845 replies to this topic

[ptolomy_was_right]

naddy69, on Jan 17 2010, 05:52 PM, said:

Updating is always difficult, if not impossible.   Unless you are running 100% vanilla retail OS X (you aren't), you can't just run software update and expect it to work.   A new kernel and many new kexts will be installed, any one of which can be incompatible with your hardware.  

I am also running 10.5.7 iATKOS.   It's my first new install since 10.5.1 over a year ago.  What I do is just keep getting all of the distros I can get, then test them to see how they work on my hardware.   When I find one that works I keep it.  

10.5.7 is plenty new enough.   I have 10.6.2, and it boots on my laptop so I might give it a try.   But I just got 10.5.7 running well and don't really feel like starting over again.   I'll install it on a 2nd partition so I can keep my existing working install.

Ok I see about the updates... altho' plenty of people seem to be able to update ok. I had previously a fully functional (except wifi) 10.5.2 Kalyway install, using Vanilla kernel, but same thing happened when I tried to update. Yeah I recently tried Snow Leo OSx86 too, (HAZARD install), not a chance on my hardware - which other version do you recommend?

[naddy69]

Its hard to recommend any version.   It all depends on your hardware - CPU/chipset/motherboard/video card etc.   I have had good luck in the past with JaS (10.4.6), Kalyway (10.5.1) and XxX (10.4.11, 10.5.6).   Now I am running iATKOS 10.5.7.  

What installs easily for me could be impossible for you.   Nearly all will require some level of hacking on your part, unless you have a 100% compatible CPU/chipset/motherboard/video card.   All I had to do with my current install was a DSDT fix for my X3100 video.

[CharredPC]

Retail vs Distro rant-

VERY generally speaking, if you're in this thread, you probably have X3100 video. Which means you have the GM965 chipset. Which means you have an Intel cpu. Which means all of those things are the same hardware Apple uses in some of the Macbooks. Therefore, you should be able to do a retail (not hacked distro, ie iAtkos, iDeneb, etc) installation, needing only a boot cd and maybe some minor troubleshooting.

When you do a retail installation, updating is totally painless. The less rigging, cob-jobbing and replacing you can get away with, the better. Even if you end up having to replace one or two files, then at least you know which files they are; then if an update ever changes them, you know how to change them right back. This is another huge advantage to a retail install. Even if you successfully install an update on some distro, if it breaks anything... no one knows how to fix it, because no one knows what was stock and what wasn't in the first place.

My laptop installs the retail DVD with just a DSDT fix, and that only because I've upgraded to LCD to a WSXGA+ (dual link) model. To get sound, Ethernet, mouse / keyboard, and battery icon I add kexts to Chameleon's EFI/Extra/Extensions folder (which is never touched by any OSX update). I update whenever I like and never worry about things "breaking." Hacked distros are useful tools for people with AMD processors, completely unsupported chipsets, etc. I never understand why people with completely compatible Intel cpu's/chipsets use them, select tons of options and "fixes" they don't need, then ask for help on the forums when things aren't stable or don't work right.

Obligatory car analogy:

Doing a retail install is like buying an unmodified, normal as-is car for $2000. If something is wrong with it, you can get online and research or ask for help. Most likely someone has run into the issue before, and can explain how they solved it. Replacing parts is more routine maintenance than braving new frontiers.

When you install a hacked distro, it's like buying Frankencar for $500 from a self-taught home mechanic. Sure, it may seem cheaper (easier) at the time, but eventually you realize that no one has any idea how to work on it, because half the parts aren't original, and the other half are held together with duct tape!

Sorry for the rant. I just want everyone to understand why it's so hard to troubleshoot problems for those who install distros. Don't get me wrong, for those inexperienced new people who insist on turning their AMD or older machines into Hackintoshes, distros are almost the only way to go. But anyone in this thread should have no excuse

[naddy69]

While most of the above is true (except the silly car analogy), IMO the distros are easier to install because the necessary hacking has already been done.   A retail DVD does not boot on a garden variety PC.   You have to copy the DVD to a drive (using an already installed/working OS X) and patch it to boot/install.   Even then there is no guarantee that it will boot just because you have a "compatible" CPU/chipset.

