Replace osx on imac with linux

[computerguybry]

I have 4 older imacs that will not update to High Sierra. Is it possible to replace the osx with a linux distro?

I would prefer linux mint or ubuntu over osx.

Which is the best way to proceed?

Thanks

[computerguybry]

Lots of mac guys saying it isn't possible.

[Joe2Shoe]

Download a LM .iso and give it a try.

[computerguybry]

Do i need to flash a drive with Etcher?

Thanks

[Joe2Shoe]

Use whatever app is available on the imac to "burn" the .iso to the USB flash drive. Do not just copy it to the USB drive.
If that fails, use a Windows or Linux PC to burn the .iso.

[CaptainKirksChair]

Here is my system:

Code: Select all

System:    Host: Linux-iMac Kernel: 4.15.0-33-generic x86_64 bits: 64 gcc: 7.3.0
           Desktop: Cinnamon 3.8.8 (Gtk 3.22.30-1ubuntu1) Distro: Linux Mint 19 Tara
Machine:   Device: desktop System: Apple product: iMac9 1 v: 1.0 serial: N/A
           Mobo: Apple model: Mac-F2218EA9 serial: N/A UEFI: Apple v: IM91.88Z.008D.B08.0904271717 date: 04/27/09
Battery    hidpp__0: charge: 95% condition: NA/NA Wh model: Logitech M705 status: Discharging
CPU:       Dual core Intel Core2 Duo E8135 (-MCP-) arch: Penryn rev.10 cache: 6144 KB
           flags: (lm nx sse sse2 sse3 sse4_1 ssse3 vmx) bmips: 10612
           clock speeds: max: 2660 MHz 1: 2094 MHz 2: 2033 MHz
Graphics:  Card: NVIDIA C79 [GeForce 9400] bus-ID: 03:00.0
           Display Server: x11 (X.Org 1.19.6 ) drivers: nouveau (unloaded: modesetting,fbdev,vesa)
           Resolution: 1680x1050@60.00hz
           OpenGL: renderer: NVAC version: 3.3 Mesa 18.0.5 Direct Render: Yes
Audio:     Card NVIDIA MCP79 High Definition Audio driver: snd_hda_intel bus-ID: 00:08.0
           Sound: Advanced Linux Sound Architecture v: k4.15.0-33-generic
Network:   Card-1: NVIDIA MCP79 Ethernet driver: forcedeth port: 21e0 bus-ID: 00:0a.0
           IF: enp0s10 state: down mac: <filter>
           Card-2: Broadcom Limited BCM4322 802.11a/b/g/n Wireless LAN Controller driver: wl bus-ID: 04:00.0
           IF: wlp4s0 state: up mac: <filter>
Drives:    HDD Total Size: 320.1GB (49.4% used)
           ID-1: /dev/sda model: WDC_WD3200AAJS size: 320.1GB
Partition: ID-1: / size: 38G used: 8.7G (25%) fs: ext4 dev: /dev/sda2
           ID-2: /home size: 239G used: 123G (55%) fs: ext4 dev: /dev/sda6
           ID-3: swap-1 size: 17.83GB used: 0.00GB (0%) fs: swap dev: /dev/sda7
RAID:      No RAID devices: /proc/mdstat, md_mod kernel module present
Sensors:   System Temperatures: cpu: 43.0C mobo: N/A gpu: 66.0
           Fan Speeds (in rpm): cpu: 1196
Info:      Processes: 211 Uptime: 23:32 Memory: 1262.3/7721.9MB Init: systemd runlevel: 5 Gcc sys: 7.3.0
           Client: Shell (bash 4.4.191) inxi: 2.3.56

You will notice that I have an iMac 9.1 running Mint 19.0 Cinnamon. I was running Mint 18.x Cinnamon before that. Any MacNoid FanBoy that tells you it's impossible to run Linux on your Mac computers is full of taurus fimus. Build a LiveUSB with Mint 19 (whichever DE you prefer) and boot to it. You'll have to hold down the Alt key when you hear the Mac startup sound so you can choose your boot media. When you boot into Mint give it a test drive and see how you like it. If you want to install, I recommend partitioning your hard drive into Root, Home, and Swap partitions. Here's my desktop:



I use Cairo-Dock with the Alu theme for the bottom dock and moved the Cinnamon panel to the top. I am not wedded to macOS and their planned obsolescence. Mint is better, and you will be happier for making the move. By the way, this iMac is my daily driver. Holler if you need help with the install.

[computerguybry]

I loaded 32 bit ubuntu flashed with etcher on 8 gb flash drive. Then restarted holding alt but only had choice of hard drive and recovery.

[computerguybry]

I need to inialize drive. Which format should i use? And which scheme - GUID Partition map, master boot record, or apple partition map??

Then do i use etcher??

Thanks

[computerguybry]

I'm downloading linuxmint 19 cinnamon 32 bit iso. How do i convert the iso to dmg?

