My first hackintosh: i7 Snow Leopard Retail Success....sort of?

[letsgetsilly]

I have been able to get my Hackintosh to boot successfully. This post will document my installation procedure, lessons learned, and issues.

 

You can view my original post including hardware choices here.

 

Rough list of hardware is as follows:

• Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-EX58-UD5
  
• Video Card: MSI GeForce GTS 250 1 gig ram (N250GTS TwinFrozr 1G OC)
  
• Processor: Intel Core i7-920
  
• Memory: 6GB Corsair XMS3
  
• Hard Drives:
  • 1.5 TB Seagate Barracuda (Snow Leopard)
    
  • 750gb Western Digital Black (Windows 7)
    

  [*]NIC: Using onboard

I was able to get a booting machine using both DD's method (listed here) and using the Lifehacker guide combined with the extra folder listed here. The LifeHacker guide + extras folder is the version that allowed me to update the system using the Apple automatic updater, so that is the method I am going with.

 

Note: there is an updated version of the lifehacker "script" located here.

 

Installation

 

Initially I was running into issues where the install process would fail or I wouldn't be able to view my hard drive that I wanted to install onto. I fixed these issues by determining one of my WD Black Caviar drives was dead-on-arrival. I fixed these same issues with my other disk by using Disk Utility in the Mac to perform some first aid.

 

I connected my USB drive to a Macbook and restored the Snow Leopard image onto it. Then I used the automated script that is available from Lifehacker to install the Chameleon bootloader and the extras folder. I then erased the Extras folder and replaced it with the one mentioned in the above link.

 

I plugged the USB stick into my installation system and setup the BIOS so that all of the hard disk controllers were set to AHCI mode. I also set the USB stick to first in the boot priority.

 

When the machine boots into the Snow Leopard install screen, I select the destination drive and disabled all of the extra installation options. This is where I ran into some issues mentioned earlier regarding a failed install.

 

Post Installation

 

After rebooting the machine, Chameleon loaded up my boot options. I booted off of the main hard drive with OSX, and the machine fires up.

 

Load bootloader

 

When the machine was loaded, I downloaded the auto-scripting utility from the Lifehacker post onto my drive and ran it. I used that script and pointed it at my installation hard disk, the same way that I before pointed it at my USB drive. This installed my boot loader onto the hard disk so I could remove the USB stick during boot. I then copied over the extra folder directly to the hard disk as I did before to the USB. I rebooted without the USB stick inserted.

 

Apple Updating

 

At this point I used the Apple auto-updater, available through the Apple menu in the top left. This worked, except for my screen went into "Sleep" mode and I was unable to wake it. I had to force a restart on the system. When the system rebooted, I went to auto update again, and it appeared to have already downloaded the patches and needed to install them. I allowed it to install and reboot. It worked successfully and brought my machine to 10.6.2.

 

Disable Sleep

 

After the install went through successfully I disabled sleep by going into the System Preferences -> Energy Saver. I have read that this build does not cooperate with sleep other than when using a DVI-DVI or DVI-HDMI connection. I am using a DVI-VGA.

 

Sound

 

Sound was enabled for my rear "green" 3.5mm audio jack by changing the Sound settings to "internal speakers"

 

Tweaks

 

According to the instructions available in one of the guides listed above, I edited the com.apple.boot.plist file as follows:

 

Disable -v (verbose) in the com.apple.boot.plist file in /extra directory to get your gray apple loading screen. Make certain the kernel flag reads "arch=i386"

 

I also updated the "Default Partition" key to read "hd(0,1)" in order to boot off my SATA 0 device, first partition with MAC OS X by default.

 

I've also added the key to enable my nvidia graphics card as follows:

 

<key>GraphicsEnabler</key>

<string>Yes</string>

 

I then replaced the root "boot" file with the one from PC-EFI 10.5 located here. (edit: this is unnecessary if you run the latest lifehacker script and alter your com.apple.boot.plist file before installation, which I did on my usb stick)

 

Ethernet / Network

 

I am currently using the driver available in this thread. It has allowed me to view the other computers on the network and connect to my windows home server.

 

Windows 7

 

After getting the Mac setup, I removed the macosx hard drive, installed separate hd on SATA 1 slot and installed windows 7. Plugged back in macosx and chameleon handled the new disk perfectly.

 

Video

 

[EDIT: My video is working by altering my com.apple.boot.plist as mentioned above. This is information is for reference]

My video is not working as expected. I do not believe I am using the correct driver nor do I have Quartz Extreme (QE) or Core Image (CI) enabled, items that I believe are necessary for use with Final Cut Pro. I cannot play a DVD video. When I insert a disk, I receive the following error:

 

"There was an initialization error. A valid video device could not be found for playback. [-70017]"

 

A thread located here describes how to determine whether or not CI/QE is enabled in Snow Leopard, because apparently it no longer will state it in System Profiler for 10.6.x. One of the items is simply playing a DVD, which mine does not do correctly.

