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A Step-by-Step Guide to Making the Right Choice Step 1: Understand Your Hardware Limitations Your MBP 13,2 (2016) has: 6th/7th generation Intel Core i5 processor Integrated Intel Iris Graphics Likely 8GB RAM (possibly 16GB) Older thermal design (fans, heat pipes) Key Insight: This model is officially compatible with Sonoma but is getting older. Each newer macOS version adds features optimized for Apple Silicon that may run less efficiently on Intel Macs. Step 2: Temperature & Performance Assessment Current Research Findings: Sonoma vs. Monterey: Generally, newer macOS versions include optimizations but also demand more resources. Many users report slightly higher temperatures on Sonoma due to: More background processes Visual effects (screen savers, widgets) Security features running continuously Mitigation Factors: Sonoma does include power management improvements, but these benefit Apple Silicon chips more than Intel. Recommendation: If temperatures are already high on Monte...

Goal: Erase your internal disk (not the “macOS Base System”) and install macOS (Big Sur or similar) safely. Important: This will delete everything on your iMac. Make sure you have a backup first. What You Are Seeing macOS Base System / Container disk5 – this is the temporary system from the installer. Do NOT erase this. Fusion Drive / Macintosh HD (under “Internal”) – this is your real internal disk. This is the one you erase and install macOS on. Generic – SD/MMC Media / Install macOS Big Sur – your external installer drive (USB/SD). Don’t erase this either. Step 1 – Boot from the macOS Installer Connect your Install macOS Big Sur USB/SD drive. Turn on the iMac and immediately hold Option (⌥) . Choose the installer volume (e.g. Install macOS Big Sur ) and press Enter . When the installer loads, choose your language if asked. Step 2 – Open Disk Utility and Show All Devices In the macOS Utilities window, click ...

The core problem is that the BridgeOS firmware on the T1 chip is now mismatched and inactive. The only way to fix this is to use another Mac to force the correct firmware and a supported OS onto your machine using Apple Configurator 2 . Prerequisites: Another Mac (This is mandatory. You will need it to create a revive/restore image). A USB-C to USB-C cable (Thunderbolt 3 cable is highly recommended for reliability). A second USB-C cable for power (or use the power adapter on the target MacBook). Apple Configurator 2 (Free on the App Store, install it on the other Mac). Step-by-Step Guide: DFU Mode Revive/Restore This process will either Revive (attempts to restore firmware and OS without erasing user data) or Restore (completely wipes the machine and installs the latest supported OS). Try Revive first. Step 1: Prepare the Helper Mac On your other Mac, ensure Apple Configurator 2 is installed. Open Apple Configurator 2. Connect this Mac to the internet. Step 2: Prepare Your Brick...

Step 1: Force Restart Your Mac Press and hold the Touch ID/Power button for 10-15 seconds Release when the screen goes completely black Wait 10 seconds, then press Power again to restart (Note: This won’t delete data) Step 2: Boot into Safe Mode Shut down your Mac Press the Power button , then immediately hold Shift Release Shift when you see the login screen Log in → "Safe Boot" will appear in the menu bar (Clears caches and disables non-critical kexts) Step 3: Delete Problematic OCLP Files Open Terminal (Finder → Applications → Utilities) Run these commands: bash Copy Download sudo rm -rf /Library/Extensions/AMDRadeon*.kext sudo rm -rf /Library/Extensions/NVDA*.kext sudo kextcache -i / Enter your admin password when prompted (Removes graphics drivers causing freezes) Step 4: Reinstall OpenCore Correctly Download the OFFICIAL OCLP 2.4.0 from: dortania.github.io/OpenCore-Legacy-Patcher (Avoid third-party mirrors!) Launch OCLP → Click ⚙️ Settings → Enable: Verb...

Key Error: text Copy Download OCSMC: SmcReadValue Key 4D534163 Size 2 – Not Found "An error occurred preparing the software update" Cause: VirtualSMC misconfiguration or missing SMC keys during Sequoia’s second-stage installation. Solution Guide Step 1: Update OpenCore & Kexts Use OpenCore 1.0.5+ (latest nightly build recommended): Download: OpenCore 1.0.5+ Update Critical Kexts : Lilu (v1.6.8+) VirtualSMC (v1.3.3+) WhateverGreen (v1.6.7+) RestrictEvents (v1.1.3+) Step 2: Patch VirtualSMC for Missing SMC Key The error 4D534163 (ASCII: MSAc ) indicates a missing memory temperature sensor key . Add it manually: In your EFI/OC folder: Open config.plist with ProperTree . Navigate to: DeviceProperties → Add → PciRoot(0x0)/Pci(0x1F,0x3) Add this property (if missing): xml Copy Download Run < key > smc-compatible </ key > < string > smc-z390 </ string > Force-add the SMC key : Download SSDT-SMC-Fix.aml Place in EFI/OC/ACPI and enable in c...

  Prerequisites Hardware Compatibility : CPU : Intel 8th Gen+ or AMD Ryzen (Zen 2+). Apple Silicon not supported. GPU : AMD Radeon RX 5000/6000/7000 series or NVIDIA RTX 30/40* (limited/no drivers). Storage : 60GB+ free space (SSD recommended). RAM : 8GB minimum, 16GB+ recommended. Motherboard : UEFI-enabled (e.g., Gigabyte Z390/Z690, ASUS ROG Strix). USB : 16GB+ flash drive. Software Tools : OpenCore 1.0.0+ (check for updates post-Public Beta release). ProperTree (plist editor). GenSMBIOS (for generating SMBIOS). gibMacOS (to download macOS Public Beta). Step 1: Prepare Installation Media Download macOS Tahoe Public Beta : Join the Apple Beta Software Program (available July 2025). Use gibMacOS to download the macOS 26 Public Beta installer once released. bash Copy Download python gibMacOS.command -b -v 26 Create Bootable USB : Format USB as GPT with FAT32 (use Disk Utility on macOS or Rufus on Windows). Mount the USB with OpenCore: bash Copy Download sudo /Applicati...