Problems on Dell Optiplex GX280

[nickbob00]

I am having an issue installing Mac OSX86 on my Dell Optiplex GX280.

 

I can install fine using a XxX installer disk 10.5.6 universal final (crc is correct). It boots correctly the first time after the install with no obvious problems. However, on second reboot, it fails to work and I am left with "Still waiting for Root Drive". For this, I tick everything under chipset drivers, use chameleon bootloader (PCEFI doesnt work) and select the Voodoo 9.5.0 kernel.

 

Its specs are:

2.8 GHz Pentium 4 Processor (LGA 755, supports SSE3)

915g Intel Chipset

GMA900 Intel Graphics

2GB ram (4x512mb, 2x512mb is stock - extra stolen from another faulty GX280)

2x 40GB Sata HDDs (one stock, one stolen from another GX280 so the same type)

IDE CD/DVD-Rom Drive

Floppy drive

 

Full specs: http://www.dell.com/downloads/global/produ...ix_gx280_en.pdf

 

If you need more info, do not hesitate to ask.

 

Thanks in advance

Nick

[nickbob00]

Let this thread die, fixed the problem by switching sata mode in the bios

[slothjr]

Actually, changing the SATA compatibility mode is only really viable if you've got a drive that's less than 128GB, because that's all you'll see with that mode selected. Has additional considerations if you're running multiple operating systems.

 

I can get inconsistent loads by copying in the IOATAFamily.kext from the Kalyway 10.5.2 distribution, which works just fine (10.5.7 is inconsistent), and usually by a combination of either touching /System/Library/Extensions, or specifying one or more of the following boot parameters: -f, -x, rd, all options combined with -v. If you don't ever see the AppleIntelICHxSATA driver load on boot, you won't be booting, so you might as well reboot and try again.

 

It's a maddening problem, and it seems on the verge of being solved (since after all, one can eventually boot in native SATA mode).