iAcid Posted December 26, 2008 Share Posted December 26, 2008 Hey, just got a Dell Vostro A860 for christmas and tried to put iDeneb 10.5.1 on it yesterday only for the boot up to hang at the Apple logo. So, I was wondering, what distro would be suitable for this laptop? If there are any fully working distro's of course. If the specs are needed I can post them up. Thanks. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/143013-which-osx86-distro-for-a-dell-vostro-a860/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeanG Posted December 27, 2008 Share Posted December 27, 2008 Hi Bleach22, At least i found someone who had this laptop ! i fell lonelyless I tried a lot of distrib : Ideneb, Iaktos, Kaliway .... at first with an external hard drive and then try on the laptop hdd. With the external drive, most of the time it worked but there were problems : wifi didn't work, trackpad didn't work too ... Ideneb was after all the best choise with this laptop. But i didn't make it work with the internal hdd with Vista on it : for a newbee like me, multi boot seems very hard too do Don't hesitate to give your experience on this laptop, i would be very happy to make it work nb : sorry for my poor english, i'm french Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/143013-which-osx86-distro-for-a-dell-vostro-a860/#findComment-1015751 Share on other sites More sharing options...
iAcid Posted January 4, 2009 Author Share Posted January 4, 2009 Hey sorry for not replying straight away. I tried iDeneb, installed both the intel chipset drivers and the driver for the GPU, along with Firefox and Adium but that's all I can remember and it was just hanging on the Apple logo. Seriously if anyone knows how to get this working I would really really appreciate your input Or if anyone knows how to get OSx86 working on a VIA chipset, or maybe I should make a seperate thread? Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/143013-which-osx86-distro-for-a-dell-vostro-a860/#findComment-1026210 Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeanG Posted January 24, 2009 Share Posted January 24, 2009 hello Bleach22 What about your install ? have succeed to make this laptop works ? Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/143013-which-osx86-distro-for-a-dell-vostro-a860/#findComment-1054591 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musictech Posted June 3, 2009 Share Posted June 3, 2009 I've been able to get it to sort of work with the iPC 10.5.6 X-DL Live version. I'm a newbie to the OSx86 thing, but have used macs for years, so hopefully this makes sense. I just got the laptop 5 days ago. It's the core 2 duo 1.6hz with 2GB ram. Bluetooth=Yes Video=Sort of with sleep trick (Fn+F1) Keyboard=Yes USB=Yes (tried with external HD, mouse & USB modem) Wired Ethernet = Yes (Haven't tried it yet) Audio=Yes Firewire=Yes, but haven't tried it Shutdown & Restart=Yes Battery displays correctly=Yes Deep Sleep=Yes Wifi=no Trackpad=No (Yes, if you disable all the Intel GMA3100 kexts) Modem=No Card Reader=No Card Slot=No Sleep=No I had to do a bunch of thing to get it this far. Turn off Speed step & Dynamic Processing in BIOS Put DVD in and Hit F12 to select CD/DVD boot (I had to boot twice to get it load without kernel crash) Selected: iPC 10.5.6 basic installation (Vanilla Kernel) Contexant Hi-Def Audio Realtek R1000 Ethernet PowerMangement Package Clamshell Display Support (Still not getting sleep to work properly) UUID Error Fix PS/2 Keyboard Fix AppleSMBIOS - 27 Rev 3 800MHz Deep Sleep OSx86 Tools Utility. Once it reboots, I use the boot options to use the -f switch. In the OS, I repair permissions and then reboot. At reboot, I F12 to get into the BIOS and turned back on the Speed step and Dynamic Processing (I'm not sure if they're working, but it doesn't crash with them on) If you delete all the Intel GMA 3100 kext files, it gets rid of the black screen after the logo, so you don't have to use the sleep trick and the trackpad does work, but the resolution is only 1024x768 instead of the native 1366x768. Also, if the machine goes to sleep the trackpad doesn't work anymore. That's about it. I would appreciate any feedback if anyone has gotten any further. I've spent the last 4 days in these forums looking for and trying many options to get the rest of it working, but to no avail. I'd like to get the following to work: Trackpad to work after sleep and to use the scroll functions (2 finger or side scrolling) Video - without the sleep trick (Haven't