[dbculp]

I updated to 10.6.8 using Pacifist to install every piece EXCEPT the Extensions. The only extension I installed was the System extension. After repairing permissions and running NBI I got 10.6.8 on the first reboot. No patched kernal, I used the one from the 10.6.8 package. When I have more time I'll explore the remaining uninstalled extensions and try to find which one(s) are the troublemakers.

[dchao]

I think your manual install works because it not modifying the kernel in anyway. So you still have a good patched kernel from 10.6.7.

It will be interesting to see which kernel version you have by using "uname -a" from Terminal.

[dbculp]

Originally Posted by dchao

I think your manual install works because it not modifying the kernel in anyway. So you still have a good patched kernel from 10.6.7.

It will be interesting to see which kernel version you have by using "uname -a" from Terminal.

I used the mach kernal from the 10.6.8 package, version 10.8, not a patched version.

miniMac:~ davidculpepper$ uname -a
Darwin miniMac.local 10.8.0 Darwin Kernel Version 10.8.0: Tue Jun 7 16:33:36 PDT 2011; root:xnu-1504.15.3~1/RELEASE_I386 i386

[dchao]

Sorry did not read your 1st post properly

[r6680jc]

Of course mach_kernel 10.8 cause no problems, since it isn't much different from 10.7.

@dbculp
Would you mind to share which kexts you installed and which ones you didn't?

[pcmaniac]

According to kexts.com mach_kernel 10.8 has built-in native support for Intel Sandy Bridge CPU family. Which makes it very much different from 10.7...

[dchao]

Got everything working including sleep and sound.

Here are the steps I took (from a fully working 10.6.7 DM9):

1) Repair Disk Permissions

2) Download nawcom's legacy kernel and SleepEnabler, unzip both files and put them in your root folder

3) You will also need Kext Helper b7

4) Run NetbookInstaller Special (xxx2351)

5) Download and install 10.6.8 Combo Updater

6) When it is finished, let it reboot (do not run the NBI special again)

7) NBI special will run automatically (takes about 10 min) after reboot, and then you will get the reboot loop

8) Press shift key to get to the Chameleon prompt and type "recovery=yes"

9) Boot into safe mode, and rename legacy_kernel in your root directory and change owner

sudo mv /legacy_kernel-10.6.8 /mach_kernel
sudo chown root:wheel  /mach_kernel
(if you want to, mark the file hidden with "SetFile -a V" or "chflags hidden")

10) Reboot again, and this time boot loop will be gone, we are in OS X, sound is working, but sleep is not. Now we need to fix the sleep crash.

11) Run Kext Helper and drop SleepEnabler.kext into its open window or icon

12) Finger crossed. Restart your Dell Mini the last time.

[dchao]

So far, the only problem with using Nawcom's legacy kernel is that we've lost the SMBIOS patches. So it falls back to SMBIOSResolver. Whenever I do a "sysctl", I get the default hw.model from SMBIOSResolver. This is causing NBI to issue "Unsuported hardware".

[ledgie]

Originally Posted by dchao

So far, the only problem with using Nawcom's legacy kernel is that we've lost the SMBIOS patches. So it falls back to SMBIOSResolver. Whenever I do a "sysctl", I get the default hw.model from SMBIOSResolver. This is causing NBI to issue "Unsuported hardware".

Hi dchao,

I'm planning on following your guide but I'm unsure what your comment above means… what does it affect on a day to day basis and can it be fixed? Is it worth waiting for another legacy kernel that does have the SMBIOS patches?

Thanks.

[dchao]

Originally Posted by ledgie

I'm planning on following your guide but I'm unsure what your comment above means… what does it affect on a day to day basis and can it be fixed? Is it worth waiting for another legacy kernel that does have the SMBIOS patches?

It's not a big deal, it shouldn't effect everyday use. System Profiler will report the incorrect processor and model id. Other people on the network will see your Dell Mini as something else. But you can always change these settings in SMBIOSResolver if it bothers you.

Alternative is to wait for new Chameleon or NetBookInstaller, which might never happen. Or stay with 10.6.7.

The solution to the "Unsupported Hardware" bug is to force NBI to accept the default model id reported back from SMBIOS.

First - grab the model id from Terminal:

sysctl -a | grep model

Mine is "MacBook4,1"

Then right click netbookinstaller, show package contents, navigate to Content/Resources/SupportFiles/machine.plist

and replace "Inspiron 910" or "Inspiron 1011" (depending on Mini 9 or Mini 10 you have) with the number found via the Terminal command.

Mine now looks like this:

<key>Model Name</key>
<string>MacBook4,1</string>

Now NBI should run correctly.