Modifying a .plist file problems

[hojkoff_101]

I'm trying to mod the com.apple.Boot.plist file so that I can make my mac auto boot into 64 bit kernel but it won't let me save the file when I mod it!

Why can't I save it? I've changed all the permissions so that I can and reset it but still no luck!

What am I doing wrong?


Cheers guys!

(I've also just spelt the tile wrong! Can a mod modifi it to Modifying please!)

 

[Collin Bl]

u dont say what OS you are on but my guess is 10.5 and with that on a PPC G4 it wont work. You need Intel.

 

[hojkoff_101]

u dont say what OS you are on but my guess is 10.5 and with that on a PPC G4 it wont work. You need Intel.

Sorry should have thought about including all that.

They are really old stats I'm on 10.6 now with an intel mac book. I know that it can run 64 bit as I've checked it in the terminal.

Any advise how I save the .plist?

 

[bobtomay]

Can't help, but I would ask:

Which MacBook? Not all Intel machines are capable of booting into 64 bit. My MBP cannot. Have you booted the machine into 64 bit first to verify that your system will work and your apps function? Most apps are 32 bit and are likely not to run booted up into 64 bit OS.

If your machine can boot into 64 bit, you can accomplish this by holding down the 6+4 keys while booting to test your system.

 

[hojkoff_101]

Can't help, but I would ask:

Which MacBook? Not all Intel machines are capable of booting into 64 bit. My MBP cannot. Have you booted the machine into 64 bit first to verify that your system will work and your apps function? Most apps are 32 bit and are likely not to run booted up into 64 bit OS.

If your machine can boot into 64 bit, you can accomplish this by holding down the 6+4 keys while booting to test your system.

Hmmm, it looks like I am hugely confused by all of this.

When I type into terminal

ioreg -l -p IODeviceTree | grep firmware-abi

it pops out

" | | "firmware-abi" = <"EFI64">"

I'm under the impression that that means that it is a 64 bit processor?

I have also loaded Windows 7 onto bootcamp. I've gone for "Windows 7 x86" now is that the 64 bit version or the 32 bit version?

I was also under the impression that a 64 bit processor is backward compatible so there should be no problem running a 32 bit program?

 

[bobtomay]

The firmware and the processor are two totally separate things.

The EFI firmware is what boots your computer. Yes, with EFI 64, your machine can boot into a 64 bit kernel. Mine is EFI32 and cannot boot into 64 bit, but once booted, the Core2Duo chip is able to run 64 bit applications.

You still need to test whether all of your apps and drivers are going to work if booted into 64 bit mode prior to making a permanent change in your boot preference file.

After you have verified through testing, and want to make the change, I'd suggest downloading Text Wrangler for editing the file.

 

[hojkoff_101]

Right so my computer is able to boot into 64 bit and I have a processor that can handle it. So I've got all the bits to get into 64 bit on my desk.

I'm now having problems actually getting it there. When I hold 6 and 4 down when I turn my computer on it just boots as normal but when I click about this mac and click software it's saying the 64 bit kernel extension (or what ever it says) isn't on.

How do I get 10.6 to go 64?

 

[bobtomay]

I'd say try it again. Don't know what to tell ya since mine is not capable of running a 64 bit kernel.