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[Guide] Dell XPS 15 L502X (Early 2011) Snow Leopard Install (possibly L702x too)

wen1

By wen1,
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DoiX
DoiX
Posted
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A great suggestion is exactly on the first page of this thread :)

 

 

Update: Here's a diff kext for the keyboard, it will allow you to assign new functions to the fn + f3 keys and the 3 touch keys. These keys are configured to use the numeric keypad (not found on our laptops) so if you use an usb keyboard and you assign custom events using Better Touch Tool you will trigger them using the 4 6 8 num pad keys.

 

Archive.zip

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sheyac
sheyac
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Posted

Have you guys managed to get sleep working? I'm on bios A07, using chimera 1.7, use the patched AICPU from v6 and the Nvidia-off DSDT, have deleted NullCPUPM as well. Going into sleep works fine, but waking doesn't. Just hangs on black screen (no audio or anything).

 

Also I still can't find out why i can't get a boot theme (there is only org.chameleon.boot.plist in Extra directory - nothing else anywhere, not even com.apple.boot.plist).

 

Edit: Turned out my active partition was Windows not OS X. After setting the active partition to OS X the theme came up as well as all the modules loading (they weren't before).

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birdibird
birdibird
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Posted

Ok thanks. I'm just crippled with the lack of wifi. Does anyone have any recommendations for the best mini-WLAN card to fit?

 

I bought a cheap Medion P89081 (MD 86498) wlan-n nano usb-dongle.

It works perfectly with the official Realtek RTL8192CU 10.7 Lion drivers from their website :thumbsup_anim:

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Monkeys
Monkeys
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@Doix - Hmm, those kexts are giving me kernel panics, So I can't boot. The KP is a random one, not pointing to either of the kexts in most cases. Has anyone else tried the new PS2 kexts? I'm on 10.7.3 so that could be the reason?

 

Also, it could just be me. But I am noticing some rather strange behavior on my setup. I think it has something to do with my kext cache. Sometimes, after replacing a kext which is giving me errors (which I do via macdrive in windows), then booting with -f to ignore caches, I get stuck on the 'still waiting for root device' error on startup. But then if I boot without -f and just use -v, I observe it reading the kexts upon startup, then it will boot correctly.

 

To my understanding, -f should just manually read all the kexts, and if they are working corretly, the device should boot. But this doesn't seem to be the case.

 

Anyone observed this sort of behavior before? After entering the OS and rebuilding caches with kext wizard the OS will boot normally, but it just wont with -f? Very strange..

 

Also Doix, are the PS2 kexts you edited compatible with VoodooPS2Trackpad? As although I would like to have the extra keys to assign functions to. I would prefer to use the Voodoo trackpad kext, as I find it more suitable. Also I previously had issues with waking from sleep with the ApplePS2 kexts.

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Monkeys
Monkeys
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@Doix - Also have you given any effort to modifying the DSDT to fix the audio and add the codec id's etc for the Audio kext and enabling the HD audio via a dsdt mod? I realize that it is not really necessary, but it could improve the audio performance. I notice that there is a very slight lag when initiating audio (ie when pressing the volume buttons) after it has been idle for some time. This behaviour does not occur on a real mac. I have read that injecting the audio values by DSDT yields a better working audio setup, than by using a legacy kext and/or modified AppleHDA. Also then the modified Audio kexts would not be required, as the information would be injected via DSDT.

 

There is a decent set of instructions for doing this in posts 24-25 of this thread: http://osx86.co/f36/various-dsdt-mods-t1960/page3.html

 

Also, a very minor issue is the brightness. It would be nice to have it functioning as it does in windows. With the minimum and maximum settings available right after boot. I find that after sleeping the display, the minimum brightness is no longer 'dark' enough for night operation. I think there is information on that in the link provided as well.

 

I realize that I am 'plucking at straws' but with more and more issues being resolved, I figure it is worth pointing out things that can still be improved upon with this machine.

