Hackintosh 10.5.5 Retail Rig - Starting at $305

[DaveBeta]

Hello i am very new here,
joined about a minute ago,
i saw this thread is very active and i know nothing about computers so i thought i would ask you lot,
i will soon be purchasing a new computer and was looking for a box ready hackintosh,
i found a ebay member who builds to request and he has given me a quote on spec and price

here it is:

2.66ghz Core 2 Duo processor,
4gb Corsair RAM,
Asus 8500GT card - 512mb silent (fanless)
500gb hard drive,
Pioneer 20x DVD writer (Dual Layer)
P5W Motherboard
54mbps WiFi
Black Mac style case

for £495 excluding delivery.

is this a good deal?

i have looked around and i can buy most of the components seperate for about £300 but the mobo is causing me brain ache and costs about £100 so is it worth me paying a bit more to have someone make it for me.

as it is on ebay i will be have 20% off atm aswell

Cheers

 

[swilso]

Originally posted by: DaveBeta
Hello i am very new here,
joined about a minute ago,
i saw this thread is very active and i know nothing about computers so i thought i would ask you lot,
i will soon be purchasing a new computer and was looking for a box ready hackintosh,
i found a ebay member who builds to request and he has given me a quote on spec and price

here it is:

2.66ghz Core 2 Duo processor,
4gb Corsair RAM,
Asus 8500GT card - 512mb silent (fanless)
500gb hard drive,
Pioneer 20x DVD writer (Dual Layer)
P5W Motherboard
54mbps WiFi
Black Mac style case

for £495 excluding delivery.

is this a good deal?

i have looked around and i can buy most of the components seperate for about £300 but the mobo is causing me brain ache and costs about £100 so is it worth me paying a bit more to have someone make it for me.

as it is on ebay i will be have 20% off atm aswell

Cheers

If you are going to get someone to build it for you, get a local PC store, at least they will offer warranty on their workmanship, even if the ebay guy does - do you want to have to post a whole PC to someone just to fix it under warranty? Buy all the parts and get someone to put it together, people do it here in Aus (reputable PC stores) for about $50-100 AUD, so thats like 25-50 pounds.
Um if you want to use this guide that motherboard probably won't work. I have seen people running osx on the p5w although I don't know anything about it... google: P5W "insanelymac" .
I don't know about that video card but I know the 7600's and 7300 work fine. and your wifi card you need to find out the exact model. Have a look through this to find how compatible some parts are: http://wiki.osx86project.org/wiki/index.php/HCL_10.5.2


@ dlock13 go to this site .... http://wiki.osx86project.org/w...p/HCL_10.5.2/Portables

and search your model laptop (i.e. P-7811FX). Someone supposedly got it working with ideneb 10.5.5 looks as though everything works except the LAN and webcam in ichat.

 

[mohkahn]

DaveBeta, Hackintosh runs on only certain models of motherboards and Graphic cards. These 2 are the most important components. MY friendly suggestion is, to please read this thread from page one to end and you will learn a lot about what you are about to venture into, since you mentioned you are totally new to computers and if you plan on installing-reinstalling the system by yourself (even if the ebay guy is going to initially install Hackintosh on his hardware that he is selling you, pretty soon you will have to tinker with the system, as soon you will find out that running hackintosh is an ongoing process) then you will find the whole process pretty hard, specially if you are not even used to putting up systems together.

Most of us here, if I am not mistaken are using this as a hobby and have 2 computers, one for doing the work another for testing hackintosh on.. so be prepared for lots of installing - reinstalling if you do decide to choose this project as a hobby like others here.

Just for your information, a very similar system as the ebay guy's package can be put together for less than 500US$'s in Asia including 100 for a similar range MOBO. And 500 pounds comes to about 750US$.. But then again you are living in the most expensive country, when it comes to buying computer parts, so perhaps you don't have lots of choices. best luck.

