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

wen1

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DoiX
DoiX
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@Rockball73, that's a bootloader problem... a sort of cache is saved from windows after the reboot. Probably it's in conflict with the SSDT file... i'm not sure. To my knowledge DropSSDT doesn't do a thing... do you have to use DropSSDT for the SSDT to get loaded in OS X or you're using it because that member suggested it?

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Rockball73
Rockball73
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@Rockball73, that's a bootloader problem... a sort of cache is saved from windows after the reboot. Probably it's in conflict with the SSDT file... i'm not sure. To my knowledge DropSSDT doesn't do a thing... do you have to use DropSSDT for the SSDT to get loaded in OS X or you're using it because that member suggested it?

I'm not sure to say it's "not loaded properly" but, my Geekbench's scores are better when Drop SSDT is used than when I use PStates and CStates enabled...

 

EDIT :

I noticed something strange... This time, I booted with DropSSDT=Yes, CStates=Yes, PStates=Yes and UseKernelCache=Yes. It doesn't boot!

Then I tried with DropSSDT=Yes, CStates=Yes, PStates=Yes and UseKernelCache=No

 

So my question is : Is KernelCache related to the fact I can't boot when I booted Windows before?

Edited by Rockball73
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Rockball73
Rockball73
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It would confirm my theory about some sort of cache that gets stored... mind posting a SS with the KP you have after booting from windows?
Here it is... : mini_658449CIMG1115.jpg

 

So I confirm that booting w/ DropSSDT=Yes (no CStates or PStates activated) and UseKernelCache=Yes make the system get a KP at boot.

If I disable UseKernelCache, I can boot and get 6700+ running Geekbench 64bit. But If I disable DropSSDT, enable KernelCache and CStates/Pstates, it boots up but I only get 5100...

 

I noticed some other weird thing : booting with kernel cache makes the trackpad multitouch but booting without it makes it single touch :(

 

EDIT :

I can boot with UseKernelCache=Yes and DropSSDT=Yes only if I delete the StartUp folder from S/L/Cache/com.apple.kect.cache and then rebuild it with Kext Wizard...

Edited by Rockball73
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Rockball73
Rockball73
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Ok, no problem. Take your time if you have work to finish. I know how to resolve it for now. But, indeed, when you find something, tell me and I'll test it :)

 

EDIT :

 

I noticed that sometimes, like now, even when deleting cache and rebuilding it, it cannot boot with DropSSDT and UseKernelCache...

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DoiX
DoiX
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Sorry it took me this long, couldn't find anything specifically about bootloader KP when switching between Operating Systems... my only advice would be to get a custom kernel (the one from iAtkos DVD would do just fine) and see what happens then. For me, using DropSSDT or not, my general GeekBench Score remains the same...

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Rockball73
Rockball73
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No problem DoiX, I'm having a lot of work so, I do not have a lot of time. I haven't had time yet to test Mountain Lion on my config...

About ML, do you know if there are problems about the 1.8 Chimera bootloader or can I install it with Lion without a problem?

 

And when using DropSSDT (or not), do you enable PStates/CStates at the same time? Because, when I set DropSSDT enabled, I don't tick the Enable PStates/Cstates boxes in Chameleon Wizard and I get 6700 GeekBench score...

If I tick those bowes and disable DropSSDT, I only get 6000... Weird, don't you think? With the same SSDT file in the 2 cases.

 

Concerning the multitouch trackpad not working with UseKernelCache disabled, my girlfriend bought me a Magic Trackpad this weekend (I prefer it to a Magic Mouse) and it works just very fine with my Hackintosh Lion and a Belkin F8T016NG Bluetooth dongle (because I can't figure out how to connect my Broadcom bluetooth chip to the motherboard of my L502x)...

 

Thanks for your answer.

 

PS: Any news about SSDT dump from 3D display?

 

EDIT :

 

Concerning the custom kernel, I'm already using one (the one from iAtkos L1). Maybe the one from L2 is different?

If you use a custom one, could you please upload it? (even if it's the same as me...)

Edited by Rockball73
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maxey
maxey
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No problem DoiX, I'm having a lot of work so, I do not have a lot of time. I haven't had time yet to test Mountain Lion on my config...

About ML, do you know if there are problems about the 1.8 Chimera bootloader or can I install it with Lion without a problem?

