Mojave 10.14.6 on Dell OptiPlex 9020m Micro PC

[Mad_Sunday]

Thanks to the excellent work of @trs96 and @nicksoph and their install guides for the Optiplex 9020 desktop PC's, I have managed to get my 9020m up and running too.

System specs.... 9020m, i5-4590t, 8GB ram, 120GB SSD, Intel 4600 Graphics, Mojave 10.14.6

The 9020m variants have 6 USB3 ports, but NO USB2 ports at all.

Work still needed on USB3 ports, only the top 3 rear, and the top (left) front are working at this time.Everything else seems fine.

I suggest you follow @nicksoph guide, as the micro only has Intel 4600 graphics, and no way of changing it. His guide his here...

Dell 7020 - Using only onboard HD4600 GPU - Build Files and Overview for the experienced. 4k ready.

This is a spinoff thread from trs96's detailed build on the Dell 7020, The 4K Dell OptiMac - Core i7-4790 - AMD Radeon RX 570 - LG 4K 27" IPS Monitor, the difference being that this has has been written to setup a minimal machine with no external graphics. Trs96's guide is comprehensive...

www.tonymacx86.com

The original guide by @trs96 is also linked from the above. It's worth reading to understand the whole concept. His guide is here...

The 4K Dell OptiMac - 9020 MT - Core i7-4790 - Radeon RX 570 - LG 4K IPS Monitor

The Dell Optiplex 9020 and LG 4K IPS Monitor ____ Components Dell Optiplex 7020/9020 Mini-Tower (MT) Amazon - Newegg Dell Optiplex 7020/9020 Small Form Factor (SFF) Amazon - Newegg Dell Optiplex 9020 Ultra Small Form Factor (USFF) Amazon - Newegg Dell Optiplex 9020 Motherboard...

www.tonymacx86.com

Here are the steps I used.....

NOTE! Updating the bios, although your first step, may render your Display Port inoperable! I needed to purchase a VGA to HDMI adapter to get an image after I did the bios update. This was accomplished by booting a Linux Mint live USB stick, switching to the Display Port, and turning off the VGA. If you have access to a VGA monitor it shouldn't be an issue.

Update the bios to the latest version, by downloading it from the Dell site here... Click on show all drivers

Support for OptiPlex 9020M | Drivers & Downloads | Dell UK

Follow @nicksoph guide but use the DEFAULT (you shouldn't need to alter anything) bios settings (once you have Display Port back, if you lost it after the bios update). Put the install USB into the front top (left) port. A keyboard and mouse into any of the first 3 rear ports. As discussed above, the "bottom" ports (front and back) won't work after the install starts. Then follow @nicksoph guide.

I suggest you swap out the wifi card before starting the installation, be careful with the card you choose, space is limited. You can see I just managed to get my Mac supported card and adapter in, but only after shortening the adapter (it has a break off section}.

I used this card...

MacBook Air 13 A1466 2013 Mid WiFi Wireless Card Airport Bcm94360cs2 653-0023 for sale online | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for MacBook Air 13 A1466 2013 Mid WiFi Wireless Card Airport Bcm94360cs2 653-0023 at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products!

www.ebay.co.uk

In this adapter...

Wireless Card to NGFF M.2 Key A/E Adapter BCM94360CS2 BCM943224PCIEBT2 New U1N7 | eBay

This is a NGFF M.2 A/E KEY to BCM94360CS2 BCM943224PCIEBT2 adapter. Converts BCM94360CS2 BCM943224PCIEBT2 wireless network card into NGFF M.2 A/E KEY. Only support 2230 Key-M wireless network card BCM94360CS2 BCM943224PCIEBT2.

www.ebay.co.uk

I also needed this VGA to HDMI adapter to get my video back after the bios update, you may not...

Heavy Duty LED String lights Outdoor IP65 Waterproof 48ft Cable Gazebo Garden | eBay

15 Socket LED String Lights 48FT Heavy Duty Waterproof Outdoor Set (15+1) Bulbs. Each set consists of a 48-foot heavy duty black cord, 15 sockets spaced 3-feet (90cm) apart and 15 LED bulbs (includes one spare bulbs).

www.ebay.co.uk

To go from Display Port to HDMI (I have sound, but only 1080p, I've not tried to get above that, but there doesn't seem to be a way to do it. It is possible to get 4k apparently, but only with a DP monitor, not HDMI) I used this...

4K Display Port DP To HDMI Female Cable Adapter Converter Display Port for HDTV | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 4K Display Port DP To HDMI Female Cable Adapter Converter Display Port for HDTV at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products!

www.ebay.co.uk

Below is a photo of the installed wifi card. It's impossible to use the clamp screw, but it seems fine. It sits on top of the front audio jacks, but I can't see there being an issue, there are no electrical connections under the card to give problems.

Good luck, Pete

 

[trs96]

Thanks for posting this Pete. We've now got all of the Haswell based Optiplex models covered.

NOTE! Updating the bios, although your first step, may render your Display Port inoperable! I needed to purchase a VGA to HDMI adapter to get an image after I did the bios update.

This doesn't happen on the USFF, SFF or MT Dell Optiplex. It may be something unique to the 9020M UEFI or something else. What BIOS version did yours come with ?

 

[Mad_Sunday]

Hi trs96, I "think" mine had version A5? After the bios update, it initially booted OK, but as it rebooted again, I lost video on the DP. Initially I though I'd bricked it, but noticed the drive light flickering. I took it to work next day and plugged it into a VGA monitor, and it was working on that. I ordered the VGA to HDMI adapter that day, once it arrived I managed to get the DP port working by booting in Linux. I need to sort the USB ports, but don't really have time atm.

Pete