Dell Vostro 200 : "waiting for root"

[BondDotCom]

Ugh. Trying to get either JAS 10.4.8 or BrazilMac patched 10.5 to install but both give me the "waiting for root device" error when booting off the DVD's.

 

I have a new Dell Vostro 200 mid-tower that comes with an ICH9 FoxConn G33 board (G33M02), 4 SATAs, no IDE. Hard drive on SATA 0, DVD-RW on SATA 1.

 

I've read some have had luck changing the SATA mode in CMOS. Originally setup as "IDE". I changed it to "RAID", which displayed a slew of ACHI messages when booting but still ended up with the same "waiting for root" message.

 

I also tried switching the SATA drives (DVD on 0, hard disk on 1) but didn't help.

 

Anybody have any suggestions for me?

 

 

Configuration:

Dell Vostro 200 Mid-tower

FoxConn G33M02, ICH9 board, Intel GMA 3100

4 SATA ports, no IDE

 

Thanks.

[BondDotCom]

Well, last night I used the Leo flat image to restore Leo one of my SATA drives. It worked fine and the Darwin bootloader comes up and it tries to launch Leo but I get the same message:

 

"Waiting for boot volume"

 

followed by:

 

"Still waiting for root device"

 

which loops infinitely.

 

I tried switching from IDE to RAID mode in the SATA CMOS options but both give me this error.

 

Can anyone point me to a thread that has a workaround for this? It's obviously loading from my drive. I guess I don't know what "root device" it's referring to.

 

Thanks. Specs posted above.

[wmarsh]

Well, my Dell E520 would not install any version of OS X untl recently.

 

The problem was ICH8R support for SATA DVD.

 

However macdotnub and kalyway recently released would install.

 

This enabled me to copy the Leopard install DVD to an external HDD and modify it to make it bootable.

http://forum.insanelymac.com/index.php?s=&...st&p=510839

 

I do not know if anyone has a ICH9 fix. If they do, you could try the same trick.

I can't read Italian, but this post looks helpful.

http://forum.insanelymac.com/index.php?s=&...st&p=453962

[BondDotCom]

Thanks wmarsh.

 

I've just tried using MacDrive and replacing some kexts (IOATA and AppleAHCI) with those that include ICH9 support from this forum, making sure to add my device ID's (2920 and 2926). However, neither kext seemed to make a difference. I may have done it wrong, though. I don't know how to change owner and permissions using MacDrive so all I did was copy the kexts over the existing ones, delete the cache files, and reboot.

 

I guess the next step is to try the macdotnub 10.4.10 install, like you suggested. If it correctly recognized your SATA drives, maybe it will mine, too.

 

Thanks again.

[wmarsh]

Thanks wmarsh.

 

I've just tried using MacDrive and replacing some kexts (IOATA and AppleAHCI) with those that include ICH9 support from this forum, making sure to add my device ID's (2920 and 2926). However, neither kext seemed to make a difference. I may have done it wrong, though. I don't know how to change owner and permissions using MacDrive so all I did was copy the kexts over the existing ones, delete the cache files, and reboot.

 

I guess the next step is to try the macdotnub 10.4.10 install, like you suggested. If it correctly recognized your SATA drives, maybe it will mine, too.

 

Thanks again.

I don't know about MacDrive -- but I do know modified kext won't load if you don't repair permissions.

That may be all you need another install for.

 

I did mine on an external IDE drive, so I could fix the ICH8R problem after install. Requires such a drive, but if you have an old IDE disk kicking around, a USB disk enclosure is inexpensive.

[BondDotCom]

Well, I've got a progress report. I tried the macdotnub and uphuck versions with no luck (same error message). Today I downloaded ToH RC2 and it WORKED, kind of. I have two SATA hard drives: primary one has XP, the other was for Leo. The installation only detected my primary SATA drive. So, I had to unplug my primary XP drive, then connect my other drive to the primary SATA port.

 

Installed without problems after that. However, when I booted for the first time, I got the infinite setup loop that some others have seen (welcome -> select country -> transfer mac info -> back to welcome again). To get around that, I ended up putting the hard drive in my other PC just so I could register my account information. Then, I transferred the hard drive back. I'm sure there's a better solution (some have suggested disabling LAN and other devices in BIOS) but this worked for me.

