The Hackintosh 101 Thread

[suklee]

Hackintosh newbie here, with some questions:

1) How does my hardware config look in my sig? I understand my mobo is one of the better choices for trying to get OSX to work?

2) Should I use VMWare or install OSX onto a hard drive? I'm confused. I'm currently running Vista x64 on the WD Raptor.

2a) If I go with the latter, should I start with the Kalyway ISO that's documented here? http://forum.insanelymac.com/index.php?showtopic=112708

edit - nevermind, found this FAQ (http://forum.insanelymac.com/index.php?showtopic=89659)

What is the difference between a native install and a virtual (VMware) install?

A native install is actually installing Mac OS X as a separate operating system and booting it independently like you would boot any other normal OS. A virtual VMware install runs within another operating system (Windows, Linux, etc.) within the VMware application. Native installs are much easier and faster than a virtual machine install and probably the only reason you would want a VMware install nowadays is if you just want to try it out lightly, or if you don't have a place where you can install it.

 

[silverpig]

Originally posted by: Kai920
Hackintosh newbie here, with some questions:

1) How does my hardware config look in my sig? I understand my mobo is one of the better choices for trying to get OSX to work?

2) Should I use VMWare or install OSX onto a hard drive? I'm confused. I'm currently running Vista x64 on the WD Raptor.

2a) If I go with the latter, should I start with the Kalyway ISO that's documented here? http://forum.insanelymac.com/index.php?showtopic=112708

edit - nevermind, found this FAQ (http://forum.insanelymac.com/index.php?showtopic=89659)

What is the difference between a native install and a virtual (VMware) install?

A native install is actually installing Mac OS X as a separate operating system and booting it independently like you would boot any other normal OS. A virtual VMware install runs within another operating system (Windows, Linux, etc.) within the VMware application. Native installs are much easier and faster than a virtual machine install and probably the only reason you would want a VMware install nowadays is if you just want to try it out lightly, or if you don't have a place where you can install it.

Your mobo is a little iffy.

P35-DS3L = works like a charm
EP35-DS3L = Usually works, but some have some problems
EP45-DS3L = works like a charm

Check out the thread that kaido links to on insanelymac in the OP of the "$400 Hackintosh" thread.

 

[suklee]

Oh whoops, yeah I saw that extra "E" there... this would be the corresponding thread: http://forum.insanelymac.com/index.php?showtopic=120540

I also have a spare SN25P (needs a power supply), but apparently the sound (Envy24) does not work..

 

[suklee]

I was able to install Kalyway 10.5.2 on an external USB HD... works great, sound and ethernet supported out of the box - but I am stuck trying to get the video card to work (7800GTX)

I followed this http://forum.insanelymac.com/index.php?showtopic=111072 but after rebooting I seem to be stuck at the Apple loading screen.

Is there an "easier" method?

 

[suklee]

Nevermind, got myself a Seagate 640GB SATA drive -- all problems GONE and I have now officially joined the Hackintosh club!

PS. Just want to add that it's working flawlessly on my EP35-DS3L.

 

[Zaap]

Awesome!
Mind sharing exactly what BIOS version your EP35-DS3L uses? That seems to be the key component of success with that board.

 

[suklee]

I had F4 (which came with the board). Had trouble with shutdown and restart after following weaksauce's guide (http://forum.insanelymac.com/i....php?showtopic=112708).

After upgrading to F5, restart and shutdown both work fine.

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: Kai920
I had F4 (which came with the board). Had trouble with shutdown and restart after following weaksauce's guide (http://forum.insanelymac.com/i....php?showtopic=112708).

After upgrading to F5, restart and shutdown both work fine.

Yup that's what I've heard from most EP35 users. I also believe the cause of the kernel panics and other problems are due to using IDE drives. So F7 P35 BIOS or F5 EP35 BIOS + no IDE drives = win.

I'm working on a Boot-132 guide and will be testing EFI-X as soon as it shows up (should be this coming week). I'll be adding 10.5.5 update instructions tonight and a kext installer app next week. Things are rolling along

 

[suklee]

Originally posted by: Kaido

Originally posted by: Kai920
I had F4 (which came with the board). Had trouble with shutdown and restart after following weaksauce's guide (http://forum.insanelymac.com/i....php?showtopic=112708).

After upgrading to F5, restart and shutdown both work fine.

Yup that's what I've heard from most EP35 users. I also believe the cause of the kernel panics and other problems are due to using IDE drives. So F7 P35 BIOS or F5 EP35 BIOS + no IDE drives = win.

I'm working on a Boot-132 guide and will be testing EFI-X as soon as it shows up (should be this coming week). I'll be adding 10.5.5 update instructions tonight and a kext installer app next week. Things are rolling along

Yes I've gotten several of the kernel panic grey screens, and I have a feeling it had to do with IDE devices. Once was trying to wake up the IDE hard disk from sleep, and another couple times was "waking up" an IDE dvd drive.

I've already gotten rid of my IDE HD, and you can bet I'll be picking up a SATA dvd drive very soon. Are these all pretty much equal for OS X compatibility as long as they are SATA?

 

[AmpedSilence]

Just installed Leo4All v4 onto a home built, Everything worked out of the box, but I get crashes when trying to use the "About Mac" option in the apple menu.

Overall, quite satisfied about easy it was to install.

 

[suklee]

I need help choosing a video card, which will be running a 24" 1920x1200 monitor as well as a 22" 1680x1050 via DVI. I'm upgrading from a 7800GTX 256MB.

Ideally it will be enough to power Team Fortress 2 (through Crossover Games, or just plain XP/Vista) at medium-high settings at 1920x1200. Needless to say, it should be (easily) compatible with Hackintosh.