 

[mosslack]

Originally posted by: DaveBeta
Hello i am very new here,
joined about a minute ago,
i saw this thread is very active and i know nothing about computers so i thought i would ask you lot,
i will soon be purchasing a new computer and was looking for a box ready hackintosh,
i found a ebay member who builds to request and he has given me a quote on spec and price

here it is:

2.66ghz Core 2 Duo processor,
4gb Corsair RAM,
Asus 8500GT card - 512mb silent (fanless)
500gb hard drive,
Pioneer 20x DVD writer (Dual Layer)
P5W Motherboard
54mbps WiFi
Black Mac style case

for £495 excluding delivery.

is this a good deal?

i have looked around and i can buy most of the components seperate for about £300 but the mobo is causing me brain ache and costs about £100 so is it worth me paying a bit more to have someone make it for me.

as it is on ebay i will be have 20% off atm aswell

Cheers

Why not take the time to learn a little more about computers and build your own. I think there are dummies books on putting together a PC, but honestly is so easy you don't really need a book. If you can use a screwdriver you can build your own computer. Not to mention you will save a little money as well. If you aren't able to build one for whatever reason, I understand, but thought I would just throw out the suggestion. HTH

 

[objectivegiant]

Originally posted by: swilso

Originally posted by: objectivegiant
I finally got around to installing tonight and I'm having one small bit of trouble. Maybe someone following this thread can advise me on next steps. I'm using the GA-P35-DS3L and an Asus 7300GT Silent 512mb video card. The problem is that I'm getting a black login screen with a visible mouse.

I followed this to the letter...
1. Install Leopard
2. Install the Memory Fix and reboot
3. Install 10.5.5 (don't reboot yet)
4. Install EFI Studio
5. Install OSx86Tool
6. Reboot

I've tried booting with -f but there was no change. I am able to log in when booting in safe mode. Can someone tell me where I should go from here?

I don't think your quoting from the correct guide?? The one you typed is the one the guy above you said to do to get a 8600gt working. Have you got the newest (at the moment) package with the DSDT dump ?

Thanks for responding, swilso! I "think" I have the latest package but maybe not. The modified date on the zip I downloaded is 11/21 so it's probably the next to latest according to the timestamps on that site you linked.

As for the install process. I copied/pasted what the other guy wrote because it's almost the same as what Kaido posted in the opening of this thread as the process (paraphrased). I followed his directions from the first post explicitly. I did notice one error in what I posted though... I didn't reboot after the memory fix. So really I did this...

1. Install Leopard
2. Install the Memory Fix and DID NOT reboot
3. Install 10.5.5 (don't reboot yet)
4. Install EFI Studio
5. Install OSx86Tool
6. Reboot (reboots twice)

I can get into the desktop in safe mode fine now. I'll download the latest tool package when I get home. Is there a specific part of the process I should retry once I'm in safe mode on the desktop? The OSX86Tools part of the process maybe?

The only thing I think I might have messed up was that I probably did 1920x1080@60hz (forgetting the 32bit color depth) for the "Apple logo boot screen" but I don't think that's an issue as it displays correctly.

 

[Kaido]

Status Update:

Done:
-1-Click has been updated to add Extensions.mkext functionality
-Bootloader has been slightly revised for a nicer installation

Working on:
-Finishing various guide sections
-Need to record the video tutorial
-Updating 2 kexts for the DS3L line (Disabler.kext and BOOT-132 AppleHDA Audio kit)

ETA is Saturday, December 13th The package is AWESOME so far!!

 

[antol111]

1. Install Leopard
2. Install the Memory Fix and Reboot (I Didn't Do This)
3. Install 10.5.5 (don't reboot yet)
4. Install EFI Studio (I Didn't Do This)
5. Install OSx86Tool
6. Reboot (reboots twice)

Is anyone able to give some more detail about the above instructions? I have an 8600 GT and would like to make sure I am installing it right.

The "memory fix" was introduced on Nov 7th of this thread but I couldn't find anywhere in this thread that actually described how to install the memory fix step-by-step or what the memory fix actually is/does.

