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I have upgraded a couple of 1.83 GHz iMacs from Core Duo processors to 2.16 GHz Core2Duo processors in the hope of being able to install Lion on them. The "about this Mac" shows that the CPUs are seen and x-bench shows the greatly improved machine. I tried installing Lion and it tells me these machine cannot load it. Does anyone know what to do? Is this a ROM problem?
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From what I understand, the Lion installer checks the system model, and goes from there. For example, the Lion installer would see "MacBook1,1" as the system model in my computer, and know that that is a Core Duo based computer, and not allow installation to procede. There is a method to install Lion (At least the developer betas) on a Core Solo/Duo machine, where you install Lion via Target Disk Mode, using a Core 2 Duo+ machine, and then edit a system file on the newly installed OS. Lion will then run on Core Solo/Duo. I know that the developer betas of Lion can run (But by default, aren't allowed) on 32-bit architecture. Installing Lion on an upgraded machine should be possible through the same method, and the extra modification may not even be necessary. Here is an article highlighting the process.
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So if I use SuperDuper and clone my MBP 2.5 installation, then change the line while still in Target Mode it will work. Great solution Chris, Thanks. I've renewed my developer status so I can get betas again. There's just to much to learn in one day.
Great answer!!
Cloning the hard drives should work, I'm not sure if the developer betas expire or not, I actually got them from a friend. You may not be able to use them forever.
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There's an app for people in this situation - written by me :-)
It works with all versions of Lion from DP3 upwards including the current domestic version on the App store so theres no need for a developer account
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Great work. That'll help many-many people.
+ sounds good, will give it a try on the Command R
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I'm using a paid version of Lion. I cloned via Target Mode, removed the plist and tried to boot. Got the Apple and spinning disk. After a couple of minutes of getting no where I rebooted in Safe Mode and got a start after it did what looked like a rebuild. The startup is very slow but it finally came up. It still thinks it's a MBP in the upper right hand corner. About this Mac shows the 10.7. Software update ran with no updates. I'm running 1.5 GIGs of RAM. Will run x-bench tomorrow and see how it compares to the 10.6.8 run. It seems slow. I could not get the Command R boot to work. Will keep you updated on my progress.
by mayer
xbench was actually a little better
by mayer