/Hackintosh-OpenCore-EFI-HP-Z420

EFI premade of OpenCore bootloader for HP Z420 is here and it runs macOS 15 Sequoia!

Primary LanguageC++BSD 3-Clause "New" or "Revised" LicenseBSD-3-Clause

OpenCore logo

Hackintosh-OpenCore-HP-Z420

Premade EFI of OpenCore bootloader for HP Z420 is here, running Ventura and Sonoma!

Current Version: OpenCore 1.0.1 DEBUG with OCLP 2.0.1 running macOS 15.0 with success! :D

This repository provides a complete "Plug-and-Play" EFI setup for the OpenCore bootloader, along with all necessary files to install and run macOS on an HP Z420.

Table of Contents

How to download?

There are four major ways to obtain an EFI from this repository:

a) Head to release page, expand assets of latest release and download EFI.zip.

b) Pressing a download button below:

Download

c) Downloading zipped repository:

By selecting Code -> Downaload ZIP

d) Cloning:

# Clone this repository:
git clone https://github.com/mavethee/Hackintosh-OpenCore-EFI-HP-Z420.git

# Navigate to cloned repository:
cd Hackintosh-OpenCore-EFI-HP-Z420

# Open cloned repository in Finder:
open .

Finally, extract, put EFI on your USB.

What's Required to Make It Boot?

HP Z420 Sequoia Screenshot

While EFI is premade to address all issues it's a key to understand them, in case of any issues, during install process.

  1. Patience and carefully reading docs and understanding the process! :D

  2. Lack of AVX2 (Ventura introduced requirement) needs CryptexFixup kext for macOS 13+ to boot, remember to disable f16c sysctl reporting by adding revpatch=16c to NVRAM settings.

  3. For modern AMD GPUs, e.g Polaris and Vega, root patching is required to patch AVX2 driver stack, Navi GPUs are not supported yet.

  4. For Metal 1 dGPUs (e.g., Kepler, even tho it reports itself as Metal 2 capable, it's not), disable mediaanalysisd with help of RestrictEvents kext and using revblock=media in NVRAM settings.

  5. With macOS 12.3 Beta 1+, Apple dropped the 'plugin-type' check within X86PlatformPlugin, you need to add ASPP-Override v1.0.1 kext to your EFI/OC/KEXTS.

  6. OCLP works with Sonoma the best with 1.5.0+! But with macOS Sequoia, it is supported since 2.0.0, but as it's active development, latest OCLP 2.0.1 is recommended (for Kepler dGPUs it's even mandatory!).

  7. While Legacy Metal dGPUs work for most part, there are still some issues, see here.

  8. Follow OCLP preparation steps (EFI/OC/config.plist modification):

    • Set SIP to 0x803: NVRAM -> Add -> 7C436110-AB2A-4BBB-A880-FE41995C9F82 -> csr-active-config -> 03080000

    • Disable Apple Secure Boot: Misc -> Security -> SecureBootModel -> Disable

    • Disable Signed DMGs loading: Misc -> Security -> DmgLoading -> Any

    • Reset NVRAM using ResetNvramEntry.efi in EFI/OC/DRIVERS.

    • Use AMFIPass v1.4.1 and re-enable AMFI for macOS 14+.

    • If you have an access to real Macs or you're upgrading your Hackintosh to newer macOS release (it's always reccommended in case of huge releases, e.g 14 -> 15), you can create offline installer using OCLP (skipping EFI part for obvious reason - Build and Install OpenCore) but don't forget about AutoPkgInstaller kext for patching the graphics acceleration during install process, which saves you from manual root patching till next macOS update :P

  9. Install macOS 15, then make sure to grab the latest version of OpenCore Legacy Patcher.

  10. As of now, you should have basic understanding of the proccess for older hardware and modern macOS (for maOS 12 and below check), you can head to Installation Guide.

Sources:

Sonoma Notes

HP Z420 Sonoma Screenshot

If you're not interested in macOS 14, skip this step, Installation Guide awaits if you read What's Required to Make It Boot? closely :D

Exact same process from end user perspective as with macOS 15, so read section above if you haven't, here's just covered a few basics:

  • To run Sonoma successfully, you need at least OpenCore 0.9.3+ (officially 0.8.3 for AVX2 machines, latest updates are minor, but I recommend sticking to latest) Avoid RSR updates as they don't work with Rosetta Cryptex (Feature seems to be a flop anyways).

  • If you face login sreen issues on 14.1+, stay on 14.0 or disable lockscren and set automatic login before updating to latest. (Seems to be something I've only personally faced, but noting for the record):

    Apple logo -> System settings -> Users and Groups -> Automatic login

    FIXED: Update to macOS 14.4+ and Root Patch with latest OpenCore Legacy Patcher release (1.4.2 fixed the issue, but latest is more than recommended)

With how mature, macOS 14 now is I suggest sticking with latest release (macOS 14.7 for the time of writting).