I also followed the .rtf file that was included in the most recent .zip package and it didn't mention installing EFI Studio either (or the memory fix). Are there any setting to change in there?

Thanks.

 

[albert1028]

Originally posted by: antol111

1. Install Leopard
2. Install the Memory Fix and Reboot (I Didn't Do This)
3. Install 10.5.5 (don't reboot yet)
4. Install EFI Studio (I Didn't Do This)
5. Install OSx86Tool
6. Reboot (reboots twice)

Is anyone able to give some more detail about the above instructions? I have an 8600 GT and would like to make sure I am installing it right.

The "memory fix" was introduced on Nov 7th of this thread but I couldn't find anywhere in this thread that actually described how to install the memory fix step-by-step or what the memory fix actually is/does.

I also followed the .rtf file that was included in the most recent .zip package and it didn't mention installing EFI Studio either (or the memory fix). Are there any setting to change in there?

Thanks.

The memory fix is installing the kext "APPLESMBIOSEFI.kext" in the KEXT Folder. You are gonna have to install that through OSX86Tools.

Hope this helps.

 

[albert1028]

I have a issue with graphics I presume. I have the eVGA 8600GT 256MB and after i enabled Quartz GL, things have become laggy. For example, scrolling as well as moving windows around, there is considerable lag. Now that I disable Quartz GL, the lag is still there. Any suggestions?

Also, when Quartz GL is enabled, my desktop starts out blank except for a mouse cursor and until i open up a screen and move it all around, images won't appear.

UPDATE: I got it fixed! After i installed all the available updates through online after the 10.5.5 600mb file, it fixed it!

 

[swilso]

Originally posted by: objectivegiant


I didn't reboot after the memory fix. So really I did this...

1. Install Leopard
2. Install the Memory Fix and DID NOT reboot
3. Install 10.5.5 (don't reboot yet)
4. Install EFI Studio
5. Install OSx86Tool
6. Reboot (reboots twice)

I can get into the desktop in safe mode fine now. I'll download the latest tool package when I get home. Is there a specific part of the process I should retry once I'm in safe mode on the desktop? The OSX86Tools part of the process maybe?

The only thing I think I might have messed up was that I probably did 1920x1080@60hz (forgetting the 32bit color depth) for the "Apple logo boot screen" but I don't think that's an issue as it displays correctly.

I would get Kaido's latest package from that link I posted before, and follow the readme within it (it is dated 21/11/2008). I followed the 21/11 package and have my system running solid now (after few lil minor things, not related to the guide though - just like don't bother with IDE fullstop, and my wireless PCI cards antenna needed to be aimed at my router and it has a good signal)

 

[scootermaster]

Originally posted by: swilso

Originally posted by: scootermaster
Two issues:

1). If the computer has been put to sleep, it "crashes" when it's shut down (after being woken up). No IDE drives installed, and I think the new IDE kext installed. If I knew how to uninstall it, I'd check and see if the same thing happens without it.

2). I installed the kext for the logitech BT dongle, and I held down the button on the dongle to put it in BT mode (apparently it defaults to RF or something). Leopard detects it fine, and the mouse will pair, but the keyboard will not. It will be detected, but when it comes time to enter in the passcode, it doesn't really work and then it times out. Any idea what's up with that?

Bonus item: The fan on my e7200 seems to be faulty. It starts and then stops sometimes (creating a lovely beep from my PC speaker) and then starts agsain and stops again. Once it finally gets going, it's fine, but sometimes it take a couple of reboots. So a). any bright ideas how to fix that and b). If not, what do I need/what sort of fan should I get to replace it. If I'm going to get an aftermarket fan, I might as well overclock a bit. But I don't really have to. Quietness and [hopefully] cost are more important. I'd rather not have to get another fan but i obviously need something working on my CPU (send it back to intel? It was a Frys return, and it's far past the 15 days they give for CPU returns).

