Q: Upgrading to Mountain Lion
Hi,
I have searched several places where there are similar discussions but most of them are on high level hardware requirements. It seems that there is a kernel issue due to which I cannot upgrade - so please help me figure out 2 key questions with regards to upgrading.
My system's hardware and software details are as follows:
Hardware Overview:
Model Name: MacBook
Model Identifier: MacBook3,1
Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo
Processor Speed: 2 GHz
Number Of Processors: 1
Total Number Of Cores: 2
L2 Cache: 4 MB
Memory: 2 GB
Bus Speed: 800 MHz
Software Overview:
System Version: Mac OS X 10.6.8 (10K549)
Kernel Version: Darwin 10.8.0
Boot Volume: Big Brain
Boot Mode: Normal
64-bit Kernel and Extensions: No
From this kb support article, I have a 64 bit processor;
I am running Mac OS X 10.6.8 and majority of the extensions under my software menu are 'yes' - meaning my kernel is compatible to a 64-bit mode, but is currently running in 32-bit mode.
Following this kb advice, I switched my kernel architecture to 64-bit through terminal. But on checking again, it really offers only 32-bit mode (I386 i386)
See Terminal script:
Marceau-2:~ Bee$ sudo systemsetup -setkernelbootarchitecture x86_64
setting kernel architecture to: x86_64
changes to kernel architecture have been saved.
Marceau-2:~ Bee$ uname -a
Darwin Marceau-2.local 10.8.0 Darwin Kernel Version 10.8.0: Tue Jun 7 16:33:36 PDT 2011; root:xnu-1504.15.3~1/RELEASE_I386 i386
Marceau-2:~ Bee$
Is there a way to switch my kernel architecture to 64-bit so that I can upgrade to OS X 10.7 and then to Mountain Lion? I went to the apple store in person, but the staff wasn't able to help. I am a big fan of my Macbook 3.1 and want to be able to upgrade its OS alongwith understanding how it works - I would very much appreciate if you could point me in the right direction:
- From this ars technica article, it seems the key challenge is overcoming the hurdle of kernel not being 64-bit; so how can I make my kernel compatible or upgrade it?
- Once I have done that, I plan to upgrade RAM to 4GB so that I can run Mountain Lion. Is that the only hardware upgrade I require?
Thank you very much in advance!
Message was edited by: Lyra_real
MacBook, Mac OS X (10.6.8), Kernel 64bit, 2 GB RAM
Posted on Aug 9, 2013 6:19 AM
Neither will you be able to upgrade to Lion .
Both Operating Systems are made to go with an Intel based machine, Intel being a development which is necessary for both these systems, but which cannot be incorporated into the machine you have.
Lyra, truth is, your Mac belongs to the past and for Mountain Lion you will have to buy a more modern machine. On the brighter side, 10.6.8 is an excellent system and I for one am going to hang onto it as long as I can.
Posted on Aug 9, 2013 7:58 AM