macOS 15.2 + VMware Player 17 - Your computer restarted because of a problem.

[jabcreations]

I setup macOS 15.2 Sequoia on VMware Player 17 as my 2014 Mac Mini can no longer get updates and I don't have a third computer to do a dedicated install on. It gets stuck in a boot loop with the whole "Your computer restarted because of a problem." screen before the VM restarts. Here is a screenshot:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1923979762902372421

I...

- Read lots of tutorials but this one seemed most up-to-date.
- Ran the macOS Unlocker V3.0 for VMware Workstation.
- I'm using macOS Sequoia 15.2_24C101.iso for the installer.
- The installer worked fine and I used to the disk utility to format the virtual disk.
- I had added a few lines from tutorials:

smbios.reflectHost = "TRUE"
hw.model = "Mac16,7"
board-id = "Mac-7DF21CB3ED6977E5"
checkpoint.vmState = ""
toolsInstallManager.lastInstallError = "21000"
sata0:0.present = "TRUE"
tools.upgrade.policy = "manual"
usb_xhci:4.present = "TRUE"
usb_xhci:4.deviceType = "hid"
usb_xhci:4.port = "4"
usb_xhci:4.parent = "-1"

I also made sure to find the technical strings for the various Mac computer models to make sure I wasn't telling macOS that I was using a non-supported model.

This website doesn't like long text posts (because in technology details are always short strings ︀) so I posted the vmware.log over on Pastebin:

https://pastebin.com/xE4mr5WN

It reboots and the last line that looks like an error is:

vcpu-0 AHCI-VMM:HBA reset issued on sata0.

My basic system specifications:

• AMD 3800X
• 32GB
• 1TB SATA SSD
• RX 6800
• Windows 10 22H2

I think there are some other errors before that but I'm exhausted from working on this for two days and trying to post elsewhere hasn't help. The VMware page on Reddit explicitly hates people who mention the string "unlocker". Hopefully this community is a bit more inviting!

Suggestions on how to address this issue please?

 

[Edhawk]

Which AMD motherboard are you using?

 

[Edhawk]

Have you had a look at this guide?

Thread 'Mac OS install on AMD Ryzen/INTEL (VMWare) Opencore - Improved Performance - Works with Tahoe / Sequoia / Sonoma / etc'

Oct 17, 2023

*** First of all, don't make any changes to the vmware .vmx file. It is recommended that you create a new virtual machine from scratch so that it recreates this file by default and without any changes.

*** Use VMWare Workstation Pro version at the link provided in the tutorial. (If you install it, you will have to make a new Patch as described)

*** Enable AMD-V or INTEL VT (Virtualization Technology) in BIOS. (you should research how to do this on your machine)


1) First you need to download VMWare Workstation Pro:

- VM Workstation Pro 17.6.3: (NOW...

• tucano2000
• Replies: 627
• Forum: Virtual Machines

• 
• 

 

[jabcreations]

Hi Edhawk. I've got an ASRock X570 Phantom Gaming X. I have gone through that tutorial a bit though I think I got lost in details. I'll be back later tonight to take another crack at it. If it was the one that refers to a huge page with tons of details (I abandoned that because it wasn't organized).

 

[Edhawk]

You need to follow the instructions for an 8-core system when using the guide linked above.

 

[jabcreations]

So I setup the VM and it crashes to a black screen and stays that way if I don't choose something within ~five seconds.

So if I select the install option quick enough it doesn't get far, this is what happens:

 

[Edhawk]

Try using the vmx provided in the guide I linked without any alterations, so we have a better idea of what is causing the kernel panic.

 

[jabcreations]

The tutorial feels very rushed. I add the second drive but there are no directions to remove the first? Also Mega won't allow downloading files greater than 5GB so I have to use 15.2. I did not change the vmdk file, I simple added it.

 

[tucano2000]

What your host machine configuration (cpu) ? Can you post vmware setting in your virtual machine ? You are using a new virtual machine without any modification and using default configuration ?

