/Lenovo-T530-Hackinosh-OpenCore

EFI Folder with configs for running macOS High Sierra, Catalina and Big Sur with either a patched DSDT or DSDT-less.

Lenovo ThinkPad T530 Hackintosh OpenCore

5T4TU5: 100% Completed! Added Clover EFI, too.

T530 OpenCore Clover Version MacOS High Sierra MacOS Catalina MacOS Big Sur release

SUMMARY

This Repo contains an EFI Folder with configs for running macOS with either a patched DSDT or DSDT-less on a Lenovo T530 Laptop using OpenCore. Compatible and tested with: macOS High Sierra, Catalina and Big Sur.

NOTE: For best results, read and follow the install instruction thoroughly.

PICK a CONFIG

The EFI Folder contains 2 configs. The first one is DSDT-less, solely based on binary Renames and ACPI Hotpatches (SSDTs) – just like it's suppossed to be done in OpenCore. It's working perfectly (100 %) and runs smoother and snappier than the DSDT-based config and also performs better according to the test results in Geekbench. The 2nd config utilizes a patched DSDT which works flawlessly - for macOS at least – but causes issues when used in a dual boot scenario in Windows 10 causing ACPI Errors. I tried fixing them but to no avail.

DSDT-less config (recommended)

Hotpatch-based config (DSDT-less)

This config is for running macOS without a patched DSDT – it relies solely on binary Renames and ACPI Hotpatches (SSDTs) instead, which is the recommended method for using OpenCore anyway. You need to rename it to config.plist in order to make it bootable. Since this config does not rely on a patched DSDT which might mismatch the system's DSDT for the installed BIOS, the process of hotpatching is more precise and independent of the installed BIOS version.

So, instead of just replacing the whole system DSDT with a patched one during boot, only the things which need fixing are patched-in on the fly. This makes the system boot faster, run smoother and snappier and slightly improves overall performance as well.

NOTE: By default, the iGPU (IntelHD 4000) is configured for T530 models with HD+ panels (≥ 1600x900 px). If you have a model with a HD panel (1366x768 px), you need to enable the other Framebuffer-Patch under DevicePropeties instead. See section "Preparation: Dos and Don'ts" for Details.

Config Validation:

DSDT-based config

DSDT-based config

This config is working well for T530 Models in macOS and supports both HD and HD+ display panels but causes ACPI errors when used alongside Windows 10 in a dual boot setup with one physical drive.

If you simply want to a well-running system for running macOS, use this config! You need to rename it to config.plist in order to boot with this. But before you do, open the config and have a look at the ACPI > Add section. Enable either DSDT-HD.aml or DSDT-HD+.aml (never both) depending on the display panel of your T530:

AAPL,ig-platform-id 04006601 = HD+ = 1600x900 px
AAPL,ig-platform-id 03006601 = HD = 1366x768 px

Check the comments of the entries to decide which one you need to enable. By default, the DSDT for HD+ panels is enabled.

HARDWARE SPECS

ThinkPad Model

ThinkPad T530 Specs

Component Details
Model Lenovo ThinkPad T530, Model# 2429-62G
BIOS Version 2.77, unlocked with 1vyRain
Processor Intel(r) Core i7 3630QM
Memory 16GB Samsung DDR3 1600MHz, Dual-Channel
Hard Disk Samsung 840 Evo 250GB
Integrated Graphics Intel(r) HD Graphics 4000
Display 15.6" HD+ TFT Display (1600x900 px)
Audio Realtek ALC269VC Rev.3 (Layout-id:29)
Ethernet Intel(r) 82579LM Gigabit Network Connection
WIFI+BT Broadcom BCM94352HMB DW1550, 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
Docking Stattion Lenovo ThinkPad 4338 Mini Dock plus Series 3
Incompatible Components

Incompatible Hardware

  • NVIDIA Optimus GPU is not supported by macOS and must be disabled in BIOS - otherwise no Boot!
  • Fingerprint Reader - model not supported by macOS
  • VGA Port is not working: Intel HD Graphics VGA Support

INSTALLATION

Preparation: Dos and Don'ts

Dos and Don'ts

Before you copy the EFI onto your system SSD/HDD, you should do the following:

  • Testing: Test the EFI folder first using a FAT32 formatted USB Stick!

  • SMBIOS: Create SMBIOS infos using GenSMBIOS and add the data to PlatformInfo > Generic. High Sierra and Catalina require MacBookPro10,1, Big Sur requires MaBookPro11,1!

