[Guide] High Sierra on HP Spectre x360 8th Gen Coffee Lake

[ctxdl]

Hello everyone, so maybe there are other people around with the HP Spectre x360, Coffee Lake or 8th gen intel processor. I will post here what I have recompiled from different threads and of course with the very helpful guides from @RehabMan.

If you have some suggestions or better solutions to what I have written here please let me know I'll add it to the thread we can make a good guide that can help all of us!

For reference, I have an HP Spectre x360 with i7 8550U and Nvidia mx150/Intel Hd 620. my Bios version at the moment of the guide is F35

Must read before

https://www.tonymacx86.com/threads/faq-read-first-laptop-frequent-questions.164990/
https://www.tonymacx86.com/threads/guide-booting-the-os-x-installer-on-laptops-with-clover.148093/


First, read and follow Rehabman’s guide I will post a few notes that helped me install and run High Sierra on my laptop. But basically, if you read carefully and follow all steps you will have no problems.

https://www.tonymacx86.com/threads/guide-booting-the-os-x-installer-on-laptops-with-clover.148093/


Downloads

Clover: https://sourceforge.net/projects/cloverefiboot/
Clover fork by RehabMan: https://bitbucket.org/RehabMan/clover
Kext Utility: http://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/140647-latest-kext-utility-macos-sierra-super-speed-edition/
IOReg + guide: https://www.tonymacx86.com/threads/guide-how-to-make-a-copy-of-ioreg.58368/
iasl fork by RehabMan: https://bitbucket.org/RehabMan/acpica/downloads/ + guide https://github.com/RehabMan/Intel-iasl
MaciASL fork by RehabMan: https://bitbucket.org/RehabMan/os-x-maciasl-patchmatic/downloads/
Intel Power Gadget: https://software.intel.com/en-us/articles/intel-power-gadget-20



The very first recommendation is to update your Bios version in Windows. Search for the new version in the HP support page and install it, to avoid future problems.


You need to enter the Bios (when booting press Esc and F10):

Disable Virtualization technology

Disable Secure Boot.

You can enable legacy boot but you do not need it, it can work either way.


Following @RehabMan guide install clover and the OSX installer in your USB drive.
Once you have installed Clover on your USB drive and the osx installer you will need:


Add to the drivers64UEfi folder

• AptioMemoryFix from clover
• HFSPlus.efi (download from https://github.com/JrCs/CloverGrowerPro/raw/master/Files/HFSPlus/X64/HFSPlus.efi )
• Apfs.efi only if you are installing in APFS I recommend to avoid the APFS conversion, HFS is faster for the moment and is better supported (Can be found in High Sierra installer under /Applications/Install macOS High Sierra.app/Contents/SharedSupport/BaseSystem.dmg )

For the kext folder add all essential kexts to EFI/CLOVER/kexts/Other delete every other folder

• USBInjectAll.kext
• VoodooPS2Controller.kext
• FakeSMC.kext
• Lilu.kext
• Whatevergreen.kext

I will upload a folder of my kext files and EFI files (Please note they may be outdated and you may need to search and use more recent files)

Config.plist

For the config.plist download this https://github.com/RehabMan/OS-X-Clover-Laptop-Config/archive/master.zip

And replace the clover plist with config_HD615_620_630_640_650.plist


In the config.plist find this line

<key>Comment</key>
<string>0x591b0000, 32MB BIOS, 19MB framebuffer 9MB cursor bytes (credit RehabMan)</string>
<key>Disabled</key>
<true/>

Set it to Disabled or disabled to true

To Avoid the APFS Conversion

Boot into your USB MacOS install, set the Drive/Partition that you want to install OS X in. Remember to Format it to MacOS Extended (Journaled). You can do this by accessing the disk utility from the "Utilities" menu within the macOS installer.

Access the terminal. (Terminal is available from the "Utilities" menu within the macOS installer.)
And run the following code, change the drive paths to your partition path.

/Volumes/"Image Volume/Install macOS High Sierra.app"/Contents/Resources/startosinstall --volume the_target_volume --converttoapfs NO --agreetolicense

The computer will restart and you can continue the installation from the internet partition.