 

I will have a look at the DSDT mod for the audio and brightness later tonigh when I have time, but I am an amateur at best when it comes to DSDT modding. I figure that you will be able to resolve these issues with far less effort than I will :wink2:

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DoiX
DoiX
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KP seem to happen when you boot in verbose mode. Weird.

 

I can't enable audio only with DSDT, it requires binary patching and the "lag" is present on almost all non natively working audio chips.

 

Brightness thing won't happen, the values are stored in the driver, virtually, not in the acpi.

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hanthor
hanthor
Posted
Posted

Ok, im a newbie. I was getting still waiting on root device right after the NIC when trying to boot from USB to install. So that i add -f and cpus=1 to the boot options and not it runs out a ramdisk space? and fails too load the voodoops2 trackpad kexts. So the trackpad od mouse does not work even though now I can get to the welcom page. Should there be issues if i can boot from the ISB with rBoot?

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maxey
maxey
Posted
Posted

Thanks, with your help and the great support of Rockball73 i managed to install it!

However the

 

 

kernel[0]: AppleIntelCPUPowerManagement: Turbo Ratios <number>

kernel[0]: AppleIntelCPUPowerManagement: initialization complete

kernel[0]: AppleIntelCPUPowerManagementClient: ready

 

It doesnt show when i boot up with -v . Wrong installation of speedstepper?

Somehow i dont really understand the installation routine of speedstepper. I installed with your package the speedstepper packages which you provided (the 3TS_SSDT.aml.zip and the needed speedstepper file...dont remember the name sorry, i am on my windows os right now for the internet) and then i ran the kext wizard. Then i started the speedstepper speed_stepper_lion_gm.zip

. It shows me a console and says done or something like that and i closed it again. Should i rerun the kext wizard?

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Monkeys
Monkeys
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@Doix - Ah I see, I forgot about the binary patching.. Well I did edit the DSDT successfully to inject the codec id and pin configurations, which means that you don't need the ALC 665 kext for audio to work. However it did not fix the 'lag' and it also made the heavy bass issue on the internal speaker worse =( Oh well, it was worth a try I guess..

 

On that note, could someone who has successfully fixed the 'heavy bass' problem on the internal speaker by removing the 'signal processing' node in the ALC 665 kext. Please post their kext here? I have tried to remove the node using plist edit pro, however it produces an unworking kext?

 

And is the brightness definitely not possible to be changed? What about the _BCM values in the dsdt? Could they be changed to have an effect on the brightness? Perhaps the max and minimum values can be changed?

 

 

 

@ Maxey - You need to remove the NullCPUPowerManagement kext from SLE, and repair caches with kext wizard.

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maxey
maxey
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Posted

@Doix - Ah I see, I forgot about the binary patching.. Well I did edit the DSDT successfully to inject the codec id and pin configurations, which means that you don't need the ALC 665 kext for audio to work. However it did not fix the 'lag' and it also made the heavy bass issue on the internal speaker worse =( Oh well, it was worth a try I guess..

 

On that note, could someone who has successfully fixed the 'heavy bass' problem on the internal speaker by removing the 'signal processing' node in the ALC 665 kext. Please post their kext here? I have tried to remove the node using plist edit pro, however it produces an unworking kext?

 

And is the brightness definitely not possible to be changed? What about the _BCM values in the dsdt? Could they be changed to have an effect on the brightness? Perhaps the max and minimum values can be changed?

 

 

 

@ Maxey - You need to remove the NullCPUPowerManagement kext from SLE, and repair caches with kext wizard.

 

Upgraded to 10.7.2 , reinstalled the package of doix , including the changed files for speedstep,deleted nullcpu ,reran kext wizard.still not showing the desired lines .

Ran geekbench,only having ~ 7900 with the i7-2720qm and 8gb of ram.normal? I did let it run several times

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Monkeys
Monkeys
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@ Maxey - Have you got turbo mode enabled in your bios? Also perhaps try the '9 states' SSDT, some people have had issues with the 3 state one. Also check with msrdumper what multipliers are being reached. The line for turbo ratios - number is not always displayed in the console log.

