The Hackintosh 101 Thread

[Zaap]

Originally posted by: Yongsta
I was thinking an EVGA 8600GT or something but I don't want to spend too much time using terminal. Also, could I setup RAID (ICH9) or is it still having problems? Thanks.

The 8600GT works great. You can get it working without any mucking in the terminal. (Even so, the terminal method takes about 5 minutes.)


Do a vanilla kernel install of 10.5.2, run the NVinstaller (not NVinject) and download and run the Leopard Graphic Update from Apple.

When you reboot, voila, full CI/QE.

Works with most 8xxx/GT/GTX series Nvidia cards. LGU is Intel+vanilla kernel only.

 

[DW in UT]

I've never tried any Hackintosh methods before, but wonder if any budget motherboard works with standard on-board video? I don't otherwise need or want to spend $ on a new video card just to experiment with OSx86, but would like to tinker with it if I didn't need to buy too many new parts.

 

[Zaap]

On board graphics can be a little tricky- many work at a basic level, but you can't get Core Image or Quartz Extreme graphics out of those that aren't fully supported; basically no hardware acceleration, which limits OSX quite a bit. Pro apps, and things like front row won't run without CI/QE, and you'll have no ability to switch resolutions from 1024 x 768. Plus everything tends to look horribly washed out.

If you want a really good, cheap board that's nearly 100% Hackintosh compatible, try the GIGABYTE GA-945GCM-S2C (about $50 at Newegg).

The onboard GMA 950 graphics support CI/QE. (On a vanilla install you can use the Leo Graphic Update method to enable it) LAN, SATA, IDE, all work OOB, and Audio requires the Azalia kext patch.

Intel GMA 950 is a pretty safe bet for onboard graphics because it's the same as the Mac Mini.

Of course, unlike the Mini, you can also just pop in any supported PCIe graphics card if you later need more video RAM.

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: Zaap
On board graphics can be a little tricky- many work at a basic level, but you can't get Core Image or Quartz Extreme graphics out of those that aren't fully supported; basically no hardware acceleration, which limits OSX quite a bit. Pro apps, and things like front row won't run without CI/QE, and you'll have no ability to switch resolutions from 1024 x 768. Plus everything tends to look horribly washed out.

If you want a really good, cheap board that's nearly 100% Hackintosh compatible, try the GIGABYTE GA-945GCM-S2C (about $50 at Newegg).

The onboard GMA 950 graphics support CI/QE. (On a vanilla install you can use the Leo Graphic Update method to enable it) LAN, SATA, IDE, all work OOB, and Audio requires the Azalia kext patch.

Intel GMA 950 is a pretty safe bet for onboard graphics because it's the same as the Mac Mini.

Of course, unlike the Mini, you can also just pop in any supported PCIe graphics card if you later need more video RAM.

I have that Gigabyte and it works quite well. The limitations are that you can't have 8 gigs of ram - only 4 gigs - and that you can't run Quad-Core processors. Since a Q6600 is only like $10-$20 more than an E8400 and overclocks like a banshee, there's no reason not to pick one up! Anyway, the other Gigabyte that I just started using, the GA-P35-DS3L, is selling on eWiz this week for only $85.50 - just $35 more for a lot more expandability:

http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php...8d3db20ada80d7912a6914

 

[mshan]

"Do a vanilla kernel install of 10.5.2, run the NVinstaller (not NVinject) and download and run the Leopard Graphic Update from Apple."

Should this method work for my XFX 7600GS (256 MB with passive heatsink)?

 

[Zaap]

Originally posted by: Kaido
I have that Gigabyte and it works quite well. The limitations are that you can't have 8 gigs of ram - only 4 gigs - and that you can't run Quad-Core processors. Since a Q6600 is only like $10-$20 more than an E8400 and overclocks like a banshee, there's no reason not to pick one up! Anyway, the other Gigabyte that I just started using, the GA-P35-DS3L, is selling on eWiz this week for only $85.50 - just $35 more for a lot more expandability:

http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php...8d3db20ada80d7912a6914

Very true, but for someone who just wants to try out OSX at the bare minimal expense, no added graphic card, and still have a very capable Hackintosh, the lesser hardware will do it just fine too. A very basic Hackintosh build can even get away with a dirt cheap Celeron or Pentium. It amazes me how snappy Leopard runs on just about everything I've thrown it on- it's an amazingly efficient OS.