  • Integrated Graphics: Two variants of T530 models with different display panels and screen resolutions exist: HD+ and HD models. Both are using different identifiers:

    AAPL,ig-platform-id 04006601 = HD+ ≥ 1600x900 px
    AAPL,ig-platform-id 03006601 = HD = 1366x768 px

    By default, the Framebuffer-Patch for HD+ models is enabled in the config under DeviceProperties > PciRoot(0x0)/Pci(0x2,0x0).

    If your model uses a HD panel, you need to disable PciRoot(0x0)/Pci(0x2,0x0) by placing a # in front of it. Next, enable "#PciRoot(0x0)/Pci(0x2,0x0) 1366x768 px" instead. Delete the leading # and the description after the bracket, so that it looks this: PciRoot(0x0)/Pci(0x2,0x0).

    HINT: if your screen turns off during boot, you are using the wrong Framebuffer-Patch!

  • System Integrity Protection (SIP)

    • For Catalina: MacBookPro10,1 or 10,2 (depending on CPU) and csr-active-config: FF070000 to deactivate SIP
    • For Big Sur: MacBookPro11,1 or 11,2 (depending on CPU) and csr-active-config: 67080000 to deactivate SIP

  • CPU

    • The SSDT-PM.aml inside the ACPI Folder is for an Intel i7 3630QM. If you use a differnt CPU, disable it in the config and create your own using ssdtPRGEN in Post-Install. (See 'Fixing CPU Power Management' in the 'Post-Install Section')

  • Wifi/Bluetooth

    • Built-in Intel Wifi/Bluetooth may work. Have a look at OpenIntelWireless to check if your card is supported yet.
    • 3rd Party cards require the 1vyrain jailbreak to unlock the BIOS in order to disable WLAN Whitelist (unless the 3rd party card is whitelisted)
    • Broadcom cards require an additional kext for Bluetooth. Either BrcmFirmwareData.kext in "EFI > OC > Kexts" which will be injected through OpenCore or BrcmFirmwareRepo.kext which needs to be installed into S/L/E since it cannot be injected by bootloaders, but works a bit more efficient according to the documentation.
    • If you use a card from a different vendor replace the Kext(s) for networking for your device and update your config before trying to boot with this EFI.

  • Editing/Updating config files:

    • If you create Snapshots for the DSDT-less config using ProperTree, make sure to disable the "ACPI > Add" entries for DSDT files afterwards. Best practice would be to delete both DSDTs from the EFI anyway, if you use the DSDT-less config.
    • DON'T create Snapshots for the config_DSDT.plist which is using the DSDT Files. Because this will add all the SSDTs back in, which are unnecessary since all these patches exist in the patched DSDT already. If you plan to use the DSDT-based config, you should delete all of the SSDTs except for SSDT-PM.

  • Kexts

  • NoTouchID.kext is no longer necessary for macOS 10.15.7 and beyond, so you can disable it (it's excluded from current release anyway).

  • Backlight Brightness Level tweaks:

    • Set boot-arg applbkl=1 for reasonable maximum brightness level controlled by WhateverGreen.
    • Set boot-arg applbkl=0 for increased maximum brightness as defined in SSDT-PNLF.aml
EFI Handling

EFI How To

  1. Download the EFI Folder from the Releases Section on the right and unpack it
  2. Read "Preparations" Section first
  3. Rename the config file of your choice to "config.plist"
  4. Mount the EFI
  5. Replace EFI Folder
  6. Restart
  7. IMPORTANT: Perform a NVRAM Reset (in Bootpicker, hit Space Bar and select Clean NVRAM). Especially important when switching from a DSDT to DSDT-less config!
  8. Reboot again
  9. Select macOS to boot. It's currently configured for running Catalina. If you want to run Big Sur, you need to use SMBIOS 11,x. You can research a suitable/matching SMBIOS for your CPU on everymac.com

NOTE: If your macOS Drive or macOS Installer does not shown up in the BootPicker, enable ConnectDrivers in the Config located under UEFI.

