HP 15 with AMD A6-7310 - macOS Catalina Hackintosh Troubleshooting

Running macOS Catalina on your HP 15 with an AMD A6-7310 CPU and Radeon R4 integrated graphics is a challenging experiment due to limited support for AMD Carrizo architecture and its integrated GPU. The errors you’re encountering suggest fundamental bootloader configuration or hardware incompatibility issues. Here’s how to proceed:

Understanding the Error

The log you posted highlights issues during the boot process, particularly:

1. Kernel and Wake Failure:
   • Errors like [EB|WL:PWLFNV] Err and [EB|WL:PWLFRTC] indicate the kernel is failing to initialize hardware due to wake issues.
2. Prelinked Kernel Load Issue:
   • The line [EB|LD:OFS] Err (0xE) OPEN (System\\Library\\PrelinkedKernels\\prelinkedkernel.development) points to missing or inaccessible kernel files, often due to misconfigured bootloader settings.
3. Exit Boot Services Hangs:
   • The [EB|#LOG: EXITBS: START] error means macOS is failing after handing off from OpenCore to the kernel, likely due to incorrect ACPI patches or missing kernel patches for AMD.

Steps to Resolve the Issue

1. Verify CPU and GPU Compatibility

• AMD Carrizo (A6-7310) is unsupported by macOS natively, and even with OpenCore, getting macOS to boot is difficult. Graphics acceleration for the Radeon R4 is not possible in macOS, meaning you’ll only have basic framebuffer support (low resolution, no GPU acceleration).

2. Use Proper SMBIOS

• For AMD processors, ensure the correct SMBIOS is configured in your config.plist. Use MacBookPro11,3 or similar as a baseline for Catalina compatibility:
  • In OpenCore Configurator, set:
    • PlatformInfo -> Generic -> SystemProductName to MacBookPro11,3.
    • Generate serial numbers using GenSMBIOS.

3. Add AMD Kernel Patches

• Use Dortania's AMD Kernel Patch Guide to configure your OpenCore config.plist:
  • Add Kernel Patches:
    • Add Kernel -> Patch entries for AMD Carrizo processors.
    • Refer to Dortania's AMD Kernel Guide.

4. Correct ACPI Configuration

• Missing or misconfigured ACPI patches can prevent macOS from booting.
  • Use SSDT-EC-USBX to fix USB and power management.
  • Add SSDT-AWAC to resolve RTC issues.
  • Place these SSDTs in the EFI/OC/ACPI folder and reference them in config.plist.

5. Fix USB Configuration

• Add USBInjectAll.kext and configure USB mapping to ensure USB ports work correctly:
  • Place the kext in the EFI/OC/Kexts folder.
  • Use the uia_exclude boot argument to exclude unused USB ports.

6. Configure Boot Arguments

• Use appropriate boot arguments for AMD systems:
  • Add the following to NVRAM -> Add -> boot-args in config.plist:

    text
    Copy code
    -v keepsyms=1 debug=0x100 npci=0x2000 amfi_get_out_of_my_way=1
    

  • Disable secure boot with:

    text
    Copy code
    amfi_disable=1
    

7. Debugging and Logs

• Enable verbose logging to capture detailed errors:
  • Add the following to boot-args:

    text
    Copy code
    -v keepsyms=1 debug=0x100 alcid=1
    

• Use OpenCore’s debug version to generate detailed logs:
  • Set Misc -> Debug -> Target to 67 for logging to both console and file.

8. Recreate the USB Installer

• If kernel files are inaccessible, rebuild the USB installer:
  • Format the USB as Mac OS Extended (Journaled) with a GUID Partition Map.
  • Recreate the installer using the createinstallmedia command on macOS.

Known Limitations

• No Graphics Acceleration: As noted, the Radeon R4 will not support acceleration. You’ll only have basic display output.
• Wi-Fi Issues: The Realtek RTL8821CE Wi-Fi card is not natively supported in macOS. Consider replacing it with a compatible card (e.g., Broadcom BCM94360CS2).
• Unstable System: Even if you manage to boot Catalina, the system may be unstable due to the lack of official support for AMD Carrizo CPUs.

Alternative Options

1. Try a Linux Distro:
   • Linux distributions like Ubuntu Mate or Pop!_OS work well on AMD Carrizo processors.
2. Experiment with macOS High Sierra:
   • Older macOS versions like High Sierra (10.13) are slightly more forgiving for unsupported hardware.

Conclusion

Getting macOS Catalina to boot on your HP 15 with an AMD A6-7310 is an ambitious project. Follow the steps above to resolve kernel and ACPI-related issues, but be prepared for limited functionality due to unsupported hardware. If the experiment proves too frustrating, consider Linux for a smoother experience.

Let me know if you need further clarification or assistance!