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[Guide] Install High Sierra or Mojave on the Dell Optiplex 7010 / 9010 Desktop PC - Revision II

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Success! Got Metal HD4000 accelerated graphics working using this flashing process https://www.win-raid.com/t1053f39-Optiplex-and-VPro-AMT-ME-9.html#msg75549

Basically, setup a bootable FreeDOS USB drive with all of the files (FPT.EXE, fparts.txt, A29_AMT.bin, O7010A29.EXE) needed for enabling AMT on the 7010. If the BIOS is not already at A29, flash the BIOS to version A29 by running the update file. Then, shut the PC off and put a jumper on the the service mode pins. Then simply reboot up the PC with FreeDOS USB drive and run these commands:

FPT -rewrite -desc -f A29_AMT.bin
FPT -rewrite -ME -f A29_AMT.bin
FPT -greset

The first command will write to the Flash Descriptor and includes the change to enable AMT if it a machine that has the AMT lockout (6 according to the sticker inside the cover) as well as the change to disable the 3G driver since the Intel Anti-theft Technology is disabled in the ME due to being EOL. The second command flashes the ME region which includes enabling full AMT, including KVM, and the disabling of the EOL Intel Anti-theft Technology.

After the machine reboots, shut the PC off and remove the jumper from the service mode pins and boot back up and hold Ctrl+P when it reboots to go setup AMT. It will be listed as MEBx in the F12 boot options menu. The password starts as "admin" but you must specify a more elaborate password with uppercase/lowercase and punctuation characters. Then basically make sure AMT is enabled and continue to setup BIOS per the instructions for MacOS listed in the guide.

Metal shows up in the system report after these fixes. I applied it to my 2 7010 systems (both had ME lockout 6), a MT and USFF. There are service mode pins on all 7010 motherboards. Check the Dell 7010 manual to determine their locations.
Just wanted to say thank you for this helpful guide. I successfully got Catalina running on my 7010. I know this guide is for HS/Mojave but I wanted to note that I had the issue with the ME Lockout (6). I did not have HD4000 acceleration, but I followed rhhousehold's instructions quoted here and acceleration now works! It's not really difficult at all, just update the BIOS to the latest, make a FreeDOS USB with Rufus and throw the additional files (fpt.exe etc) on the stick, boot in to it and run the commands above and then boot in to MEBx and so on. Very simple indeed and not something to be wary about in my opinion.
 
I successfully got Catalina running on my 7010. I know this guide is for HS/Mojave but I wanted to note that I had the issue with the ME Lockout (6)
You did see the link to the Catalina guide in post #1 ?

Screen Shot.jpg

The ME lockout is annoyance that some have to deal with. I'm glad you were able to resolve it with the help of rhhousehold. It's great that we can keep these older Dell machines and out of landfills and reduce the need to create more new stuff that's a lot more expensive. Nice work.
 
Do you think this would work on an older model, the 990 mini tower?
Not that well. The files here are specific to the 7010/9010 models only. The 990 would require a legacy install for legacy booting. That's a very different process but you can still do that with a Clover legacy installer.
 
thanks, I'm going to try High Sierra as there is a very detailed install guide
 
Hey all.... my ethernet port is physically damaged and no longer working, and none of the temporary re-bending the pins fixes works any more. I made a far too quick scan of the forums and came up with a TPLink PCI card with the RTL8169sc chip which has been nothing but grief even after removing all other realtek kexts, and installing the rather old but functioning driver for this chip, also trying installing in the usual L/E and also the S/L/E -inside apple kext approaches... random crashes and shutdowns galore.....
Can anyone suggest a suitable oob PCI card for my Mini Tower that can handle the absurdly fast 900mbs+ connection I have here ? all my other slots are busy though I could possibly get a PCIe extension cable for the blocked lane.....

As ever
thanks
 
Hey, has someone managed to install Big Sur on this machine?
I don't understand open core at all...
(Currently running OSX 10.15.6 with clover 5122 which is quite old...)
 
Also wondering how far people have updated things like kexts and clover, and also if there is a specific guide (and advantage) to switching to open core on these machines?
Im still on the page one set up.
ta
 
Hi, has anyone installed the latest mojave security update: 2021-005? Any issues to be aware of? What about the Supplemental Update? thanks
 

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Hey, has someone managed to install Big Sur on this machine?
I don't understand open core at all...
(Currently running OSX 10.15.6 with clover 5122 which is quite old...)
Here's a thread setting up Big Sur with OpenCore on the 9010:

I followed the Dortania guide and got Catalina setup with Open Core on my 9010 (on another drive). I still want to maintain my Mojave with Clover install as it's been super stable and reliable. Once I get another drive, I'm going to try and get Big Sur with OC setup.
 
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