Hackintosh 10.5.5 Retail Rig - Starting at $305

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: Sophie424

Originally posted by: Kaido

a. Insert your USB stick (any size will do - 64mb or larger - but keep in mind it will be permanently installed 24/7 into your Hackintosh).

I'm curious why you choose not to put Chameleon on the hard drive. Does that mess up updates?

Thanks - Sophie

There's no reason to. The USB stick acts as the bootloader and has all the drivers onboard.

If you really want, you can copy the USB stick the hidden EFI partition on the hard drive, but system management is soooo much easier if you just leave it on the USB stick. You can use SuperDuper to clone your drive normally, without having to re-install Chameleon. You can update the USB stick easily with future bootloader updates to handler newer Apple Updates. If your hard drive fails, your USB stick still works and you can use Leopard and Time Machine to do a full system restore easily. There are tons of options available and you're free to do whatever you'd like, I just personally prefer this way for those reasons

 

[Sophie424]

Got it, thanks for the explanation, I will follow the USB stick path

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: Sophie424
Got it, thanks for the explanation, I will follow the USB stick path

Yeah it's super easy with the USB method. I'll include details on how to copy to the hidden EFI partition in the appendix or something though, in case you want to try it!

 

[Kaido]

Ahhh, the beast is finished:

Hardware:
Coolermaster 690 case, Corsair Modular 520w PSU, 2x120mm Nexus "Real Quiet" Case Fans
Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3L rev2.0 motherboard with F7 BIOS
Q6600 @ 3.0ghz, Arctic Silver 5 thermal paste, 120mm Scythe Infinity CPU Cooler
8GB DDR2-800mhz RAM @ 1002mhz
20x Dual-Layer Lite-on DVD burner with LightScribe
768mb Quadro FX 5600 16x PCIe Video Card (modded from a BFG 8800GTX)
2-port Rosewill SATA RAID PCIe card
3-port Firewire 400 PCI card

Hard Drives:
300gb 10k-rpm Raptor SATA drive
Samsung F1 1TB 7200rpm SATA drive
(2) Seagate 500gb 7200rpm drives (in RAID 0)
WD 250gb 7200rpm

The Raptor is, of course, the boot drive. Very speedy, also on the noisy side but it's a small sacrifice for the speed hehe. I have a dual-drive setup for video editing...the 1TB RAID 0 set (2x500gb) is for Video Capture and Compression and the Samsung 1TB is for Video Editing. It's faster to transfer data from one drive to another drive, than from the same drive to the same drive. Plus it gives me a lot of space for working with my HD files. the 250gb drive is for Virtual Machines, which is also faster than having it on the main drive (instead of Leopard and the VMs reading/writing to the same drive, Leopard is reading/writing to the boot drive and the VMs are reading/writing to the secondary drive). I'll be using my file server as a Time Machine backup, but eventually I'd like to upgrade the dual 500gb drives to a single 1TB drive and then pop another large drive in there for local Time Machine backup.

Added this up on Newegg (plus eBay for the board)...total price was ~$1426 before shipping and taxes. Less than $1500 for a 3ghz Quad, 8GB RAM, and 2.5TB of hard drive space onboard, complete with Firewire, RAID, and a monster video card. Apple sells that Quadro card (albeit with 1.5gb VRAM instead of 768mb) for $2850. I just added up the following at the Apple Store Online:

Mac Pro: $7499
(1) 2.8ghz Quad-Core Xeon CPU
8GB RAM
Drive #1: 320gb 7200rpm
Drive #2: 500gb 7200rpm
Drive #3: 500gb 7200rpm
Drive #4: 1TB 7200rpm
Nvidia Quadro FX 5600
(1) 16x SuperDrive

So let's see...$7500 - $1500 = $6000 savings. Yay, I can afford to finish college now!