Have you tried to disable smart fan control in BIOS? by disabling that the CPU fan will be on full speed constantly, if smart fan is enabled it will adjust the RPM by how hot the computer is, maybe on boot it thinks it doesn't need to be on because it is cold? I run my e7300 without smartfan control and it runs fine and keeps it nice and cool at usually 3~5 degrees Celsius above ambient temp (on idle).
I don't game so I dont see the point in an aftermarket HSF i just wanted to overclock to make the system snappier and fast raw power for loading apps etc. the e7200/e7300 seem like good little budget chips. Mine is currently on 3.2ghz @ 1.175V and stable (tested in x64 vista under orthos)

@ Kaido

With fusion to detect your windows drive, what version OS of windows did you have? I couldn't get fusion to load up my x64 Vista OS. So I have two physical OS (x64 vista and osx) + XP in virtual with fusion (for when I want windows whilst in osx, although I use the paragon plug in to file share between NTFS and HSF+)

Wow. Thanks for the tip! That's sort of dumb...I guess my case is TOO cool, so there's no need for the CPU fan at startup. But yeah, it keeps humming along (at 1400rpm or something) when I disabled the smart fan. But now that I know that it'll eventually kick in (and wasn't a problem with the fan itself) I just do something processor intensive when I boot up the machine (like open a VM window or something).

Would be nice to have accurate temp and fan RPM readings in OSX, but oh well.

Anyone have any ideas about the Bluetooth issue? Oh, and I checked, and I believe I have the JMicronATA kext installed, which may be why the sleep/shutdown thing happens.

Now, if only I could get rpm to work. I installed the package from rpm5.com or whatever, and it installs fine, but I get a:

error: cannot open Packages(0) index using db3 - No such file or directory (2)
error: cannot open Packages database in /var/local/lib/rpm

Error whenever I try and install anything (or even rebuild the database). Anyone have any ideas? I'm going to do a lot of Unix work here, but I don't think this [or anything, right?] needs darwinports. Although I do need gcc 3.4, I think, but I'll worry about that later.

 

[objectivegiant]

Originally posted by: swilso

Originally posted by: objectivegiant


I didn't reboot after the memory fix. So really I did this...

1. Install Leopard
2. Install the Memory Fix and DID NOT reboot
3. Install 10.5.5 (don't reboot yet)
4. Install EFI Studio
5. Install OSx86Tool
6. Reboot (reboots twice)

I can get into the desktop in safe mode fine now. I'll download the latest tool package when I get home. Is there a specific part of the process I should retry once I'm in safe mode on the desktop? The OSX86Tools part of the process maybe?

The only thing I think I might have messed up was that I probably did 1920x1080@60hz (forgetting the 32bit color depth) for the "Apple logo boot screen" but I don't think that's an issue as it displays correctly.

I would get Kaido's latest package from that link I posted before, and follow the readme within it (it is dated 21/11/2008). I followed the 21/11 package and have my system running solid now (after few lil minor things, not related to the guide though - just like don't bother with IDE fullstop, and my wireless PCI cards antenna needed to be aimed at my router and it has a good signal)

Thanks! I'll give that a try tonight with my fingers crossed.

j

 

[antol111]

Thanks Albert1028... much appreciated.

I don't know how I missed it earlier but the directions for installing the memory fix were right there in the first post. I will try that method over the weekend to see if there any difference versus the guide in the most recent zip package.

Thanks again.

 

[albert1028]

Originally posted by: antol111
Thanks Albert1028... much appreciated.

I don't know how I missed it earlier but the directions for installing the memory fix were right there in the first post. I will try that method over the weekend to see if there any difference versus the guide in the most recent zip package.

Thanks again.

No problem! Just like you. I just learned how the proper way of installing. There are things that aren't detailed in these posts that most likely will get covered by Kaido in his super extensive kit that is slayed to come out next week. So if things don't work out this weekend, just wait another weekend and you should be able to do it with 1 click!

Many posts have been helpful, i am trying to give back and help out in any way possible.