I've tested Final Cut Pro and Motion on everything from the lowest spec'd rig I could build, to my old Athlon 3800+ 939 system vintage 2006, to my main 'for work' Hackintosh using the Gigabyte GA-EP35-DS4 with a Q6600- and I could use any one of them to get work done comfortably.

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: Zaap

Originally posted by: Kaido
I have that Gigabyte and it works quite well. The limitations are that you can't have 8 gigs of ram - only 4 gigs - and that you can't run Quad-Core processors. Since a Q6600 is only like $10-$20 more than an E8400 and overclocks like a banshee, there's no reason not to pick one up! Anyway, the other Gigabyte that I just started using, the GA-P35-DS3L, is selling on eWiz this week for only $85.50 - just $35 more for a lot more expandability:

http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php...8d3db20ada80d7912a6914

Very true, but for someone who just wants to try out OSX at the bare minimal expense, no added graphic card, and still have a very capable Hackintosh, the lesser hardware will do it just fine too. A very basic Hackintosh build can even get away with a dirt cheap Celeron or Pentium. It amazes me how snappy Leopard runs on just about everything I've thrown it on- it's an amazingly efficient OS.

I've tested Final Cut Pro and Motion on everything from the lowest spec'd rig I could build, to my old Athlon 3800+ 939 system vintage 2006, to my main 'for work' Hackintosh using the Gigabyte GA-EP35-DS4 with a Q6600- and I could use any one of them to get work done comfortably.

Yeah it is amazing how well it runs. Props to the Apple software engineers! Like I said, I have that Gigabyte board and it's great because it's cheap and functional - I needed an inexpensive OS X box and it fit the bill nicely.

Also, does your EP35 lose it's IP address when woken from sleep? I have to manually reset Ethernet after sleep to get it online. It's pretty much the only quirk I have to complain about...

 

[Zaap]

Originally posted by: mshan
"Do a vanilla kernel install of 10.5.2, run the NVinstaller (not NVinject) and download and run the Leopard Graphic Update from Apple."

Should this method work for my XFX 7600GS (256 MB with passive heatsink)?

I really can't say for sure.

My understanding is the Leopard Graphic Update works for vendor IDs that could be found in a real Mac. I think on a Hackintosh, the NVinstaller puts some files the Update is looking for in the correct place- it wouldn't work on a Hack I built with an Nvidia 8600GT until I'd run the NVinstaller, but it worked fine on a Compaq C500 laptop due to the Intel graphics.

The Nvidia 7300 could be in a MacPro, as would most 8xxx series GT cards, and the Intel GMA 950 would be in a Mini, so LGU works with these.

I don't know about either the 7600 or the GS model.

You should be able to get it to work with NVinject and kext hacking though- it's really not a hard process as people sometimes make it out to be.

 

[Zaap]

Originally posted by: Kaido
Also, does your EP35 lose it's IP address when woken from sleep? I have to manually reset Ethernet after sleep to get it online. It's pretty much the only quirk I have to complain about...

Sleep doesn't work at all on my EP35-DS4 rig. (Or the Intel BOXDG31 system).
It's probably that the install method I used with as vanilla as possible, doesn't support it without some other hack I haven't used. Because it's known to work fine on both boards. If I set the system to sleep, it basically just shuts down.

For me, it's okay, because I don't need the sleep function- I just shut down when I'm done working. But maybe one of these days I'll get around to trying to figure out what would make it work.

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: Zaap

Originally posted by: Kaido
Also, does your EP35 lose it's IP address when woken from sleep? I have to manually reset Ethernet after sleep to get it online. It's pretty much the only quirk I have to complain about...

