AssRock P4i65G

[Reveeen]

After building a Dell Dimension 4400 as seen here:

http://forum.insanelymac.com/index.php?sho...mp;#entry735525

 

I was slightly disappointed with it's speed, bumping the processor to a 2.4ghz (from a 1.8ghz) didn't make one bit of difference, it still sucked. I turned it back into a windoze computer, and donated it to a charity, good riddance.

 

The opportunity came up to pick up a AsRock P4i65G and 3ghz (1m cache) Prescott processor for $50. (bios: P1.30)

http://www.asrock.com/mb/overview.asp?Model=P4I65G

 

(This board is still widely available and appears to be the aftermarket replacement of choice for dead socket 478 systems)

 

I stuffed it in a "dead" EMachines T2826 mini-tower (they all die, the power supply quits taking the motherboard with it) and being already a Prescott system the case can handle the extra heat of a Prescott processor. This case is kind of a "bonus", front audio, USB, and memory card readers, all hooking up to the AsRock board like it was "meant to be". An Antec 450W power supply, 2g PC4200 low latency ram, and a Evga 6200 (non shared memory) video card were added.

 

NOTE: EMachines usually come with 5400rpm hard drives, if you are using a complete EMachines box plan on switching the hard drive for a 7200rpm one, it will be "bog slow" otherwise.

 

So, I should be ready to install Leopard?

To make a long story short, a story with trying every release, a flurry of E-Mails (and phone calls) to AsRock, Leopard does not like this board. The implementation of ACPI on this board does not "agree" with everything I tried, maybe someone knows better than I do, but I could not get it to go without a bunch of errors, it booted, and "worked", but filled the logs with errors.

 

Disgusted, I put XP on it and used it, while accumulating and upgrading a few G4 Power Macs for personal use.

 

Just the other day I pulled it out and having a few hours I decided to try Tiger on it.

 

If you read my post about the Dell you know the drill:

 

I kinda like the install disk called "XxX_OS_X86_10.4.11_Install_Disk_Intel" it can be found at that pirate place by the bay. This disk comes with fairly detailed instructions that you can print off, and refer to while installing.

 

Here are the options I used:

 

Essential system software

Apple combo 10.4.11 update

No EFI kexts

8.91 system kext

10.4.5 login window app.

Recommended patches

8.91 kernal Apr 23

IOATA family kext

USB

Natit dual v02 (for the 6200)

AGP Gart lite Intel 865

ADI 1980 AC97 (for the CMedia 9761a)

Realtek 8139

 

NOTE: count on using a USB keyboard and mouse (the "normal" stuff won't work) but you will need a "normal" keyboard for the initial key strokes.

 

Leaving me an error free almost fully functioning install. The only remaining "problem" is: the PCI slots are "dead", anything plugged into the PCI slots remains transparent to the system (that ACPI BS again), but I can live with it. (discovered after thinking I might want to try an Audigy in there, but alas, it was not to be) I am fairly certain SATA use is out on this board for the above reason (though I did not test it).

 

Software update breaks this install, I am working on it and will get back to you.

Security update 2008-008 Intel= ok (breaks "about this Mac")

Updating the Java is the "no-no". pass on updating the Java.

 

Have fun!

 

There is an updated "XxX_OS_X86_10.4.11_Install_Disk_Rev2" works exactly as above, a few more options, and updated Java.

[banini_jeque]

I have this same board and was able to get Leopard with PC_EFIv9 running on it fine. Since I have an Radeon 9800, I'm trying to go back to Tiger. I followed your instructions, except I left off the verbose option, and I changed the graphics, but on boot I get "Memory allocation error (0xdeadbeef)."

[banini_jeque]

I have this same board and was able to get Leopard with PC_EFIv9 running on it fine. Since I have an Radeon 9800, I'm trying to go back to Tiger. I followed your instructions, except I left off the verbose option, and I changed the graphics, but on boot I get "Memory allocation error (0xdeadbeef)."

 

I'm now using this board with Snow Leopard and it works great! No issues at all. I put it in the 10.6.2 HCL so you can see what patches I used.

[msghaleb]

Hi banini_jeque,

 

I've got also the same board, I am trying to install 10.5.7 iAtkos, however everytime I boot with the DVD I get a Kernel panic after some research I found its the Audio Card needs to be disabled on the BIOS.

 

Is there is a Driver for the Audio under 10.5.7?

 

Thanks a million

 

MG

[banini_jeque]

I have a policy of not helping people that don't do retail installs.

[SPopovic]

I'm now using this board with Snow Leopard and it works great! No issues at all. I put it in the 10.6.2 HCL so you can see what patches I used.

Hi there, I need some help finding these patches You mentioned. I googled all around, and the only thing I came across is PCGenRTL8139 which gives me kernel panic after install (it is probably wrong version, or I am not doing something right ).

It is a vanilla install from retail disc. Any links or at least hints would be appreciated. Thanks