Wednesday, July 29, 2020

How to make MacBook Pro (15-inch, Late 2008) and iPad 2 useful in the year 2020


This blog is written to express my gratitude to all the people helped me to fulfill this initiative

Here one can find the steps for hardware upgrade of MacBook Pro (15-inch, Late 2008) and installation on it and iPad 2 the latest supported by Apple MacOS X v. 10.11.6 El Capitan, iOS v. 9.3.5 and MS Windows 10. All the steps made took more than a month reading, testing, more than 6 hours phone talks with Apple Support and as an exception tens of e-mails. More than 5 friends of mine were also involved in this tedious battle.

On the other hand because of my ignorance of contemporary Apple hardware and software some of the problems were definitely provoked by me. Some of the obvious facts written in this blog are also a consequence of the lack of knowledge and experience so be indulgent.


1.                  Hardware upgrade
·        The main hardware of MacBook Pro (15-inch, Late 2008) is:
o  Intel Mobile Core 2 Duo CPU P8600 @ 2.40GHz
o  RAM 4GB DDR3 @ 1066MHz and 250GB SATA I HDD
o  256MB NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT Graphics
o  15.4-inch, 1440 x 900 pixels LCD with 32-bit color
·        Additional but helpful hardware of MacBook Pro (15-inch, Late 2008) is:
o  Gigabit Ethernet connector – preferable to Wi-Fi (better as speed and reliability)
o  Dual USB 2.0 and Firewire connectors – useful to connect external devices

1.1.             Repairing of MacBook Pro (15-inch, Late 2008) and some workarounds
·        One big trouble was that the battery fails and has to be changed
·        At the same time failed capacitor on the motherboard makes a trouble bigger
·        After changing the battery and repairing MacBook become ready for upgrade
·        It is useful to know that MacBook Pro (15-inch, Late 2008) can work without battery
·        One more problem was failed internal DVD device and has to be used external one connected via USB
·        Unfamiliar language specific keyboard can also be a problem so it can be used additional one via USB
o  The problem at using unfamiliar keyboard is passwords entering when the chars are not shown at all
o  Some special characters can also be a problem to be entered even at visible fields

1.2.            Changing memory from 4GB to 8GB
·        It can be upgraded up to 8GB (there are some modules recommend)
1.2.1.        Search and buy 2 modules 4GB DDR3, 1.5V, 1066 or 1333 MHz
1.2.2.        Modules have to be the same type and from the same manufacturer
1.2.3.        Modules can be from different manufacturers but with the same parameters
1.2.4.        Test them with current software installation
1.2.5.        Successfully used 4GB DDR3 1333MHz different modules:
·        Samsung, PC3-10700 (667 MHz), Part Number M471B5273CH0-CH9
·        Kingston, PC3-10700 (667 MHz), Part Number 9905428-051.A00LF
1.2.6.        Do not install them before complete new software installation

1.3.            Changing internal HDD with SSD
·        It can be upgraded up to 4TB internal HDD or SSD (there are some devices recommend)
1.3.1.        Original HDD: Hitachi HTB-HTS543232L9SA0, 250GB, 5400RPM, 2.5" (0A57325) SATA I (150Mbps)
1.3.2.        Buy cheapest 480GB SSD with option to return in case of incompatibility
1.3.3.        Take in account that MacBook Pro (2.40 GHz, 15-inch, Late 2008) has SATA II controller
1.3.4.        It could be incompatible with some SSDs especially expensive and fast once
1.3.5.        There is indication that Adata, Crucial and Kingstan SSDs may work
1.3.6.        Successfully used 447GB Crucial CT480BX500SSD1 ATA Device (SATA (SSD))
1.3.7.        Do not install it before preparation of the software installation


2.                 Installation of MacBook Pro for dual boot of MacOS X and Windows 10
·        There is no official Apple support for Windows 10 as Boot Camp and drivers for old MacBooks
·        Fortunately, all drivers for MacBook Pro (2.40 GHz, 15-inch, Late 2008) are available from Internet
o  Successfully updated after Windows installation by Snappy Driver Installer Origin
·        The only problem is multi touch driver but there is an overcoming procedure (not tested)
·        The main MacOS X and Windows 10 installation procedures are not described with details

