Snow Leopard GM not booting into 64-bit mode automatically, fix here
For those of you running Snow Leopard
Would you like to see what it is like to run in the 64-bit world? First make sure you have the right hardware for the job. Apple will only let you run 64-bit if you have a 64-bit EFI (see below for workaround). Here's a list of kosher Macs from the Snow Leopard release notes:
Or, use the following command in Terminal.app to see what you've got:
ioreg -l -p IODeviceTree | grep firmware-abi
To artificially force Snow Leopard to boot into 64-bit mode, hold down the 6 and 4 keys during a Shutdown/Restart (had freezing issues with a plain restart), After a slight delay, you'll notice that in System Profiler, you are now running in 64-bit.
You can also use the NVRAM or the com.apple.Boot.plist file to more permanently boot into 64bit mode. Holding the '3' and '2' keys will boot Snow Leopard back into 32bit mode.
Note that it takes significantly longer to boot into 64-bit mode, especially the first time around than a 32-bit restart. I'm not sure why this is or if it is just a one off. Also, I wasn't able to tether an iPhone when in 64-bit mode. Otherwise things run fine and plenty fast. Apple is most likely pushing people into 32-bit mode because drivers for printers, etc. haven't been updated. Xserves are, again, exempted.
If you have a 64-bit processor but 32-bit EFI (for instance, users of the first generation Mac Pros amazingly have only 32-bit EFI firmware), there is still hope for you. From OSNews:
So, even if you have a 64bit processor, and you thought you were in the clear, Apple might not give you the option to go 64bit. However, in what probably rivals the Amazon Kindle 1984 thing in most ironic moment of 2009, the hackintosh community has come to the rescue. With netkas' pcefiv10.1 bootloader, you can boot into 64bi Snow Leopard even on 32bit EFI Macs. So far, it's not yet known if Apple will enable owners of machines with 32bit EFI to boot into a 64bit kernel in Snow Leopard-final; Apple might offer an EFI update, or remove the artificial limitation. The same applies to MacBooks; it might be that Apple is planning on using 64bit as a selling point to drive people to buy MacBook Pros instead of ordinary MacBooks..
Obviously using the Hackintosh hack to trick your EFI firmware ventures into the "use at your own risk" territory. That being said, have fun!
Thanks to Greg for pointing this out originally.
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Comments (68)
Well, the question I guess is why 32 bit? I know it will run fine with a 32bit kernal, but why not take the full plunge? What's the compatibility problem?
It's all about the KEXT, developers are always slow to release drivers and having 32bit drivers in a 64bit kernel no workie
What's this 32bit bullshit now? I guess only because it's not the final final release or what?
I thought Snow Cat was all 64bit?
Please don't come to me with 32bit crap. I wanted to pick up the Snow Kitty ugrade but not if it still runs as 32bit pussy.
LOL!
What the F**K Apple?! I was looking forward to the Snow Leopard update, but now I find out that I can't use OpenCL because of my graphics card and I'll most likely be running the 32bit kernel...
What graphics card may that be?
It's just the Kernel that won't be 64-bit... you will still be able to run all 64-bit applications and take advantage of OpenCL and GrandCentral Dispatch.
I don't know why everyone is making such a big deal over this.
BTW 13 inch Unibody MacBook has 64bit EFi
What the hell Apple?! I was looking forward to the release of Snow Leopard, but now I find out I can't use OpenCL (Because of my Graphics Card) and I will most likely be using 32-bit kernel... Great...
I have a late 2008 Unibody MacBook (not Pro) and it has the 64 bit Firmware. I'm looking forward to taking this out for a spin.
I have a late 2008 Unibody MacBook (not Pro) and it has the 64 bit Firmware. I'm looking forward to taking this out for a spin.
If my nvidia MacBook can't run 64 bit snow leopard I may not be upgrading. I understand leaving behind old Power PC technology, but not a core 2 duo MacBook.
Can't Apple just usher out an EFI Firmware Update or have that installed during the installation of Leopard?
