Lifehacker Guide with GA-EP45-UD3P Motherboard

[Knives Out]

OK, so I am about to do this. Have the page open on Newegg and am about to order the EXACT parts that he suggests. I even ordered the same thumb drive as he uses lol.

 

I do have a few questions though...

 

1. I have no idea about the "No Hacking Required" method. I downloaded both files from this website:

 

http://stellarola.tumblr.com/post/23846198...-update-ud3p-v3

 

I don't know what to do with either one of those files.

 

I unzipped the .zip (I'm running Ubuntu 9.10 right now) and do not see "Stella's Snow Magic" that is shown on the video.

 

Also, do I need to order the $29 "Upgrade Disk" or what? As it turns out, my sister just ordered a new Macbook and that's what I'll be using for the work that has to be done on the Mac.

 

I'm a bit confused about the "No Hacking Required" method, unless somebody can explain it a bit (that video did not help). Otherwise I guess I'll try the hacking method.

 

2. Are the parts he suggests alright? I'm fine with them, but I admit that I did not read this entire thread to find out if any replacements are suggested.

 

3. What about wireless internet? It seems it just has an ethernet card in the parts on Newegg I am about to order, not a wireless card...

 

And finally:

 

4. For the past billion years or so, I have been using laptops with either Debian or Ubuntu installed*. Therefore, I do not own a monitor, speakers, or even a keyboard.

 

Suggestions would be nice...

 

--I want a decent monitor that doesn't break the bank. Doesn't have to be super-nice, but I don't want a piece of junk either.

 

--Speakers on the cheap would be nice, as I rarely listen to music on my computer (I listen to it on my iPod through a stereo system). Still, it would be cool if I could get some decent ones that aren't terribly expensive.

 

--The keyboard...will I have to buy this from Apple? I know that Macs have an "apple" button on them that is used a lot (I briefly owned a Powerbook G4 in graduate school). Therefore, I suppose I will need an Apple keyboard?

 

Help with these questions would be greatly appreciated and I look forward to this neat little project...thanks in advance!!

 

*Note...ten years or so ago, installing Debian on a laptop was not so simple. Besides getting X11 (we used that back then instead of X.org) working, I vividly remember the sweet sense of satisfaction of getting sound to work for the first time...I think I had to re-compile my kernel almost 20 times to do that. Lol.

[MacWannaBe]

--Speakers on the cheap would be nice, as I rarely listen to music on my computer (I listen to it on my iPod through a stereo system). Still, it would be cool if I could get some decent ones that aren't terribly expensive.

 

--The keyboard...will I have to buy this from Apple? I know that Macs have an "apple" button on them that is used a lot (I briefly owned a Powerbook G4 in graduate school). Therefore, I suppose I will need an Apple keyboard?

 

You need a USB keyboard (I used a dell one) to configure your BIOS etc. For regular use (after everything is working) I use this AWESOME keyboard:

 

http://www.macmall.com/p/Logitech-Keyboard...388~pdp.fcacdef

 

Feels great to type on, wireless (RF), and the latest config software from logitech is 64bit clean, so works great.

 

For Speakers, I got these and I really like them:

http://www.macmall.com/p/Creative-Labs-Spe...677~pdp.echbdef

[SkipG]

Ok, if anyone is using 10.6.2 and v3 installer and it works. Let me know.

 

Stell

 

Stell,

 

Thanks muchly for the fine work you're doing. I now have 10.6.2 + V3 working, but it took a while. I installed SL @10.6.0 with your original installer on this MLB with and 8600GT card and an E6750 OC'd to 3.2 GHz. Recently, after upgrading to 10.6.2, I looked at the system logt and found the jillion or so thermal error messages and tried updating to your V3 installer to get the new fakesmc. Needless to say, it didn't work, and the boot froze early in the sequence as several others have reported.

 

I did a clean install on a different drive, making sure to install V3 before 10.6.2 and this time it worked. I then applied your V3 to my original drive, followed by the 10.6.2 combo update, and now it's all working fine again.

 

Thank you, thank you, thank you. I was NOT looking forward to migrating my apps and data

 

--Skip

[jsw513]

parts will be here tomorrow, and I'll begin the build. I didn't even think about this. But my apple USB keyboard will be fine for this? Or do i need to buy and return a normal PC from bestbuy for the setup?

 

You need a USB keyboard (I used a dell one) to configure your BIOS etc. For regular use (after everything is working) I use this AWESOME keyboard:

 

http://www.macmall.com/p/Logitech-Keyboard...388~pdp.fcacdef

 

Feels great to type on, wireless (RF), and the latest config software from logitech is 64bit clean, so works great.