 

[jabcreations]

Hi Tucano, my specs are in my OP but AMD 3800X. Here is my "macOS 15.vmx" configuration file:

.encoding = "windows-1252"
config.version = "8"
virtualHW.version = "21"
pciBridge0.present = "TRUE"
pciBridge4.present = "TRUE"
pciBridge4.virtualDev = "pcieRootPort"
pciBridge4.functions = "8"
pciBridge5.present = "TRUE"
pciBridge5.virtualDev = "pcieRootPort"
pciBridge5.functions = "8"
pciBridge6.present = "TRUE"
pciBridge6.virtualDev = "pcieRootPort"
pciBridge6.functions = "8"
pciBridge7.present = "TRUE"
pciBridge7.virtualDev = "pcieRootPort"
pciBridge7.functions = "8"
vmci0.present = "TRUE"
hpet0.present = "TRUE"
nvram = "macOS 15.nvram"
virtualHW.productCompatibility = "hosted"
gui.exitOnCLIHLT = "FALSE"
powerType.powerOff = "soft"
powerType.powerOn = "soft"
powerType.suspend = "soft"
powerType.reset = "soft"
displayName = "macOS 15"
smc.present = "TRUE"
smbios.restrictSerialCharset = "TRUE"
firmware = "efi"
guestOS = "darwin24-64"
board-id.reflectHost = "TRUE"
ich7m.present = "TRUE"
tools.syncTime = "FALSE"
sound.autoDetect = "TRUE"
sound.virtualDev = "hdaudio"
sound.fileName = "-1"
sound.present = "TRUE"
numvcpus = "4"
cpuid.coresPerSocket = "4"
memsize = "8192"
sata0.present = "TRUE"
sata0:0.fileName = "macOS_Opencore_1.0.4_8_cores.vmdk"
sata0:1.deviceType = "cdrom-image"
sata0:1.fileName = "C:\Users\Owner\Desktop\macOS Sequoia 15.2_24C101.iso"
sata0:1.present = "TRUE"
usb.present = "TRUE"
ehci.present = "TRUE"
usb_xhci.present = "TRUE"
ethernet0.addressType = "generated"
ethernet0.virtualDev = "vmxnet3"
ethernet0.present = "TRUE"
extendedConfigFile = "macOS 15.vmxf"
floppy0.present = "FALSE"
sata0:2.fileName = "macOS 15.vmdk"
vmxstats.filename = "macOS 15.scoreboard"
numa.autosize.cookie = "40042"
numa.autosize.vcpu.maxPerVirtualNode = "4"
uuid.bios = "56 4d a5 f3 5a 21 3b 12-ba 52 ae dc af fb 8b 33"
uuid.location = "56 4d a5 f3 5a 21 3b 12-ba 52 ae dc af fb 8b 33"
pciBridge0.pciSlotNumber = "17"
pciBridge4.pciSlotNumber = "21"
pciBridge5.pciSlotNumber = "22"
pciBridge6.pciSlotNumber = "23"
pciBridge7.pciSlotNumber = "24"
usb.pciSlotNumber = "32"
ethernet0.pciSlotNumber = "160"
sound.pciSlotNumber = "33"
ehci.pciSlotNumber = "34"
usb_xhci.pciSlotNumber = "192"
sata0.pciSlotNumber = "35"
sata0:0.redo = ""
sata0:2.redo = ""
svga.vramSize = "268435456"
vmotion.checkpointFBSize = "134217728"
vmotion.checkpointSVGAPrimarySize = "268435456"
vmotion.svga.mobMaxSize = "268435456"
vmotion.svga.graphicsMemoryKB = "262144"
ethernet0.generatedAddress = "00:0c:29:fb:8b:33"
ethernet0.generatedAddressOffset = "0"
vmci0.id = "-1342469325"
monitor.phys_bits_used = "45"
cleanShutdown = "TRUE"
softPowerOff = "FALSE"
usb_xhci:6.speed = "2"
usb_xhci:6.present = "TRUE"
usb_xhci:6.deviceType = "hub"
usb_xhci:6.port = "6"
usb_xhci:6.parent = "-1"
usb_xhci:7.speed = "4"
usb_xhci:7.present = "TRUE"
usb_xhci:7.deviceType = "hub"
usb_xhci:7.port = "7"
usb_xhci:7.parent = "-1"
toolsInstallManager.updateCounter = "8"
sata0:0.present = "TRUE"
sata0:2.present = "TRUE"
usb_xhci:4.present = "TRUE"
usb_xhci:4.deviceType = "hid"
usb_xhci:4.port = "4"
usb_xhci:4.parent = "-1"

 

[tucano2000]

Hi Tucano, my specs are in my OP but AMD 3800X. Here is my "macOS 15.vmx" configuration file:

.encoding = "windows-1252"
config.version = "8"
virtualHW.version = "21"
pciBridge0.present = "TRUE"
pciBridge4.present = "TRUE"
pciBridge4.virtualDev = "pcieRootPort"
pciBridge4.functions = "8"
pciBridge5.present = "TRUE"
pciBridge5.virtualDev = "pcieRootPort"
pciBridge5.functions = "8"
pciBridge6.present = "TRUE"
pciBridge6.virtualDev = "pcieRootPort"
pciBridge6.functions = "8"
pciBridge7.present = "TRUE"
pciBridge7.virtualDev = "pcieRootPort"
pciBridge7.functions = "8"
vmci0.present = "TRUE"
hpet0.present = "TRUE"
nvram = "macOS 15.nvram"
virtualHW.productCompatibility = "hosted"
gui.exitOnCLIHLT = "FALSE"
powerType.powerOff = "soft"
powerType.powerOn = "soft"
powerType.suspend = "soft"
powerType.reset = "soft"
displayName = "macOS 15"
smc.present = "TRUE"
smbios.restrictSerialCharset = "TRUE"
firmware = "efi"
guestOS = "darwin24-64"
board-id.reflectHost = "TRUE"
ich7m.present = "TRUE"
tools.syncTime = "FALSE"
sound.autoDetect = "TRUE"
sound.virtualDev = "hdaudio"
sound.fileName = "-1"
sound.present = "TRUE"
numvcpus = "4"
cpuid.coresPerSocket = "4"
memsize = "8192"
sata0.present = "TRUE"
sata0:0.fileName = "macOS_Opencore_1.0.4_8_cores.vmdk"
sata0:1.deviceType = "cdrom-image"
sata0:1.fileName = "C:\Users\Owner\Desktop\macOS Sequoia 15.2_24C101.iso"
sata0:1.present = "TRUE"
usb.present = "TRUE"
ehci.present = "TRUE"
usb_xhci.present = "TRUE"
ethernet0.addressType = "generated"
ethernet0.virtualDev = "vmxnet3"
ethernet0.present = "TRUE"
extendedConfigFile = "macOS 15.vmxf"
floppy0.present = "FALSE"
sata0:2.fileName = "macOS 15.vmdk"
vmxstats.filename = "macOS 15.scoreboard"
numa.autosize.cookie = "40042"
numa.autosize.vcpu.maxPerVirtualNode = "4"
uuid.bios = "56 4d a5 f3 5a 21 3b 12-ba 52 ae dc af fb 8b 33"
uuid.location = "56 4d a5 f3 5a 21 3b 12-ba 52 ae dc af fb 8b 33"
pciBridge0.pciSlotNumber = "17"
pciBridge4.pciSlotNumber = "21"
pciBridge5.pciSlotNumber = "22"
pciBridge6.pciSlotNumber = "23"
pciBridge7.pciSlotNumber = "24"
usb.pciSlotNumber = "32"
ethernet0.pciSlotNumber = "160"
sound.pciSlotNumber = "33"
ehci.pciSlotNumber = "34"
usb_xhci.pciSlotNumber = "192"
sata0.pciSlotNumber = "35"
sata0:0.redo = ""
sata0:2.redo = ""
svga.vramSize = "268435456"
vmotion.checkpointFBSize = "134217728"
vmotion.checkpointSVGAPrimarySize = "268435456"
vmotion.svga.mobMaxSize = "268435456"
vmotion.svga.graphicsMemoryKB = "262144"
ethernet0.generatedAddress = "00:0c:29:fb:8b:33"
ethernet0.generatedAddressOffset = "0"
vmci0.id = "-1342469325"
monitor.phys_bits_used = "45"
cleanShutdown = "TRUE"
softPowerOff = "FALSE"
usb_xhci:6.speed = "2"
usb_xhci:6.present = "TRUE"
usb_xhci:6.deviceType = "hub"
usb_xhci:6.port = "6"
usb_xhci:6.parent = "-1"
usb_xhci:7.speed = "4"
usb_xhci:7.present = "TRUE"
usb_xhci:7.deviceType = "hub"
usb_xhci:7.port = "7"
usb_xhci:7.parent = "-1"
toolsInstallManager.updateCounter = "8"
sata0:0.present = "TRUE"
sata0:2.present = "TRUE"
usb_xhci:4.present = "TRUE"
usb_xhci:4.deviceType = "hid"
usb_xhci:4.port = "4"
usb_xhci:4.parent = "-1"

In this vmdk file that yout using try change:
cpuid.coresPerSocket = "4"
To:
cpuid.coresPerSocket = "8"

and:
numvcpus = "4"
To:
numvcpus = "8"

 

[jabcreations]

In this vmdk file that yout using try change:
cpuid.coresPerSocket = "4"
To:
cpuid.coresPerSocket = "8"

and:
numvcpus = "4"
To:
numvcpus = "1"

Okay, that is a quick tweak, saved the file, ran the VM, got the same black screen with text, saved the screenshot and compared it to earlier. The only difference are the dates on the last two lines. I'm not sure what else to try?

