Working 18.2 (Sonya) Live Cinnamon session on a Macbook Pro 2012

Write tutorials for Linux Mint here
More tutorials on https://github.com/orgs/linuxmint/discu ... /tutorials and (archive) on https://community.linuxmint.com/tutorial
Forum rules
Don't add support questions to tutorials; start your own topic in the appropriate sub-forum instead. Before you post read forum rules
Post Reply
JohnLittle
Level 1
Level 1
Posts: 4
Joined: Sun Oct 08, 2017 3:40 am

Working 18.2 (Sonya) Live Cinnamon session on a Macbook Pro 2012

Post by JohnLittle »

Hello,

After having spent ages getting nothing but a black screen, I found a simple solution that seems to have fixed the problem.

* On Windows, make a bootable flash drive with rufus http://rufus.akeo.ie/ and the 64 bit version of the Cinnamon ISO from https://www.linuxmint.com/download.php
* Power-up the MBP while holding the left alt key
* Boot from the flash drive
* Use the first option in the GRUB menu
* When you get to a black screen and hear the welcome sound, press fn+ctr+alt+F1 (console) then fn+ctrl+alt+F7 (X)

You now have a working live session to play with!

It took me far too long to get to this point, so I thought I'd write about it.

You can determine your exact macbook model using the following command:

sudo dmidecode -s system-product-name

Mine reports:
MacBookPro6,2

My specs:

Code: Select all

System:    Host: mint Kernel: 4.8.0-53-generic x86_64 (64 bit gcc: 5.4.0)
           Desktop: Cinnamon 3.4.3 (Gtk 3.18.9-1ubuntu3.3) dm: lightdm Distro: Linux Mint 18.2 Sonya
Machine:   System: Apple product: MacBookPro6 2 v: 1.0 Chassis: type: 10 v: Mac-F22586C8
           Mobo: Apple model: Mac-F22586C8 v: MacBookPro6 2
           Bios: Apple v: MBP61.88Z.0057.B0F.1112091028 date: 12/09/11
CPU:       Dual core Intel Core i7 M 620 (-HT-MCP-) cache: 4096 KB
           flags: (lm nx sse sse2 sse3 sse4_1 sse4_2 ssse3 vmx) bmips: 10640
           clock speeds: min/max: 1197/2661 MHz 1: 1995 MHz 2: 1596 MHz 3: 1330 MHz 4: 1729 MHz
Graphics:  Card-1: Intel Core Processor Integrated Graphics Controller bus-ID: 00:02.0 chip-ID: 8086:0046
           Card-2: NVIDIA GT216M [GeForce GT 330M] bus-ID: 01:00.0 chip-ID: 10de:0a29
           Display Server: X.Org 1.18.4 drivers: nouveau (unloaded: fbdev,vesa) FAILED: intel
           Resolution: 1440x900@59.90hz, 1440x900@59.90hz
           GLX Renderer: Gallium 0.4 on NVA5 GLX Version: 3.0 Mesa 12.0.6 Direct Rendering: Yes
Audio:     Card-1 Intel 5 Series/3400 Series High Definition Audio
           driver: snd_hda_intel bus-ID: 00:1b.0 chip-ID: 8086:3b56
           Card-2 NVIDIA GT216 HDMI Audio Controller
           driver: snd_hda_intel bus-ID: 01:00.1 chip-ID: 10de:0be2
           Sound: Advanced Linux Sound Architecture v: k4.8.0-53-generic
Network:   Card-1: Broadcom NetXtreme BCM5764M Gigabit Ethernet PCIe
           driver: tg3 v: 3.137 bus-ID: 02:00.0 chip-ID: 14e4:1684
           IF: enp2s0 state: down mac: <filter>
           Card-2: Broadcom BCM43224 802.11a/b/g/n
           driver: bcma-pci-bridge bus-ID: 03:00.0 chip-ID: 14e4:4353
           IF: wlp3s0b1 state: up mac: <filter>
Drives:    HDD Total Size: 48.1GB (11.7% used)
           ID-1: /dev/sda model: SanDisk_SDSSDRC0 size: 32.0GB serial: 124185402068 temp: 0C
           ID-2: USB /dev/sdc model: USB_DISK size: 16.0GB serial: AA00000000008566-0:0 temp: 0C
Partition: ID-1: swap-1 size: 4.15GB used: 0.01GB (0%) fs: swap dev: /dev/dm-2
RAID:      System: supported: N/A
           No RAID devices: /proc/mdstat, md_mod kernel module present
           Unused Devices: none
Sensors:   System Temperatures: cpu: 68.0C mobo: N/A gpu: 67.0
           Fan Speeds (in rpm): cpu: N/A
Repos:     Active apt sources in file: /etc/apt/sources.list
           deb cdrom:[Linux Mint 18.2 _Sonya_ - Release amd64 20170628]/ xenial contrib main non-free
           Active apt sources in file: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/official-package-repositories.list
           deb http: //packages.linuxmint.com sonya main upstream import backport #id:linuxmint_main
           deb http: //archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu xenial main restricted universe multiverse
           deb http: //archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu xenial-updates main restricted universe multiverse
           deb http: //archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu xenial-backports main restricted universe multiverse
           deb http: //security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ xenial-security main restricted universe multiverse
           deb http: //archive.canonical.com/ubuntu/ xenial partner
Info:      Processes: 224 Uptime: 29 min Memory: 1226.7/3813.5MB
           Init: systemd v: 229 runlevel: 5 default: 2 Gcc sys: 5.4.0
           Client: Unknown python2.7 client inxi: 2.2.35
Last edited by Moem on Sun Sep 16, 2018 7:48 am, edited 2 times in total.
Reason: Adding [code] tags. They retain some formatting that makes your output easier to read.
JohnLittle
Level 1
Level 1
Posts: 4
Joined: Sun Oct 08, 2017 3:40 am

