Hackintosh 10.5.5 Retail Rig - Starting at $305

[Muddy Mudskipper]

I really like that new Asrock ION nettop, the white one especially.

They're available now here in the UK, £280/$460 (Asrock NetTop ION330 System, Intel Atom 330, 2GB, DDR2, 320 GB HDD)

 

[Zaap]

Kaido,
What do you think about the GA-G41M-ES2L? I just ordered one to mess with (if it isn't hackintoshable, I'll just use it in an upcoming build for a client).

If it works, it's only $10 more than the G31 board, but does have the capability of 8GB of RAM (granted with only 2 slots, meaning expensive 4GB sticks.) Still, could be a little more future-proof for only $10 more.

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: Zaap
Kaido,
What do you think about the GA-G41M-ES2L? I just ordered one to mess with (if it isn't hackintoshable, I'll just use it in an upcoming build for a client).

If it works, it's only $10 more than the G31 board, but does have the capability of 8GB of RAM (granted with only 2 slots, meaning expensive 4GB sticks.) Still, could be a little more future-proof for only $10 more.

Yah I'm sure it will work, the southbridge is the main issue and it has ICH7, which is natively-supported in OS X, so it should be just fine. I looked at that board, but ultimately went with the G31M just because it's going to live out it's life as a Plex Media Center with just 2 gigs of RAM 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.

I need another job to support my hobbies

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: Muddy Mudskipper
I really like that new Asrock ION nettop, the white one especially.

They're available now here in the UK, £280/$460 (Asrock NetTop ION330 System, Intel Atom 330, 2GB, DDR2, 320 GB HDD)

Yeah, nice lil ah heck...$460 is a tad pricey, almost in Mini territory though. It'd be great for Plex as long as you didn't need any HD Flash capabilities like Youtube, Hulu, or Vimeo.

 

[xavifm]

hello, A question. keyboard ps2 , works in UD3P ? Thanks

 

[mosslack]

Originally posted by: Zaap
Kaido,
What do you think about the GA-G41M-ES2L? I just ordered one to mess with (if it isn't hackintoshable, I'll just use it in an upcoming build for a client).

If it works, it's only $10 more than the G31 board, but does have the capability of 8GB of RAM (granted with only 2 slots, meaning expensive 4GB sticks.) Still, could be a little more future-proof for only $10 more.

Originally posted by: Kaido

Originally posted by: Zaap
Kaido,
What do you think about the GA-G41M-ES2L? I just ordered one to mess with (if it isn't hackintoshable, I'll just use it in an upcoming build for a client).

If it works, it's only $10 more than the G31 board, but does have the capability of 8GB of RAM (granted with only 2 slots, meaning expensive 4GB sticks.) Still, could be a little more future-proof for only $10 more.

Yah I'm sure it will work, the southbridge is the main issue and it has ICH7, which is natively-supported in OS X, so it should be just fine. I looked at that board, but ultimately went with the G31M just because it's going to live out it's life as a Plex Media Center with just 2 gigs of RAM 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.

I need another job to support my hobbies

You guys are already thinking up a new Hack? WOW! Where will it all end? Of course I'll do it, no question about that, but give an ol' geezer a break, will ya!!! :Q

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: mosslack
You guys are already thinking up a new Hack? WOW! Where will it all end? Of course I'll do it, no question about that, but give an ol' geezer a break, will ya!!! :Q

Well, Zaap is, I'm broke :laugh:

 

[scootermaster]

Originally posted by: Kaido

Originally posted by: scootermaster
No really, tomorrow is the day?!?!!? [/b]

Ya rly! Doing final testing at my buddy's house afterwork today and then final write-up, then it's time to rock the new thread!

LIES!

I've been hurt before...it's so hard to trust again!

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: scootermaster

Originally posted by: Kaido

Originally posted by: scootermaster
No really, tomorrow is the day?!?!!? [/b]

Ya rly! Doing final testing at my buddy's house afterwork today and then final write-up, then it's time to rock the new thread!

LIES!

I've been hurt before...it's so hard to trust again!

Eh, in that case, I'm gonna go take a nap

 

[scootermaster]

Originally posted by: Kaido

Originally posted by: scootermaster

Originally posted by: Kaido

Originally posted by: scootermaster
No really, tomorrow is the day?!?!!? [/b]

Ya rly! Doing final testing at my buddy's house afterwork today and then final write-up, then it's time to rock the new thread!

LIES!

I've been hurt before...it's so hard to trust again!

Eh, in that case, I'm gonna go take a nap

BOOOOOOO! You big tease!

