Hackintosh 10.5.5 Retail Rig - Starting at $305

[albert1028]

Originally posted by: Kaido
I actually have my eye on the Asus GENE II MicroATX board for a future build:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813131371

Since it's MicroATX, it can fit in pretty much any case you want, so that's real nice. Then it has Core i7 support, up to 24 gigs of DDR3 RAM like the big boys, two PCIe 16x ports, one PCIe 4x port, and one PCI port, plus no less than SEVEN SATA ports onboard, plus 6 USB ports, a Firewire port, and even an eSATA port built-in! The LAN looks good (Realtek 8111C), but the audio is junk (SupremeFX X-Fi), so you gotta pick up an external audio system (like that cheap $8 USB sound stick, which works great). It's the same price as most of the full-sized ATX boards, but it has all the features in a much smaller footprint. And I think we can Hackintosh it!

I like it!

I would love to have a guide on this...from all the following of this thread...Kaido...there will be no guide on the i7 yet will there?

(I'm hoping)

Thanks for all your hard work and effort.

 

[xavifm]

waiting for guides of Kaido.... Thanks for work.

 

[mosslack]

Originally posted by: Zaap

Originally posted by: Kaido
The other one I was looking at was this ASRock MicroATX:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813157137

4 slots for RAM and up to 8 gigs of memory, so you could get away with the cheaper 2GB sticks. But it's $75 vs. $53, which is a big gap to me at that pricerange. I'm still thinking about trying one though, it does have ICH10, although the northbridge is G43 and I don't have any experience with that.

Interesting board. It's cool that it supports DDR3 also.

I have the sinking feeling that like other ASRock boards it's got a weird BIOS (for things like their 'instant boot' feature') so it might require a custom BIOS hack in order to work with OSX. Luckily there are a few geniuses around that can actually create hacked BIOSes for these things- if it does need one, maybe someone's already done it.

I need another job to support my hobbies

If you don't already, try building custom PCs for local businesses, friends, family, co-workers, etc, and conduct your tests on some of the hardware for their builds. For me it's been a perfect way to fund my hack-hobby. I don't charge people much above my costs for parts to keep the systems cheap (family/friends no charge) but I get the benefit of testing hardware before I send it off to the client. The G41M board is a perfect candidate; it'll make a nice business-class desktop anyway, hackable or not. If I can find a client need for it, I'd love to try the ASRock board. Otherwise, I just couldn't see buying stuff I don't need and being stuck with it if it doesn't work.

A couple of local buds and I used to do this, but it got too involved and too much like a business for us to remain friends, so we ended the business. We all still do stuff for friends and family, but I don't think anyone makes any money from it. I'm not really sure what I'll do with the Hacks I've accumulated here lately, but there is always a family member in need of a computer so I just remove OS X and install some version of Windows. Not many Mac users in this area.

 

[scootermaster]

New thread new thread new thread new thread!!!!

 

[Jack Flash]

Sorry if I missed it but is there a new kit out ahead of the new thread? Thanks again for all the hard work, Kaido!

EDIT: Newer than 5/19/09.

 

[scootermaster]

Originally posted by: Jack Flash
Sorry if I missed it but is there a new kit out ahead of the new thread? Thanks again for all the hard work, Kaido!

EDIT: Newer than 5/19/09.

No. I thought maybe today, but no such luck.

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: scootermaster

Originally posted by: Jack Flash
Sorry if I missed it but is there a new kit out ahead of the new thread? Thanks again for all the hard work, Kaido!

EDIT: Newer than 5/19/09.

No. I thought maybe today, but no such luck.

lol I'm typing, I'm typing! :laugh:

 

[Zaap]

Originally posted by: Kaido
My personal problem is mainly that I'm running out of uses for Hacks. I have one (UD3P), my wife has one (DS3L), we have one for a Media Center (ES2L), I use FreeNAS for my NAS to store comp files & multimedia, and that's pretty much all the computing stuff I really need!

Haha- I know how that goes. I've got way too many computers really, and enough spare parts to cobble together one or two more.