 

[Kaido]

For overclocking, I added a big 120mm CPU cooler and some Arctic Silver 5 paste. My 65nm 2.4ghz Q6600 Quad-Core came in at 28C on air, stock. I overclocked it to 3.0ghz by leaving everything on auto and changing the FSB to 334, which automatically upped the RAM to 1002mhz. Perfectly stable after stress-testing and came in at a mere 32C - that's barely 90F. Wonderful! I ran Geekbench and got a score of 6043. After that I ran Xbench and got a score of 226.18.

 

[leglez]

Ok I am running into all kinds of problems. I have a 256mb flash drive I am using, and I am doing the hdd install method. I setup the flashdrive through parallels in Win XP. Whenever I go into my boot priority there is nothing in there about a flash drive or usb-hdd. There is "Bootable Add In Cards" or my hard drive. So I just put it at the top of the boot order list and then whenever it is booting I pressed F12 and go to USB-HDD. But then when that loads it says "Could not find image : linux". So I am not really sure what that means. I remade the flash drive again and it still said the same thing. Also the flash drive is formatted for Fat32 and I upgraded my bios to F8.

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: leglez
Ok I am running into all kinds of problems. I have a 256mb flash drive I am using, and I am doing the hdd install method. I setup the flashdrive through parallels in Win XP. Whenever I go into my boot priority there is nothing in there about a flash drive or usb-hdd. There is "Bootable Add In Cards" or my hard drive. So I just put it at the top of the boot order list and then whenever it is booting I pressed F12 and go to USB-HDD. But then when that loads it says "Could not find image : linux". So I am not really sure what that means. I remade the flash drive again and it still said the same thing. Also the flash drive is formatted for Fat32 and I upgraded my bios to F8.

Try disabling AHCI and see if that helps. Just to recap, to prep the USB stick you:

1. Formatted and renamed it to "BOOT132"
2. Did the syslinux command in DOS to the proper drive letter
3. Copied over the files in the BOOT132 package required for the USB stick

Correct?

 

[leglez]

I tried to disable AHCI and still the same problem. Oh and it says "Could not find kernel image : linux." And yeah that is the exact way that I setup the USB stick.

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: leglez
I tried to disable AHCI and still the same problem. Oh and it says "Could not find kernel image : linux." And yeah that is the exact way that I setup the USB stick.

First issue is, your BIOS should be seeing the USB stick with AHCI enabled or disabled. So that's weird. Second issue is, it shouldn't be giving you that message. It sounds like the linux bootloader on the USB stick wasn't properly installed somehow. I sent you a PM; we'll see what's going on here.

 

[ColdFusion718]

The Q6600 can be had for $189.50 from amazon.com (helpful for those who live in California). Newegg charges tax and they will probably get rid of the free shipping within a matter of days. Link here

 

[Psycho Donut Killer]

Originally posted by: Kaido

FYI the 2ghz Allendale for $70 supports virtualization. I have one and it runs VMware just fine

I have been looking, and according to newegg and everything else I can find E2180 does NOT support virtualization. Although I thought newegg said it did a few days ago. Maybe they corrected a mistake?

Now it looks like I may be running Parallels on the HTPC in order to play games like You Don't Know Jack. From what I can read it will run, but have a performance hit. What I can't find is any hard numbers on the performance hit. It can't be anywhere near as bad as Virtual PC used to be on a PowerPC And I will be running non 3d games. I tried Crossover, and it was too slow on my Mac mini to play You Don't Know Jack Vol 3 without severe problems in playability. And it is a 2 GHz core 2 duo with 4 GB ram. Of course the mini DOES support virtualization, so if it works great in Parallels that doesn't tell me anything, unless of course the performance hit with the lack of virtualization support is like 20% or less, because I will likely be running whatever I get at over 2.4 GHz

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: Psycho Donut Killer

Originally posted by: Kaido

FYI the 2ghz Allendale for $70 supports virtualization. I have one and it runs VMware just fine

I have been looking, and according to newegg and everything else I can find E2180 does NOT support virtualization. Although I thought newegg said it did a few days ago. Maybe they corrected a mistake?