2.1.            Successful procedure

2.1.1.       Preparing MacOS X 10.11.6 El Capitan installation USB flash disk
·        Use compatibility table to find latest MacOS X supported for upgraded MacBook Pro
·        This is MacOS X 10.11.x El Capitan for MacBook Pro (2.40 GHz, 15-inch, Late 2008)
·        Preparation has to be done on the same of compatible MacBook Pro
2.1.1.1.   Keep current HDD and MacOS installation safe and working
2.1.1.2.   Be sure to sign out from any MacOS application (iCloud, iTunes, FaceTime, iMessage etc.)
2.1.1.3.   Download MacOS X 10.11.6 El Capitan installation package (InstallMacOSX.dmg)
2.1.1.4.   Double click on InstallMacOSX.dmg to open it (do not skip verification step)
2.1.1.5.   Double click on opened InstallMacOSX.pkg to start installation of the installer application
2.1.1.6.   It will install "Install OS X El Capitan" application in Application folder
2.1.1.7.   Connect at least 8GB USB flash drive to your MacBook Pro (will destroy all data on it)
2.1.1.8.   Run "Install OS X El Capitan" application and follow the steps to write bootable USB flash drive

2.1.2.       Preparing MS Windows 10 installation DVD
·        There are some ready for use MS Windows 10 installation DVDs on
2.1.2.1.   MacBook Pro (2.40 GHz, 15-inch, Late 2008) cannot boot Windows from USB flash drive
2.1.2.2.   Download Windows 10 ISO file and write it as bootable DVD installation disk
2.1.2.3.   Successfully used Windows 10 x64 Compact written on Windows 7 PC
·        ISO file is 2.17 GB and the space taken after installation is 10GB
2.1.2.4.   Use DVD R/W drive connected to Windows 7/10 PC and put in it empty writable DVD disk
·        Windows Explorer -> ISO file -> right mouse click -> Burn disk image

2.1.3.       Install MacOS X 10.11.6 El Capitan on a new SSD
2.1.3.1.   Replace original HDD with the new SSD on upgraded MacBook Pro
2.1.3.2.   Connect prepared in 2.1.1. USB flash drive and power MacBook Pro
2.1.3.3.   Push and keep Alt key while see available boot disks on your screen
2.1.3.4.   As SSD is a new the only bootable device has to be USB flash drive
2.1.3.5.   Select it and push up arrow to start booting
2.1.3.6.   Wait while MacOS X El Capitan loads
2.1.3.7.   Choose from menu Utilities -> Disk Utility
2.1.3.8.   Erase SSD with name by your choice, OS X Extended (Jurnalled) format and GUID Partition Map scheme
2.1.3.9.   Exit Disk Utility, run MacOS X installation, point SSD when asked and follow the installation steps
·        It was encountered following problem at this point: remaining a second to restart the installation stops
·        There are never ended errors about string objects in log view – waiting long time installation may continue
·        Installation process finished once without problem and once after waiting more than half an hour from more than 5 attempts