 

About the Chimera i am also interested...since my booting still doesn't work without the IAtkos DVD :D (Apart from my sound which is also only working if i have external loudspeakers plugged in... )

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Rockball73
Rockball73
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About the Chimera i am also interested...since my booting still doesn't work without the IAtkos DVD :D (Apart from my sound which is also only working if i have external loudspeakers plugged in... )

About sound, did you make sure that in the Preferences sound was activated on "Internal Speakers" and not on "External Speakers"... Maybe a stupid question, but we never know :)

 

And DoiX, about Maxey's boot problem. Couldn't it be because his Kernel is a bad one? Because he says that "with iAtkos DVD it's ok" and "without, doesn't boot". Maybe his kernel is corrupted or the bad one and then, when he boots from DVD, the kernel loaded is the one from the DVD and not the one from the HDD...

It's maybe not that, because I don't understand the whole function of the Kernel, but that's the way I see it.

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maxey
maxey
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About sound, did you make sure that in the Preferences sound was activated on "Internal Speakers" and not on "External Speakers"... Maybe a stupid question, but we never know :)

 

Ok now i feel a bit stupid....it actually was that problem .... :D I thought Lion would change the output source automatically as in Windows....hmm thanks, you make my day!

 

And DoiX, about Maxey's boot problem. Couldn't it be because his Kernel is a bad one? Because he says that "with iAtkos DVD it's ok" and "without, doesn't boot". Maybe his kernel is corrupted or the bad one and then, when he boots from DVD, the kernel loaded is the one from the DVD and not the one from the HDD...

It's maybe not that, because I don't understand the whole function of the Kernel, but that's the way I see it.

 

Well....i have not any understanding of it, but only think i can tell is that when i use "Start up from HDD" i get a boot0:error and when i have plugged in the usb ports while booting up the DVD freezes when i have to press a key at the beginning.

 

Damn just another thing i ... kinda broke. While you are in mission control you can use space bar to preview a window you have moused over. Somehow this is not working for me anymore. Was trying the last hour or so to figure out how to get it back. Anyone an idea? I mean it should be somewhere in settings i guess but i just cannot find it!

 

Well after a restart it was here again, i mean the preview in Mission Control

Edited by maxey
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DoiX
DoiX
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No problem DoiX, I'm having a lot of work so, I do not have a lot of time. I haven't had time yet to test Mountain Lion on my config...

About ML, do you know if there are problems about the 1.8 Chimera bootloader or can I install it with Lion without a problem?

 

And when using DropSSDT (or not), do you enable PStates/CStates at the same time? Because, when I set DropSSDT enabled, I don't tick the Enable PStates/Cstates boxes in Chameleon Wizard and I get 6700 GeekBench score...

If I tick those bowes and disable DropSSDT, I only get 6000... Weird, don't you think? With the same SSDT file in the 2 cases.

 

Concerning the multitouch trackpad not working with UseKernelCache disabled, my girlfriend bought me a Magic Trackpad this weekend (I prefer it to a Magic Mouse) and it works just very fine with my Hackintosh Lion and a Belkin F8T016NG Bluetooth dongle (because I can't figure out how to connect my Broadcom bluetooth chip to the motherboard of my L502x)...

 

Thanks for your answer.

 

PS: Any news about SSDT dump from 3D display?

 

EDIT :

 

Concerning the custom kernel, I'm already using one (the one from iAtkos L1). Maybe the one from L2 is different?

If you use a custom one, could you please upload it? (even if it's the same as me...)

About sound, did you make sure that in the Preferences sound was activated on "Internal Speakers" and not on "External Speakers"... Maybe a stupid question, but we never know :)

 

And DoiX, about Maxey's boot problem. Couldn't it be because his Kernel is a bad one? Because he says that "with iAtkos DVD it's ok" and "without, doesn't boot". Maybe his kernel is corrupted or the bad one and then, when he boots from DVD, the kernel loaded is the one from the DVD and not the one from the HDD...

It's maybe not that, because I don't understand the whole function of the Kernel, but that's the way I see it.

 

Chimera 1.8 works fine tho at this point there is no use in taking sides over chimera or pure chameleon, they are pretty much the same thing now.

 

I enabled and disabled the P/CStates while testing DropSSDT... no increase/decrease in performance. I guess it's just one of those things that differ from system to system...