Now it looks like I may be running Parallels on the HTPC in order to play games like You Don't Know Jack. From what I can read it will run, but have a performance hit. What I can't find is any hard numbers on the performance hit. It can't be anywhere near as bad as Virtual PC used to be on a PowerPC And I will be running non 3d games. I tried Crossover, and it was too slow on my Mac mini to play You Don't Know Jack Vol 3 without severe problems in playability. And it is a 2 GHz core 2 duo with 4 GB ram. Of course the mini DOES support virtualization, so if it works great in Parallels that doesn't tell me anything, unless of course the performance hit with the lack of virtualization support is like 20% or less, because I will likely be running whatever I get at over 2.4 GHz

It doesn't support VT on the chip, but you can run VMware just fine. The chip's hardware Virtualization Technology support is separate from software support - confusing, I know. Heck, you can run VMware on a single-core Atom (runs on my MSI Wind!). My XP VM runs just fine on the E2180.

You'll always get a hit on games with virtualization, at least until they can takeover a core of a multi-core GPU or directly connect to a second video card or something. Try VMware 2.0 with DirectX9 support for gaming.

 

[ColdFusion718]

Kaido, I'm using an 8GB kingston USB flash drive. The hard disk boot priority in my BIOS doesn't see it. It just shows my hard drive. Would I need to use a smaller stick like 1GB instead? I'm stuck on this step. Thanks!

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: ColdFusion718
Kaido, I'm using an 8GB kingston USB flash drive. The hard disk boot priority in my BIOS doesn't see it. It just shows my hard drive. Would I need to use a smaller stick like 1GB instead? I'm stuck on this step. Thanks!

Seems we're having some issues with the USB sticks being recognized. I'll double-check my package and report back.

 

[leglez]

Oh and I am using a Micro Cruzer 256MB card. Just thought I would try to get you some more information for it.

 

[Psycho Donut Killer]

Originally posted by: Kaido

It doesn't support VT on the chip, but you can run VMware just fine. The chip's hardware Virtualization Technology support is separate from software support - confusing, I know. Heck, you can run VMware on a single-core Atom (runs on my MSI Wind!). My XP VM runs just fine on the E2180.

You'll always get a hit on games with virtualization, at least until they can takeover a core of a multi-core GPU or directly connect to a second video card or something. Try VMware 2.0 with DirectX9 support for gaming.

How much of a hit is what I am trying to figure out. Disregarding the other CPU speed differences, are we talking about a 5% hit or a 35% hit. If its closer to 35%, I may just pay up for the better CPU.

Have you tried CrossOver? If VMware is significantly faster than CrossOver then I will be fine.

Because I am now setting up Parallels with a Win XP and a Win 98 SE, and installing all our old games to play at the TV.

Also, the C2Ds with VT Tech are like $159, and I will NOT pay within $30 of a Q6600 and not get the Q6600
But if you say it works fine, then the faster new computer should more than make up for the VT Tech speed hit.

Edit: I just noticed in Parallels where I can toggle VT-x (Intel Virtualization Technology) on and off, so I can try it with and without and see if I notice any difference. I may even run some benchmarks to get a percentage difference.

 

[harshk]

Thanks for the great instructions! I'm having an issue, though. My hackintosh keeps freezing at the startup screen (white screen with apple logo) after I ran the 10.5.5 install.

After my initial Leopard install (from the retail DVD), I installed the 10.5.5 update. I did not install any of the tools on the USB stick. After the 10.5.5 update finished, it restarted twice but froze on the white startup screen after the second restart. Now, every time I restart the machine, it freezes at that screen.

Should I have installed the tools on the USB drive first?

thanks!