 

For Speakers, I got these and I really like them:

http://www.macmall.com/p/Creative-Labs-Spe...677~pdp.echbdef

[D-an-W]

Is there a way I can try a debug the awaking from sleep problem I am having (Monitor 1 not coming back online and Monitor 2 showing a blue screen but system responds to keystrokes) by checking logs etc for errors?

[dysanfel]

I would also like to know of a good wireless card for this build. The cards on Stell's site either aren't available or are very expensive.

[SkipG]

Ok, if anyone is using 10.6.2 and v3 installer and it works. Let me know.

 

Stell

 

Stell,

 

Your instructions about installing the V3 installer before installing 10.6.2 saved my life! I did it the other way around and was totally unable to boot the partition after that. (I could reinstall the v1 installer and it would boot, though.)

 

So, I installed the v3 installer, reinstalled 10.6.2, and life became beautiful once again. I really wasn't looking forward to manually migrating all my apps and data to the new drive.

 

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

 

--skip

[MacWannaBe]

parts will be here tomorrow, and I'll begin the build. I didn't even think about this. But my apple USB keyboard will be fine for this? Or do i need to buy and return a normal PC from bestbuy for the setup?

 

I had some issues saving settings in the BIOS with an apple keyboard. I think it was related to the BIOS expecting some F keys and the keyboard was sending something else. It's a good idea to have the cheapest junkiest pure PC USB keyboard for the setup but that's just me.

 

After it's all set up in the BIOS, you can use an mac keyboard and everything works great.

-Ed

[jbau]

OK, so I am about to do this. Have the page open on Newegg and am about to order the EXACT parts that he suggests. I even ordered the same thumb drive as he uses lol.

 

I do have a few questions though...

 

1. I have no idea about the "No Hacking Required" method. I downloaded both files from this website:

 

http://stellarola.tumblr.com/post/23846198...-update-ud3p-v3

 

I don't know what to do with either one of those files.

 

I unzipped the .zip (I'm running Ubuntu 9.10 right now) and do not see "Stella's Snow Magic" that is shown on the video.

 

Also, do I need to order the $29 "Upgrade Disk" or what? As it turns out, my sister just ordered a new Macbook and that's what I'll be using for the work that has to be done on the Mac.

 

I'm a bit confused about the "No Hacking Required" method, unless somebody can explain it a bit (that video did not help). Otherwise I guess I'll try the hacking method.

 

2. Are the parts he suggests alright? I'm fine with them, but I admit that I did not read this entire thread to find out if any replacements are suggested.

 

3. What about wireless internet? It seems it just has an ethernet card in the parts on Newegg I am about to order, not a wireless card...

 

And finally:

 

4. For the past billion years or so, I have been using laptops with either Debian or Ubuntu installed*. Therefore, I do not own a monitor, speakers, or even a keyboard.

 

Suggestions would be nice...

 

--I want a decent monitor that doesn't break the bank. Doesn't have to be super-nice, but I don't want a piece of junk either.

 

--Speakers on the cheap would be nice, as I rarely listen to music on my computer (I listen to it on my iPod through a stereo system). Still, it would be cool if I could get some decent ones that aren't terribly expensive.

 

--The keyboard...will I have to buy this from Apple? I know that Macs have an "apple" button on them that is used a lot (I briefly owned a Powerbook G4 in graduate school). Therefore, I suppose I will need an Apple keyboard?

 

Help with these questions would be greatly appreciated and I look forward to this neat little project...thanks in advance!!

 

*Note...ten years or so ago, installing Debian on a laptop was not so simple. Besides getting X11 (we used that back then instead of X.org) working, I vividly remember the sweet sense of satisfaction of getting sound to work for the first time...I think I had to re-compile my kernel almost 20 times to do that. Lol.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

hope my words help you.

first question

1 both files meaning the snow magic thing and the bootloader.

ok so first you must have a SL disc copy or mounted to your mac desktop. sl= snow leopard just incase you didn't know. aright after you have the install of sl mounted to desktop you must then open up disk utilities. the insert you thumb drive format as the video shows and then restore sl to thumbdrive normally takes half hour the first time.

then the 2 files you dled un zip and install to thumbdrive. 1 at a time and all should be fine.

 

the no hacking method is i guess you don't have to mess with your kext and other stuff to much such as if you were to run a hack distro version of sl or leopard.

 

 

2. the parts are good that he has. the main piece is the mobo everything else doesn't havve to be exact. for instance my setup is ep45 ud3p, gts250 xfx vid card, 750g and 160g hdd firewire card and intel core 2 quad @2.66 oc'd to 3.2ghz. as most hacks the mobo is the brains and most important.

 

3. as for wireless im not sure i don't have a wireless cad for my sl hackintosh only my leopard.