 

It didn't boot without the DVD, so I ran the /usr/misc/script.sh as mentioned in some other posts and that fixed my boot problems.

 

So, I FINALLY have Leo installed and booting. Now, I just need to get everything working! My C2D is being recognized as a Core 2 SOLO and my NVidia 7300GT is without QE/CI. BUT I'm making strides!

 

Hopefully others can benefit from my experiences.

[mcmcomput]

Has anyone got sound or the integrated video to work? I finally got it up and running, but am having trouble getting everything functioning. I am using the XxX distribution w/ 10.4.11 I have tried the included drivers for sound, GMA, and Networking, but have been unable to get any working.

[apag0r]

Ugh. Trying to get either JAS 10.4.8 or BrazilMac patched 10.5 to install but both give me the "waiting for root device" error when booting off the DVD's.

...snip..

 

Using the same hardware I successfully installed leopard on vostro 200 using kalyway 10.5.1. The fun is now, for I have no network (intel 82562v-2 is not detected), no sound (I haven't really fight this issue since I've got no network so it's the main problem) and cannot change screen resolution with gf 8300 gs.

If you suceeded please us know here.

[jeffrey2420]

Using the same hardware I successfully installed leopard on vostro 200 using kalyway 10.5.1. The fun is now, for I have no network (intel 82562v-2 is not detected), no sound (I haven't really fight this issue since I've got no network so it's the main problem) and cannot change screen resolution with gf 8300 gs.

If you suceeded please us know here.

 

Hey apag0r,

 

I am waiting for my new inspiron 530 to ship, and from what I read it has the same Foxconn G33 motherboard as the Vostro 200. Would you care to share exactly how you got your install up with Kaliway?

[Hamb0ne]

jeffrey,, im looking to buy a 530 too. i wonder if kaylway will work on it? my XPS 710 is fully working now.

 

 

can you put all the specs of the insprion 530, because i might know how to work it. MB, sound, chipset, etc.

[jeffrey2420]

jeffrey,, im looking to buy a 530 too. i wonder if kaylway will work on it? my XPS 710 is fully working now.

can you put all the specs of the insprion 530, because i might know how to work it. MB, sound, chipset, etc.

 

Intel Core 2 Duo E6550, 2.33 Ghz, 4 MB L2 cache, 1333 MHz FSB

1 GB Dual Channel DDR2, 667 MHz

160 GB SATA, 7200 RPM

GMA 3100 integrated graphics (will probably be getting an XFX GeForce 8600 GT)

Realtek ALC888 HD Audio

Realtek RTL8185L Wifi card (installed after)

 

I don't have the machine yet (it is due for delivery by Feb 11). I am assuming from what I have found on the internet that it will have a Foxconn G33M02 mATX motherboard. Once I get the machine I will definetly see whether I can get EFI and vanilla kernal going with iAtkos or Kalyway.

[tqt1586]

I have a Vostro 200 and here is how I got it to work.

 

1. use kalyway's or iAtkrios 10.5.1, both will let you boot and bypass those boot issues

2. get a hold of an old NIC that is widely universal to all Mac like a 3com 905b and install in empty pci it will work flawlessly without any drivers

3. install OS but don't use EFI and use MBR when parititioning disk in apple's disk utility

4. get a hold of azalia_adi1988b.pkg , it will allow the built in audio to work. (it's on the kalyway's disk but will work in iAtkrios, too.

5. on subsequent reboots after installation, it will need the dvd in the drive until you make it bootable via Brazilian's method using a usb patch disk.

 

NOTE:

 

I used iAtKios because kalyway puts too many useless programs preinstalled and modifies the theme colors and icons, a no-no in my book.

 

Even iAtkios is without its' problems, as you will need to modify the SystemVersion.plist to get rid of weird characters that is not native in describing the OS version so that it will not crash programs like 'Candybar 3.0'.

 

I used a nvidia PCIe card to bypass the intel 3100 card that currently has no hackintosh drivers that works well.

 

Also, the built in NIC won't works either unless someone finds a driver for the intel 8522x NIC.

 

I also use the apple bluetooth keyboard and marry it with a belkin USB bluetooth adapter. It sometimes quits and I would have to remove the USB dongle and replace it a few seconds later to get it to work again.

[slvr999]

I also bought a Dell Vostro 200 with the 20 inch, widescreen.

First I tried installing Jas 10.4.8, & that didn't work.

