DSDT from Linux

I think i have seen somewhere instructions on how to extract dsdt from linux (or windows, but i'm not planning on installing windows).
Is it possible for me to do that and use the file as a dsdt for my current Snow Leopard?
Theoretically, it should be the perfect dsdt for my system, and everything should work fine, isn't that true?
Although it seems rather too easy to be true...

You can extract it using Linux
but it will not be "perfect" until you fix it
it will be stock dsdt that came with your bios
without any fixes it would be the same as booting without dsdt.aml

This is a quick guide to extract your vanilla dsdt:

Download Ubuntu Live CD from ubuntu web site, burn and boot from CD. You'll be in Ubuntu 9.10 desktop. Default user is ubuntu and home folder is /home/ubuntu.

From top menu bar, accessories (system) launch terminal:

Enter Code: sudo apt-get install iasl

to install iasl compiler/decompiler.

If you have problems with package manager finding it, open (also via terminal):

Code: sudo nano /etc/sources.list

and uncomment universe and multiverse repositories. Save after editing with ctrl+o followed by enter. Ctrl+x to exit. Update source.
Code: sudo apt-get update

and install again
Code: sudo apt-get install iasl

You might not need to uncomment them (if they are not commented out by default). But you will need them for installing 'acpidump' for later dsdt patching stuff.

As i said default user in LiveCD is 'ubuntu' so go to your desktop via terminal for easier navigating and accessing files (they will be on your desktop)

Code: cd /home/ubuntu/Desktop

Then enter

Code: cat /proc/acpi/dsdt > dsdt.aml

If permissions denied enter

Code: sudo cat /proc/acpi/dsdt > dsdt.aml

Now you'll have it on your desktop.

With iasl decompile it to have a readable format.

Code: iasl -d dsdt.aml

Now you'll have decompiled dsdt.dsl also on your desktop which you can open/edit with dbl. click, open it with Gedit. You can save both files to your usb flash and transfer to OSX for future editing.

_________________

You don't have to do everything that RayMacx64 says to do. Here is an edited down version.

Download Ubuntu Live CD from ubuntu web site, burn and boot from CD. You'll be in Ubuntu 9.10 desktop. Default user is ubuntu and home folder is /home/ubuntu.

From top menu bar, accessories (system) launch terminal and type:

sudo cat /proc/acpi/dsdt > dsdt.aml

Now you'll have it in your home folder.

You can save it to a USB flash drive and transfer to OSX for future editing.

Thanks to all 3 of you.
For the moment i have fount an dsdt file which is exactly for my m/b, and works just fine, so i don't have to do that after all.
But this may be needed in the future, or useful to somebody else that isn't as lucky as i was.
Once again, i really appreciate the time you took to answer...

Thanks MacMan that is easier. I just tried it and it works, except it does not put the file on desktop, it puts it in your home folder. Just go to top menu bar and click on places and select home folder and there will be a file called dsdt.aml for anyone else who needs this.

Thanks, I was trying to remember the steps without having to do it.

I went back and edited the post to correct this.

i realize this script in "RayMacx64" spirit but in 1 script with comment and test and ssdt extraction in bonus hardware hackintosh scan and dsdt & ssdt extraction

required :
1 ubuntu live CD in "test only mode" (script created on 32b 10.04 LTS i386 for intel/amd)
1 bash script => hackintosh-hardware-analyser.sh (no-login access)
little bit time

return 1 folder with biosname & version, with dsdt.aml .dsl
all ssdt.aml and .dsl detect from ubuntu dmesg
and 1 text file with your hardware identification.

Bios version make change in dsdt extractions !

it's work in progress script

RayMacx64, being a longtime linux user, your instructions were very thorough. As I am just trying to figure out what the heck is IN a DSDT.dsl file and am cautiously flirting with trying to actually edit one, this was a handy set of instructions. It has the benefit of ending up with a readable dsdt.dsl file for just getting the lay of the land as to what you are up against.

Thanks to both of you (MacMan included). Interesting stuff.

I do have a question. Okay, I have a motherboard specific DSDT.dsl file. I have (and assume the answers are in there) the ACPI specification (40a). The changes we need to make are obviously aimed at satisfying Apple's partial, and apparently somewhat idiosyncratic, implementation of the ACPI specification. Does a description of the Apple implementation exist or is this all trial and error? If not, where do you find that piece of the puzzle?

tofuconfetti said:

RayMacx64, being a longtime linux user, your instructions were very thorough. As I am just trying to figure out what the heck is IN a DSDT.dsl file and am cautiously flirting with trying to actually edit one, this was a handy set of instructions. It has the benefit of ending up with a readable dsdt.dsl file for just getting the lay of the land as to what you are up against.

Thanks to both of you (MacMan included). Interesting stuff.

I do have a question. Okay, I have a motherboard specific DSDT.dsl file. I have (and assume the answers are in there) the ACPI specification (40a). The changes we need to make are obviously aimed at satisfying Apple's partial, and apparently somewhat idiosyncratic, implementation of the ACPI specification. Does a description of the Apple implementation exist or is this all trial and error? If not, where do you find that piece of the puzzle?

Click to expand...

On my blog I posted an article on the minimum edits needed for Gigabyte DSDT's to make them work with OS X. These are the edits used for the DSDT's in the DSDT Database.