 

[tucano2000]

Im testing with vmdk that you're using...Appears have an issue. wait a moment

 

[tucano2000]

Try again

cpuid.coresPerSocket = "16"
numvcpus = "16"

now working here
I think this file have wrong cpu configuration

 

[jabcreations]

Try again

cpuid.coresPerSocket = "16"
numvcpus = "16"

now working here
I think this file have wrong cpu configuration

Okay, thank you. So it got me past that first black screen. Now it looks like it's stuck in a loop of errors. If you want I can video-capture the screen but for the moment here is a quick screenshot:

 

[tucano2000]

Ok... excellent !!!

You'll then need to do this procedure on your Windows machine to avoid the ACPI errors that appeared in your screenshot and improve the performance of your macOS a little.

In order to correct the “errors” during start-up, which in spite of everything works.... and also to correct the performance and reduce the “slowness” of the virtual machine, you should turn off the windows hypervisor. To do this, use the tip below:

- In Windows, click on Start and search for Command Prompt
Right-click Command Prompt and then click Run as administrator
If the User Account Control dialog box appears, confirm that the action shown is the one you want and click Continue
Then type: bcdedit /set hypervisorlaunchtype off (and Hit enter)
Then type: reg add "HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\DeviceGuard\Scenarios\HypervisorEnforcedCodeIntegrity” /v “Enabled” /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
Press enter again.
Restart the computer

 

[jabcreations]

Ok... excellent !!!

You'll then need to do this procedure on your Windows machine to avoid the ACPI errors that appeared in your screenshot and improve the performance of your macOS a little.

In order to correct the “errors” during start-up, which in spite of everything works.... and also to correct the performance and reduce the “slowness” of the virtual machine, you should turn off the windows hypervisor. To do this, use the tip below:

- In Windows, click on Start and search for Command Prompt
Right-click Command Prompt and then click Run as administrator
If the User Account Control dialog box appears, confirm that the action shown is the one you want and click Continue
Then type: bcdedit /set hypervisorlaunchtype off (and Hit enter)
Then type: reg add "HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\DeviceGuard\Scenarios\HypervisorEnforcedCodeIntegrity” /v “Enabled” /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
Press enter again.
Restart the computer

I did those instructions before going to bed yesterday but I did not do a sacrificial computer restart, I did just now and I got all the way to the following screen:



Thank you!

I've been here before so from memory I know I need to go through the directions for Disk Utility. I'll report back in a little bit with hopefully success or any errors I encounter from this point forward. Plus, to help others who come across this, I'll try to be clear about what I did to get things to work.

 

[jabcreations]

Good news and annoying news!
The good news is, thanks to Tucano's help, I got macOS installed and working!



The bad news is that the Internet doesn't work.

I'm trying to follow these directions:

Post in thread 'Mac OS install on AMD Ryzen/INTEL (VMWare) Opencore - Improved Performance - Works with Tahoe / Sequoia / Sonoma / etc'

Jun 6, 2025

There are some reports that macOS doesn't work internet in Bridge mode and depends on NAT.

It seems that depending on the configuration of the VMWare machine, it can't detect the correct network adapter in automatic mode.

To fix this, do the following:

In VMWare click on Edit and then choose Virtual Network Editor



In the window that opens, select VMNet1 and click Change Settigns.



Now select VMNet0 and then choose the local network adapter used on your host computer in the “Bridged to:' option. The name of the adapter will depend on which type exists on your...

• tucano2000

• 

However the GUI is different and I'm a bit lost (I cant's find the virtual network editor). I only just started messing with it but if I figure it out I'll post. If someone posts before that then thank you for the help in advance!

 

[jabcreations]

Okay, I had to go run vmware.exe directly, I noticed the icon in the tutorial screenshot.

So I set the VM to use the primary LAN port that my PC uses. I restarted the VM and still nothing. Well, I have a VPN with a killswitch. So I turned off the VM, disabled the killswitch and disconnected. I made sure I could connect on my PC, yes, okay. The VM is back up from a fresh boot and I'm still not connected.