 

[DougoMan]

Is it possible to use boot camp on these?

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: DougoMan
Is it possible to use boot camp on these?

No. Just dual-boot. Two drives is easiest.

 

[thefatoldsun68]

Kaido, did the guide come out today?

 

[Kaido]

Okay just got home from my buddy's place! Did some hardcore testing, here are the results:

Bad news: HDMI Audio does NOT work.

We used a 1GB GTS 250. It has an internal SDPIF cable from the motherboard to the card. I figured this would work fine, but it didn't. It did work just fine in Windows 7, but absolutely nada from OS X when set on Digital Output (tried all the other settings for fun too). Boo

Good news #1: Optical audio DOES work on the ES2L!!!

You need that optical audio adapter plate ($16 shipped on eBay). It has both Coaxial and SPDIF, both of which work (I tested). All you have to do is plug it into the SPDIF pins right on the motherboard and set the audio output to Digital Out. This is GREAT because the ES2L doesn't have onboard digital audio jacks, so for less than $20 with shipping you can get it!

Good news #2: Optical audio works on the UD3P in 10.5.7 (with my updated audio kext package).

Basically you just need the 10.5.6 HDA kext, which is what the HDA Enabler mods (doesn't work on the 10.5.7 HDA kext because the Enabler kext is compiled for 10.5.6). I posted this a few pages back, and I'll include it in the 1.1 release of the new UD3P kit tomorrow.

So the good news is that all 3 of the boards in my guides (ES2L, DS3L, UD3P) have the audio options of analog, coaxial digital, and optical digital now! For video, you can now do Composite, S-Video, Component (via VGA adapter box), VGA, DVI, and HDMI. The only thing really missing is HDMI-Audio, but there's a box for that too if you want it! (converts DVI/HDMI + Digital Audio to HDMI-Audio). So you pretty much have total Home Theater functionality now! Muhahahaha :evil: I'll also be going over remote control options - will be testing my MCE IR receiver tomorrow along with one of my Harmony remotes. Working on the audio documentation now and then I'll wrap things up tomorrow!

I'm gonna give myself carpal tunnel from all this typing :laugh:

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: thefatoldsun68
Kaido, did the guide come out today?

Nope, I just got home. Typing stuff up now, will be posting it later...today, I guess. lol. But confirmed that digital audio works on the ES2L with the adapter plate!

 

[thefatoldsun68]

Cool, thank you! I've spent the last two days studying this thread, and can't wait for the guide. Thanks for all the great work (everyone in this thread!)

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: thefatoldsun68
Cool, thank you! I've spent the last two days studying this thread, and can't wait for the guide. Thanks for all the great work (everyone in this thread!)

Things will finally come to a head this evening! Lots of testing, lots of writing, lots of info!

 

[scootermaster]

Originally posted by: Kaido
Okay just got home from my buddy's place! Did some hardcore testing, here are the results:

Bad news: HDMI Audio does NOT work.

We used a 1GB GTS 250. It has an internal SDPIF cable from the motherboard to the card. I figured this would work fine, but it didn't. It did work just fine in Windows 7, but absolutely nada from OS X when set on Digital Output (tried all the other settings for fun too). Boo

Good news #1: Optical audio DOES work on the ES2L!!!

You need that optical audio adapter plate ($16 shipped on eBay). It has both Coaxial and SPDIF, both of which work (I tested). All you have to do is plug it into the SPDIF pins right on the motherboard and set the audio output to Digital Out. This is GREAT because the ES2L doesn't have onboard digital audio jacks, so for less than $20 with shipping you can get it!

Good news #2: Optical audio works on the UD3P in 10.5.7 (with my updated audio kext package).

Basically you just need the 10.5.6 HDA kext, which is what the HDA Enabler mods (doesn't work on the 10.5.7 HDA kext because the Enabler kext is compiled for 10.5.6). I posted this a few pages back, and I'll include it in the 1.1 release of the new UD3P kit tomorrow.

So the good news is that all 3 of the boards in my guides (ES2L, DS3L, UD3P) have the audio options of analog, coaxial digital, and optical digital now! For video, you can now do Composite, S-Video, Component (via VGA adapter box), VGA, DVI, and HDMI. The only thing really missing is HDMI-Audio, but there's a box for that too if you want it! (converts DVI/HDMI + Digital Audio to HDMI-Audio). So you pretty much have total Home Theater functionality now! Muhahahaha :evil: I'll also be going over remote control options - will be testing my MCE IR receiver tomorrow along with one of my Harmony remotes. Working on the audio documentation now and then I'll wrap things up tomorrow!