Install High Sierra on the laptop but you will need to boot the SSD installation from the USB drive still.

Install Clover in the Internal partition

Similar to what you did installing clover on the USB drive install it into the SSD. And mount the EFI drive.


You will need to follow this guide to be able to boot from the SSD drive if you have a dedicated GPU like the Nvidia MX150 in my case.

https://www.tonymacx86.com/threads/...-only-ran-for-0-seconds-with-dual-gpu.233092/

After following this guide you will end up with the file EFI/Clover/ACPI/patched/SSDT-DiscreteSpoof.aml.
This file disables the GPU as it is not supported in Hackintosh.

To be able to boot also you will need this solution. HP has a bug in the bootloader so this was a solution for me.
Do the preloader solution. In my files, I have the preloader.efi file attached you can copy it from there to the clover folder. Rename the Cloverx64.efi to loader.efi

For the preloader solution, I found it very easy using EasyUefi in windows.

• Open EasyUEFI, and click on the button labeled “Manage EFI Boot Option”
• Click on the plus button alongside the list of boot entries to add a new entry
• Select “Linux or Other OS” in the Type menu
• Add a description for the bootloader entry, such as “Clover PreLoader”
• Select the EFI partition on your disk
• Now click the browse button, and browse to the CLOVER folder and select PreLoader.efi as the file
• Click OK to add the entry. Use the up and down arrows to set the priority of the boot entry if you’d like

Now, select the Windows boot entry and click the red circle. The status should change to “Disabled”, which will prevent you from booting windows instead of clover on accident This solution was given by @ddegrasse,

Disable hibernation not supported on Hackintosh on the terminal:

sudo pmset -a hibernatemode 0
sudo rm /private/var/vm/sleepimage
sudo mkdir /private/var/vm/sleepimage


Now you will need to install the following kexts to the Library/Extensions folder

• USBInjectAll.kext
• VoodooPS2Controller.kext
• FakeSMC.kext
• Lilu.kext
• Whatevergreen.kext
• ACPIBatteryManager.kext
• FakePCIID.kext
• FakePCIID_Intel_HDMI_Audio.kext
• FakePCIID_Intel_HD_Graphics.kext
• FakeSMC_ACPISensors.kext
• FakeSMC_CPUSensors.kext
  
• FakeSMC_GPUSensors.kext
  
• FakeSMC_LPCSensors.kext

You will need to install a few extra kexts to fix the backlight control, audio, wifi and bluetooth. Ill explain them on the DSDT section.

To install a kext do this

sudo cp -R KextToInstall.kext /Library/Extensions

then reload the kext cache

sudo kextcache -i /

For me, I found it very easy to just copy paste all kexts to the /Library/Extensions folder then opening kext utility to repair permissions and finally reload the cache

sudo kextcache -i /

When something stopped working I usually opened kext utility let it work then restart.

Patch the DSDT SSDT

Now the most important part is to patch your DSDT and SSDT files. Please read this guide very carefully so that you understand how to patch them and how do they work.

https://www.tonymacx86.com/threads/guide-patching-laptop-dsdt-ssdts.152573/


Please do not copy this files from other computers as they may not work, this is entirely based on your hardware.

When patching you mainly are going to be working on the DSDT.dsl.file try to compile it. The first fix you need to do is remove all of those zero that are producing errors. Fix all compilation errors first before applying patches. For me, it was only removing all zero that was causing problems.

Apply the following patches

• [sys] Fix _WAK Arg0 v2
• [sys] Fix Mutex with non-zero SyncLevel
• [bat] Battery Fix (battery_HP-G6-2221ss)
• [sys] HPET Fix
• [sys] SMBUS Fix
• [sys] IRQ Fix
• [sys] RTC Fix
• [sys] OS Check Fix

If your hardware is the same as mine use this patch to fix the brightness keys in the DSDT

into method label _Q10 replace_content
begin
// Brightness Down\n
    Notify(\_SB.PCI0.LPCB.PS2K, 0x0205)\n
    Notify(\_SB.PCI0.LPCB.PS2K, 0x0285)\n
end;
into method label _Q11 replace_content
begin
// Brightness Up\n
    Notify(\_SB.PCI0.LPCB.PS2K, 0x0206)\n
    Notify(\_SB.PCI0.LPCB.PS2K, 0x0286)\n
end;

