Hey everyone. I am just wondering about how kexts work. I cannot find anywhere which explains how to install them. When using the custom installit tells me to put them in A specific folder. . Now is that once I succesfully install osx (which I have been doing) or is that before I do the install and I add them (somehow which I cannot figure out) to the image file. Any ideas? Thanks guys

A .kext file is a kernel extension. They're generally used for device drivers and other things that need to modify the system at the lowest level. They're not the same as classic Mac OS extensions, as many of the things that classic Mac OS extensions did are done differently in Mac OS X.

Since kernel extensions aren't protected by Mac OS X's memory protection, developers are encouraged to stay away from writing them unless they absolutely have to. Even then, Mac OS X can dynamically load them, so chances are you'd rarely have to add anything to Mac OS X's Extensions folder.
An XML file is a file that uses eXtensible Markup Language. It looks a lot like HTML when you first see it, but whereas HTML describes web pages in a specific format, XML can be used to describe any set of data. XML From the Inside Out -- XML development, XML resources, XML specifications can provide you with some good information on how it works. Apple uses XML extensively throughout Mac OS X to store various settings, mostly in a "Property List" (.plist) format.

How to Load and UnLoad Kext?
Kext can be loaded and unloaded during runtime using the kextload and kextunload command lines.

in order to load kext, from terminal write:
sudo kextload kextName (where kextName stands for the kext name you want to load) enter your password and press enter
the system should reply with a success or fail message.
see the manual page for this command

in order to unload kext, from terminal write:
sudo kextunload kextName (where kextName stands for the kext name you want to unload) enter your password and press enter
the system should reply with a success or fail message.
see the manual page for this command

you can also check the load status of your kext using kextstat, from terminal write:
sudo kextstat the system will display a list of loaded kext and details on it
see the manual page for this command

How to Install a new Kext?
there is an easier method (not appropriate for all kext installs but works for 99% of them), it is a little utility named KextHelper (google it to download ).

You can read more about MacOS in the link Below:

Mac OS X Reference Library

I hope this can help you!

Thanks allot or that. But one last question I have. So I cannot add them to my install Image? I just install them once I get into osx and have it successfully installed using terminal?

Thanks again

Some Disc image can be modified by adding kext (You need to have the knowledge of how to do it) but that modification is not compatible with system and it can cause "System failed" or "Installation Failed". You best bet is to Install The MacOS and add the kext require for your system afterward. Since every system is different not only in hardware but also in the type of bootloader you're using.

After you install the kext you can use the Terminal to verify and to even make changes.
Most hardware kext are store into System/Library/Extensions Folder and also some Bootloaders required to have a Extra/Extensions Folder. all depends on what system are you running (Like Vanilla Kernel or Unmodified kernel), what type of processor are you using, etc.

I hope this can help you!

Okay thank you so much! Il give that ago. Your a great help. One last question while were here. Do you know why after a restart (after full successfull installation and I can browse around the is) after the restart the boot just gets stuck on the white apple loading screen

Try the Following:


Mac OS X assigns specific access privileges, known as permissions, to all of your programs, folders, and documents. These permissions are usually managed automatically, but when a permissions error occurs, it can cause significant problems. For example, your applications may not launch, or your computer might respond slowly. These problems are more likely to occur after you update your operating system or install new software.

- To improve your system's performance, use the permissions repair function in Disk Utility:

- To open Disk Utility, from the Applications folder, open Utilities, and then double-click the Disk Utility icon.
In the column on the left, click your startup disk.

- Click the First Aid tab, and then click Repair Disk Permissions. Disk Utility will reset any files and folders with incorrect settings.

Note: If a third-party application has permissions errors and did not use Apple's installer, a permissions repair may not fix everything. If you follow the steps above, and your application still does not launch, you may need to remove and reinstall the problematic applications.





Remove any peripherals from your computer before rebooting.