Also, not everyone is interested in constantly updating to always have the latest version.   I just want a working system.   Hell, my G4 MDD tower Mac ran 10.5.3 for ages.  I just recently updated it to 10.5.8.  Look at all the people STILL running Windows XP!

10.5.7 will be completely useable for many months/years to come.   I even have a T41 Thinkpad still running 10.4.11.   In the meantime I can do test installs (if I want to) of newer versions on another drive.

Each method has advantages/disadvantages.   Don't look down on people who do things differently than you.

[CharredPC]

Please don't misunderstand, I'm not looking down on anyone. Everyone is free to do whatever they wish to, of course. But you ARE spreading misconceptions and falsehoods here, which is what I was trying to correct...

Of course a retail OSX DVD doesn't automatically boot on a PC. That's why we have boot discs. No need to copy the install DVD anywhere, or alter it in any way. I use an actual store-bought retail DVD, never copied or modified. To boot it, I use a tiny self-made cd-r to boot it. If it helps anyone, I will be happy to post mine. Anyone can easily download ready-made ones, or create their own bootable cd or usb key using free apps (BootCD maker, Empire EFI, etc). This takes less time than even downloading that hacked distro from your favorite torrent site.

Some people might be happy stuck in 10.5.7 (or even 10.4.x), but obviously there's enough demand that we get the "how do I update???" and "I updated, now it's broken!" questions constantly, about every hacked distro. And you've named the biggest problem yourself- "necessary hacking." Half the 'fixes' on these distros swap newer versions for much older ones, modify various system files, or even replace the kernel. Most people have no idea what they need or what will work, so just checkmark a bunch of likely-looking options ("Oh, sleep fix- that sounds good, I want it to sleep!") which might do more harm than good ("Hey, my USB ports don't work right! Why not????"). Most of it isn't necessary, and distro users get the pleasure of installing multiple times trying to find that "magic combination" that gets everything working right.

Look at it like any other operating system, say, Windows XP. Install XP on a random computer, and often afterward the sound, video, and network need drivers to work properly. That's called normal. It's much the same with OSX, especially for those of us with compatible Intel chipsets. So instead of looking around these forums for ten minutes to find the four kexts you need, it's somehow better to download, burn, and install 20 different configurations of half a dozen different old or ancient distros, just to see which works best? How is that in any way easier? Of course it's your choice. If that's what you like to do, by all means, do so. My rant was to point out the easier alternate route.

Honestly, no offense to anyone using distros. We all have to start somewhere, and if you just want to casually test the waters, or it's just a passing teenage hobby... then distros can be fun. As I said, some older or AMD machines that need serious modification and a different kernel to run pretty much have no other choice. But for the many, many people who want to use Mac as their primary OS, the logical choice for best results is a clean, stable retail DVD install. And not to start a separate debate, but if you're going to permanently be using OSX on your PC, why not pony up the measly $29 and buy a legitimate copy of the newest OS anyhow?

[ptolomy_was_right]

CharredPC, on Jan 18 2010, 05:20 AM, said:

Please don't misunderstand, I'm not looking down on anyone. Everyone is free to do whatever they wish to, of course. But you ARE spreading misconceptions and falsehoods here, which is what I was trying to correct...

Of course a retail OSX DVD doesn't automatically boot on a PC. That's why we have boot discs. No need to copy the install DVD anywhere, or alter it in any way. I use an actual store-bought retail DVD, never copied or modified. To boot it, I use a tiny self-made cd-r to boot it. If it helps anyone, I will be happy to post mine. Anyone can easily download ready-made ones, or create their own bootable cd or usb key using free apps (BootCD maker, Empire EFI, etc). This takes less time than even downloading that hacked distro from your favorite torrent site.