Here is my configuration:

.encoding = "windows-1252"
config.version = "8"
virtualHW.version = "21"
pciBridge0.present = "TRUE"
pciBridge4.present = "TRUE"
pciBridge4.virtualDev = "pcieRootPort"
pciBridge4.functions = "8"
pciBridge5.present = "TRUE"
pciBridge5.virtualDev = "pcieRootPort"
pciBridge5.functions = "8"
pciBridge6.present = "TRUE"
pciBridge6.virtualDev = "pcieRootPort"
pciBridge6.functions = "8"
pciBridge7.present = "TRUE"
pciBridge7.virtualDev = "pcieRootPort"
pciBridge7.functions = "8"
vmci0.present = "TRUE"
hpet0.present = "TRUE"
nvram = "macOS 15.nvram"
virtualHW.productCompatibility = "hosted"
gui.exitOnCLIHLT = "FALSE"
powerType.powerOff = "soft"
powerType.powerOn = "soft"
powerType.suspend = "soft"
powerType.reset = "soft"
displayName = "macOS 15"
smc.present = "TRUE"
smbios.restrictSerialCharset = "TRUE"
firmware = "efi"
guestOS = "darwin24-64"
board-id.reflectHost = "TRUE"
ich7m.present = "TRUE"
tools.syncTime = "FALSE"
sound.autoDetect = "TRUE"
sound.virtualDev = "hdaudio"
sound.fileName = "-1"
sound.present = "TRUE"
numvcpus = "16"
cpuid.coresPerSocket = "16"
memsize = "8192"
sata0.present = "TRUE"
sata0:0.fileName = "macOS_Opencore_1.0.4_8_cores.vmdk"
sata0:1.deviceType = "cdrom-image"
sata0:1.fileName = "C:\Users\Owner\Desktop\macOS Sequoia 15.2_24C101.iso"
sata0:1.present = "TRUE"
usb.present = "TRUE"
ehci.present = "TRUE"
usb_xhci.present = "TRUE"
ethernet0.addressType = "generated"
ethernet0.virtualDev = "vmxnet3"
ethernet0.present = "TRUE"
extendedConfigFile = "macOS 15.vmxf"
floppy0.present = "FALSE"
sata0:2.fileName = "macOS 15.vmdk"
vmxstats.filename = "macOS 15.scoreboard"
numa.autosize.cookie = "160162"
numa.autosize.vcpu.maxPerVirtualNode = "8"
uuid.bios = "56 4d a5 f3 5a 21 3b 12-ba 52 ae dc af fb 8b 33"
uuid.location = "56 4d a5 f3 5a 21 3b 12-ba 52 ae dc af fb 8b 33"
pciBridge0.pciSlotNumber = "17"
pciBridge4.pciSlotNumber = "21"
pciBridge5.pciSlotNumber = "22"
pciBridge6.pciSlotNumber = "23"
pciBridge7.pciSlotNumber = "24"
usb.pciSlotNumber = "32"
ethernet0.pciSlotNumber = "160"
sound.pciSlotNumber = "33"
ehci.pciSlotNumber = "34"
usb_xhci.pciSlotNumber = "192"
sata0.pciSlotNumber = "35"
sata0:0.redo = ""
sata0:2.redo = ""
svga.vramSize = "268435456"
vmotion.checkpointFBSize = "134217728"
vmotion.checkpointSVGAPrimarySize = "268435456"
vmotion.svga.mobMaxSize = "268435456"
vmotion.svga.graphicsMemoryKB = "262144"
ethernet0.generatedAddress = "00:0c:29:fb:8b:33"
ethernet0.generatedAddressOffset = "0"
vmci0.id = "-1342469325"
monitor.phys_bits_used = "45"
cleanShutdown = "FALSE"
softPowerOff = "FALSE"
usb_xhci:6.speed = "2"
usb_xhci:6.present = "TRUE"
usb_xhci:6.deviceType = "hub"
usb_xhci:6.port = "6"
usb_xhci:6.parent = "-1"
usb_xhci:7.speed = "4"
usb_xhci:7.present = "TRUE"
usb_xhci:7.deviceType = "hub"
usb_xhci:7.port = "7"
usb_xhci:7.parent = "-1"
toolsInstallManager.updateCounter = "18"
sata0:0.present = "TRUE"
sata0:2.present = "TRUE"
usb_xhci:4.present = "TRUE"
usb_xhci:4.deviceType = "hid"
usb_xhci:4.port = "4"
usb_xhci:4.parent = "-1"

Suggestions please?

 

[tucano2000]

Why are you using VMWare Worstation Player ? In the tutorial the installation is with VMWare Worstation Pro.

VMWare Player doesn't have that reliability for the Virtual Network Editor...

I recommend switching to Workstation Pro so you can choose or try a network adapter that works as shown in the screenshot I posted.