Discussion:
Is there a bootable live Debian media for old MacBook Pro with 2 GB of RAM, Intel Core Duo, etc.?
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Ant
2022-06-24 18:28:12 UTC
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Hello.

Is there a bootable live Debian media for old MacBook Pro with 2 GB of
RAM, Intel Core Duo, etc.? I don't see a Mac version in
https://cdimage.debian.org/debian-cd/current-live/amd64/iso-hybrid/ and
https://cdimage.debian.org/images/unofficial/non-free/images-including-firmware/11.3.0-live+nonfree/amd64/iso-hybrid/.
I do see a Mac net installer in
https://cdimage.debian.org/debian-cd/current/amd64/iso-cd/, but I want
to see how well Debian runs in it without installing Debian.
https://wiki.debian.org/MacBook doesn't even mention anything about live
boot.

MacBook Pro is a 15" A1260 model, unibody; 2.4 Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo, 2
GB (667 MHz) of DDR2 SDRAM, 200 GB HDD, NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT (256 MB
of VRAM), & Mac OS X (El Capitan v10.11.6) from early 2008. Batteryless
since it's very old.

Thank you for reading and hopefully answering soon. :)
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Marco Moock
2022-06-25 15:45:30 UTC
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Post by Ant
MacBook Pro is a 15" A1260 model, unibody; 2.4 Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo,
2 GB (667 MHz) of DDR2 SDRAM, 200 GB HDD, NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT
(256 MB of VRAM), & Mac OS X (El Capitan v10.11.6) from early 2008.
Batteryless since it's very old.
Use the amd64 iso, maybe these MacBooks already have UEFI, so you need
an UEFI capable image (these should already be).
Ant
2022-06-26 04:43:20 UTC
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Post by Marco Moock
Post by Ant
MacBook Pro is a 15" A1260 model, unibody; 2.4 Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo,
2 GB (667 MHz) of DDR2 SDRAM, 200 GB HDD, NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT
(256 MB of VRAM), & Mac OS X (El Capitan v10.11.6) from early 2008.
Batteryless since it's very old.
Use the amd64 iso, maybe these MacBooks already have UEFI, so you need
an UEFI capable image (these should already be).
I can't boot up MBP far with random errors. I used Rufus, in an updated
64-bit W10 Pro. PC with
https://cdimage.debian.org/images/unofficial/non-free/images-including-firmware/11.3.0-live+nonfree/amd64/iso-hybrid/debian-live-11.3.0-amd64-xfce+nonfree.iso,
to make a bootable 8 GB USB flash stick.

Photos:
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I tried the same USB flash media on a 2012 MBP, and it had no problems
booting up. :/
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Dang HDD's SMART errors & failed tests meaning it's from 2016, heat wave, body (tired, achy, & noisy), life, etc. Every1 is BUSY! :(
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Marco Moock
2022-06-26 06:24:59 UTC
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Post by Ant
I can't boot up MBP far with random errors. I used Rufus, in an
updated 64-bit W10 Pro.
Try dd on a Linux PC.

At least it starts GRUB, that means it can be booted on your Mac.
Maybe try the netboot image.

Maybe this might be also helpful for your:
https://wiki.debian.org/MacBook

I have never had an iMac, so I have no experience with it at all, but
I'll do my best.
Ant
2022-06-26 06:44:50 UTC
Permalink
Post by Marco Moock
Post by Ant
I can't boot up MBP far with random errors. I used Rufus, in an
updated 64-bit W10 Pro.
Try dd on a Linux PC.
How do I use it with the ISO file?
Post by Marco Moock
At least it starts GRUB, that means it can be booted on your Mac.
Well, it did boot on the newer MacBook Pro (2012). 2008 didn't. Maybe
it's broken hence it was free. Ha.
...
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Marco Moock
2022-06-26 08:03:12 UTC
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Post by Ant
How do I use it with the ISO file?
The same as with disks.
dd if=/path/debain.iso of=/dev/sda bs=4M status=progress
You NEED to change the path of if and of.
Post by Ant
Post by Marco Moock
At least it starts GRUB, that means it can be booted on your Mac.
Well, it did boot on the newer MacBook Pro (2012). 2008 didn't. Maybe
it's broken hence it was free. Ha.
Maybe the GPU is faulty, you may try the boot option nomodeset.
Ant
2022-06-26 23:05:54 UTC
Permalink
Post by Marco Moock
Post by Ant
How do I use it with the ISO file?
The same as with disks.
dd if=/path/debain.iso of=/dev/sda bs=4M status=progress
You NEED to change the path of if and of.
Last night, I found out that Rufus has DD option when writing to an USB
flash drive from an ISO. I assume that's the same.
https://www.reddit.com/r/linuxquestions/comments/vdapv9/whats_the_best_lowend_supported_and_updated_linux/idsds11/
for the details.
Post by Marco Moock
Post by Ant
Post by Marco Moock
At least it starts GRUB, that means it can be booted on your Mac.
Well, it did boot on the newer MacBook Pro (2012). 2008 didn't. Maybe
it's broken hence it was free. Ha.
Maybe the GPU is faulty, you may try the boot option nomodeset.
Maybe. Or MBP's internal USB hub is broken, but then why under Mac OS X El
Capitan v10.11.6 works fine? Maybe this machine has issues.
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Dang old hardwares failing, heat wave, body (tired and achy), life, etc. Everyone is BUSY! :(
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