TamauJabuk Posted September 27, 2009 Share Posted September 27, 2009 I'm already running 10.5.7 MacOSx and Windows 7. Now i wana install SL - but because my HD is not GUID partitioned, i'll have to erase complete drive. I have only one drive in my notebook - so i have to live with that. But before I erase and repartition my drive -I have to make some decisions. I've saw/read some guides on installing, which are so called EFI based. If I understand correctly - than this method uses separate partition that loads custom KEXT's every time when MACosX boots. Can EFI partition can be used with SL instalation, and with dual boot windows 7? The other method DSDT is somehow a customisation of communication between computer hardware and MAC os X OS? What method is better (easier to work with, easier to upgrade).. DSDT or EFI? ---------------------- Which type of installation is easier to maintain? Thanx for all answers... Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/189132-whats-difference-between-efi-dsdt-iatkos-ipc/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
srs5694 Posted September 27, 2009 Share Posted September 27, 2009 I'm already running 10.5.7 MacOSx and Windows 7.Now i wana install SL - but because my HD is not GUID partitioned, i'll have to erase complete drive. I have only one drive in my notebook - so i have to live with that. This may not be necessary. First, I've run across references to a modification that enables Snow Leopard to install directly to MBR. I'm afraid I don't have a URL handy, though. As I recall, the basic idea was to patch the install medium (either by creating a modified duplicate DVD or by copying the installer to a USB flash drive or the like and installing from that) and then boot and install from it. Second, by all accounts it's possible to install to a GPT-partitioned USB flash drive. You can then copy that installation back to your hard disk, even if it's MBR-partitioned. Of course, you'll need a fairly big USB flash drive -- I'd guess at least 16GB, but I have yet to install 10.6, so I'm not positive of the exact figure. A tip: Buy USB flash drives online. Local stores always charge ridiculous prices for the things. I've saw/read some guides on installing, which are so called EFI based. If I understand correctly - than this method uses separate partition that loads custom KEXT's every time when MACosX boots. Unfortunately, the term "EFI" is tossed around rather loosely in the OSx86 community. There are at least four common meanings, with varying degrees of correctness: The firmware in genuine Apple Macintoshes and in some other computers. The latest versions are best referred to as UEFI, but the term EFI also applies. An OSx86 boot loader, PC-EFI, which emulates enough of the EFI environment to get OS X running. Other OSx86 boot loaders, such as Chameleon and Boot Think, do the same thing, and you'll sometimes see the term "EFI" used in reference to them and their EFI emulation capabilities. EFI is sometimes used as synonymous with GUID Partition Table (GPT), but this isn't really accurate -- GPT can be used without any true EFI firmware, or even EFI emulation. (For instance, I'm typing this on a Linux system with a GPT disk but no trace of EFI or EFI emulation.) The EFI System Partition is a specific type of partition in the GPT scheme. This partition is intended to hold drivers, configuration files, etc., for the EFI firmware. Many disk utilities, including Apple's Disk Utility, hide this type of partition from the user, so people also sometimes refer to it as a "hidden EFI partition" or something similar. As to your specific question, I'm not sure to what installation procedure specifically you're referring, so I can't directly answer your question; but you should keep the preceding list of uses of "EFI" in mind when you read the acronym. Can EFI partition can be used with SL instalation, and with dual boot windows 7? I think you mean "GPT" rather than "EFI partition." If so, Windows 7 will not boot from a GPT disk on a BIOS-based computer unless you also install some post-BIOS EFI software. Such software is hard to find and finicky, in my experience. (See Tianocore, and good luck digging through the Web site to find the source code, much less compile and install it!) The simpler option is to create a hybrid MBR -- see my Web page on the topic for details. A hybrid MBR includes both GPT and the older MBR partition tables, so Mac OS sees GPT and Windows sees MBR. This works, but is potentially dangerous for various reasons described on my Web page. The other method DSDT is somehow a customisation of communication between computer hardware and MAC os X OS? What method is better (easier to work with, easier to upgrade).. DSDT or EFI? DSDT and EFI aren't alternative methods of installing OSx86. EFI, as I've