Re: Working 18.2 (Sonya) Live Cinnamon session on a Macbook Pro 2012

Post by JohnLittle »

EDIT New bodge that works better than the previous bodge quoted at the end. New bodge also works with Sylvia (18.3)

As per https://askubuntu.com/questions/149921/ ... y-to-grub2 -- I added the following four lines to my /etc/grub.d/00_header (after the line that reads: set gfxmode=${GRUB_GFXMODE} ):

Code: Select all

outb 0x728 1
outb 0x710 2
outb 0x740 2
outb 0x750 0
then update-grub, reboot and you should be good to go. This seems to have fixed the random lock-ups where mouse clicks wouldn't do anything upon booting (but mouse pointer moves and keyboard works) but the following issues remain:
  • When switching the laptop on, it can take up to 30s between the white screen / grinding gears noises from the dvd, and the prompt for the encrypted drive password.
  • Suspend works but wireless can take some time (10-20s?) before reconnecting.
Be patient! Otherwise, the laptop works pretty well.

For reference, old bodge below:
Mega bodge ahead (this works for me).

I installed Mint as the sole operating system on my MBP, and am using the nouveau driver with full disk encryption and automatic login (should be safe enough).

Out of the box, you can still do the fn+ctrl+alt+F1, fn+ctrl+alt+F7 trick to wake X up, and that got me thinking...

Let's write a startup script that does it for us:

Code: Select all

#!/bin/sh

xset dpms force off
sleep .5
xset dpms force on
chmod 700, then make it a startup app (Startup Applications, Add, Custom commands).
(Still) no fix for cutting my wrists on the bottom edge though... I must be holding it wrong :-(
Last edited by JohnLittle on Sat Apr 21, 2018 9:42 am, edited 1 time in total.
Johnsmith001

Re: Working 18.2 (Sonya) Live Cinnamon session on a Macbook Pro 2012

Post by Johnsmith001 »

JohnLittle wrote:Mega bodge ahead (this works for me).

I installed Mint as the sole operating system on my MBP, and am using the nouveau driver with full disk encryption and automatic login (should be safe enough).

Out of the box, you can still do the fn+ctrl+alt+F1, fn+ctrl+alt+F7 trick to wake X up, and that got me thinking...

Let's write a startup script that does it for us:

Code: Select all

#!/bin/sh

xset dpms force off
sleep .5
xset dpms force on
chmod 700, then make it a startup app (Startup Applications, Add, Custom commands).

No fix for cutting my wrists on the bottom edge though... I must be holding it wrong :-(
I could be something in your encryption method or protocol you are using? here is guide i have found, if you require. https://www.beencrypted.com/how-to-encr ... -in-linux/
JohnLittle
Level 1
Level 1
Posts: 4
Joined: Sun Oct 08, 2017 3:40 am

Re: Working 18.2 (Sonya) Live Cinnamon session on a Macbook Pro 2012

Post by JohnLittle »

Internal microphone needs a bit of help to work... I noticed skype wasn't picking it up.

TLDR: Add the following line to the end of /etc/modprobe.d/alsa-base.conf and reboot:

Code: Select all

options snd-hda-intel model=mbp55
Would love it if someone could confirm that.

I basically followed https://doc.ubuntu-fr.org/audio_intel_hda:

Code: Select all

cat /proc/asound/pcm
00-00: CS4206 Analog : CS4206 Analog : playback 1 : capture 1
00-01: CS4206 Digital : CS4206 Digital : playback 1
Then

Code: Select all

zless /usr/share/doc/alsa-base/driver/HD-Audio-Models.txt.gz
leads to this interesting section:
Cirrus Logic CS4206/4207
========================
mbp55 MacBook Pro 5,5
imac27 IMac 27 Inch
auto BIOS setup (default)
mbp55 seems to be the right choice for my MacBookPro6,2
JohnLittle
Level 1
Level 1
Posts: 4
Joined: Sun Oct 08, 2017 3:40 am

Re: Working 18.2 (Sonya) Live Cinnamon session on a Macbook Pro 2012

Post by JohnLittle »

Regarding WiFi taking ages to come on after a suspend...

If you issue this command:

Code: Select all

sudo systemctl restart network-manager.service
... the network manager connects WiFi without any delay after the laptop is waken-up!

I can live with that for now :)

If you think there's a way to debug this, let me know what logs you want to see before and after the command above is issued and hopefully we can get this fixed.

Cheers,
John
Post Reply

Return to “Tutorials”