[Guide] Install Catalina on the Dell Optiplex 7010 and 9010 Desktop PC

[trs96]

Here's what I've added to post number one. I've never gotten one with a 3 or 6 VPRO setting but it does happen.

 

[jackhigh]

Many thanks Tony, I'll check that out. Really quite enthused by this. Thanks again.

In respect of the WiFi card, forgive my ignorance/laziness but does this mean that I shouldn't have to do anything, make any changes and basically just plug it in it will work? Obviously that would be ideal. I haven't yet sussed how MacOs detects devices etc. I am hoping to hook up a graphics tablet and will need to work out what I need to do. I've seen all the references to kexts but it's a black art to me at my current state of learning.

 

[trs96]

In respect of the WiFi card, forgive my ignorance/laziness but does this mean that I shouldn't have to do anything, make any changes and basically just plug it in it will work?

That one requires the Mac OS driver from TP-Link to be installed. You'll click through a gui menu to install it. Easy to do.
You also have the option to buy a natively supported card like the Fenvi HB1200. Those cost more but don't need any third party drivers. Goes in a PCIe x1 slot. The Fenvi card gives faster speeds for downloads if that matters to you.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07T9JD93Y/?tag=tonymacx86com-20

I'm not sure what you mean by "hook up a graphics tablet." Explain what you want to do.

 

[jackhigh]

I do apologies if I'm being thick or lazy but when you say ' That one requires the Mac OS driver from TP-Link to be installed.' could you direct me to a guide or post that describes how to do that? It may be a similar thing I need to do for the graphics tablet I have which appears to have MacOS drivers, this is the link to it: http://app.wukongiot.net/1060plus/eng.html

 

[trs96]

It may be a similar thing I need to do for the graphics tablet I have which appears to have MacOS drivers, this is the link to it:

Looks like there is no Catalina support. You'd have to install High Sierra to use that with it.

10.13.4 is latest mac OS version.

 

[trs96]

That one requires the Mac OS driver from TP-Link to be installed.' could you direct me to a guide or post that describes how to do that?

On the TP-Link page click where it says Driver -> Archer T2U plus, then click OK to save file. Drag it to the desktop and double click to open the package, follow the prompts and install. Very easy.

 

[jackhigh]

Thanks a lot Tony, I purchased one of these from Amazon UK, installed it today as you advised and it's up and working with excellent speeds for WiFi. Thanks again. Now to look at dual booting between the MacOS on HDD and Windows 10 the SSD.

 

[trs96]

Now to look at dual booting between the MacOS on HDD and Windows 10 the SSD.

See the Windows Multibooting forum:

Guide: Multibooting UEFI on Separate Drives

MultiBooting Win10, OS X and Ubuntu on separate drives is as simple a procedure as installing all 3 on the same drive and booting them with Clover ( See http://www.tonymacx86.com/threads/guide-multibooting-uefi.197352/ ). What you need: 3 HDDs or SSDs or some combination of the two. Your...

www.tonymacx86.com

 

[RickAce]

Part 2 Install Catalina with UniBeast

This is a detailed step by step guide for beginners. Everything from start to finish is covered. If you are experienced with Unibeast installs, you should still watch at the 4:25 minute mark for how the USB is customized for your Dell Optiplex. At the 13:00 minute timestamp you can see the very easy post install process. If you did use a Catalina Mac to create your USB installer, it's a good idea to go back and re-enable SIP (csrutil enable) on the Mac you used.

After Catalina is installed, run this Terminal command to allow apps unsigned by Apple to open without warnings.

sudo spctl --master-disable

If you'd like a low cost and simple to apply wifi solution then see the following post:

[Guide] Install Catalina on the Dell Optiplex 7010 and 9010 Desktop PC

I found a 9020, with a IntelHD4600. Will that work? Yes, best to get the HD4600 which is fully supported. Read the Dell Optiplex 9020 thread in Golden Builds for more advice and background info.

www.tonymacx86.com

These do not include Bluetooth, you'd have to buy a separte macOS supported BT dongle for that.
Natively supported Broadcom Wifi/BT cards are the best choice if you need both Wifi and BT. Those will let you enable Continuity and Handoff features of macOS. The USB wifi and BT dongles do not.

** As an aside I was able to install Catalina with a 64GB USB stick (ADATA UV150/64GB (usb 3.1)) partitioned into two 32GB partitions (no issues). I want to thank all involved ~ Your work does not go unappreciated. Just amazing.

 

[trs96]

As an aside I was able to install Catalina with a 64GB USB stick

Thanks for pointing that out. Making a 32GB or smaller partition on a 64GB or larger USB drive does work. The 16 or 32 GB recommendation is for those that need to purchase a new USB drive. That way there's no need for the extra step to split the USB drive into two partitions. The smaller drives also cost less than the 64GB+ ones do, another benefit.