Troubleshooting First Boot Issues on Ivy Bridge with Big Sur Installation

Upgrading your Ivy Bridge platform from El Capitan to Big Sur is a great step, but I understand that encountering issues during the first boot can be challenging. Let's work through this step by step to get your system running smoothly with Big Sur.

Guide Step by Step:

1. Verify BIOS Settings: Ensure that your BIOS settings are configured correctly for a Hackintosh setup. This includes disabling Secure Boot, enabling AHCI for SATA, setting the correct DVMT pre-allocated memory for HD Graphics 4000, and turning off any fast boot settings.

2. Update Your Bootloader: Since you're upgrading from El Capitan, make sure you're using the latest version of your bootloader (like OpenCore or Clover). The guide you used is for a Lenovo T530, which might have different requirements than your Jetway NF9G-QM77.

3. Correct Kexts and Drivers: Ensure you have the necessary kexts (kernel extensions) for your hardware. For Ivy Bridge and Big Sur, these typically include FakeSMC or VirtualSMC, Lilu, WhateverGreen, and appropriate network kexts for your WiFi card.

4. Graphics Configuration: Your setup includes Intel HD Graphics 4000 and a GeForce GT 610M. Big Sur does not support NVIDIA graphics cards well, so you'll need to ensure that your Intel HD 4000 is set as the primary graphics device. You may need to disable the NVIDIA card in your config.plist.

5. config.plist Settings: Since you have a config.plist from a different setup, you'll need to adjust it for your hardware. Use a plist editor to make sure the settings match your CPU, GPU, and motherboard. Pay special attention to the SMBIOS settings, which should match a system compatible with Ivy Bridge processors, like MacBookPro9,1 or 9,2.

6. Check for Kernel Panic s: If your system is rebooting or shutting down unexpectedly, you might be experiencing Kernel Panic s. Review the boot protocol you mentioned for any error messages or panic reports. This can indicate missing or incorrect kexts, or misconfigurations in your BIOS or config.plist.

7. Post-Installation Utilities: Once you Success fully boot into Big Sur, use utilities like Hackintool to fine-tune your setup, such as enabling audio, fixing sleep issues, and optimizing USB ports.

8. Backup: Always keep a backup of your working El Capitan setup in case you need to revert.

Create config.plist:

Creating a config.plist is specific to each hardware setup. Since I don't have direct access to your hardware details and current configuration file, I'll provide a general approach:

1. Start with a clean template appropriate for Ivy Bridge processors.
2. Add necessary kexts like FakeSMC/VirtualSMC, Lilu, WhateverGreen.
3. Set SMBIOS to a model compatible with Ivy Bridge.
4. Configure your iGPU (HD Graphics 4000) as the primary graphics output.
5. Disable incompatible hardware, like the NVIDIA GPU, if necessary.
6. Adjust ACPI settings and patches specific to your motherboard.

Given the specific nature of your hardware and the fact that you're using a guide for a different laptop model, it would be advisable to look for a guide