 

I'll take a picture of how i hooked up the mini pci card in the other slot

 

Nope, no news about the 3D SSDT... I PM'ed around 5 people, they all read my PM but none replied.

 

Afaik kernel won't result in boot0 error... thats pure partition error. He should be able to fix it with the commands i provided some posts above. The reason why the DVD boots fine is because the chameleon on it is not dependent on the HDD one.

 

@Maxey, did you try the fdisk commands i posted? I'm pretty sure you got the bootloader installed on 2 different partitions and that messes up because none of them is set as priority.

 

Just boot with iAtkos again, eject the CD when OS X is fully loaded, then use the fdisk commands.

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maxey
maxey
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Chimera 1.8 works fine tho at this point there is no use in taking sides over chimera or pure chameleon, they are pretty much the same thing now.

 

I enabled and disabled the P/CStates while testing DropSSDT... no increase/decrease in performance. I guess it's just one of those things that differ from system to system...

 

I'll take a picture of how i hooked up the mini pci card in the other slot

 

Nope, no news about the 3D SSDT... I PM'ed around 5 people, they all read my PM but none replied.

 

Afaik kernel won't result in boot0 error... thats pure partition error. He should be able to fix it with the commands i provided some posts above. The reason why the DVD boots fine is because the chameleon on it is not dependent on the HDD one.

 

@Maxey, did you try the fdisk commands i posted? I'm pretty sure you got the bootloader installed on 2 different partitions and that messes up because none of them is set as priority.

 

Just boot with iAtkos again, eject the CD when OS X is fully loaded, then use the fdisk commands.

 

AH, ok, i thought these commands were for fixing the boot record!

 

Anyway i typed the first command and get this.

 

	 Starting	   Ending
#: id  cyl  hd sec -  cyl  hd sec [	 start -	   size]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1: 07 1023 254  63 - 1023 254  63 [    208896 -   30720000] HPFS/QNX/AUX
*2: AF 1023 254  63 - 1023 254  63 [  30928896 -  419534576] HFS+	   
3: 07 1023 254  63 - 1023 254  63 [ 450463744 -  309739520] HPFS/QNX/AUX
4: 05 1023 254  63 - 1023 254  63 [ 760203264 -  704940801] Extended DOS
Signature: 0xAA55
	 Starting	   Ending
#: id  cyl  hd sec -  cyl  hd sec [	 start -	   size]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1: 07 1023 254  63 - 1023 254  63 [ 760205312 -  414488576] HPFS/QNX/AUX
2: 05 1023 254  63 - 1023 254  63 [1174693888 -  290450177] Extended DOS
3: 00    0   0   0 -    0   0   0 [		 0 -		  0] unused	 
4: 00    0   0   0 -    0   0   0 [		 0 -		  0] unused	 
Signature: 0xAA55
	 Starting	   Ending
#: id  cyl  hd sec -  cyl  hd sec [	 start -	   size]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1: AF 1023 254  63 - 1023 254  63 [1174704993 -  290439072] HFS+	   
2: 00    0   0   0 -    0   0   0 [		 0 -		  0] unused	 
3: 00    0   0   0 -    0   0   0 [		 0 -		  0] unused	 
4: 00    0   0   0 -    0   0   0 [		 0 -		  0] unused

 

You write one should take the partition with low number value of start -, so i guess i should take partition 1? since it has a the lowest number? 208896

 

However partition shows that it is HFS+ and it also has a * in front of the number.

 

Still take partition 1?

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maxey
maxey
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Well , somehow i get this

 

sudo fdisk -e /dev/disk0
Password:
Enter 'help' for information
fdisk: 1> mark 1
Invalid command 'mark'.  Try 'help'.

 

Does this mean its the wrong partition? I don't "dare" to test the other partition to not twist my boot record again :D

 

Did it with "mark 2" , same result

 

fdisk: 1> mark 2
Invalid command 'mark'.  Try 'help'.

Edited by maxey
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maxey
maxey
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ok,

 

disk: 1> flag 1
Partition 1 marked active.
fdisk:*1> write
Device could not be accessed exclusively.
A reboot will be needed for changes to take effect. OK? [n] y
Writing MBR at offset 0.
fdisk: 1> exit

 

Lets see if i can reboot ;), will write if i can :D

 

Well that didn't work, it started booting into the windows repair mechanism. I clicked on Cancel when it started searching for errors in my system...damn repair mechanism killed my system already once before.