Sleep doesn't work at all on my EP35-DS4 rig. (Or the Intel BOXDG31 system).
It's probably that the install method I used with as vanilla as possible, doesn't support it without some other hack I haven't used. Because it's known to work fine on both boards. If I set the system to sleep, it basically just shuts down.

For me, it's okay, because I don't need the sleep function- I just shut down when I'm done working. But maybe one of these days I'll get around to trying to figure out what would make it work.

Ahh, got it - on Kalyway, you have to use (1) SMBios and (2) the Sleep kernel (both defaults), but uncheck all Network drivers. The P35-DS3L's network is supported by default under Leopard. After that I upgraded to Macdotnub's SMBios, which lets the memory show up up in System Profiler. NOW things are peachy. I tried it all of the others ways and it doesn't work - without SMBIOS, it won't sleep/restart/shutdown, it won't restart properly with a Vanilla kernel, and Ethernet loses the IP if you install any Network driver.

Yay!

 

[scootermaster]

Where's the tutorial with the whizbang mobo?!

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: scootermaster
Where's the tutorial with the whizbang mobo?!

I still have a small quirk with Ethernet that I'm trying to work out. It's very small...when woken from sleep, Ethernet loses the IP so you have to manually reset it to get it to work. Only takes a second...but it's bugging me lol.

 

[Zaap]

Originally posted by: Kaido
I tried it all of the others ways and it doesn't work - without SMBIOS, it won't sleep/restart/shutdown, it won't restart properly with a Vanilla kernel, and Ethernet loses the IP if you install any Network driver.

Thanks, great info to know. I haven't used Kalaway, just Leo4All. I guess maybe I didn't check off SMBios if it's an option in L4A.

This weekend I'm doing a build with the cheap Gigabyte board- I'll see if I can get sleep working on it.

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: Zaap

Originally posted by: Kaido
I tried it all of the others ways and it doesn't work - without SMBIOS, it won't sleep/restart/shutdown, it won't restart properly with a Vanilla kernel, and Ethernet loses the IP if you install any Network driver.

Thanks, great info to know. I haven't used Kalaway, just Leo4All. I guess maybe I didn't check off SMBios if it's an option in L4A.

This weekend I'm doing a build with the cheap Gigabyte board- I'll see if I can get sleep working on it.

I actually upgraded with Macdotnub's SMBIOS27 Rev 6:

http://my.macdotnub.info/content/view/22/26/

It makes it think it's an iMac, but the memory shows up correctly and you can edit the values as desired.

 

[KeypoX]

Originally posted by: umrigar
dang, that 35% off deal seems to be dead. can't even get a 10% off to come up.

just did it but only got 20% off and used this coupon code to get the other 10% off CJUNE0810P

woot woot , already have osx on laptop now desktop here i come

NEVERMIND stupid coupon didnt work in the end, it did at first then said no but atleast 20% off worked

 

[KeypoX]

Originally posted by: Kaido

Originally posted by: Zaap

Originally posted by: Kaido
Also, does your EP35 lose it's IP address when woken from sleep? I have to manually reset Ethernet after sleep to get it online. It's pretty much the only quirk I have to complain about...

Sleep doesn't work at all on my EP35-DS4 rig. (Or the Intel BOXDG31 system).
It's probably that the install method I used with as vanilla as possible, doesn't support it without some other hack I haven't used. Because it's known to work fine on both boards. If I set the system to sleep, it basically just shuts down.

For me, it's okay, because I don't need the sleep function- I just shut down when I'm done working. But maybe one of these days I'll get around to trying to figure out what would make it work.

Ahh, got it - on Kalyway, you have to use (1) SMBios and (2) the Sleep kernel (both defaults), but uncheck all Network drivers. The P35-DS3L's network is supported by default under Leopard. After that I upgraded to Macdotnub's SMBios, which lets the memory show up up in System Profiler. NOW things are peachy. I tried it all of the others ways and it doesn't work - without SMBIOS, it won't sleep/restart/shutdown, it won't restart properly with a Vanilla kernel, and Ethernet loses the IP if you install any Network driver.

Yay!