P.S., here are my system specs:
Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3R
Q3900 Core 2 Quad Core 2.5Ghz
8800GT 512mb video card
Seageate ST3750330AS 750gb HDD
Pioneer DVR-216DBK DVD-RW
OCZ OCZ2P10664GK (2x2gb) 8500 DDR2 RAM

 

[KeypoX]

Originally posted by: Kaido

Originally posted by: KeypoX
nice i have been waiting for this boot 123 guide... didnt want to figure it out on my own lol. But unfortunately i still have a 4850 and it still doesnt work...

do you know if i followed your guide install leopard on a different harddrive than current with vista. And put in vista disk to repair installation would it repair the vista boot? Then i could chain0 in vista to add osx to the vista boot loader. I have only dual booted using 1 harddrive. Both on laptop and desktop. But i just got a fresh 1TB samsung, with new vista install and was gonna give the old 320GB to osx.

Rumor has it Apple will be adding 48xx support in the future, possibly in January with the new Mac Pros. Try to find a cheap card, like a 7300GT - I got mine for like $16 AR a month or two ago (they're phased out now), but I'm sure you can find one cheap used.

Let me see if I can clarify what you're asking: you want to boot Vista on the 1TB drive and OS X on the 320gb drive? If that is what you're asking, Gigabyte has a built-in bootloader, don't remember the key off the top of my head but it's one of the F keys (F10?) - it lets you select which drive to boot from. So have the USB stick be the default, then if you want to boot to Vista just press the boot select key during BIOS.

Ok awesome that doesnt seem to bad. I know what your talking about to, i forget the F key as well

Is the 7300gt a regular pci slot or something? I wouldnt want to be switching video cards all the time.

Positive note is that the 4850 works with vesa and CI just not QE or full res support. So i prob will just play with this till the drivers forthe 4850 comes out.

 

[KeypoX]

ok couple problems i am having.

1. In my bios i dont have the option in priority for USB-hdd, only have my two harddrives shown in there.
2. When i booted to the installer DVD it locked up at the apple screen. Also after i used the boot cd and type fe. It said some error about 5 times then finally went to the installer where it locked up. Maybe this is a bad burn i dunno. I will mess with this later

But do you have anyclue why i dont see usb-hdd under priority. I can set it up as first boot device though. Wanna get this thing working im gonna try to use a different retain disk, the 10.5.4 one. But i think problem one is gonna effect me right?

 

[leglez]

Originally posted by: KeypoX
ok couple problems i am having.

1. In my bios i dont have the option in priority for USB-hdd, only have my two harddrives shown in there.
2. When i booted to the installer DVD it locked up at the apple screen. Also after i used the boot cd and type fe. It said some error about 5 times then finally went to the installer where it locked up. Maybe this is a bad burn i dunno. I will mess with this later

But do you have anyclue why i dont see usb-hdd under priority. I can set it up as first boot device though. Wanna get this thing working im gonna try to use a different retain disk, the 10.5.4 one. But i think problem one is gonna effect me right?

A couple of people are having this same problem including myself. I am going to be talking with Kaido later today over AIM to see if he can find the problem.

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: harshk
Thanks for the great instructions! I'm having an issue, though. My hackintosh keeps freezing at the startup screen (white screen with apple logo) after I ran the 10.5.5 install.

After my initial Leopard install (from the retail DVD), I installed the 10.5.5 update. I did not install any of the tools on the USB stick. After the 10.5.5 update finished, it restarted twice but froze on the white startup screen after the second restart. Now, every time I restart the machine, it freezes at that screen.

Should I have installed the tools on the USB drive first?

thanks!

P.S., here are my system specs:
Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3R
Q3900 Core 2 Quad Core 2.5Ghz
8800GT 512mb video card
Seageate ST3750330AS 750gb HDD
Pioneer DVR-216DBK DVD-RW
OCZ OCZ2P10664GK (2x2gb) 8500 DDR2 RAM

The drivers on the stick are for the DS3L board, not the DS3R board. Most likely you're getting a hardware/driver conflict since this particular BOOT132 distribution is built specifically for the DS3L boards. You'll need to make a custom BOOT132 system for your board:

http://forum.insanelymac.com/index.php?showtopic=129834

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: Psycho Donut Killer

Originally posted by: Kaido

It doesn't support VT on the chip, but you can run VMware just fine. The chip's hardware Virtualization Technology support is separate from software support - confusing, I know. Heck, you can run VMware on a single-core Atom (runs on my MSI Wind!). My XP VM runs just fine on the E2180.

