Lifehacker Guide with GA-EP45-UD3P Motherboard

[stellarola]

Hey everyone,

 

I'm putting my system up for sale and I figure some people still might be trying to build the LifeHacker system. If you all want a better alternative, you may want to get this for yourself.

 

Specs:

 

Motherboard - MSI P45 Platinum

CPU - Intel Core2Quad Q9400 2.66GHZ 1333MHZ FSB @3.2GHZ

Memory - Nanya 4GB DDR2 800MHZ (Upgradable to 16GB)

Graphics - NVIDIA GTX 285 1GB

Hard Drives - Western Digital Raptor 160GB 10K RPM, Western Digital 160GB 7200RPM

8 SATA Ports, (2) Hot swappable E-SATA Ports

Case - Lian Li A05B (Full Aluminum)

Optical Drive - NEC DVD R/W

Wireless-B/G Card (works as Airport)

PCI Gigabit Ethernet Card + Onboard Gigabit Ethernet (2 Total Ethernet)

550 Watt Power Supply

 

I'm looking to get $900 for it. If anyone is interested just send me a PM.

 

Here is a link to a video of me demoing the unit a bit: http://cl.ly/yZC

 

Later,

 

Stell

[thepretender]

Georgiles,

 

Stel's installer did not create a EFI partition I suppose you could install it there if it were active and you did so on purpose. Its seem you did not so it must be left over from your previous install.

 

If you want your jmicron purple SATA plugs back in your bios set the "Onboard SATE/IDE cnrl mode to AHCI insted of IDE. They will then show up as Unknown AHCI Standard Controller , 3 gigabit and ahci 1.0 supported. Full Jmicron support without need for the kext in on Cartri's short list and will probably be in a new bios build soon or or later. I have no drives connected to these ports but my ata drive with windows on it works fine and can be seen in OSX.

 

edit: I moved my dvd drive to one of the jmicron SATA ports and all is well, cnrl set to AHCI.

 

As for your reported speed if you haven't edited smbios.plist after you flashed your bios did you reset your cpu speed the same way you had it before in the original bios?

 

Also Cartri recommends we use use Chameleon 2 RC4, lifehacker method installs RC3.

I do notice that with RC3 my speed is reported at 2.96 and RC4 reports the correct speed of 2.86 makes me go hmmmmm.

[bean5]

Not even my 15" MBP does that.

Don't expect it to. Use the wall wart, or a powered USB hub.

It's not a charging station.

your mbp is broken then...mine does it...I miss that feature. I liked the fact that I could connect it to my computer at night and knock out. I would wake up in the morning, computer is asleep, iphone was fully charged and showed that it was still connected to a power supply.

 

http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=386449

 

as far as I'm concerned, it's my charging station.

[Georgiles]

Super. Thank you. Set the AHCI for Jmicron SATA in bios and set the CPU Clock Ratio to 9X.

It was 8X for some reason.

As far as replacing the boot file in the main partition root. I don't know how.

The boot file is invisible and the error message tells me can not be replaced.

The show hidden files commands don't work for me:

None of these:

- defaults write com.apple.Finder AppleShowAllFiles TRUE; killall Finder

- defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles -bool true

- defaults write com.apple.Finder AppleShowAllFiles YES

 

How do I backup first the boot file and then replace with the RC4 one?

In case something goes wrong, how do I get the RC3 back?

 

Thank you

[thepretender]

People wax fantastic about the command line personally I'm lazy and use a installer.

Link for RC4 installer.

 

http://www.insanelymac.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=201850

[Georgiles]

Link for RC4 installer.

http://www.insanelymac.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=201850

 

First - I used the RC4 installer and I lost my Graphics support LOL, Tried osx86tools without success. Went ahead and installed Chameleon RC3 from this installer package and I'm back in business. I almost had a heart attack predicting couple of days wasted on reinstallation. And YES, with the RC4 the CPU was detected as 2.4Ghz, with RC3 right now is detected 2.43Ghz. Something is up.

 

Second - I observed that if I activate the Jmicron in BIOS as AHCI, I loose the JMicronATA. So, I loose my DVD and one ATA HDD lol, This bios change is not a dealbraker for me. I hope Cartri is going to fix this in his next MacBios.

 

Link for Chameleon RC3 installer who saved my life: Chameleon_2_RC3.zip

 

Cheers!

