Thread: [GUIDE]Chameleon Bootloader (The Basics)

Hello Everybody!



The beginners of the Hackintosh Universe, occasionally get a little confused with Chameleon settings, so I decided to create this post to clarify and streamline the most of the questions about this "Powerfull Bootloader" ...



The folder Extra is on "Root System", or "the directory where you installed OS X" or "/" ...




There, we found the file "com.apple.Boot.plist" which is basically a mirror of the original file which is in "/Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration" and is the file where we set our "Preferences" for the system boot.


The example below is from my "com.apple.Boot.plist".

Note: For releases above 11xx you need to use "org.chameleon.Boot.plist" instead of "com.apple.Boot.plist".





We also find the folder "Extensions" which is a mirror of the folder "/System/ Library/Extensions" and is the folder where the "kext`s' (drivers) for each hardware device of the system, working as a complement for him and allowing the installation of "Modified kext`s" that facilitates future updates of OS X.


The file "Extensions.mkext" is a "cache" file and also mirror of the file in the folder
"/System/Library/Caches/com.apple.kext.caches/Startup" that aims to reduce the loading time of the system, preventing the system on each boot to make a scan of the folder to verify existing kext `s.


The file "smbios.plist" is a file used by Chameleon to "induce" the system to believe that it is running under a specific platform, providing information such as processor type, memory, Apple Computer, serial numbers, etc ... and supplying the use of SMBIOS injectors like AppleSMBIOSEFI, AplleSMBIOSResolver, etc ...

The example below is from my "smbios.plist.





The "Themes " folder is only "cosmetic", we can put themes for the BootLoader.





Advanced Boot Options: These options can be used at Chameleon's boot, without changing
com.apple.Boot.plist file and can be used for troubleshooting startup issues.


PLEASE NOTE THE ARGUMENTS NEED TO BE WRITTEN EXACTLY AS DESCRIBED BELOW (CASE SENSITIVE) BEFORE SELECTING THE BOOT DEVICE, THE FLAG`S ARE SHOWN ON THE BOTTOM LEFT CORNER



rd=/dev/diskXsY > Starts from the specific Disk/Partition (Replace X for the disk and Y for the partition number)

npci=0×2000 Fix for "[PCI Configuration Begin]" Bug (Thanks to Netkas for this tip)

pmVersion=0 > Disable SleepEnabler.kext

"Graphics Mode"="1024x768x32" > Set the Boot Resolution (Yes... you have to use "quotes")

cpus=X > Set the number of processor cores (Replace X for the number of cores)

busratio=XX > Set processor BusRatio (Replace XX for the BusRatio number)

Link for Intel's website, search for processor model and find "Bus/Core Ratio".

maxmem=XXXX > Set the amount of memory to be used by the system (Replace XXXX for the amount of memory in MB, for example: 1024 = 1gb / 2048 = 2gb)

USBBusFix=Yes > Enable All USB Fixes less EHCIhard (for USB devices)

EHCIacquire=Yes > Fix EHCI issues (for USB devices)

UHCIreset=Yes > Fix UHCI issues (for USB devices)

USBLegacyOff=Yes > Fix I/O issues (for USB devices)

EHCIhard=Yes > EHCI Soft Reset (for USB devices)

DSDT=NAMEOFFILE > Set the "dsdt.aml" to be used by the system (Rename NAMEOFFILE for DSDT path, for example: hd(0,2)/Extra/dsdt.aml)

config=NAMEOFFILE > Set a alternative "com.apple.Boot.plist" (Replace NAMEOFFILE for the file path, for example: hd(0,2)/Backup/com.apple.Boot.plist)

SMBIOS=NAMEOFFILE > Set a alternative "smbios.plist" (Replace NAMEOFFILE for the file path, example: hd(0,2)/Backup/smbios.plist)



Below, we list the most used functions in the file com.apple.Boot.plist and their functions ...

Code:

<key>DSDT</key>
<string>/dsdt.aml</string>

Set the "DSDT" to be used.

Code:

<key>Default Partition</key>
<string>hd(0,3)</string>

Set Default "Disk" (Partition) for boot.

Code:

<key>Graphics Mode</key>
<string>1680x1050x32</string>

Set the Default Resolution.

