Author: Mr. Robot

Categories
Self-Help

How to install latest macOS on Unsupported Macs

Older Macs easily run the latest macOS with OpenCore

Also SSD Upgradeable:
2012-2015 13″ & 15″ models
2016-2017 13″ w/o Touch Bar
Want to Upgrade? Submit a ticket

Stage 1: Prepare Installer

  1. Plug in a 16GB or larger USB 3.0 thumb drive with nothing important saved on it as it will be erased.

  2. Download the latest OpenCore-Patcher-GUI.app.zip from https://github.com/dortania/OpenCore-Legacy-Patcher/releases

  3. Once downloaded, launch the app and you will be greeted by this menu:
  4. First, we’ll want to select the “Create macOS Installer” button. This will present you with 2 options:
  5. Choose Download macOS Installer. Selecting this option will download Apple’s Installer Catalogs and build a list for you to choose from, choose the latest version which may differ from below:

    This will download and install the macOS installer to your applications folder.

  6. Once finished, you can proceed to write the installer onto the USB drive.
    • Note: The entire USB drive will be formatted

  7. Select the Downloaded Version of macOS

  8. Now the patcher will start the installer flashing:
  9. Success Prompt:
  10. Finished Flashing:
  11. Return to Main Menu

Stage 2: Building and installing

  1. Now that we have a macOS installer, let’s now build our OpenCore configuration.

  2. Select Build and Install OpenCore and start building:


  3. Finished Building:
  4. Select the Install to Disk button, then select a drive:
  5. Select Partition:

Stage 3: Booting

  1. Reboot the machine while holding Option

  2. Select the EFI Boot entry with the OpenCore icon (holding the Control key will make this the default boot entry):

  3. Now that you’ve loaded OpenCore, select Install macOS:

  4. You will soon reach the installer screen. From there, it’s just like any normal macOS install.
    • If you want to keep your data and settings, just install macOS.
      -or-
    • If you want the system to be wiped, erase the drive in Disk Utility then proceed with installing macOS.

Stage 4: Post-Installation

  1. OCLP will now automatically prompt you to root patch your system:
    • You will also be prompted to install these patches after macOS updates.
    • Whenever you see this prompt, you must apply the patches then reboot as prompted.
    • I recommend to also update the OCLP patcher app after any macOS update, please follow my guide OpenCore: Reinstall Root Patches – Mr. Robot
  2. Launch Finder > Applications then launch OpenCore Legacy Patcher
  3. Choose Settings
  4. Uncheck setting circled in red:
  5. Build OpenCore again just like in Stage 2 except this time choose the internal drive, NOT the USB.

  6. Now you no longer need the USB drive.
Categories
Self-Help

Are Best Buy computers defects?

  • Many of the ASUS and MSI models sold there are specifically ineligible for warranty extension.
  • Apple, Acer, HP, Dell / Alienware, Lenovo, and LG on the other hand do offer extended warranties.
  • If the manufacturer of the system won’t offer to extend the warranty on it then you shouldn’t buy it.
  • Gaming laptops typically fail or have issues within year 2 and year 3 of ownership so the included 1 year warranty is usually useless.

ASUS Premium Care is not compatible with refurbished, open box, international, or products purchased from Best Buy. 

ASUS Premium Care Terms

MSI Care applies to laptops, desktops, all-in-one pcs, and monitors only. Not all services are available in all countries. Regional and product eligibility applies. Best Buy purchases are not eligible.

MSI Care Terms
Categories
Self-Help

Avoid These PC Build Mistakes

Categories
Self-Help

Pure Incompetence: $5,000 Pre-Built Gaming PC Filled with Mistakes (Skytech Mark 9)

Categories
Self-Help

Time To Leave DDR4

Categories
Self-Help

Adding nVMe Boot Support for 2012-2017 Dells

https://www.tachytelic.net/2021/12/dell-optiplex-7010-pcie-nvme/?amp

Categories
Self-Help

iCue Sensor Configuration

By default my systems follow the hottest running component which is usually the GPU by far for gamers.

Should you encounter a CPU-only workload, you can change the cooling sensor from GPU to CPU.

Click the iCue icon in the bottom right hand corner of the screen near the clock as pictured below, then follow the video to change the sensor.

BEWARE: I set the sensor to follow the GPU because the system doesn’t get enough cooling when following the CPU while gaming. Changing the sensor to CPU is only good for non-gaming workloads and will cause overheating in games!

If you are a gamer, you should leave it on GPU!

Categories
Self-Help

OpenCore: Reinstall Root Patches

After updating macOS on a Mac with OCLP, you’ll need to reinstall root patches or the system will not function correctly.

You should receive a prompt to do it automatically:

If you clicked OK and rebooted as prompted, and performance is good, then nothing further is needed and you can skip the guide below.

If you have ignored it or clicked cancel, or completed it but are having performance issues, follow the guide below.

For those running OCLP 1.0.0 or older ONLY
  1. Download the latest OpenCore Legacy Patcher
    Choose file OpenCore-Patcher-GUI.app.zip
  2. Open Finder > Applications > Right-click OpenCore-Patcher > Show Original
  3. Drag the new OpenCore-Patcher over from the Downloads folder (see video below)
  4. When prompted, choose Replace
  5. Now you can proceed to follow steps in the section below.
For those running OCLP 1.0.1 or newer ONLY
  1. Open Finder > Applications > OpenCore-Patcher
  2. Post-Install Root Patch
  3. Start Root Patching
  4. Reboot when prompted
Categories
Self-Help

The Worst Pre-Built We’ve Ever Reviewed: Alienware R13 $5000 Gaming PC Benchmarks

Front + Side Panel Airflow Mod

– Alienware Employee
Alienware Aurora Front Panel Airflow Mod
Front Plastic. BUT WHY ALIENWARE?

Are you a unlucky Alienware Aurora owner?

I offer front panel and side panel modification service for significantly lower operating temperature, noise, and increased lifespan.

To get started, submit a ticket.

Categories
Self-Help

Improved Fan Control for Gamers

GPU WAY TOO HOT
One of the oldest issues that have plagued gaming computers is that the fans follow the CPU sensor and that doesn’t get hot enough while gaming.

Your GPU ends up running way hotter than it should and with a reduced lifespan. This is especially pronounced in GPU-bound scenarios. Fans should always follow the hottest component.

CORSAIR AND NZXT’S SOLUTION
For users with NZXT or Corsair CPU coolers they can set their coolers to follow the GPU sensor using the NZXT Cam or Corsair iCue software.

However this is limited to a single sensor for control, which creates a potential for overheating of the component not being monitored.


MR. ROBOT’S APP-FREE FAN CONTROL SOLUTION

  • Use the motherboard fan headers for all fans.
  • Determine the gaming temperatures and adjust the fan curve(s) accordingly in the system BIOS in a manner that maintains consistent fan speed throughout the minimum and maximum CPU temperature range while gaming.
  • Set the idle temp to 0-20% fan speed to limit dust collection.
  • Set TjMax temp to 100% fan speed to signal overheating.

See table below for example, these settings work well with a CPU that idles at 30C and games between 50-70C:

Temp
30C
40C
60C
80C
100C
Speed
0%
50%
50%
50%
100%

THE NO BLOAT APP ALTERNATIVES
FanControl. You can use multiple temperature sensors to control the fans with the Mix feature. No matter which component is getting hot, your fans are able to respond appropriately.

Avoid the manufacturer software in favor of these open source alternatives for maximum system performance, cooling efficacy, and lifespan.

For RGB, use OpenRGB:
openrgb.org

For Fans, use FanControl:
getfancontrol.com

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