[backinmac]

The boot file is invisible and the error message tells me can not be replaced.

The show hidden files commands don't work for me:

None of these:

- defaults write com.apple.Finder AppleShowAllFiles TRUE; killall Finder

- defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles -bool true

- defaults write com.apple.Finder AppleShowAllFiles YES

 

How do I backup first the boot file and then replace with the RC4 one?

In case something goes wrong, how do I get the RC3 back?

 

Thank you

You have to get permissions for the file and containing folders. So, right click the file and click get info, then at the bottom is permissions. Same thing with all containing folders. The Terminal commands will show the files if you enter them into the syntax correctly.

[Georgiles]

@backinmac: I don't get it. How can I right click on a file or folder I can't even see? I posted above 3 commands that did not work. Give me, write down the CORRECT SYNTAX lol. Are you keeping it for yourself? LMAO Cheers Dude!

[thepretender]

Georgiles, RC4 killed my video also I successfully injected my video sting into apple.com.boot.plist though and brought it back. Blackosx reports that using the graphics enabler in RC4 works without getting in the way of Cartri's bios you just have to add 2 lines to apple.com.boot.plist to set pciroot to 1. Add these lines to the plist and use the installer all should be well. I just tried it and my video is working as it should RC4 with GraphicsEnabler my plist.

 

I added

<key>PciRoot</key>

<string>1</string>

 

So my plist looks like this...

 

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>

<!DOCTYPE plist PUBLIC "-//Apple//DTD PLIST 1.0//EN" "http://www.apple.com/DTDs/PropertyList-1.0.dtd">

<plist version="1.0">

<dict>

<key>EthernetBuiltIn</key>

<string>Yes</string>

<key>GraphicsEnabler</key>

<string>Yes</string>

<key>PciRoot</key>

<string>1</string>

<key>Kernel</key>

<string>mach_kernel</string>

<key>Kernel Flags</key>

<string></string>

<key>Timeout</key>

<string>5</string>

</dict>

</plist>

 

As for "I observed that if I activate the Jmicron in BIOS as AHCI, I loose the JMicronATA"

I assumed you were using JMicronATA.kext if not you can add it to E/E. PM if you don't have or can't find I'll send a link. I have Jmicron as AHCI in bios with the kext and my SATA DVD and ATA hard drive are both working perfect.

[Georgiles]

Good job ThePretender.

Everything you stated in the post above worked.

Added the lines, used the installer and the graphic card is recognized.

 

I thought I used JMicronATA.kext too. I installed it with KextHelper b7 For some reason the kext was located in the folder Backup Extensions on my main drive and for some other or the same reason, did not load when I changed the JMicron bios setting to AHCI first time. Changed it back to IDE and it was loaded from that weird Backup Extensions folder. I know is weird. I can't explain it.

What counts is that I set in bios JMicron controller back on AHCI, copied the JMicronATA.kext in Extra/Extensions, and now I have JMicron ATA & SATA:

 

Now my system is tweaked to a masterpiece as far as I'm concerned, so I created a knol for myself and others with ver 1.6 of this board and backed up all the files in the cloud, in case something happens with the servers where all these great programmers are storing them.

[CoHPhasor]

@backinmac: I don't get it. How can I right click on a file or folder I can't even see? I posted above 3 commands that did not work. Give me, write down the CORRECT SYNTAX lol. Are you keeping it for yourself? LMAO Cheers Dude!

 

Did you forget OSX was built on Unix?

How do you find a hidden file in Unix?

ls -a

How do you remove a file with mad permissions on it?

sudo rm <some flags you need to search for> <file_path>

 

Get them Googles in shape brother ;-p

[960brick]

Thank you Georgiles for the trying out the Carti bios, I did it as well but now I get an Netflix DRM 8152 error, I tried your "defaults write com.apple.safari IncludeDebugMenu 1" but still nothing?? am I doing somethig wrong?

[Georgiles]

@960brick : You are not doing anything wrong.

I used to have the same problem even before updating Cartri's MacBios:

Digital Rights Management (DRM) Error

Error Code: N8152

 

At the time I solved the problem by disguising Safari as Firefox for Windows, using the method I described in this Knol. (credits go to some other guy):

http://knol.google.com/k/george-anton/netf...ydxcf32jt0v6/7#

WORKED! So I was watching Netflix like usual.