 

Kalyway 10.5.1 will work on your vostro for sure

with smooth full speed graphics

 

You'll also have to download sound drivers for your alc888

 

(b.t.w You'll have a lot trouble increasing the resolution past 1280x1024, if your using the gma x3100(like me), I recommend buying a $40-$60 readon 2400 or 2600 to fix this resolution problem)

[Eldabbagh]

5. on subsequent reboots after installation, it will need the dvd in the drive until you make it bootable via Brazilian's method using a usb patch disk.

 

Are you referring to BrazilMac?

Can you go into detail on that process of not having to have the CD in the drive.

 

Thanks,

The Egyptian

[personguy]

I also bought a Dell Vostro 200 with the 20 inch, widescreen.

First I tried installing Jas 10.4.8, & that didn't work.

 

Kalyway 10.5.1 will work on your vostro for sure

with smooth full speed graphics

 

You'll also have to download sound drivers for your alc888

 

(b.t.w You'll have a lot trouble increasing the resolution past 1280x1024, if your using the gma x3100(like me), I recommend buying a $40-$60 readon 2400 or 2600 to fix this resolution problem)

 

 

hi there. welp, spent two days so far trying to get Leo onto my vostro 200. (9a581 with brazil).. but couldn't get past the "still waiting for root device" scene. i'd previously gotten pretty much everything sorted with a dual boot XP/Tiger using a uphuck 1.4.9 install.. just wanted to see if i could have a little bit more luck with Leo (like, for instance, i'd hoped maybe there would be some support for our G33 integrated graphics). according to this thread, it looks like that's not the case, still. -- you said you got smooth full speed graphics up and running. but i'm assuming that's because you went out and got one of those raedon's .. i'd be willing to fork out for a separate graphics card (need one anyway) .. if i could just get past the "waiting for root device" bit with 10.5!!!

so, i'm on the prowl for a Kalaway 10.5.1 now, thanks to you. but would you mind detailing exactly what steps you took? .. when i installed the uphuck tiger version, i'd only had to go in and change the IDE to Raid for the install then modify kexts and stuff for specific hardware once everything else was installed. .. but that's obviously not working here. i've tried just about every combo of enabled/disabled in the bios. i've switched the hard drive / DVD-rom cables ... tried all kinds of combos of darwin boot helpers (-x -legacy -f ... though i wish i had a better handle on what exactly each of those mean).

i'm looking forward to any tips you can give me! cheers!

pg.

[personguy]

Ugh. Trying to get either JAS 10.4.8 or BrazilMac patched 10.5 to install but both give me the "waiting for root device" error when booting off the DVD's.

 

I have a new Dell Vostro 200 mid-tower that comes with an ICH9 FoxConn G33 board (G33M02), 4 SATAs, no IDE. Hard drive on SATA 0, DVD-RW on SATA 1.

 

I've read some have had luck changing the SATA mode in CMOS. Originally setup as "IDE". I changed it to "RAID", which displayed a slew of ACHI messages when booting but still ended up with the same "waiting for root" message.

 

I also tried switching the SATA drives (DVD on 0, hard disk on 1) but didn't help.

 

Anybody have any suggestions for me?

 

 

Configuration:

Dell Vostro 200 Mid-tower

FoxConn G33M02, ICH9 board, Intel GMA 3100

4 SATA ports, no IDE

 

Thanks.

 

hi, i've got the same setup as you. my only success so far has been with the iATKOS 2.0i dvd. it gets through the initial install, but on reboot gets stuck on "still waiting for root device". i've been reading and googling and experimenting for two days straight, still with not solution. i'll let you know what i find out. (i see that your post is from 2006 so i'm realistically hoping that either someone else out there has/had a same or similar problem and will find this and benefit from what i've learned or help me move further along, or, less realistically, that you'll receive this reply and offer some tips on how, in the two years that have elapsed since your post, you finally got this working lol )

 

i found your post when searching for this particular (foxconn) motherboard. i believe it's a dell-modified version of the foxconn (something i read in two different places). i've tried several combinations of enabling/disabling within the bios. i wrote down the options, in case they're of interest to anyone who might be willing to help us:

 

(E ¦ D = enable ¦ disable)

 

