diff --git a/troubleshooting/macbookair2011(4,2).md b/troubleshooting/macbookair2011(4,2).md new file mode 100644 index 00000000..394544e4 --- /dev/null +++ b/troubleshooting/macbookair2011(4,2).md @@ -0,0 +1,96 @@ + +After browsing through multiple posts, I finally was able to install Qubes on a MacBook Air 13” mid 2011 (MacBookAir 4,2). I’m just sharing this, so ppl don’t need to read through multiple forums to understand how to do it. + +This model is features with: +• Dual Intel i7-2677M 1.80 Ghz CPU (2 dual cores) +• Intel HD Graphics 3000 +• 4Gb RAM +• 256Gb SDD +• Broadcom BCM43224 802.11 a/b/g/n wifi and Bluetooth adapter +• Intel DSL2310 Thunderbolt controller +• It has 1 DVI/Thunderbolt display port, 2 USB2.0 ports, a Magsafe power adapter, a standard 3.5mm audio jack and SD reader. + +First try to install Qubes using the UEFI boot failed, and not wanting to waste too much time, I quickly opted for the legacy BIOS install. + +1. Boot from MacOSX (or Internet Recovery Image with CMD+R during bootup). +Run Terminal application as root [1]: +~~~ +# diskutil list +(find your usb device) +# bless –device /dev/diskX –legacy –setBoot –nextonly # bless the disk not the partition +# reboot +~~~ + +Insert Qubes 3.2 USB flash: +ISOLINUX boot screen should come up. +Install Qubes normaly + + +If you try to boot Qubes now, it will freeze while “setting up networking”. You need to put the Broadcom wireless device into PCI passtrough [2,3]. Or, as an alternative remove it from your mac (https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/MacBook+Air+13-Inch+Mid+2011+AirPort-Bluetooth+Card+Replacement/6360) and Qubes will boot up smoothly. +If you choose to remove the card jump to step 3. + +2. Boot from MacOSX, again. +~~~ +Run Terminal application as root: +# diskutil list +(find your usb device) +# bless –device /dev/diskX –legacy –setBoot –nextonly # bless the disk not the partition +# reboot +~~~ + +Insert Qubes 3.2 USB flash: +ISOLINUX boot screen should come up. +Select Troubleshooting and Boot the Rescue image; insert disk password when prompted; select continue and after mounting the HD filesystem, launching a shell, chroot as instructed. + +Then: +a) Find your Bluetooth card: +~~~ +# lspci +.. +02:00.0 Network controller: Broadcom Corporation BCM43224 802.11a/b/g/n (rev 01) +… +# qvm-pci -a sys-net 02:00.0 # this assigns the device to sys-net VM +~~~ + +then create Create /etc/systemd/system/qubes-pre-netvm.service +with: +~~~ +[Unit] +Description=Netvm fix for Broadcom +Before=qubes-netvm.service + +[Service] +ExecStart=/bin/sh -c 'echo 02:00.0 > /sys/bus/pci/drivers/pciback/permissive' +Type=oneshot +RemainAfterExit=yes + +[Install] +WantedBy=multi-user.target +~~~ +And that’s it. + + +3. After reboot, boot MacOSX, again. +Run Terminal application as root: +~~~ +# diskutil list +(find the HD device where you installed Qubes) +# bless –device /dev/diskX –legacy –setBoot # bless the disk not the partition +# reboot +~~~ + +Results: +• System booted and running smoothly. +• Youtube video: OK (including full screen after configuration) +• Trackpad: OK +• Audio control: OK +• Brightness control: OK +• Keyboard light control:OK +• SD card access: OK (tested at dom0) +• Lid-close suspend: OK +• Wifi: +10%-20% ICMP packet loss when comparing with OSX (have similar rates with tails Linux, more tests are required) + +References: +[1] https://github.com/QubesOS/qubes-issues/issues/794 +[2] https://github.com/QubesOS/qubes-issues/issues/1261 +[3] https://www.qubes-os.org/doc/assigning-devices/