Which macOS version should I install?

[HarFanG]

Hello there !

New user here, will do his introduction a little bit later.

Right now, I have a HP Compaq Elite 8300 All-in-one, running i7-3770, 16 gb, embedded HD 4000 iGPU.
Why I am here ? Looking for professional advices about my machine : which MacOS is better to put on it ?
I also tried to make an USB Opencore loader for Catalina, but it failed miserably...yeah, I read some tutorials, but in the end, got confused and more confused, and helpless.
=> Using a W10 computer, not owning a real Mac yet.

I have no idea if i'm asking in the right place, or if I should do a separate thread.
So, someone can help me a little bit, please ?


EDIT : ok, I'll tried to follow the OpenCore tutorial, using Big Sur. A few steps confused me a little more. At the end, the system get stuck at the boot menu

 

[EliteMacx86]

Hello there !

New user here, will do his introduction a little bit later.

Right now, I have a HP Compaq Elite 8300 All-in-one, running i7-3770, 16 gb, embedded HD 4000 iGPU.
Why I am here ? Looking for professional advices about my machine : which MacOS is better to put on it ?

Hello,

The version of macOS you need, actually depends on the workflow you have. Plus, is it a priority or a must have requirement for your Apps or not. For example, if you use FCP X or Logic Pro X, they now require Ventura and later.

I also tried to make an USB Opencore loader for Catalina, but it failed miserably...yeah, I read some tutorials, but in the end, got confused and more confused, and helpless.
=> Using a W10 computer, not owning a real Mac yet.

You should start from here:

Just follow for Ivy Bridge.

I have no idea if i'm asking in the right place, or if I should do a separate thread.
So, someone can help me a little bit, please ?

Thread moved to correct forum

 

[HarFanG]

Hey, thanks a lot !

I was not sure where to post my "asking for help" message.

First, I don't have special software expectations : just getting success of one running MacOS will be great !
Going to a Mac Desktop will be a great win for me

Btw, I followed your tutorial here :

It worked !
Of course, I did "clear nvram" first, then chose "external thing dmg". After several seconds, I got a message "this Mac OS version is not for this computer" (kinda).

Well...How to say that ? It's a Big Sur I used, and I thought that's full compatible with Ivy Bridge...
Should I try with Catalina instead, what's your advice please ?

 

[EliteMacx86]

I was not sure where to post my "asking for help" message.

Not a problem. Mods will take care of it!

Of course, I did "clear nvram" first, then chose "external thing dmg". After several seconds, I got a message "this Mac OS version is not for this computer" (kinda).

Well, which macOS version you used for the Recovery?

Seems like you have used iMac13,x SMBIOS. Refer to the SMBIOS Compatibility list below:

GUIDE - How to Setup Correct SMBIOS [Clover/OpenCore]

How to Setup Correct SMBIOS [Clover/OpenCore] This guide covers setting up a Correct SMBIOS for Intel and AMD CPUs on macOS using Clover and OpenCore. By following this guide, you'll be able to set up the correct SMBIOS on your system using Clover or OpenCore Bootloader. I. What is SMBIOS...

elitemacx86.com

Well...How to say that ? It's a Big Sur I used, and I thought that's full compatible with Ivy Bridge...

As its an AIO, you should plan for Big Sur, native support and is fully compatible.

Should I try with Catalina instead, what's your advice please ?

Big Sur should be fine.

 

[HarFanG]

Well...I'm totally lost right now, after reading the "SMbios choose" thread.

If I'm remember correctly, in you video tutorial, you used "generate stuff" : this is where I got "Mac 13,1" => but in the thread you gave me, I see "Mac 9,1".

I'm not a lazy man, but I don't understand everything.
Please, if you have time, can you give me a few clues ?

Note : yes, I'm trying to use Big Sur. I read somewhere (?) that it has native support of Ivy iGPU, but maybe the guy was wrong, i dunno.

Note 2 : my AIO has a 23" integrated display, 1920x1080 => in the thread, they talk about 13".

Note 3 : maybe you need more informations about the hardware of the AIO ? Or do I upload a zipped EFI folder ?

 

[EliteMacx86]

If I'm remember correctly, in you video tutorial, you used "generate stuff" : this is where I got "Mac 13,1" => but in the thread you gave me, I see "Mac 9,1".

Well, not sure where you read Mac9,1. As you're installing Big Sur and the SMBIOS will be iMac, the guide says to use 14,4 and above.

Note 2 : my AIO has a 23" integrated display, 1920x1080 => in the thread, they talk about 13".

That's irrelevant.

Note 3 : maybe you need more informations about the hardware of the AIO ? Or do I upload a zipped EFI folder ?

Yes, that would be better to diagnose the issue. But once you change the SMBIOS to iMac14,4, you should be able to reach the installer if you have prepared the EFI correctly.

 

[HarFanG]

Hmmm...well, there's where I got confused : using OC 0.9.9, if I select "iMac 14,14", it shows "i5-4260U"...
I have i7-3770 => not the same generation of CPUs.

And I'm pretty sure that I hear "choose the CPU model's closest of yours" => this is why I ended with "iMac 13,1".
Ok then, I'll try again, the way you said. Hope I'll get lucky this time ^^

 

[HarFanG]

Soooooooooooooo...I put "14,4" as you said.

But the same problem appears again, here the 1st screenhoot.
I noticed some text flashed just before the computer goes off => I recorded the screen, and maybe this will give a clue about what I did wrong (again !). Pic 2.
Well, looks like I'm not as smart as I thought I was. Hahaha what a n00b !

If you have time for and want to, I added my EFI folder.

 

[EliteMacx86]

Hmmm...well, there's where I got confused : using OC 0.9.9, if I select "iMac 14,14", it shows "i5-4260U"...
I have i7-3770 => not the same generation of CPUs.

That's the first factor. If you do not see and installing new version, its quite obvious to select a newer Mac model for the compatibility sake.

 

[EliteMacx86]

Soooooooooooooo...I put "14,4" as you said.

But the same problem appears again, here the 1st screenhoot.
I noticed some text flashed just before the computer goes off => I recorded the screen, and maybe this will give a clue about what I did wrong (again !). Pic 2.
Well, looks like I'm not as smart as I thought I was. Hahaha what a n00b !

If you have time for and want to, I added my EFI folder.

Seems like NVRAM reset was not done. Reset NVRAM twice and then try again.