2.1.4.       Install helpful applications and customize MacOS X 10.11.6 El Capitan
2.1.4.1.   Update MacOS X 10.11.6 El Capitan from Apple Application Store (sign in with AppleID is not obligatory)
2.1.4.2.   macsfancontrol.zip -> Applications/Macs Fan Control.app - for fans control
·        Set to control based on the value of the sensor measuring maximal temperature
·        In Preferences -> General -> check "Autostart minimized with system (recommended)"
·        In Preferences -> Menubar display -> chose what and how to display on menubar
2.1.4.3.   MenuMeters_2.0.7.zip -> Applications/MenuMeters.app
·        Choose what to show like CPU, Memory, Network etc. usage in real time
2.1.4.4.   googlechrome.dmg -> Applications/Google Chrome.app - use it if you prefer it
2.1.4.5.   barrier-2.1.0.dmg -> Applications/Barrier.app
·        For sharing keyboard and mouse via different computers with own monitor
·        In case of not connecting to the server automatically:
o  Turn off System Integrity Protection
o  Select Application/Barrier.app -> right mouse click -> Show Package Contents -> Contents/MacOS/
o  Right mouse click on barrier.sh -> Open With -> TextEdit -> add to exec ./barrier --client
o  Menu ->File -> Save -> close TextEdit and System Preferences -> Re-login
2.1.4.6.   tuxerantfs_2018.dmg -> Install Tuxera NTFS -> Applications/Tuxera Disk Manager
·        For reading and writing from/to Windows 10 NTFS disk
2.1.4.7.   Any other useful application by your choice
2.1.4.8.   For being able to run application downloaded from Internet
·        System Preferences -> Security & Privacy ->
o  General -> Click the lock to make the changes ->
§  Authorize with Administrator password -> Select Allow apps downloaded from: Anywhere
o  Privacy -> Click the lock to make the changes ->
§  Authorize with Administrator password -> check the box for all applications
2.1.4.9.   For being able to run application at user login and customize login options (authorization is needed)
·        System Preferences -> Users & Groups -> Passwords -> change user photo, password etc.
·        System Preferences -> Users & Groups -> Login Items -> select apps to run at login
·        System Preferences -> Users & Groups -> Login Options -> DO NOT select above applications to start at login
2.1.4.10. Setting TRIM Support for SATA SSD to "Yes" (useful to increase write speed)
·        Turn off System Integrity Protection in Mac OS X El Capitan
o  Restart MacBook Pro -> Hold down Alt key while see boot devices -> select and boot from "Recovery - 10.11.6"
o  When it boots -> click on Utilities menu -> choose Terminal -> type command "csrutil disable" and press return
o  Restart system with turned off System Integrity Protection
·        Turn on System Integrity Protection is the same except the command: "csrutil disable" -> "csrutil enable"
·        While System Integrity Protection is turned off application contents files can be modified
·        Alternatively, run in Terminal the command: sudo trimforce enable/disable (not tested)

2.1.5.       Install Windows 10
2.1.5.1.   Run Utilities/Boot Camp Assistant.app
2.1.5.2.   Uncheck both preparation of installation disk and download drivers options
2.1.5.3.   Continue with partitioning for dual boot
2.1.5.4.   Split main partition to 2 new with sizes by your choice and format the new one with FAT32
2.1.5.5.   Take in account that some Windows 10 installations can take 50+ GB disk space without user data
·        Used Windows 10 x64 Compact installation takes 10-11 GB even after software updates
2.1.5.6.   Allow Boot Camp Assistant to reboot the system
2.1.5.7.   Push and keep Alt key while see boot disks on your screen
2.1.5.8.   Insert prepared in 2.1.2. DVD disk into DVD device
2.1.5.9.   Wait for DVD to become ready, choose and boot from Windows partition
·        Follow Windows 10 installation procedure
·        When asked point to prepared in 2.1.5.4. FAT32 partition and erase it
·        Point to newly shown unallocated space and create new partition
·        Point to newly create partition and continue installation

2.1.6.       Update Windows 10 drivers
2.1.6.1.   Activate and update Windows 10 installation
·        Some devices will not have appropriate drives or will not work properly
2.1.6.2.   Download and update Snappy Driver Installer Origin application
·        This can be done on other Windows system and portable disk
·        In some cases the size will grow to more than 50GB
2.1.6.3.   Run Snappy Driver Installer Origin application on MacBook Pro running Windows 10
2.1.6.4.   Application will show the list of drivers to install or update
2.1.6.5.   Select all listed drivers and run install procedure
2.1.6.6.   Confirm when asked a question to install driver
·        After driver installation and update all devices have to work properly
·        Only the multi-touch functionality will not be available (see 2.)

