Hackintosh 10.5.5 Retail Rig - Starting at $305

[mosslack]

@ tbooth: A list member from the HQ-A list suggested this:

What happens if you just do a 'Restart', and WAIT [I've heard of
Loooong wait times for the restart to complete.] [I THINK there have
been reports of in excess of 20 minutes.]

HTH

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: mosslack
Aren't you guys all mulit-billionaires like me? Actually I was just wondering how well OS X handles it. I had heard on some other lists there were problems on anything above 8 Gb.

Why yes! That's why I have a Hackintosh instead of a Mac Pro

 

[Lakeviewman]

Originally posted by: abbzer0

Originally posted by: Lakeviewman
With Kaido's help I got my rig up and running last week. I must say I'm pretty happy with how the whole thing has worked out. As expected, there were a few issues, but they're pretty much resolved.

I ran into an issue with dual booting OS X and XP on two different SATA drives. I had trouble getting OS X working without AHCI and XP totally chokes on it. I was getting tired of having to set the BIOS each time I booted until I found this link on how to enable AHCI support in XP after an install without it. This procedure worked with the ICH10R chip that comes on the GA-EP45-UD3P: Enable AHCI on Intel Chipsets I used the 12/18/08 steps posted by sbrads. They worked great

I'm spoiled with the back and forward buttons on my windows mouse, so I installed USB Overdrive and that got them working fine.

My biggest remaining annoyance has to do with using the arrow keys on the numeric keypad. I use these things constantly and can't figure out a way to get the NumLock key to turn off in OS X. Anyone have any ideas?

Kaido, thanks for all your help.

Lakeviewman - Can you repost the link to "GA-EP45-UD3P: Enable AHCI on Intel Chipsets" please? That comes up as unfound. I've been having ONE HECK OF A TIME!! getting windows to install on AHCI. I would love to know exactly what you did. I have probably invested about 4 hours of trial & error already.. sigh..

Sorry about that.. I fixed the link in the original post, but here it is as well:

http://www.neowin.net/forum/lo...index.php/t457699.html

Scroll down to the end and look for the 12/18/08 steps posted by sbrads. You need to download the Intel Matrix Storage Manager. I used the one for 32 bit Windows XP that I found here: http://downloadcenter.intel.co...roductID=2101&lang=eng

Followed the steps (they're really very simple) and it worked like a champ.

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: Lakeviewman
Scroll down to the end and look for the 12/18/08 steps posted by sbrads. You need to download the Intel Matrix Storage Manager. I used the one for 32 bit Windows XP that I found here: http://downloadcenter.intel.co...roductID=2101<=eng

Followed the steps (they're really very simple) and it worked like a champ.

I'm testing this on XP and Vista. I'll add drivers & instructions to the Wiki once I test it on the DS3L & UD3P. Thanks for posting this :thumbsup:

 

[Jack Flash]

How does one use the Leopard Soup wiki?

 

[tbooth]

Originally posted by: mosslack

Originally posted by: tbooth

Originally posted by: mosslack

Originally posted by: tbooth
I'm having an issue while trying to install from a retail Leopard disc. Here's how I'm installing and the issue I'm having:

This is on a P35-DS4


-Boot with 132 disc
-Swap discs for leopard retail.
-Install (it says "Install Failed" at the end, I assumed because it's unable to reboot the PC)
-Boot with 132 disc again and select HD (device 80) and I am able to get into Leopard and everything works fine.
-Install 10.5.6 Combo update but don't reboot yet.
-Install Chameleon with PCEFI v9
-Run OSX86 Tools and install kexts for my hardware.
-Reboot

After I reboot it will boot directly to the HD without the 132 disk, but it keeps giving me a message on the grey screen that says something about the machine needing to be rebooted. I rebooted about 3 more times and it continues to say this but never actually makes it into the Leopard desktop. Any ideas?

I have a friend who is on this forum (but dosn't post much) who did 2 DS4's. I sent him your comments and here is his reply:

I used the P35 install method for the two DS4s (one was an early one, called a P35, but it was Rev. 2.1; the other was called an EP35, and it was also Rev. 2.1) and it worked flawlessly on both, until each of them died.

The P35 lasted 3 hours before "death".

The EP35 lasted 30 minutes before "death".

I believe the P35 Kit is the right install for these boards.

