Inspiron 9400 Boot Problem

[Steve McCall]

Hello everyone,

 

This is my first post as I've decided to try out the wonderful world of the mac!

 

I've downloaded JaS.10.4.8.SSE3.Intel.Only.iso and tried to install via both VMware and Natively, with pretty poor results to be honest.

 

From within VMware I either resulted in a general crash and when I tried the -v option; all I got was distorted text across the top of the screen.

 

So I thought I'd try a native install using an external usb hdd.

 

I sucessfully created a Mac OS partition on my drive and selected one of the 2 kernels ( I can't' for remember which now!)

 

Installation completes ok, but when I try to boot up, I get the apple logo in the background with a 'circle with a line through it' in front.

 

To be honest I don't know where I'm going wrong or what to do at all. My spec is shown below...

 

Dell Inspiron 9400

T5500 Core 2 Duo

1GB Ram

Ati x1400

120GB hdd.

 

Steve

[Rammjet]

The kernel on the install DVD is not compatible with VMWare. You can try the suggestions listed for VMWare on the page in the 10.4.8 link in my signature.

 

For the native installation, choosing packages correctly is vital.

 

Choose only the Combo update, the SSE3 Semthex kernel and the 10.4.4 Loginwindow. Choose other packages only if you are positive your computer can use them.

 

http://forum.insanelymac.com/index.php?act...ost&id=6330

[Steve McCall]

Brilliant, thanks. I'll try that.

 

Should Mac OS X be ok booting from a USB External Hard Drive?