 

 

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DoiX
DoiX
Posted
Posted

1.The ALC665 kext is a simple injector that injects in applehda pathmaps and reff nodes, you still need it, or you can merge it with AppleHDA it doesn't matter.

 

2. No, it would mess other functions that call it, i told you.. it's a driver implementation not ACPI one. At least for this laptop model.

 

 

       Device (PNLF)
       {
           Name (_HID, EisaId ("APP0002"))
           Name (_CID, "backlight")
           Name (_UID, 0x0A)
           Name (_STA, 0x0B)
       }

 

This dictates the kext AppleBacklightDisplay to load for that device.

 

BRTN should control birghtness but it's not working, a huge chunk of our DSDT isn't being used by OS X because it doesn't fit the drivers...

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Rockball73
Rockball73
Posted
Posted

Thanks, with your help and the great support of Rockball73 i managed to install it!

However the

 

It doesnt show when i boot up with -v . Wrong installation of speedstepper?

Somehow i dont really understand the installation routine of speedstepper. I installed with your package the speedstepper packages which you provided (the 3TS_SSDT.aml.zip and the needed speedstepper file...dont remember the name sorry, i am on my windows os right now for the internet) and then i ran the kext wizard. Then i started the speedstepper speed_stepper_lion_gm.zip

. It shows me a console and says done or something like that and i closed it again. Should i rerun the kext wizard?

 

To have SpeedStepper working :

  • Download speedstepper (DoiX gave a link on page 6) ;
  • Extract it on your desktop (easier) ;
  • Open the Terminal and type the following :

sudo DRAG YOUR SPEED_STEPPER_LION_GM FILE HERE System/Library/Extensions/AppleIntelCPUPowerManagement.kext/Contents/MacOS/AppleIntelCPUPowerManagement

 

NB: Notice you have to put a space after the sudo command and after you dragged your speestepper file in the terminal window.

  • Delete the NullCPUPowerManagement.kext file in S/L/E and also the SleepEnabler.kext file (in S/L/E and/or E/E) ;
  • Update cache and repair permissions ;

To test if SpeedStepper is working :

  • Open the Terminal ;
  • type the following :

sudo kextload DRAG YOUR MSRDUMPER.KEXT FILE HERE

 

NB: Notice you have to put a space after the sudo kextload command and after you dragged your MSRDumper file in the terminal window.

  • If you see more than 8 and XX values, SpeedStepper is working :)

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Monkeys
Monkeys
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Posted

@DoiX - Have you read this thread?

 

http://bbs.pcbeta.co...914788-1-1.html

 

It's about the l501x and is in Chinese, but there is some good information there, although it is a bit hard to decipher at times.. There is a kext there (ACPIBacklight) which could be helpful with the backlight issue (or it may not as it is slightly different hardware). I tried it on my setup, and it does load properly, but does not allow backlight control, however that could be due to the required DSDT modifications, which I couldn't seem to follow.. Perhaps you can?

 

There is also some information there about patching the 10.7.2 version of AppleHDA, which could be of some use?

 

I did manage to extract one very useful piece of information on there. The app 'antipop' stops the 'lag' and also the occasional popping that you get with the modified AppleHDA. it does this by preventing the audio device from sleeping, which is why the lag occurs after it has been idle for some time (over 15 seconds I think). It works well and i haven't noticed any other issues caused by it. Battery life still seems just as good, sleep works, and geekbench scores are just as high :afro:

 

Try it out here:

 

https://rapidshare.c...tipop-1.0.2.dmg

 

Once again, thank you for all of you hard work and continued efforts!

 

EDIT - Damn, upon further inspection, it would appear that antipop does infact prevent sleep... Such a shame! Perhaps there is some way of forcing OSX to 'ignore' the antipop process, so that it doesn't prevent sleep?

 

It is much nicer to use, as all sounds occur at the time that they should, rather than after a small delay..