said, is the Apple's firmware, and it must be emulated, at least to a point, to get OS X to boot on BIOS-based computers. DSDT stands for "Differentiated System Description Table." This is a table maintained by the BIOS (or EFI, I gather) that describes the system hardware. As I understand it (and I admit to limited knowledge on this topic), the trouble is that Apple's handling of DSDT doesn't work well with a lot of computers, so the computer's "real" DSDT must be fed to OS X in a modified form. This is done by utilities like DSDT Patcher. Patching the DSDT in this way is only part of OS X installation, and it's in no way an alternative to or substitute for EFI emulation. You mentioned them only in your subject header, not in the text of your post, but iPC and iAtkos are both OS X 10.5 (not 10.6, at least not yet) distributions -- that is, they combine Apple's install DVD along with various patches, extra drivers, add-on tools, etc., to create an installer that works without modification on at least some standard PCs. They don't work 100% of the time, though, and even when they do work, you'll probably have to do some tweaking afterwards. Distributions for OS X 10.6 are still thin on the ground; there's reportedly one called SnowOSX Universal, and I believe one other whose name eludes me at the moment. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/189132-whats-difference-between-efi-dsdt-iatkos-ipc/#findComment-1282128 Share on other sites More sharing options...
TamauJabuk Posted September 27, 2009 Author Share Posted September 27, 2009 This may not be necessary. First, I've run across references to a modification that enables Snow Leopard to install directly to MBR. I'm afraid I don't have a URL handy, though. As I recall, the basic idea was to patch the install medium (either by creating a modified duplicate DVD or by copying the installer to a USB flash drive or the like and installing from that) and then boot and install from it. Second, by all accounts it's possible to install to a GPT-partitioned USB flash drive. You can then copy that installation back to your hard disk, even if it's MBR-partitioned. Of course, you'll need a fairly big USB flash drive -- I'd guess at least 16GB, but I have yet to install 10.6, so I'm not positive of the exact figure. A tip: Buy USB flash drives online. Local stores always charge ridiculous prices for the things. I'll try to install SL on a external drive (USB) and then copied back to MBR partition. This approach will cost me less time and less instalation's. And not to mention explanation to my wife: Dear, I have to reinstall all over... (10th time this year)... Unfortunately, the term "EFI" is tossed around rather loosely in the OSx86 community. There are at least four common meanings, with varying degrees of correctness: I see that EFI and DSDT terms require more than reading a few posts on forums. -------------- That is what im going to try: repartition my external USB using DISK utility and make at least three partitions: * SLI (snow leopard installer) * SL (snow leopard) -> here i'm going to install SL * DATA -> partition for my extra kexts and .... As I've read multiple threads, I'll install "retail vanilla" SL with minor changes as posible. And than tried to made my system work with some extra kext's... ROD - thank you for all the answers... and cros your fingers for me Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/189132-whats-difference-between-efi-dsdt-iatkos-ipc/#findComment-1282443 Share on other sites More sharing options...
felix512 Posted January 20, 2010 Share Posted January 20, 2010 I'll try to install SL on a external drive (USB) and then copied back to MBR partition. This approach will cost me less time and less instalation's.And not to mention explanation to my wife: Dear, I have to reinstall all over... (10th time this year)... A tips:Buy usb flash drives online. Local stores always charge ridiculous prices for the things. yes,you should buy usb flash online ,try this website,there are have many choice. I see that EFI and DSDT terms require more than reading a few posts on forums. -------------- That is what im going to try: repartition my external USB using DISK utility and make at least three partitions: * SLI (snow leopard installer) * SL (snow leopard) -> here i'm going to install SL * DATA -> partition for my extra kexts and .... As I've read multiple threads, I'll install "retail vanilla" SL with minor changes as posible. And than tried to made my system work with some extra kext's... ROD - thank you for all the answers... and cros your fingers for me Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/189132-whats-difference-between-efi-dsdt-iatkos-ipc/#findComment-1390238 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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