To fix backlight control follow this guide.

https://www.tonymacx86.com/threads/...rol-using-applebacklightinjector-kext.218222/

After following this you will have

• a single pre-built AppleBacklightInjector.kext
• a patch for AppleBacklight in config.plist/KernelAndKextPatches/KextsToPatch
• SSDT-PNLF.aml to activate the AppleBacklight kext

For wifi and Bluetooth you will need to change the wifi card I bought this one and it works perfectly, it's also not expensive.

Broadcom BCM94352Z card

After an update, you may have to install some of the kexts again and reload your kext cache.


To make it work follow install this kexts

• BrcmFirmwareRepo.kext
• BrcmFirmwarePatchRam2.kext

from https://github.com/RehabMan/OS-X-BrcmPatchRAM

For the audio, you can either use VoodooHDA but I used


https://github.com/acidanthera/AppleALC/releases

THe version which works best for mmy laptop is 1.2.7 install the kext in L/E then you wil need to inject layout 3 in clover config.plist

in Devices>Audio> Inject > 3

Finally, to save battery it is better to completely disable the dedicated GPU (If you have it) for this follow this guide, it might be a bit complicated.

http://www.tonymacx86.com/el-capita...bling-discrete-graphics-dual-gpu-laptops.html

My solution in my laptop was this read the guide then read this it might help.

credit @RehabMan

Follow this steps, I hope your hardware is the same so it works for you as well.

Find the _OFF function is in SSDT-11.aml , recall the adress in my case is

_SB.PCI0.RP01.PEGP._OFF

then add in the SSDT-10.aml _INI method
this:

//added to turn nvidia/radeon off
 External(\_SB.PCI0.RP01.PEGP._OFF, MethodObj)
  _OFF()

THen you will need to open the SSDT-9.aml and find HGOF

and remove this line

Store (Zero, \_SB.PCI0.LPCB.EC0.GFXT)

then you will need to add it to the _REG method in the DSDT like this

                //added to turn nvidia/radeon off
                If (LAnd(LEqual(Arg0,3),LEqual(Arg1,1)))
                {
                    Store (Zero, \_SB.PCI0.LPCB.EC0.GFXT)
                }

At the end will have a patched:

SSDT-10.aml needs to be patched (call _OFF from _INI).
SSDT-9.aml needs patching to remove the mentioned EC related code.
EC related code from SSDT-9 gets added to _REG in DSDT.


Touchscreen and pen

This is a relatively easy fix compared to the last
I did not need to do any patches to the DSDT only copy the patch to the config.plist and install the kexts. Follow this nice guide by @jaymonkey

https://www.tonymacx86.com/threads/...2c-touchscreen-and-pen-working-in-osx.246052/
https://github.com/alexandred/VoodooI2C/releases

If you have a problem remember to ask about your problem attaching the problem reporting files. For me, it was always easier to use this tool
It automates the process of creating the files. The part it cannot do is pressing F2 and F4 for you at the main Clover screen.
https://www.tonymacx86.com/threads/tool-generate-proper-problem-reporting-files.235953/

IF I missed something or you have a better solution I can add it to the thread

 

[ben9923]

• EmuvariableUefi

EmuVariableUefi-64.efi shouldn't be used with AptioMemoryFix.efi.

• Lilu.kext (If you have a 4k display)

• IntelGraphicsFixup.kext

• GenericUSBXHCI.kext

Lilu.kext should be installed together with IntelGraphicsFixup.kext anyway. IGFX won't function without Lilu.
GenericUSBXHCI.kext isn't made for your hardware, and won't load on 10.11+ anyway.

config_HD615_620_630_640_650_spoof.plist

Better to fake KBL instead of SKL with your hardware.
Use the non-spoof config.plist, as it's currently still using a KBL FakeID that'll make your graphics work with KBL kexts.

• 7-series/8-series USB

Not applicable for your laptop as well.