 

[dlock13]

Originally posted by: swilso
@ dlock13 go to this site .... http://wiki.osx86project.org/w...p/HCL_10.5.2/Portables

and search your model laptop (i.e. P-7811FX). Someone supposedly got it working with ideneb 10.5.5 looks as though everything works except the LAN and webcam in ichat.

Not going to lie, but I've no idea how to install with iDeneb. Is there some instructions I should be following specifically for this laptop?


Also, I heard OS X needs it's own HDD drive, and I've only got one in my computer. Is it possible to partition it and have Vista on one part, and OS X on the other? Or should I just wait till I can afford a much cheaper laptop drive?

 

[mosslack]

Originally posted by: Zaap

Originally posted by: TheStu
If I could put both my OSes on my 250 or 160 though that would be fantastic as it would be easier than having to remember the change the boot drive if I wanted to game in Vista.

I currently have Vista Ultimate 64 on my system if that matters

The quick and dirty way to dual boot from 1 drive (gleaned from many, many experimental re-installs).

Boot OSX the usual way, and use disk utility to create at least two partitions. Use MBR. Format the top partition (first) for Mac OS Journaled. Format the second as DOS. Optional: create a DOS partition to be used as a shared drive.

Quit without installing OSX. Install Windows onto the second partition (reformat to NTFS, of course).

Install OSX onto the first.

Darwin will overwrite the NTloader for Windows, but it will add the Windows install to its own boot list, and it boots Windows just fine.

Darwin always reads installs in order of partition, so it should default to the Mac install as item 1 and Windows as item 2.

If you want to keep your install of Vista 64, but need space to install OSX on the same drive, a quick and dirty method I've used is to download a Linux LiveCD (PCLinuxOS is my favorite) and use it's drive tools to resize the existing Vista partition and add a new partition to the free space for OSX. There are probably plenty of other tools that can resize an active Windows partition, but Linux LiveCDs are free and work perfectly for the task. Then you can install OSX on the added partition- Darwin will boot both OS's- however, MacOSX will the second choice.

Conversely, you can add OSX to Vista's bootloader. Install OSX first- partition 1 (MBR), install Vista- overwrites Darwin as the bootloader. Use EasyBCD or Chain 0to add OSX to Vista's bootloader.


I should add: even though it does work to boot several OS's from 1 drive (clearly unavoidable for say, a standard laptop install) I would highly recommend against it for a desktop. Using multiple hard drives for each OS is vastly superior. Think of each hard drive as a separate PC. If each is the only drive/OS in the system, the system should function perfectly without the other(s). Redundancy is always a strength with computers.

Given that "what can go wrong often does" the possible pitfalls and potential boot errors with multiple drives are few. With a single disk, they're many.

I was playing around tonight, nothing much else going on and tried the first scenario you listed. Doesn't work for me. Got as far as installing Vista on the 2nd partition and then I tried to install OS X on the first partition, it said I could not install using MBR, said to repartition the drive as GUID. I already know from experience that Vista won't install on a GUID partitioned drive. I've run into this before, I've had sometimes when OS X would let me install to a MBR partitioned drive and sometimes it won't. Must have something to do with the phase of the moon is all I can figure.

 

[objectivegiant]

Originally posted by: swilso

Originally posted by: objectivegiant


I didn't reboot after the memory fix. So really I did this...

1. Install Leopard
2. Install the Memory Fix and DID NOT reboot
3. Install 10.5.5 (don't reboot yet)
4. Install EFI Studio
5. Install OSx86Tool
6. Reboot (reboots twice)

I can get into the desktop in safe mode fine now. I'll download the latest tool package when I get home. Is there a specific part of the process I should retry once I'm in safe mode on the desktop? The OSX86Tools part of the process maybe?

The only thing I think I might have messed up was that I probably did 1920x1080@60hz (forgetting the 32bit color depth) for the "Apple logo boot screen" but I don't think that's an issue as it displays correctly.