The Firewire, which is not part of a normal P35, is recognized by MacOS as the TI chip set is the same one which Apple supports.
--------------------------------------------

If you wish to 'talk' further about this he can be reached at:

peterh5322@rattlebrain.com

HTH

Thanks for the info. I haven't had any issues with my P35-DS4 with regards to stability up to this point. It's been running overclocked for about a year.

I got to play around with the OSX install a little more this weekend. I have OSX installed and working off of the retail disc and all of my hardware is supported and functioning. All I need to do now is get 10.5.6 working.

Every time I install the 10.5.6 combo update I get this message and I have to reinstall OSX.

Is this using the DS3L kit? Or are you still using OSx86 Tools?

I'm still using OSX86 Tools. I read something about a DSDT patch that you need when upgrading to 10.5.6. Is this still needed?

Originally posted by: mosslack
@ tbooth: A list member from the HQ-A list suggested this:

What happens if you just do a 'Restart', and WAIT [I've heard of
Loooong wait times for the restart to complete.] [I THINK there have
been reports of in excess of 20 minutes.]

HTH

Hmm. I'll try leaving it on this screen tonight and see what happens. Thanks mosslack.

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: Jack Flash
How does one use the Leopard Soup wiki?

It's down for upgrades at the moment

 

[Kaido]

For those of you with the Screensaver problem: (randomly comes on, even when set to "Never")

1. Open Finder and navigate to /System/Library/Frameworks/ScreenSaver.framework/Versions/A/Resources/
2. Copy EngineDefaults.plist to the Desktop and delete the original
3. Open the plist in TextEdit and change the line under "idleTime" from "1200" to "0", then save the file
4. Copy it back to the Resource folder and type in your password to Authenticate
5. Reboot

This seems to be working for me so far...

 

[Kaido]

Re: ScreenSaver Fix

Whipped up an app, just run it & then reboot:

http://www.mediafire.com/file/...3oa/ScreenSaverFix.zip

LMK if this works for you please!

 

[mosslack]

Originally posted by: tbooth



I'm still using OSX86 Tools. I read something about a DSDT patch that you need when upgrading to 10.5.6. Is this still needed?

Originally posted by: mosslack
@ tbooth: A list member from the HQ-A list suggested this:

What happens if you just do a 'Restart', and WAIT [I've heard of
Loooong wait times for the restart to complete.] [I THINK there have
been reports of in excess of 20 minutes.]

HTH

Hmm. I'll try leaving it on this screen tonight and see what happens. Thanks mosslack.

No, the DSDT is NOT needed. If leaving it on for a long time doesn't work, do try Kaido's DS3L kit as it does work. HTH

 

[mosslack]

Originally posted by: Kaido

Originally posted by: Lakeviewman
Scroll down to the end and look for the 12/18/08 steps posted by sbrads. You need to download the Intel Matrix Storage Manager. I used the one for 32 bit Windows XP that I found here: http://downloadcenter.intel.co...roductID=2101<=eng

Followed the steps (they're really very simple) and it worked like a champ.

I'm testing this on XP and Vista. I'll add drivers & instructions to the Wiki once I test it on the DS3L & UD3P. Thanks for posting this :thumbsup:

Which versions of Vista don't work with AHCI? I've only used Vista Ultimate x32 and x64. I have home premium on my Toshiba laptop, but it's not really an issue there.

 

[Zaap]

To my knowledge, Vista doesn't have any issues with AHCI, just XP.

Even XP doesn't really have any issues with it, just it's supposed to be setup at the F6 prompt using a floppy drive, the same as for RAID drivers. But then, who has a floppy drive anymore? And you need another computer with floppy to create the driver disk in the first place.

 

[Kaido]

Good to know, I don't normally dual-boot so I'll add everything to the Wiki.

 

[abbzer0]

I'm not 110% sure about that though. With my MB running in AHCI Mode (ep45-ud3p) I can't install Vista either. It doesn't get past the HD partition part. I have to use some drivers to get past that. However, now I am only getting 75% of the way through the install before it crashes. Hmm.... Still more testing to do, and so little time... But I'm just happy that OSX is running like a CHAMP!!

 

[Kmax82]

Originally posted by: Kaido
Re: ScreenSaver Fix

Whipped up an app, just run it & then reboot:

http://www.mediafire.com/file/...3oa/ScreenSaverFix.zip

LMK if this works for you please!

Worked perfectly. Thanks!

 

[mosslack]

Originally posted by: abbzer0
I'm not 110% sure about that though. With my MB running in AHCI Mode (ep45-ud3p) I can't install Vista either. It doesn't get past the HD partition part. I have to use some drivers to get past that. However, now I am only getting 75% of the way through the install before it crashes. Hmm.... Still more testing to do, and so little time... But I'm just happy that OSX is running like a CHAMP!!