 

I am unfamiliar with the correct approach needed to update my video driver. My research has led me over and over again to the guide listed here, but it appears as if it is required to use "Leopard" to generate the correct string. I do not have access to Leopard. I could use suggestions if possible.

 

Final Thoughts

 

I was recommended to choose an NVidia card over ATI, but I think this was a poor choice as I see others having more success using ATI.

 

 

System Specs

 

• System Information
  • Mac OS X 10.6.2 (10C540)
    
  • Cpu:3.2 ghz unknown (strange, as it should be at around ~2.7ghz for the 920 non-overclocked)
    
  • Two ethernet cards listed under hardware, connecting to the internet fine. So far no issues with stability
    
  • FireWire is recognized in the System Profiler. I do not have a device to test with.
    
  • Graphics: Listed as "Nvidia Graphics Card".
    • ROM Revision: netkas.org
      
    • Display connector status reads "No Display Connected" when on a DVI-VGA adapter
      

    [*]64-bit Kernel and Extensions: NO

 

Issues(!) (your help is appreciated!!!!)

 

I would like any assistance on the following items:

• Verify QE/CI enabled for video. Fix the "unknown video card" issue if possible
  
• Enable 64 BIT kernel and extensions
  
• Create a .DMG that I can use to restore onto a hard disk and have it bootable. Currently, if I restore a .DMG of a working build, I still need to install a boot loader. Is it possible to do this all in one step?
  

[pdave54]

Sorry not an answer to the questions you asked, but a warning to everyone about firewire

 

I have heard of 3 people that have hooked up real Macs in target mode to hackintoshes and fried the board of the hack. Not sure what forum I saw it on. May not be true for all hacks, but sure as hell I am not going to try it

[letsgetsilly]

Sorry not an answer to the questions you asked, but a warning to everyone about firewire

 

I have heard of 3 people that have hooked up real Macs in target mode to hackintoshes and fried the board of the hack. Not sure what forum I saw it on. May not be true for all hacks, but sure as hell I am not going to try it

 

I don't follow what you mean by "hooking up real macs in target mode to hackintoshes". Is this some form of firewire networking?

[letsgetsilly]

I'm tempted to run out and grab a ATI card to get this thing working instead of dealing with the headache that is nvidia GTS 250

[pdave54]

I don't follow what you mean by "hooking up real macs in target mode to hackintoshes". Is this some form of firewire networking?

 

Yes and no, Firewire macs in target mode are seen by another mac as an external hard drive

[LogicalUser]

I don't follow what you mean by "hooking up real macs in target mode to hackintoshes". Is this some form of firewire networking?

 

Yes.

 

"Target Disk Mode" uses firewire & a key held at startup on real macs to put the whole machine into sort of a... external HD mode, (think firewire ipod's disk mode) where you can hook said target machine up to another machine & access its HD as if it was an external firewire device.

 

And yeah, I too have heard at least four reports of people frying motherboards (spark/smoke/fire/etc...) when trying to use target disk mode with their onboard firewire. And not obscure/unusual boards either, I'm talking common gigabyte boards (P45 & such)

 

its just not worth the risk.

 

I'm tempted to run out and grab a ATI card to get this thing working instead of dealing with the headache that is nvidia GTS 250

 

 

a GTS 250 = a 9800GTX+ with a new name, they should work using the exact same drivers & install method for the most part

 

I had success with my 9800GT and 9800GTX+ by using latest chameleon + the netkas PC-EFI v10.5 and nothing more than GraphicsEnabler=yes while running 10.6 & 10.6.1. (no strings anywhere, nothing graphics related in DSDT)

 

10.6.2 added updated nvidia kexts that introduced some isssues during boot with my 9800GT (KP at windowserver during boot, blackscreen), had to roll back to the 10.6.1 versions which fixed the issue

[letsgetsilly]

a GTS 250 = a 9800GTX+ with a new name, they should work using the exact same drivers & install method for the most part

 

I had success with my 9800GT and 9800GTX+ by using latest chameleon + the netkas PC-EFI v10.5 and nothing more than GraphicsEnabler=yes while running 10.6 & 10.6.1. (no strings anywhere, nothing graphics related in DSDT)

 

10.6.2 added updated nvidia kexts that introduced some isssues during boot with my 9800GT (KP at windowserver during boot, blackscreen), had to roll back to the 10.6.1 versions which fixed the issue

 

Thank you for your post.

 

Can you please provide me with instructions on how to follow your example?

 

I am using Chameleon boot loader, but I am not familiar with what "netkas PC-EFI v10.5" is nor where "GraphicsEnable=yes" setting is located.

