Embedded Files
Warning - OCLP Reinstall Likely Must do SMC Reset
Warning - OCLP Reinstall Likely Must do SMC Reset
Can come back to this if just learning how to install the first time. But after gained installation experience and wants to install other OCLP macOS. Then need to learn this
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/2011-imac-graphics-card-upgrade.1596614/post-33332510
2 Minute Summary of OCLP
2 Minute Summary of OCLP
This is not meant to be a complete tutorial of OCLP Installation. Just a quick summary and pointers to more helpful guides and details
To install newer macOS on Apple obsoleted supported Macs, there are few basic steps
OCLP app make a self booting USB stick to install newer macOS. Best to have another Mac (running either stock Apple macOS or OCLP macOS is okay) to run OCLP app to make this USB stick.
Configure OCLP app to the upgrading Mac Model ID and the Metal GPU card
OCLP app download Apple macOS installer and make USB installer stick
OCLP app Make USB installer stick bootable. This insert custom bootcode made by OCLP into the USB stick.
For metal GPU cards, need configure the custom boot code
After macOS is installed and gone through the common new macOS setup process, need to patch the macOS with obsoleted Macs drivers and insert OCLP's custom boot code on the same SSD as macOS to enable booting without USB stick.
OCLP Team's Goal and Progress
OCLP Team's Goal and Progress
OCLP team is trying to make upgrading Legacy Macs as simple as Apple's upgrade process! This is quite amazing. Their progress has been amazingly fast and already getting fairly close. Stilling making progress towards perfection haha.
Basic OCLP Process (As of Jan/2024, looks like even easier solutions coming)
Basic OCLP Process (As of Jan/2024, looks like even easier solutions coming)
Download OCLP Tool and run it
Use OCLP to download the macOS installer you want and make a bootable USB sticker Installer
Run the USB Installer. Basically same as macOS installation process
Setup Mac at end of Installation. Basically same as macOS setup process
Use OCLP to update Boot Screen (EFI) to Open Core version. This allows OC to handle necessary setup to boot newer macOS on legacy Macs
Use OCLP to Root Patch. OCLP need to patch the drivers and other files and do this under root permission on the Mac.
OCLP makes all this incredibly easy (v1.3.0 at time of this Jan/2024 writing). I see a v1.4.0n coming and I think they are trying to enable Macs already running OCLP to upgrade by network without USB Boot Stick... just like Apple upgrade process haha. Amazing amount of great work.
Guides
Guides
Note if your only Mac is one that can only run High Sierra (HS), HS Safari is probably already crippled enough to not be able to download OCLP installer. So use another newer macOS (at least most updated Safari on Big Sur) or other browsers (all are obsoleted on HS and need to find legacy versions) or PC and download the latest release. You want the file ( OpenCore-Patcher.pkg ). If downloaded on PC, then need to transfer it over to the Mac via USB stick of course. PC is probably easiest if have all out of date macs.
A lot around on youtube. Here is a couple. Note these guides are made on a prior date. OCLP User Interface may have changed but seems to have remained same/similar in 2024+. Search of creator's newer installer videos may show more recent/latest OCLP user interface.
Prior to installing OCLP, its important to have the mac running the latest macOS it will support so all the logic board firmware are properly installed. For older macOS, see High Sierra and El Capitan Install link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmwneF_YsCA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfa2aSm7OxQ
MrMacintosh
MrMacintosh
https://www.youtube.com/@Mr.Macintosh/videos?view=0&sort=p&shelf_id=0
@Mr.Macintosh's popular video list has all the "macOS XXX on OLD MACS"
Its useful to look at the newest macOS OCLP installation process EVEN if you are updating to an older macOS (say limited by nVidia GPU) as it will show the UI of the newest OCLP tool which you will want to use. In general, latest OCLP has more of the various bits in the system diagram integrated seamlessly.
OCLP Site
OCLP Site
Can't forgot OCLP itself haha.
https://dortania.github.io/OpenCore-Legacy-Patcher/
Important Detail Building OCLP Stick and Installation
Important Detail Building OCLP Stick and Installation
This is the most robust OLCP + metal GPU card sequence I have found. Have tried other varations and generally with more problems.
Create macOS Installer USB Stick
Create macOS Installer USB Stick
Build and Install Open Core
Build and Install Open Core
There is a very specific sequence to build this USB stick to yield smoothest installation experience. Read
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/2011-imac-graphics-card-upgrade.1596614/post-32940405
During and After Installation
During and After Installation
OCLP installation still can hang or error. However, just resuming seems to always correctly finish. Just quit or power off if hang and restart from the macOS already partially installed into internal SSD. Here is an example error and resume sequence
After installation and booting up the first time, OCLP installed macOS can hang during startup or incorrectly load graphics and get white/black/colorful screen. Just reboot in safe mode (hold down SHIFT key when booting)
High Sierra and El Capitan Install
High Sierra and El Capitan Install
Installing these 2 macOSes have some tricky issues due to how old they are
For High Sierra, here is the necessary workaround. Solution #3 works well in the following link. Require a little bit of macOS terminal (like command line in Windows)
For El Capitan, need to change to older system date. Following video does a 2013 date. Other info shows 2016 dates. All seems to work/
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