So you got sleep/restart/shutdown working perfectly? I take it you did not follow this guide http://forum.insanelymac.com/index.php?showtopic=83689? Did you use the newest kalyway 10.5.2 disc?

 

[Zaap]

Originally posted by: Kaido

I actually upgraded with Macdotnub's SMBIOS27 Rev 6:

http://my.macdotnub.info/content/view/22/26/

It makes it think it's an iMac, but the memory shows up correctly and you can edit the values as desired.

You rock! Installed the SMBIOS27 and now everything works, including sleep. But even better for me, since I don't use sleep- LogMeIn now works perfectly!! My Hackintosh went from 99.9% fully functional, to 101%!

Everything works in system profiler- not that it didn't before, just the update didn't misread anything. The only lame thing is the system ID'ing as an iMac, like you said. It's an insult to this powerhouse to be categorized as anything so anemic But of course, no biggie.

Thanks again for the SMBIOS info!

 

[Jschmuck2]

Same issue with my Board, Kaido.

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: Zaap

Originally posted by: Kaido

I actually upgraded with Macdotnub's SMBIOS27 Rev 6:

http://my.macdotnub.info/content/view/22/26/

It makes it think it's an iMac, but the memory shows up correctly and you can edit the values as desired.

You rock! Installed the SMBIOS27 and now everything works, including sleep. But even better for me, since I don't use sleep- LogMeIn now works perfectly!! My Hackintosh went from 99.9% fully functional, to 101%!

Everything works in system profiler- not that it didn't before, just the update didn't misread anything. The only lame thing is the system ID'ing as an iMac, like you said. It's an insult to this powerhouse to be categorized as anything so anemic But of course, no biggie.

Thanks again for the SMBIOS info!

:thumbsup:

My biggest gripe about the Hackintosh scene is how messy it is. The Hackintosh community is in major need of a reorganization. There are solutions for so many things that people don't know about because they can't find it. Probably 90% of the problems I read on InsanelyMac are fixable, but people just don't know where to look. There's a Wiki, but no one really updates it, and the search function on InsanelyMac doesn't work real well either

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: KeypoX

Originally posted by: Kaido

Originally posted by: Zaap

Originally posted by: Kaido
Also, does your EP35 lose it's IP address when woken from sleep? I have to manually reset Ethernet after sleep to get it online. It's pretty much the only quirk I have to complain about...

Sleep doesn't work at all on my EP35-DS4 rig. (Or the Intel BOXDG31 system).
It's probably that the install method I used with as vanilla as possible, doesn't support it without some other hack I haven't used. Because it's known to work fine on both boards. If I set the system to sleep, it basically just shuts down.

For me, it's okay, because I don't need the sleep function- I just shut down when I'm done working. But maybe one of these days I'll get around to trying to figure out what would make it work.

Ahh, got it - on Kalyway, you have to use (1) SMBios and (2) the Sleep kernel (both defaults), but uncheck all Network drivers. The P35-DS3L's network is supported by default under Leopard. After that I upgraded to Macdotnub's SMBios, which lets the memory show up up in System Profiler. NOW things are peachy. I tried it all of the others ways and it doesn't work - without SMBIOS, it won't sleep/restart/shutdown, it won't restart properly with a Vanilla kernel, and Ethernet loses the IP if you install any Network driver.

Yay!

So you got sleep/restart/shutdown working perfectly? I take it you did not follow this guide http://forum.insanelymac.com/index.php?showtopic=83689? Did you use the newest kalyway 10.5.2 disc?

No, I didn't follow that guide. I used the Kalyway 10.5.2 disc, it's soooooo much easier than that guide. I have a new video card coming in which should fix the Ethernet problem; I'll post the guide once I've gotten it working 100%.

 

[BrianP]

No, I didn't follow that guide. I used the Kalyway 10.5.2 disc, it's soooooo much easier than that guide. I have a new video card coming in which should fix the Ethernet problem; I'll post the guide once I've gotten it working 100%.