To my amazement though, recently my wife asked me to build her a small computer system for the kitchen (net, recipe database, media player- wall-mounted speakers and monitor). She probably saw it in someone else's house. So finally I've got an excuse to build something new for keeps! (She doesn't spend all that much time in the kitchen, but I'm not gonna talk her out of it!) I'll probably use a dual-core Atom miniITX, unless something new, tiny and hackable comes along real soon.

I'd like to go with a Core i7 rig, but I already had a Quad-Core rig with 8 gigs of RAM, so it's hard for me to make a case for upgrading right now, you know? If there was some monster Core i7, 24 gigs of RAM, and Snow Leopard available, that would be a pretty nice upgrade, but for now I'm pretty well set.

I'm in the same boat- I can't justify an i7 upgrade just yet. Eventually I'll just do a big household wide recycle/upgrade. I'll i7 my main system (board, CPU, RAM)- upgrade my wife's desktop to the DQ6- use her machine to upgrade the DS4 HTPC, and that to upgrade an older AMD-based machine, and so and and so on.

Originally posted by: mosslack
I'm not really sure what I'll do with the Hacks I've accumulated here lately, but there is always a family member in need of a computer so I just remove OS X and install some version of Windows. Not many Mac users in this area.

Hey, there will be more Mac users in your area if you give them working Hacks! I can't see your family members being disappointed if you give them a machine with OSX on it, rather than Windows. Or if they must have Windows- dual boot.

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: Zaap

Originally posted by: Kaido
My personal problem is mainly that I'm running out of uses for Hacks. I have one (UD3P), my wife has one (DS3L), we have one for a Media Center (ES2L), I use FreeNAS for my NAS to store comp files & multimedia, and that's pretty much all the computing stuff I really need!

Haha- I know how that goes. I've got way too many computers really, and enough spare parts to cobble together one or two more.

To my amazement though, recently my wife asked me to build her a small computer system for the kitchen (net, recipe database, media player- wall-mounted speakers and monitor). She probably saw it in someone else's house. So finally I've got an excuse to build something new for keeps! (She doesn't spend all that much time in the kitchen, but I'm not gonna talk her out of it!) I'll probably use a dual-core Atom miniITX, unless something new, tiny and hackable comes along real soon.

$599 18.5" AIO:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16883152004

Atom 330, GMA950, 2GB RAM, 250gb HDD, Gigabit, 802.11n, DVD burner. The one downside is there's no VESA mount, so you'd have to jimmy up your own mounting rig, perhaps a shelf instead. The Wifi probably won't work OOTB either, well, maybe with a Realtek driver or something, and who knows about the touchscreen. But overall it should be cake - no messy wires, just a power cable and perhaps add a wireless keyboard and mouse, and then you have a super-low-wattage kitchen computer :thumbsup:

 

[xavifm]

Kaido, no guides for today?

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: xavifm
Kaido, no guides for today?

Yup, it will be out later today. Lots and lots of typing and formatting

 

[xavifm]

it will be out later today. Lots and lots of typing and formatting

Ok Thanks

 

[mosslack]

Originally posted by: Zaap

Originally posted by: mosslack
I'm not really sure what I'll do with the Hacks I've accumulated here lately, but there is always a family member in need of a computer so I just remove OS X and install some version of Windows. Not many Mac users in this area.

Hey, there will be more Mac users in your area if you give them working Hacks! I can't see your family members being disappointed if you give them a machine with OSX on it, rather than Windows. Or if they must have Windows- dual boot.

Eh, they use Windows at work/school and so that is what they want to use at home as well. Can't say I blame them that much, they don't do as much recreational computing as I do. As for the people in this area, my plan is to open a small computer shop in my garage when I retire, mainly for my own enjoyment and to supplement my income as well. Of course it will be different then when I can show them what the hacks can do and how easy it is to use OS X.

 

[thefatoldsun68]

I know the guide isn't ready yet, but I had a few quick questions.

Machine Specs:
Pentium 4 3.2 HT (540 model)
Gigabyte G31M-ES2L
4gb OCZ DDR2 800 RAM
200GB Seagate SATA HD
Pioneer 18x DVD-RW SATA

Whenever I use the MagicBoot CD, and try load the Leopard image partitioned on the HD, or my Leopard DVD, I get stuck at the grey Apple screen. Is this because of my CPU? I thought that the late Pentium 4's were SSE3 compatible, so they could run Leopard.

