Hackintosh 10.5.5 Retail Rig - Starting at $305

[JoQ]

Could anyone post the ES2L pack in the first post. Leopardsoup is down and i really need the PDF that explains which BIOS-settings are recommended. Please!

 

[Sophie424]

My P35-DS3L has been running 10.5.6 happily for a while using Kaido's guide from a year ago. Any pointer on how to upgrade to 10.5.8, or (preferably) to Snow (ideally off a USB stick, my dvd is on the blink) ?

 

[mosslack]

Hi Sophie, you might look this guide over as it seems to be a popular one for this system. I haven not tried it myself, too many other things going on as you know. Check it out here:

http://www.insanelymac.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=182035

 

[Muadib]

Just an update to my Hackintosh odyssey. I decided to listen to you guys, and keep most of what I had, and just upgrade the motherboard. I got a GA-EP45-UD3P now, and just couldn't get over how easy it was getting Snow Leopard to run. It even updated to 10.6.2!

My only issue with the board so far is the awful way it hangs when looking for drives on the raid controller. I'm going to have to RTFM, because I can't figure out why. What gets me is that it only returns one of the drives when it finally does stop.

Anyway, thanks for the advise all!

 

[K_Panic]

Could anyone post the ES2L pack in the first post. Leopardsoup is down and i really need the PDF that explains which BIOS-settings are recommended. Please!

Is this what you need?

BIOS Settings for the Gigabyte GA-G31M-ES2L motherboard with F8 BIOS or higher...I'm on F11
Standard CMOS Features:
Date: [set] Time: [set]
Drive A: [None]
Floppy 3 Mode Support: [Disabled]
Halt On: [No Errors]

Advanced BIOS Features:
Hard Disk Boot Priority: [set your boot drive as #1]
First Boot Device: [CDROM]
Second Boot Device: [Hard Disk]
Third Boot Device: [Disabled]
Password Check: [setup if desired]
HDD S.M.A.R.T. Capability: [Enabled]
Limit CPUID Max. to 3: [Disabled]
No-Execute Memory Protect: [Enabled]
CPU Enhanced Halt (C1E): [Enabled]
CPU Thermal Monitor 2 (TM2): [Enabled]
CPU EIST Function: [Enabled]
Init Display First: [PEG]
Onboard VGA: [Enable If No Ext PEG]

Integrated Peripherals:
On-Chip Primary PCI IDE: [Disabled]
On-Chip Secondary PCI IDE: [Disabled]
On-Chip SATA Mode: [Auto]
USB Controller: [Enabled]
USB 2.0 Controller: [Enabled]
USB Keyboard Support: [Enabled]
USB Mouse Support: [Enabled]
Legacy USB storage detect: [Enabled]
Azalia Codec: [Auto]
Onboard H/W LAN: [Enabled]
SMART LAN: [Ignore]
Onboard LAN Boot ROM: [Disabled]
Onboard Serial Port 1: [Disabled]
Onboard Parallel Port: [Disabled]

Power Management Setup:
ACPI Suspend Type: [S3(STR)]
Soft-Off by PWR-BTTN: [Instant-Off]
PME Event Wake Up: [Disabled]
Power On by Ring: [Disabled]
Resume by Alarm: [Disabled]
HPET Support: [Enabled]
HPET Mode: [64-bit Mode]
Power On By Mouse: [Disabled]
Power On By Keyboard: [Disabled]
AC Back Function: [Soft-Off]

* Verify that the CPU Clock Ratio in "MB Intelligent Tweaker (M.I.T.)" matches your CPU's multiplier (8x may be default; your processor may require 9x or 11x)

 

[mosslack]

Just an update to my Hackintosh odyssey. I decided to listen to you guys, and keep most of what I had, and just upgrade the motherboard. I got a GA-EP45-UD3P now, and just couldn't get over how easy it was getting Snow Leopard to run. It even updated to 10.6.2!

My only issue with the board so far is the awful way it hangs when looking for drives on the raid controller. I'm going to have to RTFM, because I can't figure out why. What gets me is that it only returns one of the drives when it finally does stop.

Anyway, thanks for the advise all!

Yep, the UD3P is an awesome board. I was thinking the Kaido said the raid controller was not supported in OS X, but could be wrong. Been a long time since we all talked about it.

 

[Kaido]

Yep, the UD3P is an awesome board. I was thinking the Kaido said the raid controller was not supported in OS X, but could be wrong. Been a long time since we all talked about it.