 

and finally

4. monitor its up to you size and type wether it be crt or lcd. speakers you can find cheap ones at wally. and keyboard for the install and setup pls gget usb doesn't have to be mac aslong as it is usb to setup then whatev.

 

my specs are

mobo : ep45 ud3p

pross : intel core 2 quad 2.66ghz

vid : xfx gts250 512mb

ram : 6gigs at 800mhz patriots

hdd wd 750g and 160g

 

 

does anybody else have problems with garageband i keep getting midi errors when trying to record just software intruments

[Knives Out]

hope my words help you.

first question

1 both files meaning the snow magic thing and the bootloader.

ok so first you must have a SL disc copy or mounted to your mac desktop. sl= snow leopard just incase you didn't know. aright after you have the install of sl mounted to desktop you must then open up disk utilities. the insert you thumb drive format as the video shows and then restore sl to thumbdrive normally takes half hour the first time.

then the 2 files you dled un zip and install to thumbdrive. 1 at a time and all should be fine.

 

Oh, I think that I get it now. After that I would assume that I boot my Hackintosh with the thumb drive, right?

 

Thanks a bunch!

 

Anybody know about wireless?

 

Btw, I found a monitor that I like:

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...9-157-_-Product

[HAVEC]

This Hackintosh build almost thinks it's a Wintel box. System profiler properly identifies my Dell 2408 WFP monitor and Microsft Digital Media Pro keyboard.

 

SteerMouse just popped up a message saying I'm past the trial period and have 9 days to PayPal over $20. I don't have a PayPal account and really don't want one. I do like having back and forward mouse buttons buttons.

[D-an-W]

Looks like SBMac is busy enjoying the holidays just when I need him to help me

[AkronElliott]

Looks like SBMac is busy enjoying the holidays just when I need him to help me

 

Why not run console? It logs system messages. It can be found in utilities.

It helped me find internal errors from an app not running.

 

I would also like to know of a good wireless card for this build. The cards on Stell's site either aren't available or are very expensive.

 

You need to find a wireless card that will work with this specific motherboard. You can peruse this board if anyone has attempted something outside Stell's recommended list. I used the NIC. Only addition I did was an additional HD for the Time Machine. You may do some research on what those cards have in common and do your own trial/error?

 

Edit: I see the Dell Wireless 1505 (PCI-e) is 79.99 USD from Dell.

 

Not related information: I am seriously considering this for purchase in January '10. My Goal is to make this Hackintosh also my HTPC. This research is to save others time researching if anything may apply.

 

With the current SDTV config expectation are to use the following: So another DVI-VGA adapter (http://www.monoprice.com/products/product....=1&format=2) and VGA-RCA (http://www.monoprice.com/products/product....=1&format=2).

 

Will add other parts later (TV tuner, DVR software, HDTV, etc.). Will need to find another thread to post results from this information. Since we are doing Hack builds and support with this thread.

[D-an-W]

Cheers buddy, I will give it a try. Any tips on it's usage?

[AkronElliott]

parts will be here tomorrow, and I'll begin the build. I didn't even think about this. But my apple USB keyboard will be fine for this? Or do i need to buy and return a normal PC from bestbuy for the setup?

 

Using my Dell VGA, Dell USB Keyboard and mouse. It would help to have a second monitor to have the bios settings on prior to the install. I got tired of moving the VGA connection between computers. I listed my step by step pages ago. It helped others.

Post 620 on page 31

 

Cheers buddy, I will give it a try. Any tips on it's usage?

 

It was simple. Had to lean on google for some translations. If you get stuck I will be happy to help later. I am not running dual monitors though so I will need you to help verify.

[D-an-W]

Going to stick my MAC OS X drive in shortly, will post back then...

[jsw513]

here goes nothing folks...just getting staretd, hoping i can get up and running tonight. something tells me i might be up most of the night.

 

if anyone wants to hop on AIM/Ichat and introduce themselves, and maybe help me out if i have any questions, it'd be very much appreciated!

 

AIM:

gamtla35213

 

i'm sure i'll have qeustions!

 

also...i didn't see any screws in my mobo box...they should be in there to attach to the standoffs in the case, right? can i get a replacement at the hardware store?

[jsw513]

oh please....i need help...

 

i can't seem to get this powered up right now. Where the hell does the Power SW from the case, which i assume is the power switch plug in to the motherboard? My switch on the front isn't doing a thing at this point. Thoughts?

[AkronElliott]

oh please....i need help...

 

i can't seem to get this powered up right now. Where the hell does the Power SW from the case, which i assume is the power switch plug in to the motherboard? My switch on the front isn't doing a thing at this point. Thoughts?