 

Will try partition 2

 

Partition 2 didn't work either. I get again the boot0:error.

Edited by maxey
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DoiX
DoiX
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Arghh, when i type the first command this is all i get

 

Signature: 0xAA55
	 Starting	   Ending
#: id  cyl  hd sec -  cyl  hd sec [	 start -	   size]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
*1: AF	0   1   1 - 1023 254  63 [		63 -  209977344] HFS+		
2: AF 1023 254  63 - 1023 254  63 [ 209977425 -  831095472] HFS+		
3: 05 1023 254  63 - 1023 254  63 [1041072897 -   42204415] Extended DOS
4: 07 1023 254  63 - 1023 254  63 [1083277312 -  166983680] NTFS		
Signature: 0xAA55
	 Starting	   Ending
#: id  cyl  hd sec -  cyl  hd sec [	 start -	   size]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1: AF 1023 254  63 - 1023 254  63 [1041074176 -   42203136] HFS+		
2: 00	0   0   0 -	0   0   0 [		 0 -		  0] unused	  
3: 00	0   0   0 -	0   0   0 [		 0 -		  0] unused	  
4: 00	0   0   0 -	0   0   0 [		 0 -		  0] unused

 

I don't understand what the hell W repair tool did to screw up your partitions so much...

 

Boot again with windows, repair the boot so it boots straight to windows... then boot with iAtkos and reinstall the bootloader... i don't know what else you could try.

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maxey
maxey
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Arghh, when i type the first command this is all i get

 

Signature: 0xAA55
	 Starting	   Ending
#: id  cyl  hd sec -  cyl  hd sec [	 start -	   size]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
*1: AF	0   1   1 - 1023 254  63 [		63 -  209977344] HFS+		
2: AF 1023 254  63 - 1023 254  63 [ 209977425 -  831095472] HFS+		
3: 05 1023 254  63 - 1023 254  63 [1041072897 -   42204415] Extended DOS
4: 07 1023 254  63 - 1023 254  63 [1083277312 -  166983680] NTFS		
Signature: 0xAA55
	 Starting	   Ending
#: id  cyl  hd sec -  cyl  hd sec [	 start -	   size]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1: AF 1023 254  63 - 1023 254  63 [1041074176 -   42203136] HFS+		
2: 00	0   0   0 -	0   0   0 [		 0 -		  0] unused	  
3: 00	0   0   0 -	0   0   0 [		 0 -		  0] unused	  
4: 00	0   0   0 -	0   0   0 [		 0 -		  0] unused

 

I don't understand what the hell W repair tool did to screw up your partitions so much...

 

Boot again with windows, repair the boot so it boots straight to windows... then boot with iAtkos and reinstall the bootloader... i don't know what else you could try.

 

Ok, so i boot with the windows cd

 

1. Repair automatically or do the fixmbr ?

2. Boot with IAtkos DVD again by pressing F8

3. In Lion, install Chimera/Chameleon.

 

Thanks for your help!

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maxey
maxey
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Automatically.

 

Ok, did that, windows told me "cannot repair it, do you want to send information to microsoft servers?" stuff like that.

Anyway, rebooted with IAtkos, installed Chameleon and let Kext Wizard run.

 

My Chameleon_Installer_log.txt would be this

 

