No hard drive to install to!

[brandon5377]

OK First off here are my specs.

 

Compaq Presario F700

~AMD Athlon 64X2 Dual Core Processor TK-57

~1.5GB DDR2 RAM

~GeForce 7000M

 

OK, now here's my problem.

I have Kalyway 10.5.2 Burnt to a DVD and can boot from it fine.

however, when I get to the part of the install where it asks where I want to install OSX, nothing is listed.

So, I went to Disk Utility, and nothing is listed but my DVD drive.

 

I've searched everywhere for a solution to no avail and I can't use my laptop until I get OSX installed, because the partition I have set aside for OSX is set as active so I can't boot Windows 7, the only way is to reinstalled Windows which I really dont want to do.

 

Please help me I'm completely out of options and I made an account here just so I could maybe get some help. If any additional Info is needed I can give it.

 

Thanks a millon for any help!!

[debugbr]

I've searched everywhere for a solution to no avail and I can't use my laptop until I get OSX installed, because the partition I have set aside for OSX is set as active so I can't boot Windows 7, the only way is to reinstalled Windows which I really dont want to do.

 

Dude, I can't help you with OSX because I can't even install it (look my topic if you wanna know why ). But, about the boot stuff.. let's make sure that I understood your problem: you got stuck there because you set the OSX partition bootable and can't install OSX? That's it? If this is your problem, put the windows 7 dvd and boot into installation process.. you can repair from there, I guess. Or you could try GParted and stuff like that. Look for dual booting tutorials, they can help you with something...

 

 

PS: do you have SATA disks? if yes, could you check in your BIOS settings if you're using the Enhaced (full SATA.. I don't know the name, but it's the best option I guess lol) or compatible mode? Could you try to switch?

[brandon5377]

Thanks for the reply!

and you're correct When i was in windows 7 I had set the partition I was going to install OSX on as the active partition and then the OSX installer decided not to detect it. So then everytime the computer would start it would look on the blank partition for an OS and find nothing. lol

But I completely forgot I could launch a Command Prompt From the Win7 disk so that saved me.

But i still really want to get OSX to work.

Also I looked everywhere in the BIOS for anything about changing sata settings, but ever since a recent BIOS update I haven't been able to do anything in the BIOS so no luck :/

 

Still looking for a solution!

[debugbr]

Thanks for the reply!

and you're correct When i was in windows 7 I had set the partition I was going to install OSX on as the active partition and then the OSX installer decided not to detect it. So then everytime the computer would start it would look on the blank partition for an OS and find nothing. lol

But I completely forgot I could launch a Command Prompt From the Win7 disk so that saved me.

 

Good, so you've found a solution to your windows boot problem?

 

 

But i still really want to get OSX to work.

Also I looked everywhere in the BIOS for anything about changing sata settings, but ever since a recent BIOS update I haven't been able to do anything in the BIOS so no luck :/

 

Still looking for a solution!

 

Which motherboard are you using?

 

I use a P5KPL-AM/BR (this "/BR" is something that I discovered today - and I'm not happy now ) and my SATA settings are on main BIOS page, inside an option called "Storage configuration" (or something like that). There I can change from Enhaced to Compatible mode, which gives me more and more errors!

[brandon5377]

Good, so you've found a solution to your windows boot problem?

[/qoute]

Yep, sitting on the desktop on Win7 now ^-^

 

Which motherboard are you using?

 

I use a P5KPL-AM/BR (this "/BR" is something that I discovered today - and I'm not happy now ) and my SATA settings are on main BIOS page, inside an option called "Storage configuration" (or something like that). There I can change from Enhaced to Compatible mode, which gives me more and more errors!

hmm..

Cpu-z says this..

 

Manufacturer : Quanta

Model: 30EA 86.09

Chipset: Nvidia nForce 560

Rev.:A2

Southbridge: Nvidia nForce 560

 

lol I read your thread about the Brazilian thing..how odd o.O

 

..and i deffiantly screwed up with the quotes there lol

[debugbr]

Glad to know that you're ok with Windows. Now we can try to install OSX

 

..and i deffiantly screwed up with the quotes there lol

yes you did

 

lol I read your thread about the Brazilian thing..how odd o.O

My "brazilian version motherboard" is so stupid that I was wondering why the hell I still live here buy hardware stuff here. LOL

 

Manufacturer : Quanta

Model: 30EA 86.09

Chipset: Nvidia nForce 560

Rev.:A2

Southbridge: Nvidia nForce 560

Dude, I forgot that laptop motherboards are weird. I can't even find a manual for this one. Let's take care about the chipset before. Did you check if this chipset is in HCL? I didn't read all the topic, but could you check this one? http://www.insanelymac.com/forum/lofiversi...t99713-100.html I think they're talking about your chipset and another one.

