Arch Linux

aidanonarch

Member

Registered: 2024-03-23

Posts: 2

Cannot Access MAC Firmware Settings

I have a 2014 Mac Mini with Arch installed on it, and have been unable to access the Recovery Mode on the device. I don't have access to Ethernet and have not set up WiFi drivers. I have a laptop with arch installed on it that does have access to internet if that might be of help. Here is some more information/what I have tried thus far:

- I am using systemd-boot, which bootctl informs me does not support booting into firmware settings (what I need to do)

- Any and every combination to enter said firmware settings via holding down key combinations after rebooting does not work (have a wired keyboard so registering inputs shouldn't be the problem)

- Changing the efibootmgr order to boot Mac stuff first does not work, and also a live USB can not be booted into for the same reason (just skips straight to the systemd-boot screen which only shows arch-linux and fallback)

- systemctl reboot --firmware-setup gives: Cannot indicate to EFI to boot into setup mode: Firmware does not support boot into firmware.

- Switching to a different bootloader like GRUB or rEFInd seems like a good idea, but I have similarly had a heck of a time trying to install packages from a USB medium, if that is the direction I should go some succinct resources on doing so would be fantastic.

Been struggling with this for a couple days and really appreciate any help towards a resolution!

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Passion makes one think in a circle - Oscar Wilde

jl2

Member

From: 47° 18' N 8° 34' E

Registered: 2022-06-01

Posts: 1,321

Re: Cannot Access MAC Firmware Settings

ref https://bbs.archlinux.org/viewtopic.php?id=294049

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And to let my siblings and cousins laugh at Arsch Linux...

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aidanonarch

Member

Registered: 2024-03-23

Posts: 2

Re: Cannot Access MAC Firmware Settings

Helpful link, thank you. I successfully got GRUB installed with '--target=i386-pc' and '--removable'. However even after adding:

menuentry 'UEFI Firmware Settings' --id 'uefi-firmware' {
    fwsetup
}

the option to boot into firmware settings still does not appear. Possibly unrelated aside, could I not just wipe the entire computer with...

 rm -rf --no-preserve-root / 

...thus leaving only the firmware settings? That is probably stupid a million different ways but really been losing it over this problem. Either way further help would be much appreciated, thanks again

Last edited by aidanonarch (2024-03-26 00:27:31)

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Passion makes one think in a circle - Oscar Wilde

Head_on_a_Stick

Member

From: The Wirral

Registered: 2014-02-20

Posts: 9,003

Website

Re: Cannot Access MAC Firmware Settings

I successfully got GRUB installed with '--target=i386-pc' and '--removable'

If the i386-pc target is passed then the --removable option will be ignored. You now have a non-UEFI system. Confirm by checking /sys/firmware/ — the efi directory should not be present.

However even after adding:
[...]
the option to boot into firmware settings still does not appear.

Where did you add the stanza?

If the menuentry won't work I would try removing the motherboard CMOS battery for a few minutes in the hope of resetting the firmware.

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Jin, Jîyan, Azadî