You say is not working for you.

Also you can start Chrome disguised as Safari using this launcher (same method really):

http://cl.ly/d39b885d9419bdf5f86d

Might not work either. Maybe because DSDT is missing. I will post a question to Cartri. I'm courious.

 

After I updated with Cartri's Bios unfortunately none of the methods above work for me anymore.

There are so many threads out there regarding Netflix meets Hackintosh, I read a lot.

Nobody knows the real problem (I think there are multiple) nor have a real solution.

So I went ahead and Installed a fresh copy of Windows 7 in Paralells 5.

They improved this version of Paralells a lot and I watch Netflix in Internet Explorer very smoothly.

Boots Windows in about 30 seconds and if you Suspend the session you will be back in Netflix in 20 sec.

I like this method better instead of smashing my brains looking for a solution and wandering why they don't hire better programmers at Netflix.

 

@CoHPhasor Thank you for the tip, but I never knew Unix. I have the general knowledge of what Apple OS is based on and some other easy stuff.

As far as coding, if I try, maybe I can remember some Sinclair Basic if you have an ZX80 handy.

You've got to feed me the exact terminal command, because I'm Copy/Pasting Dude! LMAO

[leslieking]

I'm willing to help people with the EP45-UD3P (no charti method).

If you have any questions, just send a PM.

[thepretender]

I'm willing to help people with the EP45-UD3P (no charti method).

If you have any questions, just send a PM.

 

Sorry bout that problems with the Cartri bios should probably have been redirected to this tread

http://www.insanelymac.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=210994 the Lifehacker guide is very successful and easy but enthusiasm over a different somewhat cleaner alternative can get the better of you. If you have a working Lifehacker build up and running or can make it so there is not really a need to change. Although if Cartri meets all his goals wouldn't it be nice to flash your bios and insert a Snow Leopard disk and run the install and be up and running OSX in 10 or 15 min. without having to add any bootloader or kext? Ah clean vanilla OSX without the Apple tax

[leslieking]

I made my own package, much better than life hackers. I'm currently working on the documentation.

 

Although if Cartri meets all his goals wouldn't it be nice to flash your bios and insert a Snow Leopard disk and run the install and be up and running OSX in 10 or 15 min.

No. I prefer to use my own DSDT (clean, 500 lines of code).

[Georgiles]

@ zoliky & @ thepretender

I don't see Cartri's bios as competition to DSDT. It is more like an addition. I would like to see zoliky working with cartri where in a sense there will be options. It would be stupid to have a zoliki's package that would give me errors if I have cartri's bios. They should be compatibile and as simple as adding or deleting DSDT.aml and Extensions.mkext.

[960brick]

@ zoliky & @ thepretender

I don't see Cartr's bios as competition to DSDT. It is more like an addition. I would like to see zoliky working with cartri where in a sense there will be options. It would be stupid to have a zoliki's package that would give me errors if I have cartri's bios. They should be compatibile and as simple as adding or deleting DSDT.aml and Extensions.mkext.

 

 

 

Georgiles, have you noticed any difference since the Carti Bios? my CPU was 3.1 GHz before the Bios change and now 3GHz ?? shutdown is faster and also the Netflix works now, I wish I knew what I did to fix that.

 

Just wondering how you would approach this from the start on a new build, would you first do the carti bios before installing with stell's V3, or does it not matter ?

[Georgiles]

@ 960brick

 

I would like to know what you did too, that made Netflix to work. To make mine working too

I tried to do a fresh install from my Leopard Boot USB loaded with Stella V3 and when it gets to Disk Utility freezes.

So the answer is NO on my side. Once updated with Cartri Bios the already prepared Lifehacker USB does not work any longer.

We have to find a new way to install or wait a bit.

I understand that Blackosx and Cartri are working on a BOOT CD.

If I was you I would start with a V3 Stella package on a restored USB with Snow Leopard. Update the Cartri Bios after if you want.

 

The system seems smoother and faster, shot down and all that, yes. 3.1Ghz vs. 3Ghz is not because Cartri is because of the new Chameleon RC4 you installed.

[960brick]

@ 960brick

 

I would like to know what you did too, that made Netflix to work. To make mine working too

I tried to do a fresh install from my Leopard Boot USB loaded with Stella V3 and when it gets to Disk Utility freezes.