I would get Kaido's latest package from that link I posted before, and follow the readme within it (it is dated 21/11/2008). I followed the 21/11 package and have my system running solid now (after few lil minor things, not related to the guide though - just like don't bother with IDE fullstop, and my wireless PCI cards antenna needed to be aimed at my router and it has a good signal)

Ok... I did a fresh install with the latest package. Followed the directions strictly. Now when I boot, I get hung up at the gray apple screen with swirly progress icon. It spins for a short while and then it stops. I've tried booting with "-f" but no luck there. Any ideas how to get around this?

 

[albert1028]

Originally posted by: objectivegiant

Originally posted by: swilso

Originally posted by: objectivegiant


I didn't reboot after the memory fix. So really I did this...

1. Install Leopard
2. Install the Memory Fix and DID NOT reboot
3. Install 10.5.5 (don't reboot yet)
4. Install EFI Studio
5. Install OSx86Tool
6. Reboot (reboots twice)

I can get into the desktop in safe mode fine now. I'll download the latest tool package when I get home. Is there a specific part of the process I should retry once I'm in safe mode on the desktop? The OSX86Tools part of the process maybe?

The only thing I think I might have messed up was that I probably did 1920x1080@60hz (forgetting the 32bit color depth) for the "Apple logo boot screen" but I don't think that's an issue as it displays correctly.

I would get Kaido's latest package from that link I posted before, and follow the readme within it (it is dated 21/11/2008). I followed the 21/11 package and have my system running solid now (after few lil minor things, not related to the guide though - just like don't bother with IDE fullstop, and my wireless PCI cards antenna needed to be aimed at my router and it has a good signal)

Ok... I did a fresh install with the latest package. Followed the directions strictly. Now when I boot, I get hung up at the gray apple screen with swirly progress icon. It spins for a short while and then it stops. I've tried booting with "-f" but no luck there. Any ideas how to get around this?

Did you make sure that you created a graphics hex file as well as a ethernet hex file and then combine them and install them. I ran into that problem and forgot to combine both and after i did it fixed it from the symptoms you were explaining.

Hope this helps. Maybe not....

 

[Zaap]

Originally posted by: mosslack
I've run into this before, I've had sometimes when OS X would let me install to a MBR partitioned drive and sometimes it won't. Must have something to do with the phase of the moon is all I can figure.

You partitioned the drive as MBR using OSX, right, and the Mac partition as Mac Extended Journaled?

When you try to install OSX, did you first try to use Disk Utility to reselect and reformat just the Mac partition?

 

[Kaido]

Status Update - working on developer tools, testing out more guide goodies, finalizing DS3L plugins

 

[mohkahn]

man o man.. i haven't experienced such anxious wait. The last time I remember such anxious wait was when I was chasing to get my first girl

 

[objectivegiant]

Originally posted by: albert1028

Originally posted by: objectivegiant

Originally posted by: swilso

Originally posted by: objectivegiant


I didn't reboot after the memory fix. So really I did this...

1. Install Leopard
2. Install the Memory Fix and DID NOT reboot
3. Install 10.5.5 (don't reboot yet)
4. Install EFI Studio
5. Install OSx86Tool
6. Reboot (reboots twice)

I can get into the desktop in safe mode fine now. I'll download the latest tool package when I get home. Is there a specific part of the process I should retry once I'm in safe mode on the desktop? The OSX86Tools part of the process maybe?

The only thing I think I might have messed up was that I probably did 1920x1080@60hz (forgetting the 32bit color depth) for the "Apple logo boot screen" but I don't think that's an issue as it displays correctly.

I would get Kaido's latest package from that link I posted before, and follow the readme within it (it is dated 21/11/2008). I followed the 21/11 package and have my system running solid now (after few lil minor things, not related to the guide though - just like don't bother with IDE fullstop, and my wireless PCI cards antenna needed to be aimed at my router and it has a good signal)

Ok... I did a fresh install with the latest package. Followed the directions strictly. Now when I boot, I get hung up at the gray apple screen with swirly progress icon. It spins for a short while and then it stops. I've tried booting with "-f" but no luck there. Any ideas how to get around this?