I'm gonna give myself carpal tunnel from all this typing :laugh:

Couple of questions: Linkage on that bracket? And is the one I'm thinking of? Because the D3SL has Coax/optical out, right? The bracket is only for Coax/optical in, right? I wouldn't mind having SPDIF in, since I have a guitar effects board that has that. But there's never been any confirmation that it works under Hack. Do you know if the header is the same for the two boards (U3DP/D3SL? Forgive me if I get the letters wrong).

Cuz I'd be interested in one if that works for sure.

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: scootermaster
Couple of questions: Linkage on that bracket? And is the one I'm thinking of? Because the D3SL has Coax/optical out, right? The bracket is only for Coax/optical in, right? I wouldn't mind having SPDIF in, since I have a guitar effects board that has that. But there's never been any confirmation that it works under Hack. Do you know if the header is the same for the two boards (U3DP/D3SL? Forgive me if I get the letters wrong).

Cuz I'd be interested in one if that works for sure.

Bracket is for output only - i.e. playback from your Mac. The ES2L MicroATX board does not have Digital Audio output on the rear, so this bracket adds the capability of coaxial/optical digital audio output thanks to the SPDIF pins on the motherboard. Which means that you can buy a small Hackintosh board for cheap ($53), add digital audio for your 5.1 surround-sound for cheap ($16), and have a killer home theater system for not much green

 

[Kaido]

I gotta say, so far the ES2L has been a really awesome little board! Perfectly stable, easy install, zero bugs..."just works". Very happy with it

 

[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.

 

[metzler555]

Originally posted by: Kaido

Originally posted by: metzler555
getting another weird error.. When I wake my computer from sleep the external self powered USB hard drive I have plugged in gives me the "device removal" error message. I tested this also with my USB flash drive and the same thing happens. This doesn't happen on my MBP but I have read it happens on some other genuine macs. I have noticed when I wake the computer the drives are mounted on the desktop and then very quickly they are removed and remouted, followed by the error message. Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks.

I'm on UD3P, q6600, 10.5.7, bios f8, using latest Kaido package, ask if you need any other info.

This isn't a bug, this is part of running a Hackintosh. Although I think MSI boards don't have this problem, something about how they handle USB drives on sleep.

Perfectly normal

Okay, figured... oh well. Thanks for the confirmation.

 

[scootermaster]

Originally posted by: Kaido

Originally posted by: scootermaster
Couple of questions: Linkage on that bracket? And is the one I'm thinking of? Because the D3SL has Coax/optical out, right? The bracket is only for Coax/optical in, right? I wouldn't mind having SPDIF in, since I have a guitar effects board that has that. But there's never been any confirmation that it works under Hack. Do you know if the header is the same for the two boards (U3DP/D3SL? Forgive me if I get the letters wrong).

Cuz I'd be interested in one if that works for sure.

Bracket is for output only - i.e. playback from your Mac. The ES2L MicroATX board does not have Digital Audio output on the rear, so this bracket adds the capability of coaxial/optical digital audio output thanks to the SPDIF pins on the motherboard. Which means that you can buy a small Hackintosh board for cheap ($53), add digital audio for your 5.1 surround-sound for cheap ($16), and have a killer home theater system for not much green

Is the pinout the same as the [optional] digital IN for the D3SL? Because if it is -- and I'd think it just might be -- I'd love to know if that works. Just jack a DVD player into it and record with Garageband or something.....

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: Zaap
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.

Yeah, I like Gigabyte boards because they're "safe" - I know what the bugs are and they're very managable. I'm not big into DSDT files, BIOS mods, and all that, I just want a quick and easy rig that works!

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.

I used to do it 24/7 for family/friends/friends of friends/on campus, then I did it full-time at a job, then I did it freelance, then I got a Mac and discovered the bliss of computing I got a little sick of troubleshooting all day long, not troubleshooting computers, but troubleshooting people - I want to fix computers, not teach people how to use them, and I always felt on the hook for showing people how to do stuff. It makes for a good business, however - people are always screwing up their computers and needing fresh installs and fix-it calls

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! I've started building them for my family as well, and it has HUGELY reduced my tech support time requirements after the first week or two of them adjusting to OS X (and can I just say YAY for internal Time Machine backup drives? lol). 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.

Maybe Apple will release an Xgrid app that actually works. Or let Qmaster do more stuff. Then I'd have an excuse to build all kinds of crazy stuff

 

[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!