[Solved] First hackintosh, “still waiting for root device” and prohibitory sign

[sean101v]

Disconnect the power lead.
Press and hold the power on button for 30 secs then release.
Reconnect the power lead.
Power on and test.

Tried that now, the blinking cursor is still there

 

[P1LGRIM]

Tried that now, the blinking cursor is still there

What happens if you boot with nothing at all connected ?
No HDD - No USB.

 

[sean101v]

What happens if you boot with nothing at all connected ?

Also the blinking cursor, since the SSD is empty.

Spoiler: Ports and SSD connected

EDIT:

Spoiler: What happens with no SSD or USB (in order)

Another edit:

So I plugged in the USB without the SSD connected and I booted to the USB, and it went straight to network boot for some reason, which means it's not even trying to boot the USB

 

[P1LGRIM]

"What happens with no SSD or USB (in order)"

So it's not stuck, you can get into the BIOS settings.
Reset to optimised defaults.
I would reduce to minimum configuration.
Remove everything except processor graphics and memory.
See if you are able to boot from the USB when no SSD is connected.

 

[sean101v]

So it's not stuck, you can get into the BIOS settings.
Reset to optimised defaults.
I would reduce to minimum configuration.
Remove everything except processor graphics and memory.
See if you are able to boot from the USB when no SSD is connected.

I never said the computer was stuck, I said it was stuck at the cursor, I also said I reset the BIOS. The only other thing is a wireless card, and I tried removing it and the USB still does not boot.

 

[P1LGRIM]

I never said the computer was stuck, I said it was stuck at the cursor, I also said I reset the BIOS. The only other thing is a wireless card, and I tried removing it and the USB still does not boot.

Then perhaps you have somehow corrupted your USB installer.

 

[sean101v]

Then perhaps you have somehow corrupted your USB installer.

That is a possibility, but I've made the USB again 3 seperate times, with 2 different macbooks. I tried sierra twice and el capitan. It works fine on another laptop that's laying around but does not work on this computer.

 

[P1LGRIM]

That is a possibility, but I've made the USB again 3 seperate times, with 2 different macbooks. I tried sierra twice and el capitan. It works fine on another laptop that's laying around but does not work on this computer.

Make sure that DEP is enabled in your BIOS settings.
No other ideas.

 

[sean101v]

Make sure that DEP is enabled in your BIOS settings.
No other ideas.

Tried a different USB drive, now it's at Clover again, back to my initial problem.


Move it to a USB2 port, if it is already in a USB2 port move it to another and try again. - Only USB2 ports on PC afaik
Repeat until you have tried all USB ports. - Yep, I've tried all
Use a USB2 flash drive. - I believe the flash drive I'm using is USB2, as it's rather old and the port isn't blue.
If it still doesn't work you could try another flash drive. - Did that.
Try connecting your USB flash drive using a USB2 hub. - Tried connecting it to my hub, USB ports still shut down
You might also try enabling Legacy on your USB3 ports in your BIOS settings. - N/A, no USB3
Set XHCI Handoff to Enabled in your BIOS settings. - I could not seem to find that option
Ensure that Fast Boot is not enabled in your BIOS settings. - BIOS too old to have that
macOS High Sierra 10.13.6 requires a new USB Port Limit patch. - Running Sierra but I still have the patch, for Sierra.
With the DC7900 you must boot with -f UseKernelCache=No or you will lose access to your USB ports and network. - Just tried that now, same result.

 

[P1LGRIM]

No other ideas.

Afterthought : You might try with the DSDT attached to Post #4 here.