USB controller: E ¦ D

USB operation mode: high speed ¦ full/low speed

onboard FDC controller: E ¦ D

onboard audio: E ¦ D

onboard LAN: E ¦ D

SATA mode: IDE ¦ RAID

ACPI suspend type: S1(POS) ¦ S3(STR)

limit CPUID value: E ¦ D

execute disable bit: E ¦ D

core multi-processing: E ¦ D

initial display first: onboard ¦ PCI

video memory size: 8MB ¦ 1MB

DVMT mode: DVMT ¦ FIXED

DVMT/FIXED size: 128MB ¦ 256MB ¦ MAX

 

i've tried several combinations of all these options. (when i succesfully installed a uphuck 10.4 back in the day, i'd needed only to switch the SATA mode during install to RAID, then switch it back later.) but that hasn't helped here; furthermore the installation runs fine with SATA in IDE mode, with this iATKOS install.

 

after using partition magic and acronis, i finally found a very useful guide that instructed a fresh install user how to manipulate/prepare partitions using windows' bult-in diskpart command and terminal/darwin's fdisk and diskutil commands

i'm attempting a dual-boot of xp and leopard, with an mbr system. xp is the first partition, the leopard partition (0xaf) is set up the second. or, in diskutil terms:

winNTFS -- disk0s1

AppleHFS -- disk0s2

 

both the win and leo partitions are set to primary. leo is the active partition.

 

i've tried installing with and without the toh option (F8 command line at DVD bootup)

i've tried loading the 'successful' installs with combinations of -x, -legacy, cpu=1 (i think even -f at one point, though i don't even know what that does )

i've tried installing with just the 'Darwin Bootloader' and 'Main' features checked. i've tried an install de-selecting 'Darwin Bootloader' and choosing 'Darwin x86 for MBR' instead.

i've tried not just disabling USB in the bios but also physically unplugging the devices from the computer.

and yes, like the original poster, i've tried switching the SATA cables for the DVD and HDD.

i've even tried all permutations of Boot Device Configuration in bios, just for the sheer voodoo of it.

still getting "still waiting for root device"

i fully realise, after all i've read, that there is no on-size-fits all solution for this issue. just hoping to avail of the opportunity to collaborate with others who may have had similar issues with a similar setup.

 

next step: try several Customise combinations of driver/patcher options during install. *sigh*

 

if you're reading this: thanks.

[personguy]

Ugh. Trying to get either JAS 10.4.8 or BrazilMac patched 10.5 to install but both give me the "waiting for root device" error when booting off the DVD's.

 

I have a new Dell Vostro 200 mid-tower that comes with an ICH9 FoxConn G33 board (G33M02), 4 SATAs, no IDE. Hard drive on SATA 0, DVD-RW on SATA 1.

 

I've read some have had luck changing the SATA mode in CMOS. Originally setup as "IDE". I changed it to "RAID", which displayed a slew of ACHI messages when booting but still ended up with the same "waiting for root" message.

 

I also tried switching the SATA drives (DVD on 0, hard disk on 1) but didn't help.

 

Anybody have any suggestions for me?

 

 

Configuration:

Dell Vostro 200 Mid-tower

FoxConn G33M02, ICH9 board, Intel GMA 3100

4 SATA ports, no IDE

 

Thanks.

 

duhh... i'm an idiot. forgot to do the hardware ID thing that i did with the other uphuck install.

 

anyway, got it working with iATKOS 2.0i. on my vostro 200. after several hours' reading, including an insightful post by stevo, i was about to give up on getting the 82562V-2 10/100 NIC to work.. but then i came across some linux stuff that led to intel pages with binaries for the chip... gonna fool around with X Code tools see if i can compile something useable for OS x. also, i'm getting the MACH Reboot error thing at reboot, and the Hex edit from 10.4 doesn't work (at least, the data at the 0x8D2BB offset in mach_kernel doesn't match up with EBFE9090, so.... who knows).

 

at any rate, now i know (read: remember) how to get past the 'still waiting for root device' on my machine. gonna try Leo4allv3 and see if it smooths out some of the erroneous shtuff.

 

happy out.

[ubergeist]

Anyone got this mobo running with a boot-123 disc?

[TinyHacker]

The easiest way to fix this is to use the Voodoo Kernel.

