Running OSX 10.6.5 on a PC – ASUS P6T / ATI Radeon 5850 / Intel i7 920
Last updated 27th November 2010 – 10.6.5
I thought I’d write about how I got my new PC to run OSX, as it wasn’t straight forward and I had to try quite a few different methods. I will up date this guide, as and when I encounter problems, most probably when new updates come out.
My PC components:
- Intel i7 920 CPU
- Asus P6T Motherboard
- OCZ Reaper 6gb (3x2GB) @ 7-7-7-16 RAM
- XFX ATI Radeon 5850 1GB graphics
Simple process:
- Format a USB disk
- Restore Snow Leopard Install DVD to that USB disk
- Run MyHack software to install a bootloader on the USB stick
- Add files to USB stick to make OSX install work with your hardware (e.g. I required special files for the Asus P6T)
- Change settings in BIOS (there are a couple of essentials before this will work)
- Change a setting in a config file (on the USB stick) to make the installer work with my ATI Radeon 5850
- Boot from the USB Stick – make first boot device in BIOS, or use the appropriate keyboard shortcut (F8, F12 etc)
- Install OSX to your internal hard drive
- Update to 10.6.4 (apple updater) – not essential
- Install ATI drivers
- Install the 10.6.5 Combo Update (see link below), but don’t restart at end of installation.
- Install MultiBeast with specific options (USB broken in 10.6.5, so have to choose USB Rollback option)
- Restart
- Enjoy OSX on a computer that you didn’t have to remortgage your house for
Detailed process:
- Find a machine currently running OSX, I used my MacBook Pro.
- Format a USB flash disk (at least 8GB) as Mac OS (journalled), bootable.
- Insert your Mac OSX Install Disc (I used my copy of Snow Leopard Retail 10.0.0)
- Open Disk Utility
- Choose your USB flash disk on the left
- Click the Erase tab, then erase your USB flash disk as Mac OSX Extended (Journalled) (make sure it only has one partition)
- Click the Restore tab, then drag the icon of your OSX Install DVD (on the desktop) into the Source… text box.
- Drag the USB flash disk you just formatted on the left onto the Destination… text box.
- Click Restore.
- Alternatively, view a longer video of how to do this (by flynflip)
- On the same machine used above, download MyHack 1.1 (was newest at the time), run this and target your newly-restored USB drive (this will modify the boot sector of the USB drive and install a bootloader – allowing you to install OSX on your PC)
- On the USB drive, there is a folder called Extras, this is where the machine-specific files should go. One of the main files is DSDT.aml I used FleeBailey33‘s pack, as it was for the Asus P6T, from here. It is known as version 2.0.6 (note: newer versions e.g. 2.9.1 didn’t work for me) [credit]
- Download the file above
- Delete the file named ‘boot’ from the root of the USB disk. You can use this tool to reveal hidden files temporarily in the Finder
- Copy the extracted files from the file above into the root of the USB disk. Yes to replace contents of Extras
- In the BIOS is a setting relating to the storage controller which lets you choose the option IDE or AHCI. This is not the option for RAID/SATA/IDE – it’s hidden away in a sub menu. This setting must be set to AHCI. This option was quite hard for me to find! It will not affect RAID volumes.
- ATI Graphics card owners: If you have an ATI card, you have to change a line in a file on the USB Stick:
- Open USB:\\Extras\com.apple.Boot.plist in notepad or textpad.
- Look for: <key>GraphicsEnabler</key><string></string>
- Make sure that the <string></string> immediately after GraphicsEnabler, is changed to look like this:<key>GraphicsEnabler</key><string>No</string> – If you don’t do this, when it boots to the OSX installer, it will just go to a black screen and your GPU fan will run at full-speed (very noisy).
- This will only allow you to see 1024×768 –
you have to install proper kernel extensions (kexts) for your ATI card lateryou have to update to 10.6.5 later. - Make sure your USB stick (or whatever) is at the top of the boot priority.
- Restart your machine.
- Chamelon Boot loader should load from your USB stick and now you can install OSX. Make sure you install to the correct drive!
- (optional) Update OSX. Before you do, check and see that any new updates will not break your OSX installation. Currently, 10.6.5 is latest and works great.
- Don’t auto-update OSX with the Software Updater.
- Download the 10.6.5 Combo update, and install it but do not click on ‘Restart Computer’ at the end of installation
- Download Multibeast, follow these steps:
- After the 10.6.5 Combo Update installation, and you can see the button for ‘Restart Computer’, drag Multibeast (red tomato logo) to your desktop.