I have Vista Ultimate x64 running on mine (on another HD) and x32 running via VirtualBox. I had x64 running via VirtualBox, but the sound was choppy so I went to x32. IIRC, I did experience some problems with it not wanting to install on my HD, but I eventually got it going. HTH

 

[Eastwind]

I'm about to buy the rest of my Hackintosh HTPC. Can you guys give me a hand with my choices and let me know if I am making any mistakes/bad choices?

I bought the Intel 5200 2.5ghz (Kaido's suggestion), and I plan on a mild overclocking, as stated that it is a very good chip to OC. That said I am getting a Arctic Cooler and I believe the case I selected will have enough room for that as well.

I am going to run Plex, I have an Apple remote and I bought the IR board to make a compatible IR receiver. I have a DD system that uses fiber and HDMI (different components) and want to use those outputs as well.

As I see the > 2GB RAM issue is solved, I bought 2 - 2GB sticks.

I plan to use the onboard graphics. I think the Nvidia 9400 would be enough, but I do see some setups with graphics cards. What's the deal on that?

The build list is the following:

Intel Core 2 Duo 2.5 Ghz E5200
Arcitc Cooling Freezer 7 Pro 92mm CPU Cooler
GA-E7AUM-DS2H
Samsung Spinpoint F1 Series 1TB
LITE-ON 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe
Silverstone Black Aluminum / Steel LC10B-E ATX Media Center / HTPC Case (
Thermaltake Purepower W0100RU 500W ATX 12V 2.0 Power Supply (too much/little power?)

I'm hoping that the new Wiki will help me get the E7AUM running as best as possible.

 

[megacia]

i saw a few links to wireless cards on ebay but they were expired. i have a belkin F5D9050 but it doesn't work under leopard. any cards people have had success with using the boot132 setup?

 

[Zaap]

Mosslack, I remember you figured out an issue installing Vista on GUID formatted disks, rather than MBR. Not using your method on a GUID disk would certainly cause problems.

abbzer0- I'm curious if you're trying to install Vista on its own hard drive, and using Vista to format, or the same drive you've got OSX running on? Also, very important to remember- if you're using a seperate drive for Vista, keep in mind that Windows likes to install its bootloader to the DEFAULT boot drive, which may not be the drive you're installing to. So a classic screw up with dual boot systems is to install OSX first- it's drive is set as the default boot, therefore the target drive for the bootloader. You add another drive, don't switch it to default, and begin trying to install Vista to the second drive. When Vista goes to install its bootloader, it looks at the system DEFAULT drive- your OSX disk, and (worst case, overwrites the boot sector on it, or best case, fails, because it can't write to the drive). I've found the best way to be absolutely sure when installing Windows, is to remove the power connectors to ALL other hard drives in the system. The target drive for Vista should be the only drive in the system, therefore, the bootloader has no choice but to install to it, and act completely independent of other system drives. (It's been my experience that when AHCI is turned on in the BIOS, Vista will install generic drivers for AHCI -x86 and x64 versions- or one can install the Intel Matrix drivers from the 'drivers' tab, via a USB flash drive.) Once everything is running, you can then reattach otherdrives, select the boot default in BIOS, and also use the F12 menu to select the disk/OS to boot from.

Hope any of this makes sense, and maybe helps with any install issues. It's ironic that OSX is actually the easiest OS to install on these things- if you think about it, the hardware is MADE to run Vista! You'd think there would be no problems running it.

Eastwind- that setup looks great! Please let us know how the E7AUM-DS2H performs. I'd guess some people are using a graphic card rather than on board for gaming or more intense graphic apps, but really, I don't know why anyone would get an mATX board with onboard graphics for those tasks. So you should be good to go with the onboard, certainly for an HTPC. The Power supply is great- I've used that exact model, very reliable, and the max power rating shouldn't matter as you'll likely never come close to maxing it.

 

[swilso]

Did you put the HDD you want x64 vista to install on to one of the first sata ports? I have issues running x64 vista if it is not on one of the first sata ports.

 

[Eastwind]

Zaap-

Thank you very much for the comments. I feel more confident now, despite pouring over the forums here and at ISM. I am not a newbie in so many technical ways, but new to making a build. I don' t know why I like the Gigabyte boards, but I do. Over at ISM, someone is making a case for the Asus p5n7a-vm, as it works without so much hassle. Still, I think I want to use the Gigabyte. Am I crazy?

