Is this the END? Am I out of options? Please Help if you can...

[Wint0nOBoogie]

I have built a Hackintosh before and it was difficult, but I got it done. I am ok with hardware and software, but coding at cmd prompt and such is getting over my head.

I had to replace a burned out board, and thinking I would be 'smart' bought components that were already t-shooted, thinking not being on the bleeding edge would help the build and installation... I was wrong.

I made another mistake in not downloading every single OS that Apple came out with, so after Apple moves on from that OS, it won't let you download it (unless you have previously). I managed (somehow) to get a copy of Sierra and High Sierra but I think they are 'aged out' and the UniBeast installer I made with them won't boot. But, my Apple account won't let me download them, which is a real shame as those were the sweetspot that my hardware choices would most easily boot from.

I have 2009 Macbook Pro (upgraded as much as possible), but Catalina won't run on it and so Apple won't let you have a copy.

Can I check my UniBeast USBs to see if they verify or something?
The only OS that the App store will let me download is Mavericks.

What are my options... I am out of ideas and (it seems) really painted in a corner by Apple.
I don't want to give up, I would gladly pay Apple for their OS, but that isn't an option. And I am aware of the rules of this site.

Is this really the end of Hackintosh and (for me) running a mac?


Is there any info that i am missing, something I haven't thought of?

If I ditch this graphics card, can I get a copy of Catalina from a current mac, and make life easier?


This is the hardware I am trying to get ANY mac OS running;
------ Computer Parts -------
GIGABYTE GA-Z270X-Ultra Gaming LGA1151 Intel 2-Way SLI ATX DDR4

GeForce GTX 1060 6GB

Intel Core i5-7600K LGA 1151 Desktop Processors

G.SKILL Aegis 16GB 288-Pin DDR4 SDRAM

 

[antieatingactivist]

If replacing your graphics card is an option, you should do so and run Catalina. You could also just use your onboard graphics. There are reasons to run an older OS for some people, but very few, and you'll probably have an easier time getting Catalina up and running on your hardware.

 

[Wint0nOBoogie]

If replacing your graphics card is an option, you should do so and run Catalina. You could also just use your onboard graphics. There are reasons to run an older OS for some people, but very few, and you'll probably have an easier time getting Catalina up and running on your hardware.

Thank you for your reply, I REALLY appreciate it. I was imagining that I am hooped trying to get ideas and suggestions on older hardware and OS.

I did manage to find a page that shows how to download newer OS versions on my 2009 Macbook Pro.
Going to try that.
But my time and sanity are worth something to me... All I want is the Mac OS back and access to the years of data that I have on HFS disks.

But yes, I will seriously consider swapping out a natively supported video card.

 

[antieatingactivist]

Yeah, pretty much the only road block for hardware made in the last 10 years to running Catalina is Graphics. To be fair, AMD graphics make the interface run smooth as heck. Good luck.

 

[Wint0nOBoogie]

Yeah, pretty much the only road block for hardware made in the last 10 years to running Catalina is Graphics. To be fair, AMD graphics make the interface run smooth as heck. Good luck.

Well, at the moment I can't get it to boot into the installer. Gets about 20-25% loaded and just quits and restarts.
I'm just using internal graphics to get it up and running...
I'll have to search the threads to try and find what is wrong.

 

[tedyun]

Use gibMacOS to get the Installers for High Sierra, Mojave and Catalina. This is a lifesaver. I recently had to reinstall High Sierra on my MacBook Air and the only way I could get the installer was gibMacOS:

gibMacOS Tutorial ~ How to Download macOS Directly from Apple

When your Mac is ineligible to download Catalina or Newer macOS versions If your Intel Mac is from approximately 2011/12 or older (see post #2) you won't be able to download Catalina from the Mac App Store. Follow the instructions in these videos to enable the download of Catalina or newer...

www.tonymacx86.com

Getting the internal graphics to run is tricky because you have to configure the system to correctly identify the motherboard display outputs. It's best to go with High Sierra and your Nvidia GPU.

Here is a build that used similar components to yours:

Gigabyte Z270X ULTRA GAMING - i7 6700K - GTX 1060

[CENTER][SIZE=5]JimmakoS01 CustomMacPro Build: Gigabyte Z270X Ultra Gaming - i7 6700K - GTX 1060

www.tonymacx86.com

Maybe you can figure out the correct combo of BIOS settings and tweaks here.

If you urgently need access to your hard drives, you can always get a SATA > USB adapter so that you can access the drives on your MacBook.

 

[phunguss]

I managed (somehow) to get a copy of Sierra and High Sierra but I think they are 'aged out' and the UniBeast installer I made with them won't boot.

Such versions are still valid, you only have to set the clock back in time for them to work. Disconnect internet before turning on your Mac, boot your Mac with Installer. Go to OS X Utilities screen, select Utilities and Terminal. Change the time in the Terminal with the command: date [mm] [dd] HH] MM [yy]). From Yosemite and El Capitan: date 010101012015 From Sierra, High Sierra to Mojave, Catalina: date 010101012018

 

[Wint0nOBoogie]

Use gibMacOS to get the Installers for High Sierra, Mojave and Catalina. This is a lifesaver. I recently had to reinstall High Sierra on my MacBook Air and the only way I could get the installer was gibMacOS:

gibMacOS Tutorial ~ How to Download macOS Directly from Apple

When your Mac is ineligible to download Catalina or Newer macOS versions If your Intel Mac is from approximately 2011/12 or older (see post #2) you won't be able to download Catalina from the Mac App Store. Follow the instructions in these videos to enable the download of Catalina or newer...

www.tonymacx86.com

Getting the internal graphics to run is tricky because you have to configure the system to correctly identify the motherboard display outputs. It's best to go with High Sierra and your Nvidia GPU.

Here is a build that used similar components to yours:

Gigabyte Z270X ULTRA GAMING - i7 6700K - GTX 1060

[CENTER][SIZE=5]JimmakoS01 CustomMacPro Build: Gigabyte Z270X Ultra Gaming - i7 6700K - GTX 1060

www.tonymacx86.com

Maybe you can figure out the correct combo of BIOS settings and tweaks here.

If you urgently need access to your hard drives, you can always get a SATA > USB adapter so that you can access the drives on your MacBook.

Ok. THANK-YOU! That does seem to be the case, I have not been able to get it to boot (yet).
I will change back to your suggestions and go over similar build threads.
I appreactate yours and everyone's helpved, very much... as I know for sure I would be SoL without it.
I wish I could show that appreciation in a material form, but please know you've helped me and made a difference to the community.

Also, that Github workaround is indeed a lifesaver. It was a life preserver for the dream of a new(ish) Hackintosh.