- Open MultiBeast, Hit continue a few times then Agree to the license
- Tick System Utilities (this will rebuild the cache and fix permissions after installation – important!)
- Expand Advanced Options
- Expand Miscellaneous, and tick USB Rollback (important, as USB was broken in the 10.6.5 update)
- (optional) ATI Drivers for 5xxx series are a part of OSX 10.6.5 (yay!). Under Graphics tick Enablers > ATI_Init Vervet (this step may be unnecessary, I’m not sure!)
- ATI Graphics card owners: At this point you will realise you are stuck with a horrible 1024×768 desktop. To make this work for your card, you need to find the right drivers, and install them. Drivers are usually in the form of .kext files – which means Kernel Extension.For the Radeon 5xxx drivers: http://netkas.org/?p=465
Generally, it’s best to use an application to install the Kexts for you, There are some tools that are part of MyHack – explore the advanced custom options when you are installing. If you install the drivers above, you also have to make your Kernel boot in 32-bit mode. This doesn’t stop you from running 64-bit applications or anything like that, but is essential to make these drivers work. To do this you have to add some kernel flags when loading the OSX, to force 32-bit kernel mode. Because we want to do this permenantly, we should add this to a certain boot file, so that it happens every time.I use the same USB stick to boot OSX every time, so I am going to open /Extras/com.apple.Boot.plist and change this:
<key>Kernel Flags</key><string></string>
to
<key>Kernel Flags</key><string>arch=i386</string>
Note about booting: You have many options when it comes to booting, you can store the boot record/boot loader in a few places (on the drive itself, on a USB, etc).
My method: Install MyHack onto a mac-formatted bootable flash disk of some kind (I used an ancient 32MB SmartMedia disk I had lying around, permanently sits in my monitor now), set to boot from that device in the BIOS.
USB Wireless Network Adapter: I’ve heard that getting wireless adapters to work on OSX hackintosh’s is a bit of a nightmare. Thankfully, after realising my (ultra cheap) Tenda W311U USB wireless network adapter uses a Ralink chipset, I discovered that Ralink offer OSX wireless drivers! Great news for the hackintosh community. I did have to try a few times to get it to work (tip: after installing drivers, once you get to boot, remove the adapter a few times, keep trying to connect to the network until it works). Ralink OSX drivers
Hopefully this is helpful to somebody. I will probably update this guide as I revisit OSX on my own machine, which I am using for sound production.
Phil
Thanks for the credit. Just a little note: I created a shorter quicker less drawn out video on just restoring Snow Leopard to a thumb drive at: http://flynflip.com/Hackintoshing/InstallRestore.asp It is still detailed and over-explained, but then again that’s the point of my site… to fool-proof it. I plan to link this page on my site for people who are more experienced and like quick read-me’s. Hope that’s OK. Good work.
@Flynflip Thanks for the linkage. I hope it helps some people get this working easier, I spent a good few hours on it!
Hi! I would like to contact u if it were posible.. Thanks!
Hello and thanks for the good job.
Do I have to buy the Snow Leopard Install DVD? or I can just download it?
I have tried to install one I’ve download and the installation could not complete. It says some files can not copy to your system.
Thank you.
Hello, thanks to you, I was able to be made a great computer which works under mac.
One thousand Thank you and bravo for your sharing and your efforts.
Cordially
Nikos
@Diego: I am very busy, but feel free to leave a comment here and perhaps someone can help.
@FeigN: I bought the DVD, and I think you should too. It only cost me £20.
@kino: Thank you. I was only sharing my experiences, but I’m glad it helped you.
Hi Phil. Just checking out your work after you left the comment on my site. Looks GREAT! I read that you are busy so if anyone needs help, I’ll try my best at http://www.flynflip.com Don’t want to steer people from your site so if anyone comes to my site from this one please leave a comment saying that Phil Ricketts sent you. Only then will I give you the best help possible
I have updated this article for the 10.6.5 update.
> I used MultiBeast this time around for adding the extra Kexts
> I used the ComboUpdate 10.6.5
> I had to use the USB Rollback option in MultiBeast to make it work (USB broken in osx86 10.6.5)
> Didn’t need to install custom ATI Radeon 5850 Drivers, as they are included in 10.6.5 (because some Mac Pro have them).
Hope this helps.