 

[ctxdl]

EmuVariableUefi-64.efi shouldn't be used with AptioMemoryFix.efi.


Lilu.kext should be installed together with IntelGraphicsFixup.kext anyway. IGFX won't function without Lilu.
GenericUSBXHCI.kext isn't made for your hardware, and won't load on 10.11+ anyway.


Better to fake KBL instead of SKL with your hardware.
Use the non-spoof config.plist, as it's currently still using a KBL FakeID that'll make your graphics work with KBL kexts.


Not applicable for your laptop as well.

Hi @ben9923, I updated the guide to follow your suggestions. Thank you for the help I will do the same on my laptop.

 

[ben9923]

Hi @ben9923, I updated the guide to follow your suggestions. Thank you for the help I will do the same on my laptop.

You still have GenericUSBXHCI.kext there.

Also, you should change your note about the 32MB DVMT-prealloc patch (As it's now for KBL and not SKL).

 

[grassmudhorse]

Hi, ctxdl, did you have both of your usb-C port working? Also did you have the TB3 as well?

 

[ShortFormErnie]

Hi there @ctxdl, I'm a little early in this process, but I just wanted to let you know that I'm working through your guide right now. Still some hiccups on my end, but I've at least gotten it to install and while I'm still waiting on my Broadcom card to hit my doorstep, I was successfully able to tether my phone to get some internet access on the machine.

Thank you for your guide so far. Been lurking these forums for a few weeks so hoping to get this going strong.

 

[ShortFormErnie]

Update: Still working on this, hoping to get everything knocked out on my own here—BUT I should note where I'm at right now:

- I have everything working but the brightness controls (which don't seem to be working for me) and disabling the discrete GPU (which I haven't touched yet). Charging works through the Thunderbolt 3 port, but not the USB-C.
- I only JUST got the sound working, though I didn't end up using the solution in the piece. I dropped in AppleALC, and that proved to be the secret sauce to get the sound to work. You may want to recommend this as a solution in the guide.
- I have run into periodic crashes during boot when using Clover, but eventually figured out this was a problem with the Intel graphics chip. Turning off the Intel graphics injection (which can be found in the options section of Clover), booting into the system, and doing a kextcache reset did the trick. Unfortunately, I also have to do this AFTER doing a kextcache reset with the Intel card on. (I was running into a lot of brick walls before I came upon this solution, so this is a lot better than what I faced previously, which was effectively reinstalling the OS.)

I was trying my best to see how far I could get on this without having to ask for help, and I feel I got pretty far!

--

UPDATE (05/13): I just happen to use an Wacom Intuos device on my desktop as a fancy touchpad and occasional drawing tool, and when I installed the driver for that, I found that it made the gestures on the laptop touchpad a lot smoother—something about installing the driver makes the default Mac gestures work! Seems random as the laptop doesn't use Wacom technology itself, but I bet that might come in handy for folks even without a Wacom tablet. (And yes, the gestures are still smooth without the installed tablet, so major plus.)

 

[ctxdl]

Hi, ctxdl, did you have both of your usb-C port working? Also did you have the TB3 as well?

Hi yes for me both usb c ports were working but the Thunderbolt 3 i couldn't really say i havent test it yet

 

[ctxdl]

I just happen to use an Wacom Intuos device on my desktop as a fancy touchpad and occasional drawing tool, and when I installed the driver for that, I found that it made the gestures on the laptop touchpad a lot smoother—something about installing the driver makes the default Mac gestures work! Seems random as the laptop doesn't use Wacom technology itself, but I bet that might come in handy for folks even without a Wacom tablet. (And yes, the gestures are still smooth without the installed tablet, so major plus.)

Ill give this a try nice find!

dropped in AppleALC, and that proved to be the secret sauce to get the sound to work. You may want to recommend this as a solution in the guide.

SUre i can add it to the guide, if you can write the steps you did here and i will edit the first post

 

[ctxdl]

You still have GenericUSBXHCI.kext there.

Also, you should change your note about the 32MB DVMT-prealloc patch (As it's now for KBL and not SKL).

I removed the kext from the guide as you suggested, ILl make the changes in the laptop, the non spoofed playlist does not come with the prealloc patch?