[LatinMcG]

dsdt fix the waiting for root.. SWITCH IN BIOS IDE TO RAID ! and in DSDT inject ESB2 device-id.

make usb bootable with chameleon2 RC5 and add dsdt.aml to /Extra folder

use MacPro3,1 smbios.plist in boot.com.plist GeneratePStates and GenerateCStates and GraphicsEnabler

 

 

may the /boot be with u.

[Barabuk]

dsdt fix the waiting for root.. SWITCH IN BIOS IDE TO RAID ! and in DSDT inject ESB2 device-id.

make usb bootable with chameleon2 RC5 and add dsdt.aml to /Extra folder

use MacPro3,1 smbios.plist in boot.com.plist GeneratePStates and GenerateCStates and GraphicsEnabler

 

 

may the /boot be with u.

 

LatinMcG, what distro did you use?

Can you point me to a helpful writeup on this?

Thanks

[LatinMcG]

LOl i dont do distros. .. distro are evil!.
i restore 10.6.0 to usb then install chameleon2 rc5 to it. and add dsdt.aml and smbios.plist

http://www.insanelymac.com/forum/index.php...p=1700451

[LoftyL]

I've just finished replacing Win7 with Snow Leo 10.6.8 on my Sons Vostro 200. Started off looking almost impossible, but in the end it was a fairly simple job

 

Onboard Hardware was: Core2 Duo. Intel G33 Graphics, Intel 2566 LAN

 

Didn't take much research to find out that the G33 card isn't supported. So I paid about £35 for HD5450 PCIexpress card (low profile version), which gives DVI and HDMI as well. Removed the VGA port and swapped to the low profile bracket. I'll use DVI for graphics.

 

Set SATA mode to IDE in bios

 

Installed iATKOS S3 (Snow Leopard 10.6.3)

 

Changed the options at install as follows (Everything deselected except)

Boot Loader: EFI

Boot Options: 32 Bit & Graphics Enabler

 

Allow to install as normal and restart into 10.6.3.

 

At this point the Graphics, Sound and Network were all dead (well the graphics worked, but at default 1024x768 only)

 

USB was working so I put all the following files on a USB stick and installed from there

 

Installed Intel82566MM.kext using Kext Helper b7.app. Reboot and onboard LAN works

 

Run a software update and let it update everything including OSX to 10.6.8

 

Copied ATI5000Injector.kext to /Extra/Extensions and reboot. The HD5450 should now be working.

 

Installed VoodooHDA-2.7.2.pkg and reboot to get sound working. (The volume icon in the system bar was greyed out, but open System -> Prefs -> Sound and adjust the volume in there. Once you do this the greyed out volume icon pops into life and works fine from there on)

 

Copy UK.keylayout to /Library/Keyboard Layouts. Log out and back in. Go to System -> Prefs -> Languages -> input and scroll down until you find UK and check the selection box. Now look at system bar and you should see Union Jack (Assuming you're English here). Click the selection dropdown and choose UK. Keys should work properly now.

 

Job done.

 

Only bug so far is that a shutdown results in a reboot. So you have to hit the power button as it tries to reboot.

 

If anyone wants the files I used, drop me a note and I'll see if I can make them available somehow, or at least tell you where I got them from

 

iATKOS too large to attach, but google should find a torrent for it

 

The rest are attached

 

a zip file called MacOSX.UK.keylayout.070426.zip

 

All credit to the people who worked these things out. I just took advantage of thier hard work.

Intel82566MM.kext.zip

ATI5000Injector.kext.zip

MacOSX.UK.keylayout.070426.zip

Kext_Helper_b7.app.zip

[LatinMcG]

shutdown/ sleep wake broken if no dsdt patched..

i use "orange icons fix" in dsdt editor then change in bios IDE to RAID .. AHCI is now working. or flash the AHCI BIOS

 

good luck with the distro way.. i rather do it the right way

 

update: ran the AHCI bios flash from bios-mod in a CMD window as admin rights and if bios resets it still defaults to IDE.. hmm im gona try to change the defaults

 

anyways got the vostro 200 running nice with inspiron 530 DSDT in AHC/RAID mode with sleep wake from usb mouse or keyboard.

 

http://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/253697-dell-inspiron-530/page-3

[LatinMcG]

u have to delete /var/vm/sleepimage

 

first

 

touch /var/vm/sleepimage

 

then

 

rm /var/vm/sleepimage

 

or might be at

/private/var/vm/sleepimage

 

repairpermissions.

 

make sure

pmset hibernatemode 0

is used