BIOS Settings

BIOS Settings

Latest BIOS Version: 2.77 DOWNLOAD

CONFIG [TAB]

  • USB UEFI BIOS Support: Enabled
  • USB 3.0 Mode: Enabled
  • Display > Boot Display Device: ThinkPad LCD
  • Display > OS Detection for NVIDIA Optimus: Disabled
  • SATA > SATA Controller Mode: XHCI
  • CPU > Core Multi-Processing: Enabled
  • CPU > Intel (R) Hyper-Threading: Enabled (CPU must support it)

SECURITY [TAB]

  • Security Chip: Disabled
  • UEFI BIOS Update Options > Flash BIOS Updating by End-Users: Enabled
  • UEFI BIOS Update Options > Secure Rollback Prevention: Enabled
  • Memory Protection: Enabled
  • Virtualization > Intel (R) Virtualization Technology: Enabled (Relevant for Windows only, disabled in macOS via DisableIOMapper Quirk)
  • I/O Port Access (Disable the following devices/features):
    • Wireless WAN
    • ExpressCard Slot
    • eSATA Port
    • Fingerprint Reader
    • Antitheft and Computrace
    • Secure Boot: Disabled

STARTUP [TAB]

  • Boot (Set the Order of Boot devices. Set HDD/SSD as first device)
  • UEFI/Legacy Boot: UEFI only
  • CSM Support: Disabled
  • Boot Mode: Quick
  • Boot Order Lock: Enabled Enable this after you've set-up the order of the Boot Drives. This prohibits WindowsBootManager from taking over the first slot of the boot drives.
How to install macOS

Installing macOS

If you have already have macOS installed but want to perform a clean install, you can either download macOS from the App Store or use ANYmacOS. It's a hassle-free App than can download High Sierra, Catalina and Big Sur and also create a USB Installer for you.

If you are on Windows or Linux follow the guide provided by Dortania

POST-INSTALL

Fixing CPU Power Management

Fixing CPU Power Management

  1. Open Config
  2. Enable the 2 Patches under "ACPI > Delete" (Drop CpuPm and Drop Cpu0Ist)
  3. Save config and reboot
  4. Install ssdtPRGen
  5. Open Terminal and type: sudo /Users/YOURUSERNAME/ssdtPRGen.sh
  6. Go to Users/YOURUSERNAME/Library/ssdtPRGen. There you'll find an ssdt.aml
  7. Rename ssdt.aml to SSDT-PM.aml and replace the one in EFI > OC > ACPI with it
  8. In config, go to ACPI > Add and re-enable SSDT-PM.aml if it is disabled.
  9. Disable the two patches from step 2 again.
  10. Save config and reboot.

CPU Power Management should work fine after that. Optionally, you can install Intel Power Gadget to check if the CPU runs within it's specs.

NOTE 1: Only necessarry if you use a differnt CPU than i7 3630QM
NOTE 2: You can also add modifiers to the terminal command for building the SSDT. You can - for example - drop the low frequency from their default 1200 MHz to 900 MHz in 100 mHz increments, but no lower than that. Otherwise the system crashes during boot. I suggests you experiement with the modifiers a bit.
NOTE 3: If you feel really confident and enthusiastic you could also re-enable XCPM. But in my experience the machine does not perform as good. You can follow this guide if you're so inclined: https://github.com/5T33Z0/Lenovo-T530-Hackinosh-OpenCore/blob/main/Guides/Enable%20XCPM.md

Fixing Sleep Issues

Fixing Sleepimage

If you have issues with sleep, run the following commands in Terminal:

sudo pmset hibernatemode 0
sudo rm /var/vm/sleepimage
sudo touch /var/vm/sleepimage
sudo chflags uchg /var/vm/sleepimage
Fixing Command and Option Keys

Fixing Command and Option Keys positions

By default, in macOS the [ALT] key is the [CMD] Key and the [Windows] Key is the [Option Key]. To switch them around, open System Settings > Keyboard. On the right there's a button for "Special Keys". Just switch the Option and Command keys to the opposite and everything's fine.

Adding `Eject` Button to the Menu bar

Eject Button

macOS locks the optical drive sometimes so that you can't open it with the physical eject button – even if no media is present. To fix this you have 2 Options.

  • Option 1: Adding an Eject Button to the Menu Bar

    • Go to System > Library > CoreService > Menu Extras and double-click on Eject.menu. This adds an Eject Button to the Menu Bar.

  • Option 2: Press and hold the INS button (right below the Power Button) until the Eject Icon appears on the screen and the CD tray opens.

CPU BENCHMARK

Screenshot

Benchmark Results

CREDITS and THANK YOUs