Some people might be happy stuck in 10.5.7 (or even 10.4.x), but obviously there's enough demand that we get the "how do I update???" and "I updated, now it's broken!" questions constantly, about every hacked distro. And you've named the biggest problem yourself- "necessary hacking." Half the 'fixes' on these distros swap newer versions for much older ones, modify various system files, or even replace the kernel. Most people have no idea what they need or what will work, so just checkmark a bunch of likely-looking options ("Oh, sleep fix- that sounds good, I want it to sleep!") which might do more harm than good ("Hey, my USB ports don't work right! Why not????"). Most of it isn't necessary, and distro users get the pleasure of installing multiple times trying to find that "magic combination" that gets everything working right.

Look at it like any other operating system, say, Windows XP. Install XP on a random computer, and often afterward the sound, video, and network need drivers to work properly. That's called normal. It's much the same with OSX, especially for those of us with compatible Intel chipsets. So instead of looking around these forums for ten minutes to find the four kexts you need, it's somehow better to download, burn, and install 20 different configurations of half a dozen different old or ancient distros, just to see which works best? How is that in any way easier? Of course it's your choice. If that's what you like to do, by all means, do so. My rant was to point out the easier alternate route.

Honestly, no offense to anyone using distros. We all have to start somewhere, and if you just want to casually test the waters, or it's just a passing teenage hobby... then distros can be fun. As I said, some older or AMD machines that need serious modification and a different kernel to run pretty much have no other choice. But for the many, many people who want to use Mac as their primary OS, the logical choice for best results is a clean, stable retail DVD install. And not to start a separate debate, but if you're going to permanently be using OSX on your PC, why not pony up the measly $29 and buy a legitimate copy of the newest OS anyhow?

Wow dude you know a lot. I have only inthe lst 4 months clicked onto the fact that I can put Mac on my PC-- but I absolutely want to keep Windows now that the awful Vista is goen and 7 Ultimate is here. So first dual booted with Linux but really wanted OS X and had a look around, and like most other people, figured that a hacked distro was the only way it was possible for me to get it onto my system. (Yes I'm running Intel everything, but VIAO NR-series laptops are particularly dificult it turns out when it comes to OS X - the X3100 screen res problem yes, but much more besides). I always knew it was possible to install retail OS X but thought it was way beyond what I was capable of. Is it possible to dual boot with retail? Also iAtkos allow MBR install so the dual boot with Win 7 in the end was much easier since they were both on the same partition tables. You make modding and installing retail sound so easy... is there a clear, easy to follow tutorial anywhere? Yeah 10.5.7 is not too old but I like to have the newest thing pref. and already the latest version of Safari needs 10.5.8 or later.

Also - Will Apple give anyone Snow Leo for $30 even if they haven't got a proper copy of Leo running? My misunderstanding? Yeah it's cheap and wouldn't wanna torrent it.

Quickly - On the SwitchResX thing - how do I go about removing it without messing my 1280/800@60 res? Can I just delete it and reboot or do I have to be more careful??

thanks a lot man

-Ptolomy

[CharredPC]

ptolomy_was_right, on Jan 18 2010, 10:47 AM, said:

So first dual booted with Linux but really wanted OS X and had a look around, and like most other people, figured that a hacked distro was the only way it was possible for me to get it onto my system. (Yes I'm running Intel everything, but VIAO NR-series laptops are particularly dificult it turns out when it comes to OS X - the X3100 screen res problem yes, but much more besides). I always knew it was possible to install retail OS X but thought it was way beyond what I was capable of.

Most people think this way, which is why most Hackintosh owners start out using a distro. Once upon a time, retail installs were very difficult, but things have come a long way. Now as long as your machine is compatible, it's pretty easy. The results are usually much more stable, too.

ptolomy_was_right, on Jan 18 2010, 10:47 AM, said:

Is it possible to dual boot with retail? Also iAtkos allow MBR install so the dual boot with Win 7 in the end was much easier since they were both on the same partition tables. You make modding and installing retail sound so easy... is there a clear, easy to follow tutorial anywhere?