 

Also, when you mention you "rolled" back the driver, can you indicate whether this is a manual process of reinstalling older drivers, or if you used a built-in feature of OSX that I'm unfamiliar with.

 

Thanks for your help.

[LogicalUser]

netkas is one of the more technically minded members of the OSx86 community I've seen, he's at the forefront of getting new hardware/OS versions/etc... running on OSX & kext development

 

from what I understand, PC-EFI is an "updated" version of chameleon with new features, support, etc...

typically new features come out from netkas well before the chameleon team works them into their next "official" release.

Netkas.org has PC-EFI 10.5 on the main page. Assuming you are already running the latest version of Chameleon (RC3?) to install just replace the file called "boot" on your root Chameleon volume with the "new" one from netkas and restart.

 

"GraphicsEnabler=yes" is in (or needs to be added into) com.apple.boot.plist in your Chameleon/Extras/ folder I believe?

 

Providing detailed instructions on how will be difficult, as I have not followed along with your current installation procedure, do not know how you've attempted to get your card working already, etc... but i'll try?

 

from what I've gathered all that is required is "graphicsenabler=yes" for supported nvidia cards; no video card specific DSDT mods, no strings, no modified kexts, etc.... You'll likely have to undo those steps for this to work.

 

If you need more info, the comments on posts at netkas.org have tons of info, just gotta wade through them a bit looking for a similar situation & deal with less than perfect english (oh noes!)

 

 

as for the rollback I mentioned, Yes, it was done manually. replacing the two/three specific NVIDIA 10.6.2 kexts with their 10.6.1 counterparts solved the black screen on boot issue that 10.6.2 introduced. (Note, they have to go into S/L/E, NOT into your chameleon /extras/extensions/ folder, so use one of the .kext installer apps?)

 

http://www.insanelymac.com/forum/index.php...96878&st=60

has plenty of info & the specific kext names, and will be the same for all G92 based cards (8800GT/GTS/9800GT/GTX+/GTS250)

[letsgetsilly]

netkas is one of the more technically minded members of the OSx86 community I've seen, he's at the forefront of getting new hardware/OS versions/etc... running on OSX & kext development

 

from what I understand, PC-EFI is an "updated" version of chameleon with new features, support, etc...

typically new features come out from netkas well before the chameleon team works them into their next "official" release.

Netkas.org has PC-EFI 10.5 on the main page. Assuming you are already running the latest version of Chameleon (RC3?) to install just replace the file called "boot" on your root Chameleon volume with the "new" one from netkas and restart.

 

"GraphicsEnabler=yes" is in (or needs to be added into) com.apple.boot.plist in your Chameleon/Extras/ folder I believe?

 

Providing detailed instructions on how will be difficult, as I have not followed along with your current installation procedure, do not know how you've attempted to get your card working already, etc... but i'll try?

 

from what I've gathered all that is required is "graphicsenabler=yes" for supported nvidia cards; no video card specific DSDT mods, no strings, no modified kexts, etc.... You'll likely have to undo those steps for this to work.

 

If you need more info, the comments on posts at netkas.org have tons of info, just gotta wade through them a bit looking for a similar situation & deal with less than perfect english (oh noes!)

 

 

as for the rollback I mentioned, Yes, it was done manually. replacing the two/three specific NVIDIA 10.6.2 kexts with their 10.6.1 counterparts solved the black screen on boot issue that 10.6.2 introduced. (Note, they have to go into S/L/E, NOT into your chameleon /extras/extensions/ folder, so use one of the .kext installer apps?)

 

http://www.insanelymac.com/forum/index.php...96878&st=60

has plenty of info & the specific kext names, and will be the same for all G92 based cards (8800GT/GTS/9800GT/GTX+/GTS250)

 

You sir, are a gentleman and a scholar. Thank you for your help, it is much appreciated. I will take a look at the suggested steps and report back, but just wanted to give a "thank you" right away.

[letsgetsilly]

I've updated my boot in my root directory to the one downloaded from netkas, v 10.5

 

I've added the "GraphicsEnabled=yes" string in my root/extras folder.

 

When the computer boots up, I am no able to play dvd! Yay!

 

Here is what the system profiler looks like now:

 

Graphics/Displays: Unknown

Chipset Model: Unkown

Type: GPU

BUS: PCIE

Vendor: nvidia

rom revision: xx.xx.xx - internal

 

I am going to attempt to run some more video tests to see how operable this thing is. Any advice on how to get away from the chipset model "unknown" would be helpful.

 

Thanks again.

 

I'm running OpenMark on the system. The graphics information displayed says "Nvidia geforce gts 250 opengl engine". This would indicate some type of recognition on behalf of the software if not the operating system. I'm going to let it run for a while.

[brokenjack]

I've updated my boot in my root directory to the one downloaded from netkas, v 10.5

 

I've added the "GraphicsEnabled=yes" string in my root/extras folder.