Hey Phil, just wondering: I did another ASUS build before 10.6.5 was available (not the P6T) paired with an ATI HD5770. I used netkas kexts. Only had 32bit support though because of limited driver availability for the ATI 5xxx cards. Are you 64bit using drivers with combo update? I am assuming you were 32bit before?
hey phil,
i also have the tenda wireless adapter working but i have to unplug it and then plug it back in everytime osx has been loaded. is there a way to have it automatically connect to my network once the computers booted? drop me an email if you can.
thanks
Once I install MultiBeast with ATY_Init Vervet, when I boot up again, I get to the Apple Logo loading screen, it loads for a while, then my screen goes black and my computer restarts after about a minute. I’ve been trying to get my card to work for a month now so I can use Final Cut. Can anyone help me?
my specs are
p6x58d-e
Intel I7
Sapphire 5850
Hey Phil, Quick question, I’m having a hard time understanding this boot/loader bit. Correct me if I’m wrong, you have windows installed on one hard drive, and have osx installed on another, and the way to boot into osx is to use usb stick with boot priority, and boot into windows without usb stick? Thanks for your time.
Hi Phil,
I follow your guide but I have have a problem updating from 10.6.4 to 10.6.5 (or 10.6.6).
When I reboot OSX locks on the grey waiting screen with Apple logo.
I haven’t see any error in verbose mode.
What check I can do?
What extra Kexts do you add whit MultiBeast?
USB Rollback is mandatory or optional? (Can I boot without it even if usb doesn’ work?)
I have an Asus P6T, i7 950, and ATI Radeon HD 5770.
About ATI gfx… What changes to make it work? Did you add the device ID inside the Apple kext ATI5000Controller? (And to ATI3000Controller?) Is case sensitive or not?
I hope you can find the time to give me some suggestions.
Thank you very much
Hi Koulio, I have the same problem and no current fix. I don’t use the internet much on my music production environment, but when I do I have to keep the RALink Utility open, and then unplug, and plug it in again as you already do.
Tyler, I am not familiar with your model of motherboard, I can only suggest scouring forums for the correct DSDT.aml file.
Sevy,
This is the method I have chosen. You could just as easily install the bootloader onto one of your internal hard drives, and prioritise that.
The way I’ve done it, is put a boot loader on a crappy smartmedia card that’s plugged into my monitor. If I turn my computer on with the monitor off, I go straight into windows. If I turn it on, I get a menu.
Jack,
I have to cast my mind back, as despite common beliefs I don’t install OSX for a hobby, I do it because I want a cheap music production system!
I had loads of problems with the combo updates, the same symptoms as you. My only suggestion is to look into what ATI devices are supported out of the box with the 10.6.5 update. I have a 5850, and you have a 5770.
I did have to faff around a lot, but eventually figured it out and documented it here. The MultiBeast stage was important.
Hi,
I have a i7 2700k cpu, Asus p8p7 Pro mother board with a NVIDIA 4600gtx graphics card. I can only get it to boot to the apple logo, any ideas?
Alex.
Sorry Alex, I am not familiar with that Motherboard model. I hope you can solve your problem.
Hi Phil, First of all thank you so much for a detailed description, I have been looking for this type of guide like for over a year now, the one that will work with P6T. I completely follwoed your guide and I have very similar config to yours. Its P6T, i7920, OCZ Reaper 6gb and ATI HD5750. Everything works fine but I am having difficulty at last stage. I can boot into safe mode without any problems after installing the ATI kexts but when I boot normaly, I get blue screen after the bootloader screen. so just curious to know that did you change any dev id on these kexts or you used them as they are after the download. I did change dev id in one of the kexts and “Uakari to vervet change” in one of them as you might be aware of that Multibeast’s version has changed since you write this guide and we dont have same options.
Also when you boot do you see MyHack bootloader or chameleon one. I see chameleon when I boot.
Hi Phil, thanks for your guide, got everything sorted out. please ignore last comment. The graphics kexts are working now, However I am strugling to get sleep working after graphics kext installation. System goes into sleep but when it wakes up, it comes up with shattered display on the monitor and then I have to restart the system to get the proper display.
Also, though I have got graphics kexts working and I get the right resolution once the system has booted up, but I still get low resolution on bootloader and on grey screen with apple logo on it.
Can you please help me in sorting the above issues.
Thanks
Hi!
Is there anyone can help with Graphic card HIS ATI Radeon 6870 kext?
I couldn’t make it work even I try to install ATI6000.kext on my system file but still doesn’t work.
Please I need your help!!!
I followed your guide to the letter, and I have the exact same hardware as you (with exception to the brand of RAM), but I get a kernel panic after booting through chameleon and seeing the old style Apple logo.
Any ideas what the problem could be?
No idea, sorry.