nomis66

Hi Guys, I originally built a PC to use as a Hackintosh, but having recently purchased an iMac I now want to use the PC to run Window. I've changed the BIOS etc. but I can't seem to create a Windows Boot CD to install Windows on to the machine. I have downloaded XP and I have it on my Mac in the form of an .ISO file, but I don't seem to be able to use the Mac to create a Windows Boot disk. I've tried using both Disk Utility and Toast and I've also tried with a version of Win & that I downloaded but I'm not getting anywhere. If someone could give me some VERY SIMPLE - STEP BY STEP instructions on how to do this I would be really grateful. Thanks in advance. (\__/) (o'.'o) ('') ('') simon

Hi Kizwan, Sorry I haven't been on recently but I had a serious HD meltdown and I've only just got back up and running. To be honest I think I can live with booting from ROM for now as at least everything works. Also, once my machine is turned on in the morning it rarely gets turned of until I go t bed. However, if you could suggest any way to get Time Machine running I'd be eternally grateful. si

Actually I just realized that I had to change my Boot Priority to boot from the partition. I'm now able to boot Chameleon - I get the Chameleon start up screen which gives me a choice of HDs to open (Remember I have Leopard on two HD - One for testing purposes) No matter which HD I choose to start from I get the Chameleon/Apple logo but unfortunately the little wheel just keeps on spinning. I've tried it with and without the 132 Rom inserted.

Hi again Kizwan, Firstly, yes I did use "Juzzi's 1702 Asus_P5Q_Deluxe_Bios" and it worked fine for me so I think it should probably work for thecos too. Secondly, I think I've got myself in a bit of a mess here. I started by mirroring my HD to another drive so it doesn't really matter if things go wrong. Anyway, this is what I've done so far: I expanded EFI Studio to the Desktop. When I choose the AZAL drop down it says "AZAL not available on this machine" When I choose Ethernet I'm given the options: Save Hex, Save XML, Hex String to Clipboard and Write to com.apple.Boot.plst. I chose the last option but it doesn't seem to have got TM working. I also created a separate partition on my HD (called Chameleon EFI HDS) and installed Chameleon onto that partition (following your instructions) but, although I can see the partition at startup (after pressing 81) it won't let me boot from the partition. Sorry, Iknow this should probably be very simple...... si

Hi Kizwan, I've downloaded EFI Studio but I can't seem to find any instructions or manual. Having said that, it seems like it shouldn't be too hard to use. Does it somehow inject something called an "EFI String" which could get Time Machine working? Fishing in the dark here so I might have this totally wrong. Anyways, I've downloaded it, so whenever you're ready...... si Hi thecos, It seems like we have pretty similar builds. I think the main difference is that my ATI card is exactly the same as one of the cards used by Apple in the latest Mac Pro (which is why I got it) As soon as I upgraded the Retail OS to 10.5.7 it seemed to start working fine - so I think it's now supported by the Retail OS. (kizwan may correct me on this) In theory the: Saphire HD 4870 (Radeon) or NVIDIA Geforce GT 120 should work straight out of the box as they are the same ones as in the new Macs (But check with more experienced Hackintoshers) On Amazon they are both about £120 but the HD 4870 is by far the better card and is offered by Apple as a more expensive upgrade.

Just one more thing, now that my Retail disk is working fine I decided to wipe the IDeneb disk and use it for Time Machine, but when I select it in Time Machine setup I get this message.

Yep Kizwan, the retail OS seems to be working fine - no problems at all. Have updated to 10.5.8 using Software Update and everything is cool. Migration Assistant also did a perfect job. The only prob with booting from ROM is that it takes a little while, but that's no biggie. Really grateful for all the help you've given me. Yes Retail HD is GUID. Would be great to boot from partition but I realize the world doesn't orbit around my computer (lol) so any help you can give me in the future (whenever you have the time) will be gratefully accepted. Cheers, Simon

Hi Kizwan, Do you think it's safe to start using this Retail OS as my main OS now? Up till now I've still been using the HD with iDeneb on it. Obviously I will need to boot the Retail OS from CD, but I've been reading up on Disk Utility and have found that (if you're able to help me with a boot partition in the future) I can add a partition to the HD without deleting any existing data. Also, if I'm able to get Leopard to boot from a partition is it likely that this will also work for the upcoming Snow Leopard OS? Cheers, si P.S. Would it be safe to use Migration Assistant to copy my apps etc. from My iDeneb to my Retail disk?

I bought a few bits every month (online) so overall it really didn't cost that much to put together (a lot less than a comparable Intel Mac). Also I tried to match the components with the ones used on the latest Mac Pro as much as possible. I've been running Logic Studio on it and it 's blazing. It should be possible in the future to overclock the chip to 3GHz (although I've no idea how to do that and it's not really a priority just now) but I have built the machine with that in mind. si

Cheers Kizwan, much appreciated. I thought I'd post a few pic of "The Beast"

Hey Kizwan, Here is my report. For convenience I'll refer to the "Boot132-P5Q_Deluxe_LAN_10.5.7" disk as "D1" and the "Boot132-P5Q_Deluxe_LAN_GFX_10.5.7" disk as "D2". 1) Used D1 to boot existing OS (Retail Leopard installed using your previous 132_LAN disk, updated and patched for ethernet and graphics). Result: Everything working. 2) Installed Retail using D1 and booted using D1. (No update, no patches). Result: Everything working except graphics. 3) Installed Retail using D1 and booted using D2. (No update, no patches). Result: Everything working except graphics. 4) Installed Retail using D1. Updated using Software Update. booted using D1 (No Patches). Result: Would not boot. 5) Installed Retail using D1. Updated using Software Update. booted using D2 (No Patches). Result: Everything working including Shutdown. I think we're there. si

Kizwan, No probs, I understand that there's life outside of OSX, I've just never experienced it. Lol si

Thanks Kizwan I really appreciate your help. I definitely owe you a drink or ten the next time you visit London. si

Kizwan, If you need any more information just give me a shout. si

Okay, HD 4870 seems fine but no Ethernet/Internet