You'll always get a hit on games with virtualization, at least until they can takeover a core of a multi-core GPU or directly connect to a second video card or something. Try VMware 2.0 with DirectX9 support for gaming.

How much of a hit is what I am trying to figure out. Disregarding the other CPU speed differences, are we talking about a 5% hit or a 35% hit. If its closer to 35%, I may just pay up for the better CPU.

Have you tried CrossOver? If VMware is significantly faster than CrossOver then I will be fine.

Because I am now setting up Parallels with a Win XP and a Win 98 SE, and installing all our old games to play at the TV.

Also, the C2Ds with VT Tech are like $159, and I will NOT pay within $30 of a Q6600 and not get the Q6600
But if you say it works fine, then the faster new computer should more than make up for the VT Tech speed hit.

Edit: I just noticed in Parallels where I can toggle VT-x (Intel Virtualization Technology) on and off, so I can try it with and without and see if I notice any difference. I may even run some benchmarks to get a percentage difference.

I haven't seen any kind of performance hit, I honestly don't know if lack of VT affects VMware at all - I built a 2.0ghz E2180 Allendale rig for my mom with 4 gigs of RAM and her Windows XP VM has a single core, 2 gigs of RAM, and runs just peachy.

Update: I built a new VM with XP SP3. I did notice some sluggishness in the Allendale vs. my Q6600. Now, I don't know if that's because the Allendale doesn't have VT and the Q6600 does, or if it's because the Allendale is 2.0ghz and the Q6600 is 2.4ghz. The response in my VM is instant on the Q6600, whereas there is some slight sluggishness ion the Allendale. Not sure if it's due to the performance difference or VT. Both are very usuable, however.

Update 2: My old XP SP2 VM works exactly the same on both systems. I don't think VT has anything to do with it, just CPU performance.

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: KeypoX
Ok awesome that doesnt seem to bad. I know what your talking about to, i forget the F key as well

Is the 7300gt a regular pci slot or something? I wouldnt want to be switching video cards all the time.

Positive note is that the 4850 works with vesa and CI just not QE or full res support. So i prob will just play with this till the drivers forthe 4850 comes out.

It's a PCIe card. I don't know of any PCI Video Cards that are supported.

I'm releasing an more in-depth guide over on InsanelyMac once I've gotten the rest of the sections done and everything formatted up. It will have details for updating the BIOS, dual-booting, etc. Just takes awhile to write and test everything

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: ColdFusion718
The Q6600 can be had for $189.50 from amazon.com (helpful for those who live in California). Newegg charges tax and they will probably get rid of the free shipping within a matter of days. Link here

Still the best bang-for-your-buck chip IMO. Easy to overclock, inexpensive, powerful. Very happy with mine :thumbsup:

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: leglez

Originally posted by: KeypoX
ok couple problems i am having.

1. In my bios i dont have the option in priority for USB-hdd, only have my two harddrives shown in there.
2. When i booted to the installer DVD it locked up at the apple screen. Also after i used the boot cd and type fe. It said some error about 5 times then finally went to the installer where it locked up. Maybe this is a bad burn i dunno. I will mess with this later

But do you have anyclue why i dont see usb-hdd under priority. I can set it up as first boot device though. Wanna get this thing working im gonna try to use a different retain disk, the 10.5.4 one. But i think problem one is gonna effect me right?

A couple of people are having this same problem including myself. I am going to be talking with Kaido later today over AIM to see if he can find the problem.

Yeah I'm wondering if something got screwed up in the download, I'm testing the download on a spare stick later to see if it works. Otherwise I'll just put up a quick Youtube video on how to do it or something.