Chameleon installer log - Tue Mar  6 17:59:14 CET 2012
Installer version: 2.1svn 1820
======================================================
/dev/disk0
  #:					   TYPE NAME					SIZE	   IDENTIFIER
  0:	 FDisk_partition_scheme						*750.2 GB   disk0
  1:			   Windows_NTFS RECOVERY				15.7 GB	disk0s1
  2:				  Apple_HFS MAC					 214.8 GB   disk0s2
  3:			   Windows_NTFS						 158.6 GB   disk0s3
  4:			   Windows_NTFS Alles				   212.2 GB   disk0s5
  5:				  Apple_HFS TEST					148.7 GB   disk0s6
/dev/disk1
  #:					   TYPE NAME					SIZE	   IDENTIFIER
  0:	 Apple_partition_scheme						*4.7 GB	 disk1
  1:		Apple_partition_map						 32.3 KB	disk1s1
  2:				  Apple_HFS iATKOS L1			   4.7 GB	 disk1s3
======================================================
Backing up Chameleon files
Backing up stage2 file /Volumes/MAC/boot to /Volumes/MAC/Chameleon.Backups/2012-03-06-17h59/boot
Backing up /Volumes/MAC/Extra folder to /Volumes/MAC/Chameleon.Backups/2012-03-06-17h59/Extra
======================================================
Clearing options...
======================================================
Running Standard postinstall script
Target volume = /Volumes/MAC on /dev/disk0s2
Target disk already has existing Chameleon stage 0 loader - boot0md (boot0workV2).
Detected a Windows installation on this volume.
======================================================
Stage 0 loader not written to /dev/disk0.
Written boot1h to /dev/rdisk0s2.
Written boot to /Volumes/MAC on /dev/disk0s2.
======================================================
Preparing to check target disk for previous installations.
Checking disk0.
Nothing found that could cause any problems.
======================================================
Disk: /dev/rdisk0 geometry: 91201/255/63 [1465149168 sectors]
Signature: 0xAA55
	 Starting	   Ending
#: id  cyl  hd sec -  cyl  hd sec [	 start -	   size]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1: 07 1023 254  63 - 1023 254  63 [	208896 -   30720000] HPFS/QNX/AUX
*2: AF 1023 254  63 - 1023 254  63 [  30928896 -  419534576] HFS+	  
3: 07 1023 254  63 - 1023 254  63 [ 450463744 -  309739520] HPFS/QNX/AUX
4: 05 1023 254  63 - 1023 254  63 [ 760203264 -  704940801] Extended DOS
Signature: 0xAA55
	 Starting	   Ending
#: id  cyl  hd sec -  cyl  hd sec [	 start -	   size]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1: 07 1023 254  63 - 1023 254  63 [ 760205312 -  414488576] HPFS/QNX/AUX
2: 05 1023 254  63 - 1023 254  63 [1174693888 -  290450177] Extended DOS
3: 00	0   0   0 -	0   0   0 [		 0 -		  0] unused	
4: 00	0   0   0 -	0   0   0 [		 0 -		  0] unused	
Signature: 0xAA55
	 Starting	   Ending
#: id  cyl  hd sec -  cyl  hd sec [	 start -	   size]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1: AF 1023 254  63 - 1023 254  63 [1174704993 -  290439072] HFS+	  
2: 00	0   0   0 -	0   0   0 [		 0 -		  0] unused	
3: 00	0   0   0 -	0   0   0 [		 0 -		  0] unused	
4: 00	0   0   0 -	0   0   0 [		 0 -		  0] unused	

Windows is installed so that can remain the active partition
======================================================
Standard script complete
======================================================
Added boot option: Legacy Logo=Yes
Added boot option: EthernetBuiltIn=Yes
Added boot option: UseKernelCache=Yes
Added boot option: Kernel Flags=npci=0x2000
Added boot option: GenerateCStates=Yes
Added boot option: GeneratePStates=Yes
======================================================
Running Post postinstall script
Target volume = /Volumes/MAC
===============================================
Unmount all volumes named EFI
======================================================
Post postinstall script complete

 

Will try now to reboot from the HDD ;)

 

 

Same result, different bootloader. Get still the boot0:error . Even tried to set the partition of lion as active again, also boot0:error.

I don't know, windows repair not working and this not working. Looks like i will have to live with a CD in my drive to boot up huh? :D

Edited by maxey
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ben
ben
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Posted

The usb ports dont work for me.. the 2.0 one is not responding and whenever i plug a flash disk or unplug the mouse/keyboard into/from the usb3.0 ports, the system freezes and says system uptime:xxxxx nanoseconds..

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maxey
maxey
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I'm out of ideas... you could fully format your HDD or try some windows app that can fix boot problems...

 

Might do that...unfortunately have to work these days so will do that when having a lot of free time :D

 

@ben

 

the same problem was solved some posts ago... search maybe for nanoseconds or something like that.

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DoiX
DoiX
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Posted

@Ben, it's a known issues that unplugging something from the usb 3 ports will result in Kernel Panics (thats the term for the screen you get). USB2 should work fine with proper DSDT, if you have the i7 version of this laptop than it should work just fine with the DSDT found on this forum. I can't guarantee for other versions.. as the DSDT file might need tweaks.

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