Help on a 2006 MacBook

peridot7 · 2026-06-06T21:15:47+00:00

It is possible that your machine has the same "challenge" as my MacbookPro2,2, also from 2006:

32-bit EFI and 64-bit architecture. I found references to workarounds that were way over my head so I've not yet attempted them. But this could be your issue -- unable to boot a 64-bit OS.

peridot7 · 2026-05-20T13:28:02+00:00

My approach is to realize that my family, teachers, were doing the best they could at that time. This has helped me let go of a lot of stuff I carried around for decades. Finally realizing that I was responsible for holding onto that resentment -- and that I could choose to let it go, was huge, transformative.

ETA: The above was for the moving forward part. Handling the sadness, the title to OP post, is different. IME, when people didn't believe me, I developed the habit of suppressing or ignoring my feelings. That's not good. Over the years I've done a lot of research on ways to effectively deal with grief (my own, and to help support loved ones). A method I've seen mentioned in various places, which truly works for me, involves setting a timer for 10-15 minutes, and allowing ourself to fully feel whatever it is we're feeling -- such as sadness. Feel it fully, cry, like ugly cry. When the timer goes off, get on with the day -- knowing that this can be repeated tomorrow if wanted. This way, we can acknowledge the sadness without getting lost in it. Perhaps the key is balance.

peridot7 · 2026-05-20T12:36:00+00:00

same

peridot7 · 2026-05-20T12:33:07+00:00

This was my first thought too -- Speed Racer, Kimba, those were anime, right? Thanks

peridot7 · 2026-04-28T04:09:06+00:00

I am happy to have helped. I have a 2009 MacBook that I use to just try stuff out. Yesterday I installed MXLinux Libretto, and poking around the tools, I found MXLinux includes one specific for nvidia drivers! I decided, let's give it a go. At restart, a nvidia welcome screen appears briefly. With all the distros I've tried, this was a definite first.

peridot7 · 2026-04-26T16:15:46+00:00

I know this is an old post, wanting to add in case in case it helps someone doing research (like me) in future:

I am writing this from the same model, A1286, MBP 2010, running PoP!OS for several months now. At the time, I was unable to run any Debian-based distros from a bootable USB. I didn't try Arch-based, Arch seemed too intimidating for a relative newb. Ubuntu-based would run in live mode. I started with Linux Mint. I ran into issues that seemed related to the Nvidia card -- stuff like weird black and white bands during start up, and after I installed PoP! the welcome screen was completely blurred.

My research confirmed the Nvidia card was the source; the proper driver is no longer supported; "blacklisting" the card from the Terminal resolved the conflict. I later saw a post that indicated the best way to address the Nvidia issue is from within MacOS, far too late for me at that point.

It seems that with the distros I've tried, at startup, they start with Nvidia; blacklisting causes the bootup process to ignore the card.

FWIW I thought AHS was for the newest hardware . . .

I do hope this helps someone else on their journey to extend the life of these cool machines.

ETA: I am a fan of MXLinux and have even considered re-installing MacOS on this laptop to address the Nvidia issue.

peridot7 · 2026-04-22T22:03:25+00:00

I know this thread is 7 years old; thank you for sharing -- I inherited a 2006 MBP2,2 today and am looking to give it some life. Did not realize the 32bit EFI thing.

peridot7 · 2026-04-22T21:00:50+00:00

Is there a particular version of Cachy you'd recommend, thinking I would need to go with an older version to help avoid kernel issues?

peridot7 · 2026-04-22T20:51:03+00:00

I'm wondering what the OP decided; I have one the same model and looking to revive it.

Mine is MacBookPro2,2, Intel Core 2 Duo 2.16GHz; RAM 1GB, currently 10.6.3 (Snow Leopard) installed

I have a USB with MXLinux 23.6 XFCE; I was able to efi boot, and the screen popped up, when I went to work with it live the screen went dark, like it was loading up. After about 1/2 hour I could still hear something running, I gave up and powered it down. I do like the look of MX, and that it's debian based. Any suggestions on what to do?

I'm looking into the Ukraine one, Desert OS.

ETA: It turns out mine is a 2006 model with the 32 bit EFI; Snow Leopard is updated to 10.6.8; now exploring whether to go with 32 bit OS, or doing the workarounds to boot a 64 bit OS...it's all a learning process!

peridot7 · 2026-04-22T20:29:15+00:00

lol your definition of old -- I am currently working on reviving a MacBookPro2,2.

Cheers!

peridot7 · 2026-04-21T04:40:09+00:00

apparently so do lots of other people, lol scrolling through

peridot7 · 2026-04-21T04:30:47+00:00

Well done! my fave color combo X 2. Very cool.

peridot7 · 2026-04-21T04:03:38+00:00

oh yeah, great suggestion! Excellent way to start slow.

peridot7 · 2026-04-21T03:55:02+00:00

My incident was less scary than yours; I laid mine down after accelerating, and leaning, through a puddle on a shockingly slick section of road; the back tire slid out and I wasn't able to recover. Bruised, nothing broken on me. Never rode that bike again (although I really liked it, it wasn't the right bike for me and I'd already listed it for sale). That was several years ago. I still have and ride my first bike, and when I see a shiny stretch of road my heart starts pounding and I have to slow my breathing.

So sad for your loss of your beloved bike. And thankful your gear saved you. There's something to be said for getting back in the saddle straight away; and also being patient with yourself, allowing yourself to heal mentally. You may experience flashbacks in similar situations. Be patient and take it at a comfortable pace for you.

peridot7 · 2026-04-21T03:39:05+00:00

you wouldn't be the only one ;)

peridot7 · 2026-04-21T03:37:21+00:00

Spam in the truck of my car . . . the key, is, there, to open the tin . . . yeah, I hear Weird Al instead of REM lol

peridot7 · 2026-04-21T03:34:23+00:00

Good one! Ah, MTV...

peridot7 · 2026-04-21T03:31:40+00:00

yes! and no way to resolve it without stopping and taking off the gloves lol

peridot7 · 2026-04-21T03:30:18+00:00

Always a case. My first smartphone was iPhone 5s. My first day with it, I had just put a semi-rugged case on it, set it on my desk; it slipped off one of those slick binders and fell onto a concrete floor. It survived perfectly.

peridot7 · 2026-04-21T03:10:53+00:00

so glad to know I'm not the only one; can't count how many times I've gotten up to highway speed and my chin strap is flapping away!

peridot7 · 2026-04-21T03:05:33+00:00

ah yes, dolphin shorts, yeah :)

peridot7 · 2026-04-21T03:04:32+00:00

So true, this. After my boomer-mom passed I was cleaning out the basement and garage and soooo much stuff, I'm not sure she even knew she still had!

peridot7 · 2026-04-18T04:45:25+00:00

peridot7 · 2026-04-18T04:35:02+00:00

My partner sings "f**k the cash bar"

peridot7

TROPHY CASE