I triple boot between retail 10.5.8 Leopard, retail 10.6.2 SL, and Windows 7 x64. This is all on one hard drive, in my laptop. There's a lot of guides you kind find just by Googling for dual or triple booting, and most will be using retail. Everyone has their own preference for how to do it... I use Chameleon, some people use Boot Think, some use Grub. All have installers that can be run within OSX, Windows, or Linux. I suggest looking around and picking one that you understand best and seems to fit your situation.

ptolomy_was_right, on Jan 18 2010, 10:47 AM, said:

Yeah 10.5.7 is not too old but I like to have the newest thing pref. and already the latest version of Safari needs 10.5.8 or later.

I know people that are content running Windows 98, because they find it familiar and safe. That's fine, but as you point out, it limits what software you run, not to mention having outdated security as well.

ptolomy_was_right, on Jan 18 2010, 10:47 AM, said:

Also - Will Apple give anyone Snow Leo for $30 even if they haven't got a proper copy of Leo running? My misunderstanding? Yeah it's cheap and wouldn't wanna torrent it.

Search eBay for "Snow Leopard Upgrade." A lot of times you can get a brand new unopened copy for less than $29 shipped. It doesn't verify that you already use Mac; it's the exact same content as a full retail DVD.

ptolomy_was_right, on Jan 18 2010, 10:47 AM, said:

Quickly - On the SwitchResX thing - how do I go about removing it without messing my 1280/800@60 res? Can I just delete it and reboot or do I have to be more careful??

Once you have a working display override (always boots to correct resolution without opening SwitchResX), you should be able to open Applications, right-click SwitchResX, and choose Move to trash. Empty trash, reboot, and you're done.

[naddy69]

Quote

But for the many, many people who want to use Mac as their primary OS, the logical choice for best results is a clean, stable retail DVD install.

Perhaps this is the difference.   I am not looking to use OS X as my primary system.   The things I need to do can't be done in OS X.  I do Windows software development - VB, VC++, .Net, SQL Server, Crystal Reports, etc. etc.   What I need OS X for is to be able to test things in Safari and Firefox, and as a general web box.   I spend 99% of my time in Windows, and I always will.

None of my machines are particularly OS X compatible.   I didn't spec/buy them with this in mind.  For me its just easier to toss on a distro.   If it works, then I will keep it for a long time, until I need to run some app that won't run in the version I have.  Then I'll install something newer.

I started with 10.4.1 - like everyone else.    Over 5 years I then I installed 10.4.6, then 10.4.11, then 10.5.2 and now 10.5.7.   The most I had to do was edit plists to get my device IDs in, so my video card/lan card/whatever would be recognized, and/or install special kexts for hardware that had no Apple driver.   For my X3100 video in my T61 I had to do the DSDT dual link fix.   I would have to do all of these things with a retail DVD also, plus the added problem of getting the DVD to boot in the first place.

I realize you say that booting a retail DVD is easy, I just have never done it.   I think SQL programming is easy, but I have been doing it for 15 years.   If you have never done it it would seem like gibberish to you.

[Einstein_ein]

@CharredPC
Now on the topic. Here's the situation. On my HP6710b with x3100 (2a02, 0x000c) GMA laptop everything works great. When I try to mirror (after connecting the external and hitting Detect Displays) my lcd to an external one I get distorted displays on both lcd and external monitor. Even vnc-ing is distorted. Do you think it is due to EDID not being retrieved correctly from 10.6.0 32-bit snow? Shouldn't inserting my edid in com.apple.Boot.plist (in /Extra) suffice? Could you suggest a solution to proper mirroring of displays or, at least, point to what you think as a problem?

Thanks
Yannis

[CharredPC]

Einstein_ein, on Jan 19 2010, 10:19 AM, said:

@CharredPC
Now on the topic. Here's the situation. On my HP6710b with x3100 (2a02, 0x000c) GMA laptop everything works great. When I try to mirror (after connecting the external and hitting Detect Displays) my lcd to an external one I get distorted displays on both lcd and external monitor. Even vnc-ing is distorted. Do you think it is due to EDID not being retrieved correctly from 10.6.0 32-bit snow? Shouldn't inserting my edid in com.apple.Boot.plist (in /Extra) suffice? Could you suggest a solution to proper mirroring of displays or, at least, point to what you think as a problem?