Yah not supported - most of the onboard RAID systems (if not all) are actually software RAID systems, just onboard the motherboard. So no driver. Software RAID in OS X's Disk Utility works just fine though, as do Highpoint cards and other cards like Areca cards.

 

[Muadib]

I'm not using raid, but I have 2 hard drives plugged into the purple SATA connectors, so it searches for them during the POST. Other than moving them to one of the orange SATA connectors, is there a way to stop it for looking for drives?

 

[Sophie424]

Hi Sophie, you might look this guide over as it seems to be a popular one for this system...

Hmm...might wait a bit on Snow. Is the upgrade to 10.5.8 simple? Download & install ComboUpdate? Anything need fixing after that?

Thanks, Mosslack. I'm quite impressed with what's going on with the 1201N.

 

[vailr]

I'm not using raid, but I have 2 hard drives plugged into the purple SATA connectors, so it searches for them during the POST. Other than moving them to one of the orange SATA connectors, is there a way to stop it for looking for drives?

Snow Leopard needs a 64-bit JMicron driver. The Purple SATA ports and the IDE port are both controlled by the JMicron controller chip. The insanelymac.com forums have more info about where to obtain the driver, how to install it, etc.

 

[Muadib]

Snow Leopard needs a 64-bit JMicron driver. The Purple SATA ports and the IDE port are both controlled by the JMicron controller chip. The insanelymac.com forums have more info about where to obtain the driver, how to install it, etc.

Everything works great once I get in either windows 7 or Snow Leopard. It's just during the post when it gets to the JMicron raid, that it hangs while trying to find the 2 hard drives that I have plugged into the purple sata connectors. You bring up an issue that I didn't think of though. How do I check that my Snow Leopard install is 64 bit?

 

[idlehands]

Is this what you need?


SMART LAN: [Ignore]

what is smart lan? I couldn't for the life of me figure out how to set it to anything other than the default on the ud3p.

 

[Muadib]

what is smart lan? I couldn't for the life of me figure out how to set it to anything other than the default on the ud3p.

It is a setting that turns off the Ethernet ports if there is no cable in the slot.

 

[Zaap]

Palm Springs!?! Must be nice! We just got an inch of snow overnight here.

Brr! My wife and I've been going to PS in the winter every year since '98. It was beautiful as always- but this year we saw snow in the high desert out in Joshua Tree. About two days later it was all gone. Quick snap: http://www.wareview.com/images/joshualtree03.jpg

Nope, the HP Mini 311 is not dual core, but the Asus 1201N which should be delivered anytime now is.

Very nice work on the 1201N!

Let us know how it goes with the P55/i3 setup.

Well, actually slightly better than expected.

Using the i3/530 and Gigabyte H55M motherboard:

As per google search, I tried Tonymacx86's boot CD for i5. His instructions are to boot non-supported processors with the prompt busratio=20, and I can confirm that without doing this, the machine just reboots instantly if you return past the prompt. With this, it actually allowed me to swap the SL DVD, boot, format my drive, and install 10.6.0. I was amazed I actually got this far, and was thinking this just might work, as Tonymac suggests just using a legacy kernel and then updating to 10.6.2.

However, nothing I tried would actually let me boot the installed OS. On reboot- using the boot CD again- if I tried booting from hard drive it just restarted instantly. Tried with the busratio command and without- no dice.

Before I could really screw around with it more I had to just 'Windows-ize' the machine and hand it off to its owner.

As often with Hackintosh attempts- so close, and yet so far! Ah well!


I did have some great luck with another type of exotic hardware lately. I built a server for a small business based on the SuperMicro X7DAL-E mobo, dual quad E5405 Xeons (771) 16GB FB-DIMM RAM, and a 9600GT video card.

I installed a basic Snow Leopard+ Chameleon install with another machine, took the drive and installed it in the server- voila- it booted SL 10.6.1 beautifully. All I had to do was make a custom DSDT file and *everything* worked. Geekbench in the 9,000 range. I goofed around with the machine for the past couple days just kind of marveling at an 8-core Hackintosh working perfectly (tested Final Cut Studio, Photoshop, etc. all were nice and fast) before I had to wipe it clean and install the intended Windows Server OS on it.

I lose more great potential Hackintoshes that way- having to turn the darn things over to their rightful owners with the expected OS on it! (But at least it's a great way to get to test everything I can get my hands on without having to own it all myself).