Did you make sure that you created a graphics hex file as well as a ethernet hex file and then combine them and install them. I ran into that problem and forgot to combine both and after i did it fixed it from the symptoms you were explaining.

Hope this helps. Maybe not....

If by combine both, you mean this step...

f. Click "Add EFI Strings/Boot Flag"
i. Click on the "GFX String" button (unless you have your own driver) and install the ATI or Nvidia card
of your choice; you also also do a "Custom GeForce hex" for a card like a Quadro FX 5600,
then click "Import String to Boot Editor"
ii. Click on the "Ethernet Strings" button, then click "Import String to Boot Editor"
iii. In the second textbox on the left ("Please enter the graphics mode..."), type in "2560x1600", but
without the quotes
iv. In the textbox on the right ("Please enter the timeout..."), type in "5" without the quotes
v. Click "Apple changes to com.apple.Boot.plist"

... then yes. That's exactly what I did.

I tried booting in verbose mode and the last line item that loads seems to be related to ethernet. Here's a link to a picture I took of the screen when it stopped... SCREENSHOT

Does this help?

 

[keodk]

Hi and thanks for a nice tutorial.

I've almost collected all the parts (from VIII. Monster Workstation Rig Recipe) to build a new hackintosh.

I've have some questions to the hardware configuration that i hope you'll help me with, to minize any problems getting the machine to work

1) i already have 4 x 2GB Crucial Ballistix PC6400 (BL25664AA80A.16FE5) - can i use these, or would it be advisable to buy the buy the Transcends (JM800QLU-2G)?
2) i have a 500 GB Seagate Barracuda 7200 rpm SATA HD - there shouldn't be any problems using this instead of the recommended Samsung HD?
3) and finally the GFX card. can any one point me in a direction of the most compatible one that is very silent (would prefer a passively cooled nvidia).

I've already purchased the GA-P35-DS3L, a Q6600 g0 and a the recommended SATA DVD.

Hope some of you can point me in the right direction

 

[mohkahn]

Keodk, About HD I can say, pretty much any HD can be used, though it's best to stay away from old IDE HDs.

GFX: If I had the budget I will go for Nvidia GT9800gt. Not too expensive, not too cheap. And powerful enough, comes in different varieties, depends on which manufacturer is making it, some versions of it are silent, some are not.. should be less than a hundred US$ i think and kaido's hackintosh has support for it now. though it does need 225watts of powr, so you are best advised to have at least 500watts of power supply to begin with.

And please do wait to read from others about their recommendations on the GFX before getting one.

best of luck.

 

[albert1028]

If by combine both, you mean this step...

f. Click "Add EFI Strings/Boot Flag"
i. Click on the "GFX String" button (unless you have your own driver) and install the ATI or Nvidia card
of your choice; you also also do a "Custom GeForce hex" for a card like a Quadro FX 5600,
then click "Save as Hex" instead of ["Import String to Boot Editor"], and then save the file to your desktop as a .hex, exit out of the graphics "GFX String Creator" by clicking on the greenexit button.
ii. Click on the "Ethernet Strings" button, then click , "Save as Hex" instead of ["Import String to Boot Editor"], and then save the file to your desktop as a .hex, exit out of the Ethernet String Creator by clicking on the green exit button.
iiB. THen in the boot editor click the "Combine Hex Strings" and select the two .hex files you saved from the previous 2 steps. Then follow what is left below! This should help.
iii. In the second textbox on the left ("Please enter the graphics mode..."), type in "2560x1600", but
without the quotes
iv. In the textbox on the right ("Please enter the timeout..."), type in "5" without the quotes
v. Click "Apple changes to com.apple.Boot.plist"

... then yes. That's exactly what I did.

I tried booting in verbose mode and the last line item that loads seems to be related to ethernet. Here's a link to a picture I took of the screen when it stopped... SCREENSHOT

Does this help?

I have bolded the parts that should be followed. There were updated instructions on the 11/21. But try following the instructions above and note that I have bolded the instructions I have modified from your post.

Let me know...