Troubleshooting Guide: Resolving Boot Shutdown Issues with macOS Sonoma on a Hackintosh PC

When your PC shuts down repeatedly after selecting macOS Sonoma from the boot menu, it typically indicates a problem in the boot process or system compatibility. Here's a step-by-step guide to troubleshoot and resolve this issue:

1. Verbose Mode:

• Boot in verbose mode to see where the boot process is failing. This is done by adding the -v flag in your bootloader (Clover or OpenCore). It will display detailed information during boot, which can help identify the specific issue.

2. Check Bootloader Configuration:

• Ensure your bootloader (Clover or OpenCore) is properly configured. The config.plist file should match your system's hardware.
• Pay special attention to the ACPI patches and the SMBIOS information. Incorrect settings here can cause boot failures.

3. Graphics Settings:

• If you are using an integrated GPU, make sure that the correct framebuffer patches are applied.
• For discrete GPUs, verify that they are supported by Sonoma and properly configured in the bootloader.

4. Kernel Extensions (Kexts):

• Make sure you have the essential kexts like VirtualSMC (or FakeSMC), Lilu, WhateverGreen, and appropriate network and audio kexts.
• Check if the kexts are compatible with Sonoma and are placed in the correct directory in your EFI partition.

5. BIOS Settings:

• Revisit your BIOS settings. Ensure settings like AHCI for SATA, VT-d (can be disabled), Secure Boot (disabled), and other relevant settings are correctly configured.

6. RAM and CPU Configuration:

• Incorrect RAM configuration in BIOS or a mismatch in SMBIOS can cause boot issues. Ensure that your RAM settings in BIOS are stable and that your SMBIOS is appropriate for your CPU and motherboard.

7. Reset NVRAM:

• Resetting NVRAM (Non-Volatile Random-Access Memory) can sometimes resolve boot issues. This can be done from the bootloader menu.

8. Safe Mode:

• Try booting into Safe Mode by using the boot flag -x. This can bypass certain kexts and settings that might be causing the issue.

9. Hardware Compatibility:

• Double-check your hardware's compatibility with macOS Sonoma. Certain components might not be compatible or might require specific patches or kexts.

10. Reinstall macOS:

• If all else fails, consider reinstalling macOS Sonoma. There might have been issues during the installation process.

11. Seek Community Help:

• If the problem persists, consider seeking help from Hackintosh forums or communities. Provide them with details of your hardware, bootloader configuration, and the output from verbose mode.

Note: Always back up your current working EFI folder before making any changes. This will allow you to revert back in case something goes wrong during the troubleshooting process.