But now it's really got me thinking about the possibilities of a dual quad i7 server build. *drool*

 

[K_Panic]

what is smart lan? I couldn't for the life of me figure out how to set it to anything other than the default on the ud3p.

The posted BIOS settings were for the ES2L, as requested, the UD3P has different BIOS options.

If you need help with the UD3P, there are many to choice from. Weaksauce12 for Leopard. Stella's for Snow, see Lifehacker guide. Both are pretty much push button and very well done.

 

[mosslack]

Hmm...might wait a bit on Snow. Is the upgrade to 10.5.8 simple? Download & install ComboUpdate? Anything need fixing after that?

Thanks, Mosslack. I'm quite impressed with what's going on with the 1201N.

Actually I installed SL to my DS3L a long, long time ago, without any guide, it was pretty easy. I went back to 10.5.8 in anticipation of Kaido's guide. The 10.5.8 was a simple update IIRC. You might have to repatch the audio, but I think that was all that was required. UD3P was the one I had trouble with because of my multi-video cards, etc.

I'm presently working on a brand new installer for the 1201N which will eliminate the NBBM and NBI apps as they add too much that is not needed or desired on that system. Did you get an HP Mini 311 or wait to see how the Asus progressed?

 

[Sophie424]

Did you get an HP Mini 311 or wait to see how the Asus progressed?

Waited, will probably try the Asus sometime soon. Thanks!

 

[mosslack]

I just finished a new installer which makes it even easier. Currently testing and should be ready for primetime soon. Be sure to keep up with the latest on the Insanely thread. Let me know how your update to 10.5.8 goes on the DS3L as well.

 

[scootermaster]

Just out of curiosity, what's the status of SL on a P35-DS3L (not EP, nor EP45)? Working? Not working? Need off-board audio/networking? I've got an only 10.5.8 install, and I keep thinking I should upgrade to SL, but I'm not sure how simple it is. Part of me is tempted to buy a U3DP, but I don't really need to spend $100 on a mobo that really won't be an upgrade for me.

 

[mosslack]

@ Zaap: Yeah we are expected yet another winter storm starting tonight. It's mostly rain right now but they are predicting 3-4 inches of white stuff before it's over.

About the 1201N, thanks, I just finished a new installer that makes it almost as easy as Stella's UD3P installer. This is an excellent netbook Hack.

Good news about the i series boards. I see Tonymacx86 is the go to guy for those Hacks. My UD3P is still working great as my main system so it may be awhile before I upgrade. I do hope you will have a nice clear install guide available by then

Wow, that would be a great server Hack indeed. Too bad you didn't get to keep it!

Another guy and I on HQ-A are doing a project system for that group based on the GA-G41-ES2L. I plan to give the one I build away as a prize for a yet unthought up contest. You came up in a google for info on that board pertaining to OSx86ing it. Might have to pick your brain later on.

 

[Resnik]

Hey Zapp -
I have same server SuperMicro X7DAL-E mobo, dual quad E5405 Xeons (771) with 4GB Ram and 8600GT gard.
Could you please explain in detail how you installed hackintosh on it.? What is custom DSDT on it?

 

[Resnik]

When snow leaopard released I bought upgrade DVD from amazon for $20+, will it be considered retail DVDs that I can use it for hackintosh?

 

[mosslack]

When snow leaopard released I bought upgrade DVD from amazon for $20+, will it be considered retail DVDs that I can use it for hackintosh?

Yes

 

[scootermaster]

Just out of curiosity, what's the status of SL on a P35-DS3L (not EP, nor EP45)? Working? Not working? Need off-board audio/networking? I've got an only 10.5.8 install, and I keep thinking I should upgrade to SL, but I'm not sure how simple it is. Part of me is tempted to buy a U3DP, but I don't really need to spend $100 on a mobo that really won't be an upgrade for me.

I feel like this might be answered but I'm not sure.

There's an EP45 guide that can be tweaked via DSDT to do a P35, I believe. No? Anyone have SL on a P35?

 

[QueBert]

Anyone on here thinking about installing Snow Leopard, I suggest you Google Myhack, the first link will be to a custom bootloader mod that is pretty bad ass. I bought a SL DVD, but without an actual Mac I was stuck with no easy way to install it. Tossed it on a USB flash drive and was able to install SL with zero problems - YMMV. I had to toss in a few kext's after wards, but my NIC worked without any kext of DSDT editing again YYMV. I updated to 10.6.2 and I have everything working except my Bluetooth & IR Receiver, neither of which are supported models (I believe)