Thanks

[ineuw]

I am also using Linux Mint 18.3 (US-En) on a Macbook 3.1 (circa 2007) with Intel duo-processor 64bit and 4gb of ram. It runs like a charm I just don't like the Apple keyboard, so I carry a light full sized 104 key keyboard and a mouse. To install, all you need is to boot from the Linux 64bit on a USB drive and the rest is taken care by the LM installer. If you have a question, just get in touch with me.
PS. I replaced their drive with a 120GB SSD.

[Tomgin5]

Curiosity! Why are you using32 bit LM ISO on the iMac? I have installed nothing but 64 bit in apples for the last 2 years, 4 in MacBook 2.0' from the 2005. All with Cinnamon and up to 19. The older ones I had to remove the drives and boot them into the initial install on a Toshiba or Acer. I also usually made sure they had at least 4 GB RAM. Once I put the HDD or SSD back into the apple I did the myrid 115 updates and upgrades. Everything always worked except the webcams in the MacBook 2.0. External cams worked fine.

[computerguybry]

Just tried the lowest denominator. I will switch to 64 bit. Thanks much.

I have questions about the process. If you read my previous, you will see what is not working. I have a pretty full day but if you write an outline of steps, i will try it.

Thanks much!!!

[computerguybry]

I used Rufus to burn linux 19 64bit to 8 gb flash drive using Dell windows 10.

Then alt option start on iMac. I see the drive option as EFI Boot.

Then 4 options:
Start linux... did nothing
Start compatibility mode which ran some code before stopping

OEM install didn't work
Check integritity which did nothing

So no luck

[computerguybry]

The flash drive compatibility mode worked on a 24 inch imac.

Yeah. I am installing it now - exclusively.

[computerguybry]

I have two 20 in iMacs that do not show the same flash drive linux 19 i installed easily on 24 inch iMac.

They are each running El Capitan.

Any suggestions?

[CaptainKirksChair]

We're going to need a bit more info on these computers. So any specifications you can give us will be helpful. Model, version, pretty much anything to let us know what hardware you have. Mint 19 64-bit should work fine on any Mac.

Are you using a wireless keyboard or a standard 104 key non-Mac keyboard? Lose the Mac keyboard because they're useless. Make sure you're using a wired USB keyboard. Insert the LiveUSB with Mint and start the computer. When you hear the startup sound, press and hold the Alt key until you see the boot options. If you only have a wireless keyboard, wait until the startup sound ends completely then press and hold the Alt key. It's best to use a wired keyboard.

The recommendation is to use a GPT partition table. If these all have macOS on them then the HD was partitioned as GPT and there should be an EFI partition at the beginning of the drive and a recovery partition at the end. Leave those two alone because you will need them. When you boot into the Mint LiveUSB, open Gparted and remove the macOS partition in between the EFI and recovery partitions. Then add your Mint partitions to that blank space. Root, Home, and Swap -- trust me, you want to do this. The default size for an iMac HD is 320GB. If that's what these computers have, set your Root partition to about 40-50GB, your Swap partition to the size of your RAM, and the Home partition to the remainder of the drive. Remember, Root first, Home second, Swap third. When you install Mint, choose the Something Else option and set the Root and Home partitions to the EXT4 file system. Swap is just swap. At the bottom of the partition screen while installing, you will see a choice for where the boot loader is installed. Choose the EFI partition. Then continue and you should be good to go.

[Pierre]

So. i'm of the impression that to don't use the standard LM ISO on a iMac,
but rather some form of hybrid ISO that is only used on iMac - - maybe that was for a MacBook Pro ?.

[ineuw]

So. i'm of the impression that to don't use the standard LM ISO on a iMac,
but rather some form of hybrid ISO that is only used on iMac - - maybe that was for a MacBook Pro ?.

Wrong impression. The LM Live USB key offers legacy and EFI booting and the installation is designed satisfy every boot configuration. With Apple products
always select EFI and GPT. Don't use 32 or 64bit legacy. And, to reiterate what @CaptainKirksChair wrote, we must know the models, and year of make along with any information you can provide, like a url where we can look at the system specs. I noticed that you are in Australia, and this may make some difference as well. See if this applies to you https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple%27s ... processors

[CaptainKirksChair]

So. i'm of the impression that to don't use the standard LM ISO on a iMac, but rather some form of hybrid ISO that is only used on iMac - - maybe that was for a MacBook Pro ?

I've booted LiveUSBs of Mint 17.3 (various DEs) all the way up to Mint 19.x on a Macbook Pro and an iMac. No problems, no faults. Worked fine. The Macbook Pro was a 5.2 and my iMac is a 9.1 so the spread of versions is fairly standard. Unless the OP's computers are extremely old, no recent version of Mint should cause a problem.

[ineuw]

I don't know if this will help you, but I found out the hard way that Linux Mint 18.3 and 19 no longer work on old Macbook laptops (~2006-08) because there is no video support (in my case). Linux Mint 17.3 works well, with some minor glitches with theme colors.

As for creating a USB ISO drive, I used "Etcher" in Windows, and it is also also available in Linux. ISO's I create in Windows 10, either with Etcher or Rufus I compared the results between Rufus and Etcher they were identical and both worked.

I hope this helps.