Thanks for all your help and an awesome thread so far,
Kaleb

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: thefatoldsun68
I know the guide isn't ready yet, but I had a few quick questions.

Machine Specs:
Pentium 4 3.2 HT (540 model)
Gigabyte G31M-ES2L
4gb OCZ DDR2 800 RAM
200GB Seagate SATA HD
Pioneer 18x DVD-RW SATA

Whenever I use the MagicBoot CD, and try load the Leopard image partitioned on the HD, or my Leopard DVD, I get stuck at the grey Apple screen. Is this because of my CPU? I thought that the late Pentium 4's were SSE3 compatible, so they could run Leopard.

Thanks for all your help and an awesome thread so far,
Kaleb

Yah most likely your CPU. Apple started selling machines with the Core Solo chip at minimum (the first Mac Mini had like a 1.5ghz Core Solo), but really you want to use a Core 2 Duo as your minimum. Technically you should be able to get your P4 to work, but I think you'd need like a Voodoo kernel to do that (which would be overwritten with updates, then you'd have to re-install - somewhat annoying). I'd recommend picking up a cheap C2D chip, like the $70 E5200. It's pretty dang quick for the price

 

[thefatoldsun68]

Cool, I was planning on getting a new chip, but I was hoping my P4 would work for the time being. Next paycheck, here we come... My local MicroCenter has the 2.66 C2Q for $170, which is a great deal. I have a 17" MacBook Pro with the 2.5 C2D, and it flies. I do a lot of work with Logic 8 as well. I was really just being hopeful, since my P4 supports SSE 3.

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: thefatoldsun68
Cool, I was planning on getting a new chip, but I was hoping my P4 would work for the time being. Next paycheck, here we come... My local MicroCenter has the 2.66 C2Q for $170, which is a great deal. I have a 17" MacBook Pro with the 2.5 C2D, and it flies. I do a lot of work with Logic 8 as well. I was really just being hopeful, since my P4 supports SSE 3.

Yah I mean it should work, but my BootCD default's to the Leopard DVD's vanilla kernel, so if it doesn't have built-in support for Pentiums, it won't run. Easiest way would be to connect your boot drive to your Macbook Pro, install Leopard & updates on it, then install the drivers & Voodoo (or other) kernel on it, then boot it up. That should do the trick. Give it a try for fun

 

[Zaap]

Originally posted by: Kaido

$599 18.5" AIO:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16883152004

Atom 330, GMA950, 2GB RAM, 250gb HDD, Gigabit, 802.11n, DVD burner. The one downside is there's no VESA mount, so you'd have to jimmy up your own mounting rig, perhaps a shelf instead. The Wifi probably won't work OOTB either, well, maybe with a Realtek driver or something, and who knows about the touchscreen. But overall it should be cake - no messy wires, just a power cable and perhaps add a wireless keyboard and mouse, and then you have a super-low-wattage kitchen computer :thumbsup:

Nice find, but it won't work for me- it's gotta be wall-mounted to work in the space. I'll run the cables through the walls so it'll be clean. ( I hate cable-clutter!) Also, I've never been a big fan of all-in-one designs. But that'd be a kickass system for other uses, especially if the touch-screen can be made to work in OSX. That was the biggest problem with a tablet PC hack I tried with a friend's tablet once- it ran great, but no pen driver, so no-go.

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: Zaap
Nice find, but it won't work for me- it's gotta be wall-mounted to work in the space. I'll run the cables through the walls so it'll be clean. ( I hate cable-clutter!) Also, I've never been a big fan of all-in-one designs. But that'd be a kickass system for other uses, especially if the touch-screen can be made to work in OSX. That was the biggest problem with a tablet PC hack I tried with a friend's tablet once- it ran great, but no pen driver, so no-go.

Yah, I can't believe they made it that awesome and there's no VESA mount. Ack!