So the answer is NO on my side. Once updated with Cartri Bios the already prepared Lifehacker USB does not work any longer.

We have to find a new way to install or wait a bit.

I understand that Blackosx and Cartri are working on a BOOT CD.

If I was you I would start with a V3 Stella package on a restored USB with Snow Leopard. Update the Cartri Bios after if you want.

 

The system seems smoother and faster, shot down and all that, yes. 3.1Ghz vs. 3Ghz is not because Cartri is because of the new Chameleon RC4 you installed.

 

 

Georgiles, I tried succsesfully on a seperate drive (preseving my main) applied Stell's V3 to a OSX 10.6.3 retail restored to USB, booted, installed, but first boot would not work on the new system until I applied V3 to it (I should have tried verbose boot) from a diferent startup drive. I tried Chameleon RC4 and it would not boot anymore until I reapplied Stell's V3.

 

Netflix, I cant' remember what I did to get it working, though I'm good at screwing up things that work fine

[backinmac]

@backinmac: I don't get it. How can I right click on a file or folder I can't even see? I posted above 3 commands that did not work. Give me, write down the CORRECT SYNTAX lol. Are you keeping it for yourself? LMAO Cheers Dude!

If your terminal window looks like this:

Then this should appear on your desktop:

If they are, you have hidden files showing. If not, you did something wrong.

[thepretender]

Georgiles, I tried succsesfully on a seperate drive (preseving my main) applied Stell's V3 to a OSX 10.6.3 retail restored to USB, booted, installed, but first boot would not work on the new system until I applied V3 to it (I should have tried verbose boot) from a diferent startup drive. I tried Chameleon RC4 and it would not boot anymore until I reapplied Stell's V3.

 

Netflix, I cant' remember what I did to get it working, though I'm good at screwing up things that work fine

 

Not sure what ya all are doing wrong but I just did a fresh install Cartri bios + Lifehacker prepared USB stick. Reformatted the drive installed SL and used the Chameleon 2 RC4 installer, added the needed 2 kext's and 2 plist's and a Chameleon Theme.

 

Rebooted and up and running 100% easy as pie.

[960brick]

Not sure what ya all are doing wrong but I just did a fresh install Cartri bios + Lifehacker prepared USB stick. Reformatted the drive installed SL and used the Chameleon 2 RC4 installer, added the needed 2 kext's and 2 plist's and a Chameleon Theme.

 

Rebooted and up and running 100% easy as pie.

 

 

thepretender,

 

I wish it was that easy, does it mater if the drive has 2 partitions? 10.6.3 works fine along as I keep the Stell V3 files (DSDT.aml, Extensions.mkext etc..) if I install Chameleon 2 RC4, it hags at the spinning circle at startup. I'm thinking about going back to the original Bios if things don't work out.

 

**Update** nevermind, everything works, and apple updates itself with no problem thanks Georgiles!!

[digital_noah]

First of all, I love this thread. I have all the same parts and I think this is an amazing build.

 

I setup my system last summer running Leopard 10.56. Everything worked great. This week, I reformatted all my drives and started from scratch with a new clean install of Snow Leopard 10.60. Everything was working perfectly after a few hours of trial and error, but now I have an intermittent sound card problem.

 

Although all day yesterday it was working fine, as of this morning, no sound is being detected. In the Sound Control Panel all I see for Output is "No output devices found."

 

Anyone out there willing to offer up their working DSDT file or audio kexts that are working for them?

Also, are you all using LegacyHDA.kext for your audio?

 

Cheers,

Digital Noah

[Georgiles]

@digitalNoah

If you have the Cartri MacBios with Chameleon RC4 like me, here is my EXTRA folder:

http://cl.ly/a623cbc1afc41b545d11

 

Without the Bios you need this file Extensions.mkext instead if the folder extensions: read the pretender here

And download the files you need from this knol.

 

@ thePretender INSTALL: Then maybe is something wrong with my USB drive or I have too many SATA Drives, or one old SATA 40GB I have is weird. Works fine in my system, but when the installer gets to the screen where I am suppose to choose the drive, freezes. Also freezes when I start Disk Utility from install. Don't stress about it. It is probably something wrong with my system. I'll try again when I will have time. Thank You.