Install Lion On Unsupported Mac

In this video, we're going to install Mountain Lion (OS X 10.8) on an unsupported Core 2 Duo MacBook. This guide applies to the MacBook 2,1 through 4,1 and c.

This update includes:

  • Fixes adfly URL issues- Improves some error messages (makes them more explicit)

  • Fixes some minor UI issues/glitches

  • Fixes log files not appearing!

  • Add some verbosity to the install process (for logs)

MacPostFactor v2.0
This version is huge! It features many improvements everywhere! Anyway, in this version, you'll find:

  1. Mac Pro 2006 MacPro1,1 (kext not required) Mac Pro 2007 MacPro2,1 (kext not required) For ATI graphics card, i do not have a Mac to test them, I believe its the same, try ATIRadeonX1000.kext, ATIRadeonX1000GL.bundle, ATIRadeonX1000VA.bundle and report back.
  2. Now, by using disk utility 'restore' feature, clone 'InstallESDHacked.DMG' into a flash drive, and use it to install mountain lion on the unsupported Mac. If you did everything right, after installation you should be able to reach the desktop, but have no accelerated graphics whatsoever, only framebuffer.
  3. However, with a clever workaround, some of the older, unsupported Macs can be made to run Apple’s OS X Mountain Lion after all! Special software and installation instructions have been posted in the Macrumors.com forum by “hackerwayne” with step-by-step instructions to help many unsupported Macs run OS X Mountain Lion.
  4. Can i use this installer to install Mountain Lion on an unsupported Mac? The mac in question is a summer 2007 Mac mini with a 64-bit Core 2 duo clocked at 1.83 GHz, with 4 GB of ram. The maximum OS it can run is OS X 10.7 Lion.

Other Features in Previous Versions:

  • OS X El Capitan support- Ability to use a smaller Recovery (≈ 600MB instead of 5GB)with no compromises on available features

  • Bluetooth Audio FIX on 32bit ML Hack- Better MacPostFactor UI and UX

  • New Preferences Window- New Customise button- Search again for Install OS X _ _ _.app by a click of a button

  • Nicer interface- Nicer switching animations- Better MacPostFactor App

  • Better code organization

  • Snow Leopard Compatibility (BETA)

  • Contributors now working! Donate to figure on the list!

  • Ability to change the USB name when erasing it

  • New feature: 'One click install'

  • Really fixes Paypal donation link

  • Fixes USB space check (total space instead of left space)

  • Fixes ton of other minor bugs

  • Reduces the energy footprint when creating USB Installers

  • Better OSXHackers Preview boot logo

  • Better logs in case of error

  • OS X Mav+ kernels are now stored online (reduces MacPostFactor's size and allows MLforAll to add a new kernel without updating the MacPostFactor app itself)

  • Improved the Hacking Process

  • No more Error Code 3- Use of kernelcache whenever possible

  • Fixes USB installers not booting

  • Improved MacPostFactor 'side-apps' (recovery apps)

  • Better MacPostFactor Services Init- Better OS X Manager with SIP management support

  • MUCH BETTER 'MacPostFactor OS X Installer” (active progress bar.. support for ML and Mav...)

  • 'About MCPF.app' and 'Dock Glass Effect Manager.app' replaced by 'MacPostFactor Utilities.app' that also adds new tweaks!

I know this is not a common scenario, but for the few people that upgraded a Mac originally equipped with a Core Duo processor to a Core 2 Duo processor, here is the procedure. I have an iMac version 4,1 that I upgraded years ago, and it worked. The person who found the solution had an upgraded Mac Mini. You will need a second computer that is Lion capable for this tip to work.

Install Osx On Unsupported Mac

As always, Make sure you have a backup of the original install! This worked for me, but always be prepared for the worst.
I made, and used, a Lion Mac OS X Install ESD on a thumb drive. Instructions to make one can be found all over the Mac centric web sites. Then follow this procedure:
  • Put the unsupported Mac in Target Disk mode and plug it into a Lion supported Mac.
  • Run the Lion installer and make sure to choose your unsupported Mac's hard drive. Let the install finish.
  • Boot back into the supported Mac's OS, and put the unsupported Mac back to target disk mode.
  • Delete the PlatformSupport.plist at /System/Library/CoreServices on the unsupported Mac's hard drive.
  • Reboot the Unsupported Mac and it should boot into Lion normally.
Install Lion On Unsupported Mac
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Install Lion On Unsupported Macbook Air

crarko adds:

Unsupported Mac Os

I don't have the equipment to try this, but it seems plausible. As recommended in the hint, have a complete system backup handy in case something goes awry.]