Thanks
Yannis

I'm not sure I can help much with mirroring, as I don't use it. I suppose it's a possibility that it could be an EDID detection issue, either in the external or internal display.

For some reason, injecting the EDID into OSX for the X3100 seems more difficult than other videocards. I blame the drivers. In theory, adding the EDID to the Boot.plist or DSDT should work. In reality, the only way I've gotten it to take it is using a Display Override. It wouldn't hurt to try that, and see if it improves mirroring.

[Einstein_ein]

CharredPC, on Jan 19 2010, 04:39 PM, said:

I'm not sure I can help much with mirroring, as I don't use it. I suppose it's a possibility that it could be an EDID detection issue, either in the external or internal display.

For some reason, injecting the EDID into OSX for the X3100 seems more difficult than other videocards. I blame the drivers. In theory, adding the EDID to the Boot.plist or DSDT should work. In reality, the only way I've gotten it to take it is using a Display Override. It wouldn't hurt to try that, and see if it improves mirroring.

Changing dsdt wouldn't help? Btw I have no clue how to inject the edid of the external lcd. Injection of the internal got nowhere as far as mirroring is concerned

[naddy69]

FWIW, I get the exact same thing when trying to mirror - both screens scrambled.   Without mirroring, both screens work fine.   Reading thru these threads it seems that no one has this working.  

What model(s) of Apple laptops used the X3100?   Since Apple is famous for not including external monitor ports on their laptops, perhaps the driver is deliberately designed to not support this?    

[aurumnous]

hi,

I have a Hp 550 with Intel GMAX3100 running Snow leopard Retail 10.6.2 using Chameleon and netkas Boot.

This laptops GMA X3100 has the following device and revision data:

   Device ID: 0x2a12
  Revision ID: 0x000c

I have modified the Snow leopard AppleIntelGMAX3100Fb.kext and AppleIntelGMAX3100.kext info.plist to be 0x2a12.

However the Kext is not being loaded (i get a display of 1024x768 and system profiler says no kext loaded for graphics)

The link to my dsdt.aml is below (dont know if this helps)?
http://www.mediafire...wznwzm/dsdt.aml

I am also running in 32bit mode (with arch=i386)

Do I need to mod the kext for revision id?

Please help, It is the last piece of hw I have left to get going on snow leopard.

Regards

Dean

PS: I had this card working in Leopard 10.5.8 with only the device id mod in the kext, Am I missing something?

[calmesal]

aurumnous, on Feb 22 2010, 09:41 PM, said:

hi,

I have a Hp 550 with Intel GMAX3100 running Snow leopard Retail 10.6.2 using Chameleon and netkas Boot.

This laptops GMA X3100 has the following device and revision data:

   Device ID: 0x2a12
  Revision ID: 0x000c

I have modified the Snow leopard AppleIntelGMAX3100Fb.kext and AppleIntelGMAX3100.kext info.plist to be 0x2a12.

However the Kext is not being loaded (i get a display of 1024x768 and system profiler says no kext loaded for graphics)

The link to my dsdt.aml is below (dont know if this helps)?
http://www.mediafire...wznwzm/dsdt.aml

I am also running in 32bit mode (with arch=i386)

Do I need to mod the kext for revision id?

Please help, It is the last piece of hw I have left to get going on snow leopard.

Regards

Dean

PS: I had this card working in Leopard 10.5.8 with only the device id mod in the kext, Am I missing something?

Try this FB.KEXTb there is no Q/E C/I but resulotion changes.

Attached Files

•  x31002a12.zip   285.53K   70 downloads

[aurumnous]

calmesal, on Feb 22 2010, 10:52 PM, said:

Try this FB.KEXTb there is no Q/E C/I but resulotion changes.

Cheers, I will give it a try when I get home.

[aurumnous]

Hi calmesal,

When I tried your kexts, the screen switches to full width, but then keeps alternating between a light blue and then darker blue background. It never shows the OSX login screen.