2.1.7.       Install some important or useful Windows 10 applications
2.1.7.1.   macsfancontrol_setup.exe -> Mac Fan Control - very important
·        It is the only way to control MacBook Pro fans while Windows 10 is running
2.1.7.2.   BarrierSetup-2.3.2.exe -> Barrier application
·        For sharing keyboard and mouse via different computers with own monitor
2.1.7.3.   spsetup132.exe -> Speccy application - helpful at analyzing hardware details
·        Will also install Google Chrome applications - use it if you prefer it
2.1.7.4.   8GadgetPackSetup.msi -> 8GadgetPack Tools - to use Windows 7 like gadgets
·        There is a plenty of useful gadgets like CPU Usage, Drives and Network Meters
2.1.7.5.   Any other useful application by your choice
2.1.7.6.   Customize Windows 10 installation:
·        To add/remove icons to/from the desktop like This PC, Recycle Bin etc.:
o  Start button -> Settings > Personalization > Themes;
o  Under Themes > Related Settings, select Desktop icon settings;
o  Choose the icons you would like to have on your desktop and then select Apply and OK.
2.1.7.7.   How to disable Windows Defender Antivirus using Windows Security:
·        WinKey+S -> Search for Windows Security -> Click on Virus & threat protection;
·        Under the "Virus & threat protection settings" section, click the Manage settings option;
·        Turn off the Real-time protection toggle switch to disable Windows Defender temporarily;
·        Restarting Windows 10 will always enable the real-time protection.
2.1.7.8.   How to:
·        Start Windows 10 in Safe Mode:
·        Fix problems with Windows 10 Update
·        Revert Windows 10 Account to a Local One
·        Make Windows 10 look and act more like Windows 7

2.1.8.       Final installations and assessments
2.1.8.1.   If Windows 10 fails while working or new boot behave unusual it is helpful to check system disk
·        The system disk can be checked immediately after a boot while the file system is not busy
·        WinKey+S -> File Search -> cmd.exe -> Run as Administrator
o  In the Command Window -> chkdsk c: /r -> Press Enter
o  When receive the “Chkdsk cannot run because the volume is in use by another process.” message, type Y
o  Close all running applications and restart the computer
o  This will force the utility to run a system disk scan at the next boot
·        The same procedure can be started from
o  Windows Explorer -> This PC -> System disk (C:) -> Properties -> Tools -> Check
o  Other steps are like described above when using cmd.exe
·        In case of not able to boot Windows 10 installation or Repair disk it can be used:
o  Insert the original Windows DVD, restart and boot from it and click Repair your computer;
o  Choose the operating system from the list, click Next, choose Command Prompt;
o  When it opens, type the command: "chkdsk C: /f /r" and press Enter and reboot form disk.
2.1.8.2.   After Both MackOS X 10.11.6 El Capitan and MS Windows 10 installations are working properly
·        Make some functional and performance tests to be sure they are stable
·        Replace old 2 x 2GB DDR2 RAM modules with new 2 x 4GB once
·        Make more functional and performance tests to be sure the systems are stable
·        If it has some problems search and mound other RAM modules or SSD
·        If the problems come from SSD all installation procedure except preparations has to be repeated
2.1.8.3.   Performance assessment in Windows 10
·        WinKey+S -> File Search -> cmd.exe -> Run as Administrator
o  In the Command Window -> winsat prepop -> Press Enter
o  In the Command Window -> winsat formal -> Press Enter
·        WinKey+S -> File Search -> Powershell.exe -> Run as Administrator
·        In the Command Window -> Get-WmiObject -class Win32_WinSAT -> Press Enter
·        The result contains "Windows Experience Indexes" like:
o  CPUScore = Processor; D3DScore = Gaming Graphics, DiskScore = Primary Hard Disk,
GraphicsScore = Graphics, MemoryScore = Memory (RAM), WinSPRLevel = Base Score
2.1.8.4.   After described installation the Speccy summary report for MacBook Pro (2.40 GHz, 15-inch, Late 2008) is:
·        Operating System
o  Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
·        CPU
o  Intel Mobile Core 2 Duo P8600 @ 2.40GHz   45 °C
o  Penryn 45nm Technology
·        RAM
o  8.00GB DDR3 @ 663MHz
·        Motherboard
o  Apple Inc. Mac-F42D86C8 (U2E1)    25 °C
·        Graphics
o  Generic PnP Monitor (1440x900@60Hz)
o  256MB NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT (Apple Computer)        58 °C
·        Storage
o  447GB Crucial CT480BX500SSD1 ATA Device (SATA (SSD))            36 °C
·        Optical Drives
o  MATSHITA DVD-R UJ-868 ATA Device
·        Audio
o  Realtek High Definition Audio
2.1.8.5.   After described installation the Windows Experience Index values on MacBook Pro (2.40 GHz, 15-inch, Late 2008) are:
CPUScore
7.6
MemoryScore
7.6
DiskScore
7.25
D3DScore
9.9
GraphicsScore
6.3
WinSPRLevel
6.3
2.1.8.6.   There is quite different graphics performance in Google Chrome under MacOS X and Windows 10
·        The difference is encountered with a special moving canvas speed test (MacOS X prevail):
·        and EGPR application using moving canvas (Windows 10 prevail)
·        The reasons were not tested - could be the driver used or hardware acceleration support