 

When the computer boots up, I am no able to play dvd! Yay!

 

Here is what the system profiler looks like now:

 

Graphics/Displays: Unknown

Chipset Model: Unkown

Type: GPU

BUS: PCIE

Vendor: nvidia

rom revision: xx.xx.xx - internal

 

I am going to attempt to run some more video tests to see how operable this thing is. Any advice on how to get away from the chipset model "unknown" would be helpful.

 

Thanks again.

 

I'm running OpenMark on the system. The graphics information displayed says "Nvidia geforce gts 250 opengl engine". This would indicate some type of recognition on behalf of the software if not the operating system. I'm going to let it run for a while.

 

Go into dashboard and add another widget to the desktop. If you see a watery ripple effect, I think you're good to go.

[letsgetsilly]

I do see the wattery ripple effect when adding a widget to the desktop.

 

Thanks for your help. I'll try to install a "version" of final cut pro.

[letsgetsilly]

Updated original post.

[Pennan]

you can veryfy QE / CI support with my tool:

 

 

just go QE_CI and Test button

 

 

 

http://groths.se/atiflashingtool/atiflashingtool.zip

 

works for nvidia card also

(there is a bug, showing incorrect VRAM though)

[letsgetsilly]

Thanks, I'll check it out immediately and report back.

[letsgetsilly]

Ok, I used your tool and it says that QE is enabled. Thank you!

[LogicalUser]

I'm glad I was able to provide some assistance

 

did you end up needing to rollback the Nvidia .kexts i mentioned in system/library/extensions/ ?

 

If so, keep in mind to avoid updating to 10.6.3 immediately upon its release (also any new nvidia updates), at least until it can be determined if it contains new kexts that fix the bug or the same 10.6.2 versions that will overwrite and cause your machine to be unbootable until rolled back again.

[letsgetsilly]

What I ended up doing was reinstalling OSX with the same Chameleon RC3(?) bootloader, only with this time in my extras folder I included the GraphicsEnabled=Yes node from the beginning.

 

The computer booted up in the same way as before, where the device was recognized as an "unknown" nvidia card, but it appears to be working correctly with QE/CI enabled.

 

I've shipped the computer off to my brother who lives in another state. I will be visiting him for christmas in about 3 weeks. Between now and then he will try to load up final cut pro, etc, and give them a walk through. If things don't go as expected I might try to grab an ATI card.

[bl4ck4dd3r]

there is an aquamac article on nvidia gfx strings

 

google 'aquamac GFX Strings - How To'

[letsgetsilly]

I saw that aquamac guide, but it said that you couldn't do it on a Snow Leopard instance, only a Leopard instance. Because I didn't have a Leopard instance to try to generate the string I didn't attempt to do so.

[bl4ck4dd3r]

hmm, ok i'll look to see what else i can find

[Brian Riker]

@ LetsGetSilly

After reading through your posts i have faith i can accomplish this build.

 

But as an editor once as an amature, then to professional, then back to freelance, i can tell you that the computer/mac is only part of the process for editing. With a request for more firewire; Sounds like he is going to try live switching with DV/HDV. I've been through this hell. FCP live switching in post is a great tool, but getting the footage into the workflow is the problem for amateurs, and not for a pro organization because of multiple VDR's.

 

The only redeeming quality of a Mac is Final Cut Studio and XSAN/Final Cut Server. For as affordable as it is, this combination could allow a creative kid in a garage to bring down most professional post houses for under $10,000 legit and even less with a hackintosh system. But professional production/post production requires the use of a standard monitor and realtime previews, not just a powerful system.

 

Using an XSAN the video isn't stored locally on the editors machine, but remotely on the XSAN which is accessed using fibre. Using an AJA Kona card with a fibre channel can allow the editor to work with HD Footage in realtime, that is, until you are ready to render. Rendering seems to be the only time you need the horsepower of the mac. I've worked with DVCPro HD100 on G5-PowerPCs with Dual-Dual Cores with a Kona Card on an XSAN, and MacIntel dual-quad core machines without kona/Fibre. In short the less powerful machine(G5) was much more productive than the powerful machine(macintel).

 

As advice, Create a Raid internally as a Source footage work drive for a scratch disk, in addition to one system specific drive, and one render/auto save disk drive. Keep work/Source/scratch disks and renders separate.

 

The company i worked for paid a fortune for this dude, Matt Geller to come in and explain/implement this. He literally wrote the book on XSAN/Final Cut Studio/Server workflow. I'm positive that with very basic (mac/intel) machines and XSAN/final cut server, a few dedicated kids in a garage could tackle most local news stations and archive houses.

 

It sounds like you have exposed how to affordably do this, and for that i can't thank you enough.

 

I'm really curious about the machine you are building and if your brother knows of the power of XSAN and AJA Kona cards.