 

[NoobOrJusDrunk]

Hey Kaido and fellow forum members. I don't know if you've been told this enough Kaido but you're the man. I came across this thread as I started to look in to the whole hackintosh thing and it is simply the best thing that I've found. When I started reading the various blogs and forums I felt completely overwhelmed but thanks to your kits I actually gathered the courage to build an UD3P and was even able to get my GTX 285 working. I'm probably still a long way from even being a beginner at this but at least I have a working hackintosh.

One question that I have and I hope that someone might have an answer, is there any way to measure the fan speed and temperature of my graphics card. I used the netkas packages that you linked to earlier and everything seems to be working fine but I'm worried that perhaps the fan won't increase speed as the card begins to heat up like it would under windows. Or am I just worried over nothing.

Anyway thanks again Kaido for all you're work and information and those of the other forum members. Can't wait for the new guides.

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: NoobOrJusDrunk
Hey Kaido and fellow forum members. I don't know if you've been told this enough Kaido but you're the man. I came across this thread as I started to look in to the whole hackintosh thing and it is simply the best thing that I've found. When I started reading the various blogs and forums I felt completely overwhelmed but thanks to your kits I actually gathered the courage to build an UD3P and was even able to get my GTX 285 working. I'm probably still a long way from even being a beginner at this but at least I have a working hackintosh.

One question that I have and I hope that someone might have an answer, is there any way to measure the fan speed and temperature of my graphics card. I used the netkas packages that you linked to earlier and everything seems to be working fine but I'm worried that perhaps the fan won't increase speed as the card begins to heat up like it would under windows. Or am I just worried over nothing.

Anyway thanks again Kaido for all you're work and information and those of the other forum members. Can't wait for the new guides.

Thanks!

As far as I know, there is currently no way to measure the temperature of the video card on a Hackintosh. I'm sure it's possible though...it is a PC, after all. Someone with programming experience just needs to tackle it

 

[Kaido]

Got the new 10.5.7 kit with the updated audio drivers up! Anyone wanna give it a try and report back with their success?

http://www.mediafire.com/file/...g3mgj/ud3p_waikiki.zip

Last file-related thing to do is test the DS3L kit (make sure it works properly), then I'm good to go as far as the kits are concerned. That UD3P kit above also includes a special folder in the SOUPKIT directory on the Magic Boot Disc that has the audio patch kit (10.5.6 AppleHDA.kext + Kext Helper), so you can re-patch the audio instantly for future point updates. The rest is just updating links and then starting a new thread!

 

[Sophie424]

Kaido, do you use VGA out with the ES2L? Does the guide recommend a full home theatre config around it (with case, perhaps dvi or hdmi out)? Thanks

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: Sophie424
Kaido, do you use VGA out with the ES2L? Does the guide recommend a full home theatre config around it (with case, perhaps dvi or hdmi out)? Thanks

My ES2L is hooked up to my HD projector, so I use HDMI out using an DVI-to-HDMI adapter. VGA works fine if you buy a card that supports VGA output on a Hackintosh. I can test my 7200GS for VGA out sometime if you'd like (it's only $25).

Yes, the ES2L is a GREAT home theater board. It can fit in virtually any case (MicroATX or full ATX) and if you need digital audio output, you can simply buy the adapter bracket for $16 from eBay.

 

[Hernandito]

Originally posted by: Kaido
Got the new 10.5.7 kit with the updated audio drivers up! Anyone wanna give it a try and report back with their success?

http://www.mediafire.com/file/...g3mgj/ud3p_waikiki.zip

Last file-related thing to do is test the DS3L kit (make sure it works properly), then I'm good to go as far as the kits are concerned. That UD3P kit above also includes a special folder in the SOUPKIT directory on the Magic Boot Disc that has the audio patch kit (10.5.6 AppleHDA.kext + Kext Helper), so you can re-patch the audio instantly for future point updates. The rest is just updating links and then starting a new thread!

Hi Kaido,

I am in the process of trying this.

Is this the right order?

1) Install Leopard 10.5.4
2) Reboot with 123 and install 10.5.7 (do not reboot)
3) Install the Audio kext via the included kext helper app
4) Now we reboot
5) Run UInstall to add bootloader.

Please let me know. I have been trying to get this to work for 2 weeks. Thank you!!!

Hernando