 

Btw, I tested everything I got: Kalyway, iPC, iDeneb, iATKOS, JaS... maybe some of these could boot or support your chipset (or not, I'm not sure about what I'm saying ).

[vilpostus]

You most probably have some bad luck with on-board disk controller, namely nForce. So you need, ether a disk containing the right driver, or inject it to a DVD. Also you may try installing to an external USB HDD. It should install. Then, having a working system, one could install to an internal HDD (may still need to add some chipset driver(s) for the system to "see" the internal drive).

[brandon5377]

@Das_Human

 

I never thought to install to an external drive

but theres one problem, the biggest exrternal drive I have is on 3.71GB

Even if I could setup my ipod touch 2g as an external drive I doubt it would be big enough.

Do you know how much space leopard needs after installation?

 

@debugbr

Thanks for the link, although I can't do much reading right now (sitting in computer apps 1 lol)

I will read more when I get home though.

And it is possible for me to download other distros, but it is rather painful (768kdown connection >.>)

but if that's what it takes I'll do it.

And couldn't you order USA hardware even thought you live in brazil?

[debugbr]

@Das_Human

 

I never thought to install to an external drive

but theres one problem, the biggest exrternal drive I have is on 3.71GB

Even if I could setup my ipod touch 2g as an external drive I doubt it would be big enough.

Do you know how much space leopard needs after installation?

That was a great idea. It might work.

I guess leopard uses about 7GB. That's what JaS asked me on a VM this night.

 

@debugbr

Thanks for the link, although I can't do much reading right now (sitting in computer apps 1 lol)

I will read more when I get home though.

And it is possible for me to download other distros, but it is rather painful (768kdown connection >.>)

but if that's what it takes I'll do it.

And couldn't you order USA hardware even thought you live in brazil?

Ok, download with 768kbps is a real problem. I have 10mbps, so this isn't a real problem (the number of dvds I have to burn is the real one ). I'm not sure if another distro would help you, it was just a crazy idea I think the USB idea better than this one.

 

Yes, I can order. The problem is that here we pay some taxes for importing products from other countries.. and they aren't cheap. We pay almost 2 or even 3 times the price when it arrives here. The only way to avoid this is getting someone to go to US and bring it inside a bag or asking to send as a gift and praying to arrive ok

[brandon5377]

OK very good news!

I installed a app on my ipod touch from cydia called "USB Drive"

pretty much just makes the ipod a flash drive

and OSX is currently installing on the drive!

check back later to see if it works

Thanks so much Das_Human and debugbr!

[debugbr]

OK very good news!

I installed a app on my ipod touch from cydia called "USB Drive"

pretty much just makes the ipod a flash drive

and OSX is currently installing on the drive!

check back later to see if it works

Thanks so much Das_Human and debugbr!

That's nice! Post here when you got results!

 

Hey, wait a second: don't you told that your ipod touch was 2GB? As far as I know, you need about 7GB!

[brandon5377]

hahahah I meant 2g as in second generation

 

it's an 8gb ipod, and OSX was sucessfully installed to it and runs fine, albiet it very very slow.

 

now I need advice as to how to take a disc image and move it to my harddrive. :s

[Rushabh]

hahahah I meant 2g as in second generation

 

it's an 8gb ipod, and OSX was sucessfully installed to it and runs fine, albiet it very very slow.

 

now I need advice as to how to take a disc image and move it to my harddrive. :s

 

i guess you just need to set the bios to configure your hard disk as AHCI and then disk utility will find your hard disk

[debugbr]

hahahah I meant 2g as in second generation

hahahahahha ok, nevermind!

 

it's an 8gb ipod, and OSX was sucessfully installed to it and runs fine, albiet it very very slow.

yes, usually mp3/mp4 players are slower than flash drives. one day i tested here and found that my mp3 player was VERY slower than my 8gb kingston flash drive. go figure

 

now I need advice as to how to take a disc image and move it to my harddrive. :s

I'm not sure, but, using OSX, this operation will be valid only if it can find your HDD. If not, this isn't a valid option. You could try with some other program, like 'dd' running on a linux enviroment, but I'm not sure if this will work. Had you look for this here in the forum?

 

i guess you just need to set the bios to configure your hard disk as AHCI and then disk utility will find your hard disk

Maybe yes, maybe not. I'm not sure about this. Isn't AHCI the SATA setting for "Enhaced" or "Compatible" mode?

[vilpostus]

hahahah I meant 2g as in second generation

 

it's an 8gb ipod, and OSX was sucessfully installed to it and runs fine, albiet it very very slow.