Sources:

Ventura Notes

HP Z420 Ventura Screenshot

Current config is prepared for booting Sequoia, so if you want to run Ventura, it's not Monterey, it's basically all the same. If you're not interested in macOS 13, skip this step, Installation Guide awaits if you read What's Required to Make It Boot? closely :D

Not like you have much to read here.

Sources:

Big Sur and Monterey Notes

As Apple is moving on, it's not advised to run thoose operating systems and prebuild EFI is not configured to run them properly.

If you're not interested in macOS 12 and below, skip this step, Installation Guide awaits if you read What's Required to Make It Boot? closely :D

Current config is prepared for booting Sequioa, so if you want to run Monterey, revert steps needed for macOS 13+.

  1. (Optional as no real effect) Disable skipping the SMBIOS check as it's fully supported on macOS 12 and lower:

  2. Remove macOS 13+ related kexts:

    • EFI/OC/Kexts/CryptexFixup.kext (Allows non-AVX2 systems)
    • EFI/OC/Kexts/KDKLessWorkaround.kext (KDKless install)
    • EFI/OC/Kexts/RSRHelper.kext (Rapid Security Response)

  3. macOS Monterey:

    HP Z420 Monterey Screenshot

    This section is split in three parts, make sure to follow instructions for you case.

    a) For supported dGPUs, which since macOS 12.0 Beta 7 only AMD dGPUs (you can check here) and just follow the Dortania's OpenCore Install Guide but if you wish to modify this EFI, make sure to follow this steps below:

    • Remove AutoPkgInstaller.kext if you have the AutoPkgInstaller.kext in EFI/OC/KEXTS from here as it's optional kext for OCLP purposes.

    • Revert OCLP prepartion changes by double checking with Dortania's OpenCore Install Guide for steps for dummies, which fully supports this configuration.

    b) For unsupported dGPU (Unlike Ventura, you can pick supported dGPU for this system without issues, follow this if macOS 12.0 Beta 7 removed support for your GPU, e.g Kepler):

    1. Set SIP to 0x802: NVRAM -> Add -> 7C436110-AB2A-4BBB-A880-FE41995C9F82 -> csr-active-config -> 02080000

    2. Disable Apple Secure Boot: Misc -> Security -> SecureBootModel -> Disable

    3. Disable Signed DMGs loading: Misc -> Security -> DmgLoading -> Any

    4. Reset NVRAM using ResetNvramEntry.efi in EFI/OC/DRIVERS.

    5. (Optional) For auto root patching your unsupported dGPU, double check if you have the AutoPkgInstaller.kext in EFI/OC/KEXTS from here.

    6. Flash your config.plist, reboot macOS, and launch OCLP.

    7. Follow OCLP prompts and reboot.

    c) Steps for all:

    • For macOS 12.3 Beta 1+, Apple dropped the 'plugin-type' check within X86PlatformPlugin, double check if you have the ASPP-Override v1.0.1 kext in your EFI/OC/KEXTS, see more here.

  4. macOS Big Sur:

    HP Z420 Big Sur Screenshot

    Apple in macOS 11 was generous and didn't removed or dropped most kexts, so support for the hardware is there, but keep in mind it wasn't updated for more than a year now, it's not advised daily driver.

    • You can just follow the Dortania's OpenCore Install Guide and that's pretty much it.

    • If you want, you can also modify this EFI:

      1. Remove macOS 12+ and OCLP related kexts:

        • EFI/OC/Kexts/AutoPkgInstaller.kext (For OCLP purposes),

        • EFI/OC/Kexts/ASPP-Override.kext (For XCPM disabling on 12.3 Beta 1+).

      2. Remove OCLP prepartion steps, mentioned in Monterey step for supported dGPUs.

  5. With that done, you can head to Installation Guide.

Installation

Internal USB 3.0 doesn't work, but USB 2.0 ports should function properly.

USB mapping is important (as it's broken since macOS 11.3+), so consider using USBMap's QUICKSTART guide here.

For USB 3.0, consider using the Inatek KT4004 PCIe expansion card, which has native support.

To install macOS successfully:

  • Use EFI from the EFI folder (if USB detection issues persist, see the USB section at the end of this README).

  • Avoid using the present SMBIOS, as it's likely invalid. Regenerate using GenSMBIOS for working iServices.

What Works?

  • Ethernet
  • Audio
  • USB (except internal USB3 ports)
  • iServices (iMessage, FaceTime, AppStore, iCloud, etc.)

What Doesn't Work?

  • Internal USB3 ports, use PCIe ones, keep in mind they wont be visable by BIOS.
  • Sleep (Clicking sounds on wake-up attempt)
  • Fan Monitoring (needs to be manually mapped in config.plist?)

Credits