Any suggestions, please?

PS. I assume the upgrade is not as simple as pulling out my 7800GTX and inserting the new card? I used this for my current 7800GTX if it makes any difference: http://scottdangel.com/blog/?p=56

 

[Tyranicus]

I was going to suggest the 8800 GTS 320MB because that works great for me, but apparently no one sells it anymore. I wonder why.

 

[suklee]

Thanks, I ended up going with the 9800GTX+.

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: Tyranicus
I was going to suggest the 8800 GTS 320MB because that works great for me, but apparently no one sells it anymore. I wonder why.

9800 series are out. Out with the old, in with the new. No reason to carry them anymore.

 

[Tyranicus]

Originally posted by: Kaido
9800 series are out. Out with the old, in with the new. No reason to carry them anymore.

I would accept that argument if there weren't plenty of other new 7 series, 8 series, and even a few 6 series cards available on NewEgg.

 

[suklee]

I would have gotten a 8800GT* series too, but they were actually pretty close in price (where I live) to the 9800GTX+ that I got, so I figured why not...

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: Tyranicus

Originally posted by: Kaido
9800 series are out. Out with the old, in with the new. No reason to carry them anymore.

I would accept that argument if there weren't plenty of other new 7 series, 8 series, and even a few 6 series cards available on NewEgg.

Yeah, they suddenly came back in stock, it's weird.

 

[hal9000xx]

OK guys, I recently bought DFI LanParty DK P45-T2RS motherboard. I see that everyone says that DFI LanParty motherboards are one of the best if not the best choice for hacking. I tried to install iDeneb version of hackintosh but that installation cannot see my hard drive. I have SATA WesternDigital hard drive. I even tried another one and same happened. Did anyone succeeded to install Leopard on this motherboard and if yes can you please tell which version of hackintosh should I use.

Thanks in advance.

 

[ColdFusion718]

Actually, the Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3L Rev 2.0 is the most compatible board out there. You should use the Kalyway install method listed here: Text

 

[hal9000xx]

Thanks ColdFusion718 I'll give it a try.

 

[Zaap]

Originally posted by: hal9000xx
OK guys, I recently bought DFI LanParty DK P45-T2RS motherboard. I see that everyone says that DFI LanParty motherboards are one of the best if not the best choice for hacking.

I haven't seen anyone hack that particular DFI model yet, not to say it can't be done. Unfortunately, 'best choice for hacking' revolves specifically around the exact model number of board, down to the last digit, not just the brand.

Over on insanelymac, some have used similar DFI boards. I'd recommend trying all the major installers- Kalyway, Leo4Allv3 (v4 for Intel hopefully any day now) and iAtkos (current version 10.5.4)

Someone at insanelymac got a similar DFI board running using iAtkos 10.5.4- SATA has to be set to AHCI in the BIOS. My guess is, yours is in legacy mode and is why an installer wouldn't see it. Also, the person claimed that he could only install using GUID partitions.

Probably best to stick with all SATA, no IDE, including optical drive. These boards tend to have Jmicron IDE controllers which are known to be a real PITA for hackintosh.

 

[SoundTheSurrender]

Does anyone know if any of the atom based motherboards support Leopard? I want to build a Mac Mini clone.

Something like this.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813135100

 

[Zaap]

The Intel D945GCLF2 works perfectly. Installs with Kalyway, most everything works out of box, the onboard graphics requires GMA950 drivers for full CI/QE.

It's a dual core 1.6 Atom processor.

Combined with a nice case and you'll have a sweet micro-Hackintosh.

 

[Seeruk]

I just gotta say I have 10.5.4 installed using the latest iatkos disk on a Dell Latitude d820 and its its almost perfect!

Accelerated graphics and working leopard out of the box, a couple of quick hacks for sound and ethernet.

I only have three small problems, wireless wont be working in the near future, and I can accept that. I am still running on a single core as it wont boot with both cores enabled. But the worst issue for me is that I cannot get the laptop to detect the 30" Dell monitor I have! Its plugged directly into the vga port of the laptop (i.e. not using the docking station) and it just wont detect the ah heck! I am guessing its a bug in the titan nvidia driver, but if anyone can help .... let me know!

 

[rikadik]

Hey up guys, I'm about to put together a system purely to hackintosh! I've been doing quite a bit of reading recently and have decided I have the time and patience to give it a go and do some tinkering, and not worry about wasting a few £££ in the process if it all goes horribly wrong! I think I've pieced together an ideal system based on my requirements:

Antec Sonata III Piano Black Quiet Mid Tower Case - With 500W EarthWatts PSU
Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3L Rev 2.0
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600
Corsair XMS2 4GB Kit (2x2GB) DDR2 800MHz/PC2-6400
MSI 8600GTS Heatpipe Edition 256MB DVI HDTV PCI-E Graphics Card
Samsung SpinPoint F1 HD103UJ 1TB Hard Drive SATAII *32MB Cache*

I plan to use the GA-P35-DS3L guide recommended by Kaido to help me on this exciting quest.

Two questions:
My research would suggest that the MSI 8600GTS heatpipe 256mb card (passively cooled) will probably work, but does someone with a better idea of things think this is a safe (ish) bet? I require a silent card with dual-dvi, this seems to be a good buy at £39.99. With this being my first build would it be better to start with something safer GPU wise (e.g. vanilla 7300GT)?

Secondly, how can I tell when ordering online if I'm getting a Rev 2.0 DS3L... it doesn't always say, is there something in the speclist that can help me identify this?

Thanks in advance for any tips or advice!