Skip to content
Mayank Kumar edited this page Nov 15, 2020 · 11 revisions

These are some of the most frequently asked questions regarding this script and eGPU support in general. Of course, the list is not exhaustive, so always search for more information via other resources for questions not listed here.

System is read-only/efi-boot-device error and PurgeWrangler unable to proceed on macOS 11.

Go to System Preferences > Startup Disk and select your macOS 11 boot volume. Then restart. The script should then be able to retrieve the boot volume correctly.

Script says macOS 10.13.4 or later required even when I'm on macOS 11.

Reinstall the latest version of the script from Github.

My mac crashes on plugging in the eGPU when the script tells me to. What to do?

This is known to happen with Navi GPUs (#44). Don't plug the eGPU in. Instead press ESCAPE and answer the questions as required.

Why is eGPU not working on Thunderbolt 1/2 system on Catalina?

See installation notes. If you are running macOS 10.15.1 or later, use script version v6.1.0 or newer.

Why did the script fail to detect my enclosure?

Assuming hardware is appropriately configured and not defective, the only case when the script fails to detect eGPU configurations is when the enclosure has a Ti82 controller, which macOS does not support by default. Hence detection fails. In other scenarios, sometimes your Mac might simply not detect the GPU device inside your enclosure. The best remedy to that is to re-assemble your enclosure. You can proceed with manual setup if needed. The GPU device NEEDS to be detected for anything to work. That aspect is not under this script's control - macOS needs to detect the hardware irrespectively.

Can I enable System Integrity Protection after running the patch?

No. Patched systems may become unbootable if you do so. Keep SIP disabled at all times your system is patched state.

Do I require NVIDIA Web Drivers?

If asked this question while setting up your eGPU, the answer depends on the NVIDIA GPU you are using. See the installation notes for more insight. Essentially, you don't need these if you are using Kepler GPUs.

Why do patched NVIDIA drivers not work on macOS Mojave or later?

In macOS Mojave, Apple removed the necessary APIs that NVIDIA-provided graphics drivers used for accelerating their graphics processors. The script uses a simple check to see if it is possible to run NVIDIA drivers for an older macOS version, and patches it for the new version if so. If not, then patching terminates.

Are Maxwell or newer NVIDIA GPUs supported on macOS?

No. They require newer NVIDIA drivers, which macOS Mojave does not have. Plus, third-party GPU drivers are not supported as of macOS Mojave - see questions above. The last supported version was macOS High Sierra.

Should I enable AMD Legacy Support if asked?

As explained in the installation section, you only need this for AMD GPUs not mentioned in Apple's eGPU Support document, such as the R9 Nano or R9 Fury. Enabling this for any other GPUs yields no benefit, but is also not harmful. Also note that all AMD GPUs are not supported. Your success will vary if using any pre-Polaris AMD GPU.

What happens if I update a patched macOS system?

After a macOS version update or security updates, purge-wrangler patches are removed. In this scenario, you may see a prompt after rebooting that will suggest reinstalling the patches. Choosing to do so will launch Terminal and run the setup procedure immediately.

What happens if I connect two eGPUs?

One of the eGPUs would be detected. If you are trying to set up an NVIDIA and AMD eGPU simultaneously, connect the NVIDIA eGPU only for the patching sequence. AMD eGPUs will continue to function post-patch. Basically connect the eGPU that has least support.

What's the latest supported macOS version?

Unless announced or advised otherwise, consider all releases from macOS 10.13.4 up to the latest publicly available release as compatible. Note that NVIDIA compatibility depends on the GPU and availability of drivers.

Script recognizes my GPU as a generic AMD or NVIDIA device. Is that ok?

The script uses an online repository to retrieve the GPU device name for the connected eGPU. In case internet is absent, a generic vendor name (AMD or NVIDIA) is shown instead. This does not affect the necessary logic that determines the required patches. However, in case of NVIDIA GPUs and legacy AMD GPUs, internet will be required in case driver downloads are necessary.