PowerEdge 2950 - HaXserve

[Forbidden Era]

I just wanted to let everyone know that I've managed to get OS X up and running on a Dell PowerEdge 2950..

 

I got one of these for free basically:

 

2x Intel Xeon QuadCore 3.0ghz (8 cores)

16 GB FB-DIMM

6-port SAS RAID Controller

etc..

 

What I did:

Lots of googling! Found a thread on another site from another user with the same machine experiencing the same kernel panic I was.

 

The solution was to basically use Pandora's installer and inject a Kext for the RAID controller (not necesary if using the onboard SATA ports).

 

Had to inject the kexts from the installer's terminal after installation as well to get it to boot (FakeSMC.kext, NullCPUPowerManagement.kext, the RAID kext)

 

RAID Kext compatible with the PERC6/I in my 2950:

http://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/285197-driver-for-lsi-megaraid-sas-family/

 

At this moment, I'm online with all 8 cores functioning, only booted with 4GB ram right now. No ethernet at this point but It's bed time.

 

I should state that I was able to install and boot with the built in integrated graphics. No CI or QE or resolution change, though really - there's no sense in using this card, I will be modding my x8 slot tomorrow to fit a discrete card.

 

Will post a screenshot as soon as I get ethernet working! I intend on using this as a DAW - I have a HackPro (core 2 duo) and a MacBook Pro (core 2 duo) and neither of them can really do what I need in Logic.. I think 8 cores will help.. Going to throw an Audigy in there and run some audio cables to the HackPro