tried the dummy VGA thing, but would rather not have something sticking out of the laptop) Sleep - It sleeps but comes back on immediately. I know it has to do with the USB drivers, but I've tried many of them, but nothing worked. Wi-fi - I don't think this one will happen. Maybe I'll just buy the Dell Mini-Wifi card Modem - haven't even looked into this one. Thanks to all in advance Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/143013-which-osx86-distro-for-a-dell-vostro-a860/#findComment-1168645 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musictech Posted June 15, 2009 Share Posted June 15, 2009 **UPDATE** I was able to get the trackpad to work without the sleep (fn+f1) trick. I used the display sleep trick instead. I downloaded this file and installed it. http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?cywojtgh0yo You do have to turn off automatic login, but I wanted that because it's a laptop. If you did want automatic login then you could just put the SleepDisplay.app in your login items. With this trick the trackpad works & changing screen sizes works. The 2 finger scroll fix works, but I'm going to try to fine tune it and see if I like it. The next thing is getting sleep to work. I have a feeling that I'm probably going to have to use the hibernate function instead. It's not that important, but if I'm in the middle of something and want to just close the lid, I want the computer to go to sleep in some fashion or another. Wi-Fi's next. I think I'll have to buy something, but we'll see. I'll keep updating this post when I figure the next thing out. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/143013-which-osx86-distro-for-a-dell-vostro-a860/#findComment-1177989 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musictech Posted July 4, 2009 Share Posted July 4, 2009 **UPDATE** I got the headphone jack working. It also shows a Mic input, but I don't have a mic with me, so I can't test it. Here's the kexts http://www.insanelymac.com/forum/index.php...st&id=43105 I couldn't get the Wifi to work. I tried everything that I could find in the forums, but I think that because it's a QMI branded card, it just won't work. I thought about rebranding it, but didn't want to waste the time. I just bought a BCM94321MC on eBay for $20, I'll let you know if it works. Gave up on the card reader and modem. Still trying to get sleep (hibernate mode) to work. The FFscroll works pretty well. It freaks out every so often where the mouse responds erratically, but it's only for 5 seconds or so and it only happens once every 2-4 hours. For me, the option of having the 2 finger scroll out weighs the glitch. I also change the sleep to hibernate mode, so that when I close the lid, at least it shutsdown. That's it for now. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/143013-which-osx86-distro-for-a-dell-vostro-a860/#findComment-1192116 Share on other sites More sharing options...
RDTG Posted July 5, 2009 Share Posted July 5, 2009 I have a Vostro A860 too. I installed using the Kalyway Distro and it installed without a hitch. Booted fine but I have a list of problems! Working: USB Ports Keyboard VGA Output (Havn't tested yet really) Firewire (i1394 port) DVD/CD Drive Bluetooth Sleep works fine too Not Working: Audio - Not even my speakers work Trackpad - I have to reboot, the sleep trick doesn't work _________________________________ Screen - Black on boot - Sometimes booting with it unplugged w/ a usb device (like a flashdrive) until the screen goes black, then plugging it in makes the screen reappear. And I cannot change resolutions at all. ---------------------------------------------- Networking period. Ethernet doesn't work & neither does Wi-Fi Other problems: When I installed Leopard, I made 3 partitons. 1st: OSX 2nd: A FAT partition I use to move files between Mac and Windows & 3rd: Windows Vista partiton. Well, whenever I format JUST the 3rd partition (even the 2nd one) and get it ready for windows, Leopard will NOT boot. And I did not format my Leopard partiton. It's strange, whenever I format it, it must change something. I start the computer and it says the disk is not bootable. Anyway, there are more but i'm tired right now. If anyone can help me fix these problems I would appreciate it. And if you see anything on my list working that isn't working on yours, let me know and I will try to help you. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/143013-which-osx86-distro-for-a-dell-vostro-a860/#findComment-1192691 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musictech Posted July 11, 2009 Share Posted July 11, 2009 It's encouraging that someone else it working on the same laptop. I'll have to try the Kalaway Distro. Audio - Not even my speakers work Did you try the audio kext link that I posted? Trackpad - I have to reboot, the sleep trick doesn't work The trackpad doesn't work after it's gone to sleep, I have to reboot too Screen - Black on boot - Sometimes booting with it unplugged w/ a usb device (like a flashdrive) until the screen goes black, then plugging it in makes the screen reappear. And I cannot change resolutions at all. I was able to get it to work with the Display sleep fix and I can change resolutions. I have a link in this thread. Networking period. Ethernet doesn't work & neither does Wi-Fi Try the RealtekR1000.kext. It's from the iPC distro. If I can figure out how to upload mine, I will. I ended up buying a Wi-Fi card from eBay. I still haven't had a chance to get it working, but I'll let you know Which version of the A860 do you have? I have the core 2 duo one. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/143013-which-osx86-distro-for-a-dell-vostro-a860/#findComment-1198185 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musictech Posted July 22, 2009 Share Posted July 22, 2009 **UPDATE** Got the wireless working with a new PCIe card from eBay for about $20. I got a Broadcom HP Wireless WiFi AGN MiNi PCIe Card BCM94321MC. The last issue that really bothers me is the sleep function. If that would work properly, then I would be done. I know that the modem won't work as well as the card reader One small issue that I have is that the system seems stutter once in awhile . I mostly notice it with the mouse, but DVDs also seem to stutter once in a while. I seem to remember reading something about this, but I'll have to look again. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/143013-which-osx86-distro-for-a-dell-vostro-a860/#findComment-1205933 Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeanG Posted November 3, 2009 Share Posted November 3, 2009 Hello Musictech After one year without trying install Leopard on Vostro A860, i'm going to test it another time. I will try with with the iPC 10.5.6 X-DL Live. Do you still use your Vostro A860 with Leopard on it ? is it useable ? Thanks for answers Jean-Marc Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/143013-which-osx86-distro-for-a-dell-vostro-a860/#findComment-1318935 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musictech Posted November 3, 2009 Share Posted November 3, 2009 I moved on from my Vostro A860 to a MSI Wind U100. The A860 was too big for traveling. As you can see by my older posts, I did get it pretty functional. The Wi-Fi card was a must and I was disappointed that I wasn't able to get the sleep to work. I think because of the unusual screen resolution, the whole graphics thing was a little weird. I was fairly happy with my results with the A860 and how it functioned. It was completely usable, my wife didn't like the 2finger scroll function. It made the trackpad very very sensitive, but I was used to it and you don't have to add the 2finger scroll kexts and apps. The machine was as fast as my Apple MacBook, not quite the same (because of the sleep and trackpad), but everything else would function the same. Hope that helps. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/143013-which-osx86-distro-for-a-dell-vostro-a860/#findComment-1318947 Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeanG Posted November 3, 2009 Share Posted November 3, 2009 Thanks for reply, I will try a new install after saving everything i have on it, and when i 've got a dl DVD layer Jean-Marc Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/143013-which-osx86-distro-for-a-dell-vostro-a860/#findComment-1318965 Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeanG Posted July 5, 2011 Share Posted July 5, 2011 Hello, After long time without testing Leo on this laptop, i'm going to test it another time. I bought a new wifi card and now i have the wifi work imediately. Next step : sound, trackpad and the blackscreen at the beginning. I use Ideneb and will try Ipc. If anyone succeed in it, don't hesitate to give info here ! Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/143013-which-osx86-distro-for-a-dell-vostro-a860/#findComment-1708986 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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