Why not post what you have now and update it later? I have pretty much the exact same hardware but I'm running in to all kinds of problems. I think it's all related to the hard drive and/or DVD drive I'm using, but taking a look at your procedure might speed things up for me.

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: BrianP

No, I didn't follow that guide. I used the Kalyway 10.5.2 disc, it's soooooo much easier than that guide. I have a new video card coming in which should fix the Ethernet problem; I'll post the guide once I've gotten it working 100%.

Why not post what you have now and update it later? I have pretty much the exact same hardware but I'm running in to all kinds of problems. I think it's all related to the hard drive and/or DVD drive I'm using, but taking a look at your procedure might speed things up for me.

Yeah I'll do that. I'm re-installing right now just to verify the settings. The only other part I don't have figured out is which extensions to install after updating to 10.5.3. When going to the .3 update, it loses the AHCI drivers and turns the icons orange, so I just do a complete backup of ALL the extensions and restore them. It works but it's not as efficient as I'd like.

Looks like an Ethernet card is the way to go. My buddy got the Realtek PCI working and I've got an Encore Gigabit coming in, so I'll let you know on that next week.

 

[Pabster]

Originally posted by: Kaido
My biggest gripe about the Hackintosh scene is how messy it is. The Hackintosh community is in major need of a reorganization. There are solutions for so many things that people don't know about because they can't find it. Probably 90% of the problems I read on InsanelyMac are fixable, but people just don't know where to look. There's a Wiki, but no one really updates it, and the search function on InsanelyMac doesn't work real well either

Apple likes it that way. :laugh:

Perhaps it keeps things (somewhat) under the radar a bit.

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: Pabster

Originally posted by: Kaido
My biggest gripe about the Hackintosh scene is how messy it is. The Hackintosh community is in major need of a reorganization. There are solutions for so many things that people don't know about because they can't find it. Probably 90% of the problems I read on InsanelyMac are fixable, but people just don't know where to look. There's a Wiki, but no one really updates it, and the search function on InsanelyMac doesn't work real well either

Apple likes it that way. :laugh:

Perhaps it keeps things (somewhat) under the radar a bit.

Yeah except for stupid Pystar stealing the hacker's work and commercializing it. I think Netkas just rewrote the license to say not for commercial use because of them (I know that sounds ironic, hackers protecting their stuff from commercialization, but you get the point).

 

[KeypoX]

Originally posted by: Kaido

Originally posted by: KeypoX

Originally posted by: Kaido

Originally posted by: Zaap

Originally posted by: Kaido
Also, does your EP35 lose it's IP address when woken from sleep? I have to manually reset Ethernet after sleep to get it online. It's pretty much the only quirk I have to complain about...

Sleep doesn't work at all on my EP35-DS4 rig. (Or the Intel BOXDG31 system).
It's probably that the install method I used with as vanilla as possible, doesn't support it without some other hack I haven't used. Because it's known to work fine on both boards. If I set the system to sleep, it basically just shuts down.

For me, it's okay, because I don't need the sleep function- I just shut down when I'm done working. But maybe one of these days I'll get around to trying to figure out what would make it work.

Ahh, got it - on Kalyway, you have to use (1) SMBios and (2) the Sleep kernel (both defaults), but uncheck all Network drivers. The P35-DS3L's network is supported by default under Leopard. After that I upgraded to Macdotnub's SMBios, which lets the memory show up up in System Profiler. NOW things are peachy. I tried it all of the others ways and it doesn't work - without SMBIOS, it won't sleep/restart/shutdown, it won't restart properly with a Vanilla kernel, and Ethernet loses the IP if you install any Network driver.

Yay!

So you got sleep/restart/shutdown working perfectly? I take it you did not follow this guide http://forum.insanelymac.com/index.php?showtopic=83689? Did you use the newest kalyway 10.5.2 disc?

No, I didn't follow that guide. I used the Kalyway 10.5.2 disc, it's soooooo much easier than that guide. I have a new video card coming in which should fix the Ethernet problem; I'll post the guide once I've gotten it working 100%.

thanks man, I will keep an eye out, are you gonna post on anandtech or insanelymac?