If I were to copy Kaido's build, I could close my eyes and do this, but this board is a bit different. I know there were sound issues, memory issues (32 bit space vs. 64 bit space in the kexts) and a few others. I believe they have been solved. Still the Asus seemed to work without so much tinkering. But why take the easy route? That's part of why I am building a hackintosh!

 

[mosslack]

Originally posted by: Zaap
Mosslack, I remember you figured out an issue installing Vista on GUID formatted disks, rather than MBR. Not using your method on a GUID disk would certainly cause problems.

abbzer0- I'm curious if you're trying to install Vista on its own hard drive, and using Vista to format, or the same drive you've got OSX running on? Also, very important to remember- if you're using a seperate drive for Vista, keep in mind that Windows likes to install its bootloader to the DEFAULT boot drive, which may not be the drive you're installing to. So a classic screw up with dual boot systems is to install OSX first- it's drive is set as the default boot, therefore the target drive for the bootloader. You add another drive, don't switch it to default, and begin trying to install Vista to the second drive. When Vista goes to install its bootloader, it looks at the system DEFAULT drive- your OSX disk, and (worst case, overwrites the boot sector on it, or best case, fails, because it can't write to the drive). I've found the best way to be absolutely sure when installing Windows, is to remove the power connectors to ALL other hard drives in the system. The target drive for Vista should be the only drive in the system, therefore, the bootloader has no choice but to install to it, and act completely independent of other system drives. (It's been my experience that when AHCI is turned on in the BIOS, Vista will install generic drivers for AHCI -x86 and x64 versions- or one can install the Intel Matrix drivers from the 'drivers' tab, via a USB flash drive.) Once everything is running, you can then reattach otherdrives, select the boot default in BIOS, and also use the F12 menu to select the disk/OS to boot from.

Hope any of this makes sense, and maybe helps with any install issues. It's ironic that OSX is actually the easiest OS to install on these things- if you think about it, the hardware is MADE to run Vista! You'd think there would be no problems running it.

Eastwind- that setup looks great! Please let us know how the E7AUM-DS2H performs. I'd guess some people are using a graphic card rather than on board for gaming or more intense graphic apps, but really, I don't know why anyone would get an mATX board with onboard graphics for those tasks. So you should be good to go with the onboard, certainly for an HTPC. The Power supply is great- I've used that exact model, very reliable, and the max power rating shouldn't matter as you'll likely never come close to maxing it.

Actually this latest problem had to do with an ATA data drive I had on the UD3P system. I accidentally wiped it out while trying to install Vista. Lucky there wasn't anything important on it. And you are right about how difficult it can be to install the OS the hardware was made for. But I think that all has to do with MS BS.

And Eastwind I definitely want to hear the outcome of your E7AUM-DS2H adventures coz this will probably be my next Hack also.

megacia, Peter over on the HQ-A list has done extensive work with wireless on Hacks and knows the best chipsets to use. HTH

 

[Kaido]

Final Call for Hardware Peripherals

Wrapping up the Wiki this month, please post your PCI & USB peripherals! Not the regular stuff like keyboard/mice, but yes to sound cards, Bluetooth, Wifi adapters, PCI USB cards, PCI Firewire cards, PCI Video Capture Cards, PCI RAID cards, whatever you've got. We'll have a small hardware reference Wiki sub-section for both Video Cards and for Peripherals now, so please post the function/make/model, and results!

For example: PCI Gigabit Ethernet Card/Encore ENLGA-1320/plug-and-play, no bugs

 

[swilso]

Originally posted by: Kaido
Final Call for Hardware Peripherals

Wrapping up the Wiki this month, please post your PCI & USB peripherals! Not the regular stuff like keyboard/mice, but yes to sound cards, Bluetooth, Wifi adapters, PCI USB cards, PCI Firewire cards, PCI Video Capture Cards, PCI RAID cards, whatever you've got. We'll have a small hardware reference Wiki sub-section for both Video Cards and for Peripherals now, so please post the function/make/model, and results!

For example: PCI Gigabit Ethernet Card/Encore ENLGA-1320/plug-and-play, no bugs

256mb px7600GT winfast leadtek = Works fine 100%

PCI Asus Wireless card WL-138G V2 = Detected as airport xtreme and works 100% no bugs

 

[Eastwind]

Mosslack-

I'll be posting, no doubt. Probably cries for help at first.