Is there something else that is missing?
Could it be the kext is hard coded for resolution higher than my 1280x800?

Regards

Dean

aurumnous, on Feb 24 2010, 12:43 PM, said:

Hi calmesal,

When I tried your kexts, the screen switches to full width, but then keeps alternating between a light blue and then darker blue background. It never shows the OSX login screen.

Is there something else that is missing?
Could it be the kext is hard coded for resolution higher than my 1280x800?

Regards

Dean

When looking in my kernel log I also see the following errors:

Feb 24 12:36:29 localhost kernel[0]: Warning - kext com.apple.driver.AppleIntelGMAX3100FB has immediate dependencies on both com.apple.kernel* and com.apple.kpi.* components; use
only one style.
Feb 24 12:36:29 localhost kernel[0]: Warning - kext com.apple.driver.AppleIntelGMAX3100 has immediate dependencies on both com.apple.kernel* and com.apple.kpi.* components; use on
ly one style.
Feb 24 12:36:29 localhost kernel[0]: IG: Invalid firmware max backlight setting
Feb 24 12:36:29 localhost kernel[0]: RTC: Only single RAM bank (128 bytes)

Full kernel log here: http://www.mediafire.com/?hzhyrmwmjnm

Does anyone see these errors or have a fix?

[grandflash]

My computer is a lenovo x61 tablet (C2Duo, X3100). I got everything working now.
My problem:

There is no rotation possible on internal LCD-Display. The same thing on Apple laptops using the Intel X3100. Otherwise, connecting an external display (vga-port), rotation is working und usable.

Is there a way (maybe DSDT hack?) making this feature available at internal displays?

[aurumnous]

calmesal, on Feb 22 2010, 10:52 PM, said:

Try this FB.KEXTb there is no Q/E C/I but resulotion changes.

Hi,

I finally got the X3100 to load and work at 1280x800 on my Hp550, I ended up going back to the unmodified Snow leopard 10.6.2 x3100 kexts and did the following steps:

PS: Thanks to 'Calmesal' on this thread and 'Jackhair' on this other thread for help and info: http://www.insanelym...hp/t130432.html

Open up the Info.plist of the AppleIntelGMAX3100FB.kext and modify this string:

from:

<key>IOPCIPrimaryMatch</key>
<string>0x2A028086</string>

to:

<key>IOPCIPrimaryMatch</key>
<string>0x2A128086</string>
then with an hex editor open the AppleIntelGMAX3100FB contained in the kext and do a Find and Replace...

Search and replace is Ctrl+F (enter below hex without spaces):

Find: 86 80 02 2A
Replace: 86 80 12 2A

do the same for AppleIntelGMAX3100 file of the other kext.

[calmesal]

aurumnous, on Feb 24 2010, 03:15 PM, said:

Hi,

I finally got the X3100 to load and work at 1280x800 on my Hp550, I ended up going back to the unmodified Snow leopard 10.6.2 x3100 kexts and did the following steps:

PS: Thanks to 'Calmesal' on this thread and 'Jackhair' on this other thread for help and info: http://www.insanelym...hp/t130432.html

Open up the Info.plist of the AppleIntelGMAX3100FB.kext and modify this string:

from:

<key>IOPCIPrimaryMatch</key>
<string>0x2A028086</string>

to:

<key>IOPCIPrimaryMatch</key>
<string>0x2A128086</string>
then with an hex editor open the AppleIntelGMAX3100FB contained in the kext and do a Find and Replace...

Search and replace is Ctrl+F (enter below hex without spaces):

Find: 86 80 02 2A
Replace: 86 80 12 2A

do the same for AppleIntelGMAX3100 file of the other kext.

I have been used these kexts on SL 10.6.2 without any modifications and works very good. May be the the only kext you need is the FB one and other vanilla X3100 kexts. BTW the highest resulotion in my lappy is 1280x800.

[darel60]

Hi everyone..
I am thinking to buy asus eee notebook with an elegant skin on it. So could anyone here please suggest
me some websites providing eee pc skins?