2.2.           Unsuccessful tests

2.2.1.       To do all by Boot Camp with edited preferences (Info.plist)
2.2.1.1.   The problem is when trying to make Windows installation on USB flash drive
·        It is formatted with FAT32 where the big files cannot be written
2.2.1.2.   There is no guarantee that if one can prepare USB flash disk it will be recognized as bootable

2.2.2.      To do all without Boot Camp
2.2.2.1.   Prepare SSD by Disk Utility from MacOS X 10.11.6 El Capitan installation
2.2.2.2.   Add new partition resizing main primary partition to half size for example
2.2.2.3.   Erase new partition as MBR and FAT32 options
2.2.2.4.   It will be re-initialized at Windows installation
2.2.2.5.   Boot Windows 10 Installer from DVD drive
2.2.2.6.   Follow Windows 10 installation procedure
2.2.2.7.   The problem is that the new Windows partition and disk are not visible from MacOS
2.2.2.8.   It could be possible to modify partition information by low level utilities (not tested)

2.2.3.      Incompatible or not completely tested hardware
2.2.3.1.   DDR 3 @ 1333 MHz different modules (1.5V/1.35V etc.) - used in error (not completely tested)
2.2.3.2.   447GB GIGABYTE GP-GSTFS31480GN ATA Device (SATA III SSD) - write errors (definitely not work)
2.2.3.3.   447GB KINGSTON SA400S37480G ATA Device (SATA III SSD) - probably will work (not completely tested)
2.2.3.4.   698GB Hitachi HTS547575A9E384 ATA Device (SATA II HDD) - probably will work (not completely tested)
2.2.3.5.   Original 250GB Hitachi HTS543225L9SA02 ATA Device (SATA I HDD) - probably will work (not tested at all)


3.                 Installation issues around iPad 2 update and AppleID change
·        Installation itself of latest iOS 9.3.5 is not a problem at all
·        It can be done from the device or via iTunes while it is connected to MacOS or Windows computer
·        The main problem comes when iPad 2 become locked with deleted or non-controlled AppleID

3.1.            Connection problems
·        For connecting to a computer Apple recommend to use original USB cable
·        Unfortunately, my original cable fails and I have to change it with non-original one
·        Most of non-original cables are designed for charging only or communication ability is weak
·        For buying appropriate for communication USB cable the real test is a must

3.2.           iTunes connectivity
·        I tested iPad 2 connectivity with:
o  iTunes v. 12.8.2.3 on MacBook Pro (15”, Late 2008) with MacOS X El Capitan (10.11.6),
o  iTunes v. 12.9.6.3 on Intel Core i7 desktop PC with Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit SP1 and
o  iTunes v. 10.6.3 on PowerBook G4 15” with MacOS v. 10.5.8 and Darwin Kernel 9.8.0
·        iPad 2 backup I made with iTunes on MacBook Pro and iTunes on desktop PC
·        iPad 2 iOS update I made with iTunes on MacBook Pro and PowerBook G4

3.3.           There are 3 types of update processes
·        There is no way to unlock locked with AppleID iPad 2 by iTunes
·        After updating of iOS on locked device using DFU or Recovery mode device will not be able to load iOS

3.3.1.       Using connection between iTunes and loaded with iOS iPad 2
·        After running iTunes and connecting iPad 2 to it authentication is needed on both sides
·        Computer running iTunes has to be declared as “trusted” for iPad
·        Before starting update iTunes will download iOS
·        Sign in with AppleID is not required

3.3.2.      Using connection between iTunes and iPad 2 in Recovery Mode
·        Recovery mode is the state in which iPad 2 loads the bootloader but not the OS
·        However, it still interacts with iTunes/Finder to install fresh firmware and restores
·        Recovery mode doesn’t allow you to downgrade previous versions of iOS
·        Recovery mode screen on the device looks like a cable connected to computer
·        Entering and exiting to/from Recovery mode is well described in:
·        After entering Recovery mode of connected iPad 2 iTunes can be used to update iOS or restore from backup

