[Guide] Installing GA-EP43-UD3L and Gigabyte 9800GT silent cell - 10.6.0->10.6.4 - DVI->HDMI working

[nefilim]

just some notes for myself, hopefully other can benefit also. assume familiarity with OSX & *nix.

 

previously installed 10.5 on the same hardware (HTPC):

 

http://www.insanelymac.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=175060

 

and here is my desktop installation:

 

http://www.insanelymac.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=166961

 

Hardware used:

 

Motherboard - GA-EP43-UD3L

Graphics card - Gigabyte 9800GT 1GB silent cell (DVI, VGA, HDMI)

 

1. Flashed my BIOS with cartri's latest (0.8), my hardware is in group 1:

 

http://cartri.net/blog/downloads

 

Follow the included directions in the PDF!

 

2. put the target drive in a working OSX system, partition with GPT as usual, 1 partition (don't even bother with the auto created EFI partition anymore)

 

3. install from retail image (10.6.0, open System/Installation/Packages/OSInstall.mpkg)

 

4. install the MacBIOS Bootloader (i used the one from cartri's download page as it was slightly newer than the one bundled with the BIOS download - based on Chameleon RC5)

 

5. install the Realtek kext (http://www.kexts.com/view/117-realtekr1000sl.kext_32-64k_____new_update_!!.html) in /S/L/E - there's still something not 100% with Cartri's BIOS and the builtin ethernet (http://cartri.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=227)

 

6. the system should be up and running fine on 10.6.0

 

7. upgrade to 10.6.1 using the apple site download, should still work fine

 

8. upgrade to 10.6.2, now this is where my installation broke. still works fine connected via DVI->DVI on my NEC EA231WMi monitor but does not work work with DVI->HDMI on my Samsung 1080p TV, it boots fine, the display kexts loads fine but i just get a black screen as soon as it switches to graphics mode. apparently this is due to HDCP handshake problems in the new 10.6.2+ drivers. read this thread:

 

http://www.insanelymac.com/forum/index.php...129&st=120#

 

specifically that topic, it looks like the cartri chameleon RC5 based bootloader follows/incorporates/is based on the AsereBLN syntax. get the Mac8800GT ROM here (http://www.insanelymac.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=219232). follow the instructions on how/where to install the ROM and create the relevant com.apple.Boot.plist file /Extra

 

i dumped the 9800GT ROM but had no success, the 8800GT ROM works fine but only the first 64k is used, you can easily confirm that it is loaded by looking at the bootloader output (don't even have to look at System Profiler), boot with the following parameters:

-v Wait=yes

to pause after the bootloader output (see attached image)

 

DVI->HMDI works fine now, HDMI port still does not work.

 

9. continue upgrading to 10.6.3, 10.6.4. i actually upgraded all the way to 10.6.4 before i fixed the display issues.

 

10. for the sounds (ALC888) ... again i have success with these ALC1200 drivers: http://www.insanelymac.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=161430

 

i tried the ALCUnifix on cartri's site and i could see the ALC888 device under built in audio but alas, nothing in the sound settings, no devices.

 

Outstanding Problems

• sleep does not work anymore after the graphics ROM fix - it used to work perfectly with 10.6.0, usb wake up, power button sleep/wake up etc - now it goes to sleep but the display never wakes up again most unfortunate, it was close and really ideal for a HTPC
  

[9898jjj]

Thanks for your guide successful install 10.6.0 and direct update from Apple to 10.6.4,

install Boot Rom Version: MultiiBeast.tonymacx86,

 

MultiiBeast http://tonymacx86.blogspot.com/2010/04/ibo...ac-os-x-on.html

 

Graphics, Audio, Network all work fine.

 

If install MacBIOS Bootloader

 

Graphics and Audio have driver problems.

 

Outstanding Problems with sleep does not work( when sleep USB port no power )

Keyboard & Mouse out of control.