Resolving 'support.apple.com/mac/startup' Error on Hackintosh

Target Audience: Intermediate Hackintosh Users

Objective:

Troubleshoot and resolve the startup error encountered on a Hackintosh system with a Powerx H310C motherboard and a SanDisk Cruzer 32 GB USB 3.0 flash drive.

Troubleshooting Steps:

1. Verify Bootloader Configuration:

   • Make sure you are using the latest version of OpenCore or Clover as your bootloader.
   • Confirm that your config.plist is correctly set up for your specific hardware.

2. BIOS Settings Check:

   • Disable Secure Boot and Fast Boot.
   • Enable Other OS mode if available.
   • Set USB to Legacy Mode to ensure compatibility during the boot process.
   • Ensure that XHCI Hand-off is enabled.

3. Use USB 2.0 Port:

   • You mentioned using a USB 2.0 port, which is correct, as USB 3.0 can cause issues during installation.

4. Create a Proper USB Installer:

   • Use the createinstallmedia command to make your USB installer for macOS.
   • Make sure the macOS version you're attempting to install is compatible with your hardware.

5. USB Mapping:

   • While you plan to map your USB ports later, a basic USB map is essential for installation. You can create a simple mapping using Hackintool or a pre-made SSDT for USBInjectAll.

6. Check for Required Kexts:

   • Essential kexts like Lilu.kext, VirtualSMC.kext, WhateverGreen.kext, and appropriate network and audio kexts should be present in your EFI folder.

7. Check Pendrive Format:

   • Your USB installer should be formatted as Mac OS Extended (Journaled) with a GUID Partition Map.

8. Clear NVRAM:

   • Clear NVRAM through the bootloader menu to ensure no old configurations are causing issues.

9. Debugging:

   • Enable verbose mode to see detailed logs during the boot process. Add -v to your boot arguments to activate this mode.

10. Review Logs:

• Since you're stuck on the Apple support page, reviewing the logs can provide clues. Unfortunately, without direct access to the logs, we can't provide specific guidance here.

11. Consult the Community:
    • Share your EFI folder and details of the issue on Hackintosh forums like tonymacx86 or r/hackintosh for community support.

Reminder:

• The error message indicating to visit 'support.apple.com/mac/startup' typically means there's an issue with the startup sequence, which could be related to various factors from the bootloader to hardware incompatibility.
• Always have a backup of your EFI folder that is known to work, or use a secondary USB stick for EFI changes.

Given that you're in the early stages of setting up your Hackintosh and have not performed USB mapping, it's likely that the issue is related to the USB configuration or other basic settings. Start with the simple checks and move to more complex tasks like USB mapping as needed. If the problem persists, consulting the Hackintosh community with your EFI and detailed error logs will be the next best step.