 

now I need advice as to how to take a disc image and move it to my harddrive. :s

CarbonCopyCloner aka CCC. Anyway, OS X will not boot from an internal HDD until the correct nForce chipset driver is present (you'll get "still waiting for root device" error).

 

But I'd suggest a different approach. Find a working ApplenForceATA.kext (may also find any latest kext and insert a Device/Vendor ID of the nForce controller to ApplenForceATA.kext>info.plist). Install it using OSx86Tools. If all goes OK, an internal HDD should now appear in Disk Utility. Then install to an internal HDD.

[debugbr]

But I'd suggest a different approach. Find a working ApplenForceATA.kext (may also find any latest kext and insert a Device/Vendor ID of the nForce controller to ApplenForceATA.kext>info.plist). Install it using OSx86Tools. If all goes OK, an internal HDD should now appear in Disk Utility. Then install to an internal HDD.

 

I agree

 

*going back to work... *

[brandon5377]

Ok well heres an update.

I jumped the gun on finding a working kext.

I've already got one, and the OSX installer detected my hard drive and installed to it perfectly..

..only one problem

I'm getting the blasted "still waiting for root device" error >.<

I have a feeling I need to change my SATA settings in the BIOS, but alas I have a lovely Phoenix bios that doesnt allow me to change much.

Although I was able to change a multitude of things in the Bios including sata settings earlier this year (around July).

I noticed one day my Bios splash screen had changed from a "compaq" logo to a "HP" logo but I didn't think much of it at the time.

I Guess the Bios Updated itself?

 

..Just incase the sata settings aren't what I need to change, Does anyone have anymore ideas?

I've been at this for Three days straight o.O

 

EDIT: OK so I went to the HP website and looked around for an older BIOS version and I believe I found it.

Right now I'm installing windows on a small partition to run the setup.

Pray for me!

[debugbr]

Ok well heres an update.

I jumped the gun on finding a working kext.

I've already got one, and the OSX installer detected my hard drive and installed to it perfectly..

..only one problem

I'm getting the blasted "still waiting for root device" error >.<

So the kext is not in the installation itself, but only inside the installer? Hm. Coudn't you try to boot from your ipod and force a install of that kext into your HDD installation mounting the file system and accessing any files you need? (I'm not sure if this is possible - I've never tried to install kexts..) Since the installer work with this kext... put it inside the HDD installation would fix the problem at all

 

*wondering how a kext is built... *

 

I have a feeling I need to change my SATA settings in the BIOS, but alas I have a lovely Phoenix bios that doesnt allow me to change much.

Although I was able to change a multitude of things in the Bios including sata settings earlier this year (around July).

I noticed one day my Bios splash screen had changed from a "compaq" logo to a "HP" logo but I didn't think much of it at the time.

I Guess the Bios Updated itself?

The BIOS can't update itself, as far as I know. But you can have a "resident program" which updates it for you. Here I have ASUS Update, which is not resident, but it supports WinFlash (flash bios from windows ). Maybe a background program is updating it for you.. but I think this is insane, since your battery can go down in the middle of the process and kill your laptop.

 

..Just incase the sata settings aren't what I need to change, Does anyone have anymore ideas?

I've been at this for Three days straight o.O

Try that one I told in this post (install kext into a hdd installation booting from usb). I would suggest you to get a PCI controller, but you have a laptop I'm thinking...

 

EDIT: OK so I went to the HP website and looked around for an older BIOS version and I believe I found it.

Right now I'm installing windows on a small partition to run the setup.

Pray for me!

Ok, but remember one thing: old BIOS can have problems with OSX. Think about an ACPI bug which was fixed in version N. If you get a N-1 version, you won't get that ACPI fix and your OSX can stop working. Just an example

 

PS 1: at least you have bios updates

 

PS 2: good luck!

[vilpostus]

I'm getting the blasted "still waiting for root device" error >.<

Do you have ApplenForceATA.kext installed to internal HDD too? Install it. It will not boot with out it.

 

Use Terminal to do it. Farther assumes you are working from an iPod install

sudo -s
rm -Rf /Volumes/InternalHDDName/System/Library/Extensions/ApplenForceATA.kext
cp -R /Path/To/ApplenForceATAkext/ApplenForceATA.kext /Volumes/InternalHDDName/System/Library/Extensions
rm -Rf /Volumes/InternalHDDName/System/Library/Extensions.mkext
chmod -R 644 /Volumes/InternalHDDName/System/Library/Extensions/ApplenForceATA.kext
chown -R root:wheel /Volumes/InternalHDDName/System/Library/Extensions/ApplenForceATA.kext

rm - removes an old ApplenForceATA.kext (if present) from an internal HDD

cp - copies new ApplenForceATA.kext from iPod disk to internal HDD

rm - removes extensions cache

chmod/chown sets correct permissions to ApplenForceATA.kext.