 

If you can get the Multilingual Installation book. Turn to step 7. Page 3 this is the connectors for the front panel. This diagram is seen in page 7 in the GigaByte User Manual. You need tiny and steady fingers getting those connections.

 

You should use these two manuals from start to finish. I mentioned in an earlier post that I wrote some post installation items in this thread. Page 31, post 620. When I built the first time. I rebuilt it 4 or 5 times till I got power to run on it.

 

You will need to follow the steps in the Installation book. All 8 of them, Use the map on page 7 of the User Manual as a guideline.

 

1. Make sure you have 2 slots removed for the Graphics card.

2. The NIC will go at the bottom of the PC.

3. Use the Sata2_0 for the Hard Drive connection.

4. Do not forget the ATX_12V_2x4 connection. The power up will shut down.

 

If you get frustrated. Take a break. It helped me when I got stuck multiple times. I even slept on the build. My mind thought on the issues over night and the morning took off as no break at all. Do not set a time limit on your efforts. You will look back and realize more than you are now.

[jsw513]

ahh...so i finally got powered up, into my bios...and now i'm stuck here, any suggestions..photo below...hangup

 

i set up my usb just like it said...however i did use a downloaded copy of SL instead of creating from a disc. It's fully functional as i updated my os on my macbook w/ it.

 

[AkronElliott]

ahh...so i finally got powered up, into my bios...and now i'm stuck here, any suggestions..photo below...hangup

 

i set up my usb just like it said...however i did use a downloaded copy of SL instead of creating from a disc. It's fully functional as i updated my os on my macbook w/ it.

 

Did you place the USB Drive as the top of the boot order? Move the hard drive down in the bios?

[jsw513]

Did you place the USB Drive as the top of the boot order? Move the hard drive down in the bios?

 

i did do that...i'll go back and recheck it....i did only have 2 drives listed and on the walkthrough there were 3, is that odd?

 

 

the above didn't work...i did have the right order, i'm gonna rebuild my thumbdrive now...maybe that's the problem. This beer might put me to sleep before it finishes. We shall see. If this doesn't work, anyone else have any ideas? I guess it must be noted that I don't have a DVD drive installed as it hasn't arrived yet.

 

thanks...you guys are the best!

[AkronElliott]

i did do that...i'll go back and recheck it....i did only have 2 drives listed and on the walkthrough there were 3, is that odd?

 

 

the above didn't work...i did have the right order, i'm gonna rebuild my thumbdrive now...maybe that's the problem. This beer might put me to sleep before it finishes. We shall see. If this doesn't work, anyone else have any ideas? I guess it must be noted that I don't have a DVD drive installed as it hasn't arrived yet.

 

thanks...you guys are the best!

 

I can not send a PM reply for another 3 minutes. I believe the conversation will take more time than I have available.

So I will post what I was going to say, Maybe another can help tonight? If you were planning on spending your time with it.

 

If the USB-HDD0 Corsair is on the top of the boot list.

BIOS Page.

 

Then it may be something with your USB not installing.

 

Make sure you read the notes in the margin. Some of the pages I did miss in my first attempt.

 

Adam's notes: Set Your Hard Disk Boot Priority This is a particularly important setting "when you're booting into the Snow Leopard installer on your thumb drive, make sure that your thumb drive (which should be inserted) is set as the top boot disk. If you decide to add the EFI bootloader to your hard drive after you complete the install, you'll want to set that hard drive as first in the boot priority.

 

EDIT: The USB - Is that the ISO image of the Snow Leopard CD? The ISO image is a self booting application. Something you mentioned about a download? If that is the case it may not allow the USB drive to boot.

 

EDIT #2: The Mac that you build the USB from needs to be an INTEL based mac. Referring to page 19, post 367 and 370. The PPC Macs have issues creating the USB.

 

EDIT #3: Post 423 on Page 22 - Your Hard Drive, is it more than 1 TB?

[iOSX86_iATKOS]

jsw513,

 

i encountered this error on my initial install and wrote about it several pages ago. my money is on your SL installed drive being >1TB. either partition drive so the boot partition is less than 1TB and reinstall SL, or put another drive that is less than 1TB for SL.

 

good luck. you're almost there.

 

EDIT #3: Post 423 on Page 22 - Your Hard Drive, is it more than 1 TB?

[jsw513]

thanks guys! I got it up and running. My issue was the way i was putting SL onto the thumbdrive. I finally got it worked out. Now I'm gonna try and update to 10.6.2 via the instructions a few posts back!

 

for 10.6.2 update...i just run that v3 program and then run the updater like a normal mac? mount the dmg and install? Do i need to mess w/ my thumb drive or anything?