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Monkeys
Monkeys
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Posted

It appears that the 'lag' in the audio is actually a feature built into mac osx and occurs on real MBP's too. Apparently it was introduced in 10.6 as a power saving feature.. Although the sound card really doesn't use much power when it's idle, so I have no idea why apple would think of doing this..

 

Apparently replacing the AppleHDA kext with one from 10.5.6 might help to fix the problem? Read here if interested:

 

http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13727_7-10329956-263.html

 

It would really be great if we could fix this issue, as for me it just makes the whole experience that bit more enjoyable, to have system sounds occur instantly when they should..

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calreyru1978
calreyru1978
Posted
Posted

Hi!!

 

CPU: i7-2670QM

GPU: Nvidia GT 540M de 2GB

RAM: 8GB

Monitor: 1366x768

 

Two weeks old

 

I have been trying to install following the guide written by Akennedy_4 but I have not made osx work.

 

I’m going to try if can make it work with it, despite basically is the same.

 

 

Post Lion Install:

L502x V6 - autoinstall kext pack (audio,trackpad,battery,cpu temperature detection,DSDT,SSDT,applications, patched AICPUPM, system definitions)

 

If you have the FHD Display, your screen will be fuzzy and pinkish.. you just have to get pass the set up screen so you can get to the desktop and install(copy to /Extra folder) the proper patch. It is located in the auto installer L502x-Lion_v6 > IMPORTANT!Boot.plist > FOR OTHER SCREENS!. Select it.

 

If you have the normal HD Display, you can find the right patch in L502x-Lion_v6 > IMPORTANT!Boot.plist > ONLY FOR 1920x1080 SCREENS!.

 

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

 

1) As my screen is 1366x768 I have to choose the IMPORTANT!Boot.plist > ONLY FOR 1920x1080 SCREENS!, have not I?

 

The kexts in the pack are mandatory to boot without rBoot LE CD/ to be fully functional. Install them with Kext Wizard (also provided) in S/L/E

(but they are autoinstalled by the package v6?)

 

2) Do I have to install all the tips marked by defoult in v6 Doix Package?? Do I have to choose SpeedStepeer and system definition??

3) Do I have to copy any DSDT in /Extra??

4) Before it osx must reboot itshelf, without rbootle??

 

Thanks!!

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DoiX
DoiX
Posted
Posted (edited)

@DoiX - Have you read this thread?

 

http://bbs.pcbeta.co...914788-1-1.html

 

It's about the l501x and is in Chinese, but there is some good information there, although it is a bit hard to decipher at times.. There is a kext there (ACPIBacklight) which could be helpful with the backlight issue (or it may not as it is slightly different hardware). I tried it on my setup, and it does load properly, but does not allow backlight control, however that could be due to the required DSDT modifications, which I couldn't seem to follow.. Perhaps you can?

 

There is also some information there about patching the 10.7.2 version of AppleHDA, which could be of some use?

 

I did manage to extract one very useful piece of information on there. The app 'antipop' stops the 'lag' and also the occasional popping that you get with the modified AppleHDA. it does this by preventing the audio device from sleeping, which is why the lag occurs after it has been idle for some time (over 15 seconds I think). It works well and i haven't noticed any other issues caused by it. Battery life still seems just as good, sleep works, and geekbench scores are just as high :afro:

 

Try it out here:

 

https://rapidshare.c...tipop-1.0.2.dmg

 

Once again, thank you for all of you hard work and continued efforts!

 

EDIT - Damn, upon further inspection, it would appear that antipop does infact prevent sleep... Such a shame! Perhaps there is some way of forcing OSX to 'ignore' the antipop process, so that it doesn't prevent sleep?

 

It is much nicer to use, as all sounds occur at the time that they should, rather than after a small delay..

 

Your focusing on useless stuff (the audio thing) it works fine let it be...

 

The brightness thing from the chinese forum: that might work for l702x owners, funny enough their DSDT present the methods and functions used by the OP, we, however do not have them.

 

Also, they appear to NOT have optimus, which fundamentally changes everything related to the display... which again is weird...

Edited by DoiX
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