 

Be sure to check if the correct Device/Vendor ID is present in the ApplenForceATA.kext.

[debugbr]

I'm quite sure about that stuff Das_Human told to fix your problem.

 

So, did work?

[brandon5377]

well, as of now I have no way to know if that would work.

My iPod crashed (goes into a boot loop, had to restore)

and i'm fresh out of blank dvds.

 

Does anyone know of a way to run the osx installer from a flash drive?

Thank you, you guys have been a tremendous help so far!

[debugbr]

well, as of now I have no way to know if that would work.

My iPod crashed (goes into a boot loop, had to restore)

and i'm fresh out of blank dvds.

 

Does anyone know of a way to run the osx installer from a flash drive?

Thank you, you guys have been a tremendous help so far!

 

Oh, that's easy

http://www.insanelymac.com/forum/lofiversi...hp/t154045.html here's a topic about that

And here's my topic about a PROBLEM with that (LOL) http://www.insanelymac.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=195914

 

Anyway, you'll need an OSX installation *working* to do that. I have a VMWare image if you want (I can send you the torr**t file ), but I'm not sure if this is working ok (my topic uses it)

 

You need to do this:

1. Get a 8GB (or more) flash drive. Backup your stuff, always!

2. Open Disk Utility in OSX, select your flash drive (not a partition), click on "partition" button, select the "1 partition" schema, click on Options and select MBR (master boot record). Select a name (*without* spaces!) Click on that button to create the new partition table (I don't remember the name right now )

3. Drag and drop a ISO file (of OSX Installer) to disk utility if you want to use an ISO file to get the installation files from. (if you want to use a dvd, you'll see it on the left panel - should be there heheheh)

4. Click on restore button (next to "partition" one)

5. Drag and drop to 'source' field the ISO file dragged before or the DVD you want to copy from.

6. Drag and drop to 'destination' field the unique partition you made on your flash drive

7. *UNCHECK* that checkbox "erase destination"

8. Start restore. It will ask for your password.

 

I'm not sure about this, but this is what I read

9. Get OSX86Tools running, click on Run FDISK/Install EFI button (something like this)

10. Wait until it finds your drives... then select your flash drive and PC_EFI v8 on the next combobox

11. Click on install bootloader (or something like that) and wait.

 

You can use a real Mac to do this if you want This should create a bootable usb flash drive for your installation disk. The only problem is that you need a OSX working (and you can't install to a flash drive that you're already using to install from, of course ) and it tooks time (about 30min on a normal OSX computer and about 1h here on my vmware installation ).

 

PS: this didn't work for me, like I told before in my topic. But it seems to work with everyone You can google for "USB Installation OSX" and you'll find a lot of information telling you to do the same things I told you (I guess). So, good luck!

 

PS 2: if this works for me someday, I'll try to install Snow Leopard with a retail method (overkill for just testing an OSX system here heheheh - but sounds cool! ) I already got a tutorial how to do that with my motherboard (or something like this motherboard.. lol) ( http://www.insanelymac.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=192895 - for some reference only )

[brandon5377]

hmm..

well since I only have a 4gb flash drive, I wonder if I could restore the install disc to my flash drive, boot from it and install that way?

I could use my ipod again..but I don't like dealing with transfer rates of .2 bit/s (estimate )

idk i'll play around with it for a little while and report back, look around for my post!

[debugbr]

hmm..

well since I only have a 4gb flash drive, I wonder if I could restore the install disc to my flash drive, boot from it and install that way?

I could use my ipod again..but I don't like dealing with transfer rates of .2 bit/s (estimate )

idk i'll play around with it for a little while and report back, look around for my post!

I don't think you can restore to a 4GB flash drive. You could try with smaller ISOs, but I'm not sure if there's any. Maybe someone knows about this, I'm not sure. I use a 8GB flash drive always.

 

You can try to use your ipod only for one thing: installer or destination disk. So this could be a problem heheheh And yes, it IS slow but it's better than nothing, right? Where I live I pay around R$ 1,00 (~ US$ 0,50) for a DVD-R, so I can buy a lot and burn many distros and installers poor quality discs, but they work very well! So using USB is just an option for my insane motherboard and DVDs aren't a real problem

 

Ok, good luck! Btw, if I get something that might help you, I'll post here

 

 

Now it's time to sleep

[brandon5377]

well im typing from school again lol

last night i was working on restoreing the

OSX install disc to a partition on the internal hard drive.

but I ran into a problem

The Disk utility only picks up one partition, and if I restore to that partition, I'm afraid it wont pick up any othe one when i go to install.

but i'll continue trying stuff out with it when i get home

This has been a long battle, but I'm not ready to give up just yet. lol