Resolving LAN Connection Issues During Hackintosh Installation

Getting the LAN connection to work on a Hackintosh, especially during the macOS installation phase, can be tricky since the required network drivers (kexts) might not be loaded or might not be compatible with your hardware. Here's a guide to address the issue:

Guide Step by Step:

1. Identify Your Ethernet Controller:

   • Determine the make and model of your Ethernet controller. This information is crucial for finding the correct driver.
   • You can usually find this information in your motherboard's specifications or by using a system information tool in another operating system.

2. Prepare the Correct Ethernet Kext:

   • Once you know your Ethernet controller model, download the corresponding kext. Common Ethernet kexts include RealtekRTL8111.kext, IntelMausiEthernet.kext, or AtherosE2200Ethernet.kext, depending on the controller.
   • These kexts can be found on repositories like GitHub or in Hackintosh communities.

3. Accessing Terminal in macOS Utilities:

   • Boot into macOS Recovery or the macOS installer USB.
   • From the Utilities menu, you can access the Terminal.
   • However, downloading and installing kexts directly from Terminal in macOS utilities is not straightforward and typically not possible without an existing internet connection.

4. Loading Kexts Manually (Advanced):

   • For advanced users: If you have the kext on another drive or USB, you could theoretically load it manually using Terminal commands. This involves mounting the drive, copying the kext to the correct location, and loading it with kextload. This process is complex and not generally recommended for beginners.

5. Using a Pre-Configured Installer:

   • A more practical solution might be to use another computer to create a new macOS installer USB that already includes the necessary Ethernet kexts in its EFI partition.
   • Tools like UniBeast or a manual setup with Clover or OpenCore can be used to create this installer. Include the Ethernet kext in the EFI/CLOVER/kexts/Other (for Clover) or EFI/OC/Kexts (for OpenCore) folder.

6. Testing and Troubleshooting:

   • After setting up the installer with the correct kext, try the installation process again.
   • If the LAN still doesn’t work, double-check the kext compatibility and your BIOS settings (ensure LAN is enabled and configured correctly).

7. Alternative Solutions:

   • Wi-Fi Dongle: If you have a macOS-compatible USB Wi-Fi dongle, this can be a temporary solution for internet access.
   • Offline Installer: Creating an offline macOS installer is another route, though it requires a large download initially.

8. Post-Installation Setup:

   • Once macOS is installed, ensure that the Ethernet kext is properly installed in your system’s EFI partition for ongoing network connectivity.

9. Seek Community Help:

   • If you’re still having trouble, seek help from Hackintosh forums or communities. Provide detailed information about your hardware and the steps you’ve already taken.

Conclusion: Resolving LAN connection issues during a Hackintosh installation often involves ensuring the correct network driver is included in the installation media. While manually loading kexts from the Terminal is technically possible, it's generally more practical to prepare a properly configured installer USB with the necessary drivers.