Missing com.apple.Boot.plist

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Level 3

677 points

Missing com.apple.Boot.plist

Hi,

I am currently running a fresh install of Lion (10.7.2) and wondered whether someone might be able to help. I am attempting to add a new kernel flag of 'darkwake=0'. I understand that this needs to be added to the com.apple.Boot.plist file at Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration, however, this file does not exist. Incidentally, a search of the forum has revealed that this file is not really required, and is created by the system on an ad-hoc basis.

Is there a way of forcing a new Boot.plist to be generated? I have already reset the PRAM, however, this has not created the file in question. Alternatively, is it as simple as creating a new file in TextEdit and then saving it in the appropriate location?

Any help appreciated!

iMac, Mac OS X (10.6.7), 4GB RAM

Posted on Oct 31, 2011 11:50 AM

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Answer 1

macjack

Level 10

111,242 points

Oct 31, 2011 12:06 PM in response to snkhan

Yes, it is one of the .plist files in SystemConfiguration directory.

Here is the content.

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>

<!DOCTYPE plist PUBLIC "-//Apple//DTD PLIST 1.0//EN" "http://www.apple.com/DTDs/PropertyList-1.0.dtd">

<dict>

<key>Kernel Flags</key>

</dict>

</plist>

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Answer 2

snkhan Author

Level 3

677 points

Oct 31, 2011 1:09 PM in response to macjack

Hi,

Thank you. My file now looks like this:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>

<!DOCTYPE plist PUBLIC "-//Apple//DTD PLIST 1.0//EN" "http://www.apple.com/DTDs/PropertyList-1.0.dtd">

<dict>

<key>Kernel Flags</key>

<string>darkwake=0</string>

</dict>

</plist>

How can I be sure that the plist is being loaded by the system? I have not found the system to have changed its WOL behaviour since creating the Boot property list. Do I need to alter permissions via sudo? At present, the System has been set to 'Read & Write', with the Admin and Staff set to Read only.

Thanks for your help!

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Answer 3

macjack

Level 10

111,242 points

Oct 31, 2011 6:43 PM in response to snkhan

I'm not at all sure why this file would be created on an "ad hoc" basis. Or the directory for that matter.

If you haven't created the directory, that's probably where it would be looking for it? Here are the default permissions...

Also be sure of the path,Macintosh HD/System/Library/SystemConfiguration.

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Answer 4

snkhan Author

Level 3

677 points

Oct 31, 2011 11:50 PM in response to macjack

Hi,

The SystemConfiguration file exists; it is the Boot.plist which I cannot find at either location (in System/SystemConfiguration OR at Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/com.apple.Boot.plist). Apparently, the boot.plist is only created when it is needed - as I have just done an Erase and Install of Lion, I suspect that is why it does not exist.

I have created a blank plist file as above as suggested, but I am unsure as to whether the file is actually being used. This is because the system is not reverting the WOL facility as it was in Snow Leopard.

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Answer 5

macjack

Level 10

111,242 points

Nov 1, 2011 7:50 AM in response to snkhan

Why not clone over to another drive and experiment?

And keep an eye on the folder in your primary system to see when it is created.

I don't run default Apple apps, plus MS Office and Adobe Creative Suite.

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