OSX broke after trying to change mach_kernel

oneshot · #1 03-29-2009, 06:40 AM

Well I became impatient and thought that a file I had was voodoo. So I replaced my current Mach_Kernel with the file that I thought was voodoo but I guess it wasn't....

ANYWAYS now when I start up OSX86, my screen just flashes before it even goes through any of the "code" stuff and restarts....

Am I completely screwed or is there any way to fix it... =/

cmdshft · #2 03-29-2009, 06:52 AM

Depends. What distro did you use and did it offer a option for kernel installation? If so, only install the kernel OR you could copy the kernel that boots your installation disc right to your startup disk.

Boot the DVD to the installer, then run terminal.app. It's under Utilities in the installer menubar.

cp /mach_kernel /Volumes/<startup disk name>

Example: cp /mach_kernel /Volumes/iMac

If your startup disk has a space in it's name, it's as follows:

cp /mach_kernel /Volumes/Macintosh\ HD

Also, I would suggest that when you first start terminal, you do the following:

ls /

This will show you a list of all the files in the root of the DVD filesystem. This way you know exactly the name of your kernel (some install DVD's have things like mach_kernel.voodoo as the kernel name). If the name is not mach_kernel, then just use the right name and it will most likely work and allow you to boot your system again.

oneshot · #3 03-30-2009, 06:17 AM

Thank you for the detailed walkthrough.

I did all the steps and this is what I got?

I started up my HD and its doing the same thing. Did I do something wrong?

I am very greatfull for the support so far

erick2red · #4 03-30-2009, 01:20 PM

read carefully he says:

Code:

cp /mach_kernel /Volumes/<startup_disk_name>/

where <startup_disk_name> it's the name of the startup disk of your system.

lanceomni · #5 03-30-2009, 04:27 PM

You may also use quotes around names with spaces.

/"Folder with space"/file.txt
Is equal to this
/Folder\ with\ space/file.txt

When you do get back up and running I would recommend making a backup copy of the kernel that works so that in the case that this happens again you can boot using the option -v mach_kernel.backup to load the original

Code:

cp -R /mach_kernel /mach_kernel.backup

oneshot · #6 03-31-2009, 02:49 AM

@eric2red

I'm not seeing what I did wrong?

Isn't my startup disk what I named my Hardrive?

erick2red · #7 03-31-2009, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oneshot

@eric2red

I'm not seeing what I did wrong?

Isn't my startup disk what I named my Hardrive?

your missing some space after "/mach_kernel" you must write

Code:

cp /mach_kernel /Volumes/OSX\ HD/
cd /Volumes/OSX\ HD/
chmod 644 mach_kernel
chown 0:0 mach_kernel

oneshot · #8 04-01-2009, 09:16 AM

Oh my god thank you soooo much! Now my system actually loads. BUT It's stalling at this part and won't boot any further.

I have no idea what USBF is? My guess is it has to do with my USB er something but Idk whats up with it?

erick2red · #9 04-01-2009, 01:16 PM

try booting with "-x" (safe boot), so u can see if it really boot.
And i see in your screenshot something message about PS2Nub kext, so if you have both mouse and keyboard through usb ports, then i think u can erase that kext, just to fix issues.

oneshot · #10 04-02-2009, 06:10 AM

the booting with -x didn't change anything. same exact screen.

any other ideas?