifies system files, can be replaced with one that doesn't. But it takes time and a lot of searching and reading.

 

If you're using any drivers or fixes that don't alter any system files (community provided drivers such as AppleVIAATA.kext, skge.kext, HDAEnabler.kext, NVInject.kext and so on) you can keep those, they should continue to work after an update.

 

Unless you're extremely lucky AND have very Mac-like hardware, there is no easy way.