I have a 2008 MacBookPro3,1 with EFI64
So, is there a "problem" with tethering, or doesn't it work?
ok mine isn't listed there but says:
"alex-yamils-macbook-2:~ alexyamil$ ioreg -l -p IODeviceTree | grep firmware-abi
| | "firmware-abi" = <"EFI64">"
so i think that run on 64bits mines is 2008 late
2.4 ghz at 1,300
This is the same thing when Vista came out. You could only get 32-Bit Vista with new machines because there were no 64-bit drivers. You could load 64-bit Vista on a machine, if you wanted, but it was "good fucking luck" when getting drivers and software to work.
Very sneaky and shitty of Apple to say Snow Leopard is 64-bit but have you unknowingly run it 32-bit mode. Bullshit, real bullshit.
What does 64 bit give me over 32 bit? Just curious... People seem bummed by this but I don't know what it all means.
I expect a million thumbs down for this, but the main "benefit" of 64bit is that it involves a bigger number than 32bit. You know, for the boasting — these are probably the same people that 15 years ago would have argued that the Neo Geo must be 24bit because it cost more (hint: by modern standards, both the Mega Drive and Neo Geo are 32bit, since the 68k has a full 32bit ISA). The real advantages are (i) more registers in Intel's implementation of 64bit; (ii) larger memory space. The former can make some operations faster, the latter is a major boost to people working with huge files like digital video, but currently not so helpful for 95% of consumers. The disadvantage of 64bit is that you now need 64 bits of storage to remember the address of anything, so some applications can actually run more slowly owing to suddenly having larger data structures and hence being more troubled by RAM latency. Again though, those tend to be fringe applications. 64bit will become indispensable because of the additional memory space. Right now, who cares?
lol how completely wrong - X64 gives you QUADRUPLE the amount of on processor storage registers meaning you can process a hell of a lot more data on chip without having to dip in and out of memory a lot. 32bit gives you FOUR registers (AX,BX,CX,DX) and maybe you can use ESP for storage. X64 gives you 16 and they're all 64bit.
upshot for user: applications can run a lot faster because they keep data on the cpu (not just in the cache) without having to juggle registers into and out of memory because you only have 4 to work with.
Yeah, I remember now — the PowerPC had 64 registers, so surely there's no way a switch to Intel could give speed benefits. You know, either that or you're using a false metric. Registers aren't actually physical locations on chips any more, they're just ways of referring to intermediate values so that the CPU can figure out the smartest way of scheduling your code. That's the out-of-order execution miracle. You're talking like it's 1993. Not to mention the fact that having more in the CPU means having to push more out of the CPU whenever a context switch occurs. You know, like if you're running a multitasking operating system.
Think of 64 bit like having 64 cylinders in a car, versus only 32.
Plus colors will be much more vivid on screen, and files can be transferred twice as fast when the xfer is not in bit mode (firefox!)
Color will NOT be more "vivd". Color will just be 2.2 Gamma curve instead of 1.8. Has nothing to do with bits on your proc.
I entered the terminal prompt and it said:
| | "firmware-abi" = <"EFI64">
my macbook pro wasn't listed but it still says it has the firmware. so it should work. I am so planning on buying Snow Leopard when it comes out!
Isn't 64bit only interesting if u got 64bit apps? right now i don't even know which of my apps are 64bit "capable".
Can someone explain how to keep Snow Leapord in 64 bit. I don't understand the NVRAM or the com.apple.Boot.plist comment.
This isn't intended to be rude, but if you don't understand either of those approaches, you probably don't want to keep Snow Leopard in 64 bit at first. It's going to be a bit rocky. The 6+4 key combination on boot will let you play with full 64-bit and easily switch back when you run into problems.
And when enough third-party developers have ported their drivers to 64-bit (and the other kinks worked out), I'll bet Apple makes it the default.
Lol, seems like my macbook that i bought a year ago running the X3100 integrated card is EFI64.
Lol, my macbook that i bought a year ago, the X3100 integrated card has EFI64.
ok but the compter will run on 64bits , i will try soon .
when i installed Windows vista for first Time i installed on 64bit and was a lots of faster i uninstall the os on boot camp because the drivers was incompatibles and programs too... on mac will pass the same? or universals programs will run on snow leopard 64bits
my iMac 7,1 is EFI64 - but cannot boot into 64bit mode