Code:

<key>GraphicsEnabler</key>
<string>Yes</string>

Activate Video Injection "EFI String" generated by the BootLoader.
(Options: Yes / No)

Code:

<key>Hide Partition</key>
<string>hd(0,2)</string>

Hide "Disks" (Partitions) from Bootmenu.

Code:

<key>Kernel Flags</key>
<string>arch=i386 -v</string>

Allow you to set "Boot Flag`s", for example, -v, cpus=1, arch=i386, etcÖ

Code:

<key>SMBIOS</key>
<string>/Extra/smbios.plist</string>

Set SMBIOS file to be used instead of the Chameleon's DMI injection

Code:

<key>Theme</key>
<string>Default</string>

Set the default theme, and the default path for themes is "/Extra/Themes".

Code:

<key>Timeout</key>
<string>5</string>

Set the timeout to boot the default partition.

Code:

<key>Quiet Boot</key>
<string>Yes</string>

Set the bootloader to not show the boot options.
(Options: Yes / No)

Code:

<key>USBBusFix</key>
<string>Yes</string>

Set always fix USB Bus Issues.

Code:

<key>GenerateCStates</key>
<string>Yes</string>

Activate C-states.

Code:

<key>GeneratePStates</key>
<string>Yes</string>

Activate P-states.




These are the most used options, but there are many others that can be seen
(including these) in the bootloader's "help".





Download Chameleon http://www.kexts.com/cat/2-bootloaders.html

Download Lizard by sonotone Lizard - Downloads - Kexts.com

Chameleon Timeline Chameleon Updates - Chameleon open source boot loader project.

Forum Voodooprojects Voodooprojects - Index


Original topic made ​​by me on HMBT Forum

Nice explanation.
I have a couple small problem, maybe u can help.
I start installing hackintosh using my old lcd screen(max 1680x1050). When i bought a full hd screen display, the boot screen is stretched. So i change the graphic-mode string value to 1920x1080x32. But nothing happen.
I tried installing Chameleon control panel, but no luck either.
Next i bought second hdd for my windows 7 os. Afther that i found 2 icons on my bootloader. Its logic because Win7 have 2 partitions. one for booting and the other one for data. But when i connect my usb BD-writer drive, also get 2 icons.
For booting to windows i just select the first icon (boot partition). I just want the bootloader shows one icon.
Any idea how to fix this problems?

Originally Posted by quezacotl

Nice explanation.
I have a couple small problem, maybe u can help.
I start installing hackintosh using my old lcd screen(max 1680x1050). When i bought a full hd screen display, the boot screen is stretched. So i change the graphic-mode string value to 1920x1080x32. But nothing happen.

For this, you need a Theme with the same resolution that you want use...

Originally Posted by quezacotl

Next i bought second hdd for my windows 7 os. Afther that i found 2 icons on my bootloader. Its logic because Win7 have 2 partitions. one for booting and the other one for data. But when i connect my usb BD-writer drive, also get 2 icons.

Chameleon only shows Optic Drives when booted from them...

Originally Posted by quezacotl

For booting to windows i just select the first icon (boot partition). I just want the bootloader shows one icon.Any idea how to fix this problems?

On a terminal, type diskutil list ...

Se the name of the disk you want to hide...

Modifi the key above with your disk information and add the key to your com.apple.Boot.plist of /Extra folder...

Hope this helps...

Added "pmVersion=0" flag to disable the kext SleepEnabler, following a tip from our friend Toltuga!


Thanks Toltuga!!!

hey kyndder i couldn't understand that....... i just want to know that since my GC is not supported by os x as u said, wt can i do???
if i cant do anything then as u mentioned... how can i change my resolution?

Originally Posted by classicalsingershaleen

hey kyndder i couldn't understand that....... i just want to know that since my GC is not supported by os x as u said, wt can i do???
if i cant do anything then as u mentioned... how can i change my resolution?

Add this key to you com.apple or org.chameleon.Boot.plist...

Code:

<key>Graphics Mode</key>
<string>1680x1050x32</string>

will surely try

Thank you!

This was very useful in generating my dream mac.

Fixed a ton of problems!!

Champlist also can be used if you prefer doing changes in a GUI instead of manually.

Hi there, and sorry for my noobish question, but i'm new to this. Is it posible to put back chameleon if i reinstalled windows and i can't boot back into my mac drive ? I can only enter in Win7 atm. Thanks in advance.