3.3.3.      Using connection between iTunes and iPad 2 in DFU Mode
·        DFU Mode allows all devices to be restored from any state
·        It bypasses the iBoot bootloader on iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad
·        It allows you to downgrade to previous versions of iOS
·        In DFU Mode the screen appears totally black
·        Entering and exiting to/from DFU Mode is well described in:
·        After entering DFU Mode of connected iPad 2 iTunes can be used to update with previously downloaded iOS


4.                 AppleID and OS related problems and some solutions
·        While doing installation and setup procedures some problems were encountered
·        Solving these problems (including upgrade and install procedures) took me a month time with reading and testing
·        And in addition more than 6 hours phone talks with Apple Support and as an exception tens of e-mails
·        Do not rely on using e-mails to contact Apple Support without internal protection
·        Phone numbers (like 00800 6002 7753 for Bulgaria) may be charged like international calls

4.1.            It is a problem if device is not singed out from iCloud, iTunes, FaceTime, iMassage etc. services

4.2.           One problem encountered was using AppleID created a long time ago
·        Old AppleIDs are not compatible with new Apple security and if one forgets some login details it is a big problem
·        If AppleID is forgotten one has to remember an e-mail the account is linked to
·        If the password is forgotten its reset from applied.apple.com may solve the problem
·        If the security questions are forgotten the problem can be solved by Apple Support but authentication is not easy
·        In my case I succeeded to reset my password and sign in to the account from a browser
o  But I cannot reset security questions and was not able to edit anything in the account
o  I only succeed to add and verify a phone number but cannot set it for two-factor authentication
o  Apple Support probably set it for two-factor authentication and account was unblocked
o  After AppleID is unblocked it can be used as a newly created once
·        Of course the alternative is to create a new AppleID but old one will stay active forever and user info will be lost

4.3.           Deleting an AppleID is not easy and save procedure
·        It can be started from privacy.apple.com where one can sign in with AppleID and place request for deletion
·        Apple will notify you that request is accepted and AppleID will be deleted soon
·        You will have a time window to refuse deletion by calling Apple Support with given authentication code
·        Apple says that in this time window AppleID will be active and can be used
·        It is not clear how long this time window is and if one relies on it to refuse deletion or sign out devices may fail
·        In my case after a few days AppleID was not active in spite of a week delayed mail for permanent deletion

4.4.           There is a big problem if AppleID is deleted and devices are not signed out from that account
·        In my case iPad 2 become locked with deleted AppleID and the tries to unlock it via iTunes failed

4.5.           If some device becomes locked because of deleted AppleID try to contact Apple Support for help
·        I am not sure what helps my iPad 2 to be unlocked – Apple support says that they do nothing about it
·        May be a time (1-2 weeks) without activity from locked device helps
·        I do not recommend using 3-rd party services, people or tools for unlocking of Apple devices

4.6.           Another big problem is if one uses only old devices with old OS installed
·        The problem encountered is when trying to use MacBook Pro (15” late 2008) and iPad 2 only
·        The supported OS were MacOS El Capitan (10.11.6) and iOS (9.3.5) respectively
·        Nevertheless two-factor authentication set Apple Security system ask for password/passcode of the devices
·        Unfortunately, older OS is not aware of such a protocol and authentication fails
·        The only way to solve the problem is to use other device with newer OS (MacOS Sierra 10.12+ or iOS 10+)
·        With the help of such a device one can authenticate older devices for signing in to the AppleID
·        After successful authentication old devices will be used without problems

4.7.           Last but also big problem was impossibility to sign in FaceTime and iMessage
·        This situation is reported in many forums and discussions but without working solution
·        It happens without matter that a device is signed in to iCloud and iTunes
·        The main problem was that by some reason some application blocks sign in procedure
·        In my case it was one of the installed applications (Mac Fan Control, Barrier and Menu Meters) which have to run at login
·        In the beginning they did not run at login and I added them to Users & Groups -> Login Options
·        Removing them from Users & Groups -> Login Options solved the FaceTime and iMessage sign in problem
·        Above action makes it possible these applications to run even on other users logins

Thanks for the patience to read the blog. Please, notify me if found errors and/or run into a different experience.

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