MacBookPro3,1 + Snow Leopard = 32 bits.

Question

Level 1

0 points

MacBookPro3,1 + Snow Leopard = 32 bits.

The MacBookPro 3,1 should be capable of running the 64 bit kernel but it's not on the list.

Core2duo = 64 bit
Santa Rosa chipset = 64 bit (I have 4GB and it can use it all)

Yet with the 6+4 key press, the Boot.plist and nvram modifications this will not boot into 64 bit kernel.

My reason for wanting this is that I'm concerned with a 32 bit kernel mode then OpenCL drivers will only allow addressing of 2GB.

I know in the past that nVidia CUDA & ATI CTM GPGPU drivers only supported 32 bit on PC platforms until they decided to move forward.

So what reason is there? Is the MBP3,1 considered obsolete Apple?

MBP3,1 15" 2.4 SR, 4GB, 120GB SSD, Mac OS X (10.6)

Posted on Aug 29, 2009 4:37 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Aug 29, 2009 5:14 PM in response to Nick 1066

I find the same thing. From System Profiler:

Model Name: MacBook Pro
Model Identifier: MacBookPro3,1
Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo
Processor Speed: 2.4 GHz
Number Of Processors: 1
Total Number Of Cores: 2

Does not start up in 64 bit mode in Snow Leopard when holding down the 4 an 6 keys. Maybe it's trying to start in 46 bit mode? 😉

Reply

Answer 2

deh2k

Level 4

1,871 points

Aug 29, 2009 5:28 PM in response to Nick 1066

You may not have 64 bit firmware on your MBP. Enter this in the Terminal:

ioreg -l -p IODeviceTree | grep firmware-abi

and find out if you have EFI32 or EFI64.

But I suggest you not stress much about running a 64 bit kernel. It doesn't get you much and it requires you to have 64 bit kernel extensions.

Reply

Answer 3

Aug 29, 2009 5:30 PM in response to Nick 1066

My reason for wanting this is that I'm concerned with a 32 bit kernel mode then OpenCL drivers will only allow addressing of 2GB.

Based on what? 32-bit supports up to 4GB, and 32GB with PAE. I also doubt that if you have 4GB, OpenCL will use half of it.

Reply

Answer 4

deivy

Level 4

2,365 points

Aug 29, 2009 5:33 PM in response to Nick 1066

It does not matter if your EFI is 32, 64 or 128 bits.
If Apple does not want you to run the Kernel at 64-bits, you will not run it...without hacks!
Recent MacBooks are core2Duo, 64 bit capable and with 64-bits EFI:

They will not run in 64-bit

Reply

Answer 5

deh2k

Level 4

1,871 points

Aug 29, 2009 5:42 PM in response to deivy

The OP had a MacBook Pro, not a MacBook. Some MacBook Pros can run 64 bit kernels and some can't. You can see which kind you have by checking the EFI.

Reply

Answer 6

Nick 1066 Author

Level 1

0 points

Aug 30, 2009 1:35 AM in response to deh2k

EFI64 so unless there's some ROI reason for not supporting it, but I think arguing with apple on this point is going to be like banging my head against a brick wall.

@macwiz - you're right from a memory shadow point of view, however processing large datasets means squeezing all the little performance jumps too. They all add up.

Personally I think apple will only target 8GB+ capable machines but even then by the time the memory kits appear for this those machines will be out of date..

Good to know I'm not the only one feeling deflated by the lack of 64 bit kernel on the MBP3,1.

Reply

Answer 7

necronym

Level 4

1,434 points

Aug 30, 2009 1:43 AM in response to Nick 1066

MacBook Pros running the 9400 chipset will start in 64-bit kernel when you hold down 6 and 4 after the start up sound until the spinning thing appears (what is that thing called?) under the Apple logo.

If your system supports 64-bit System profiler > Software will show 64-bit and Extensions: Yes

If your system doesn't support the 64-bit kernel, it will show 64-bit Extensions: No.

Your 32-bit kernel will still happily run 64-bit applications accessing all of your system memory through PAE.

Reply

Answer 8

Aug 30, 2009 7:54 AM in response to Nick 1066

Just to be clear, my system (17" MacBook Pro 3,1) reports as 64 bit, but does not boot the 64-bit kernel.

ioreg -l -p IODeviceTree | grep firmware-abi
| | "firmware-abi" = <">

It's no big deal, just a curiosity. No problem booting the 64 bit kernel on my MacPro tower.

Reply

Answer 9

Aug 30, 2009 7:56 AM in response to DoctorJohn

Don't know what happend with that paste, but my system reports EFI64.

Reply

Answer 10

Aug 30, 2009 4:58 PM in response to Nick 1066

Doesn't work for me either. Can't see any reason either, from what I can tell its certainly capable hardware-wise of running the 64bit kernel.

I wonder if there's any other way to force it?

Reply

Answer 11

Gamesta

Level 1

0 points

Aug 31, 2009 4:57 AM in response to Nick 1066

I too have a MBP3,1 which has the 64bit EFI.

I understand the need to sunset some systems but this one is not even 2 years old. I definitely would NOT have purchased the upgrade if I know my 18month old system was obsolete in Apples eyes.

Ima try to get a refund.

Reply

Answer 12

Sep 1, 2009 1:40 AM in response to Nick 1066

I got the same problem. Macbookpro3.1 15inch 2.2G CPU. I call the Apple Support yesterday. they said they would try on the same model machine and callback to me today...But! I didn't get any phone call today...***!!

Message was edited by: Roca Chang

Message was edited by: Roca Chang

Reply

Answer 13

Sep 1, 2009 10:38 AM in response to Nick 1066

Model Name: MacBook Pro
Model Identifier: MacBookPro3,1
Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo
Processor Speed: 2.6 GHz
Number Of Processors: 1
Total Number Of Cores: 2
L2 Cache: 4 MB
Memory: 4 GB
Bus Speed: 800 MHz
Boot ROM Version: MBP31.0070.B07

It's got the efi 64 check, but neither the "6" "4" or plist edit is booting it to 64 bit. Not a problem, just want to play around and see what it can do.

Reply

Answer 14

Sep 1, 2009 11:57 PM in response to Nick 1066

guys!I'd just got call from apple support. they said: the MBP 3.1 is valid 64bit kernel.

BUT! the firmware of MBP 3.1 need be update to capable SL.

so...wait for APPLE to release new firmware.

Reply

Answer 15

jneyen

Level 1

0 points

Sep 3, 2009 1:52 PM in response to Nick 1066

I wonder if this is related to the macbookpro3,1 not being able to use more than 6GB of RAM. I hope Apple does release the appropriate firmware update.

Reply