Re: [HQ-A] Advice for file server

[mosslack]

On Sep 18, 2012, at 7:49 PM, Kachinapat wrote:

Hello all, first time to post.
I would like advice on building a hackintosh file server. I have matched 3T SATA drives, that I had in a FreeNAS server, that I would use as mirrored drives, so I need room for 3 drives. It would be stuck in a closet, headless, so I'm not concerned about video or sound or sleep, but would like gigabit network. I will use it mainly as a backup server for an iMac, a MBP, and two PC laptops.

This is probably more info than you're interested in, but the bottom line is I would like cheep, simple and easy.

Any advise would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

If you are buying a new system to build this, then NewEgg is your best bet. They have a good selection of cases, even server cases if that is what you want, plus motherboards and related components to choose from. If you want a used or refurb unit, places like Geeks and Ebay have a pretty good selection. 

As to which type of motherboard/system to choose, I would stay with those which utilize an Intel CPU (Core 2 Duo) or better. Of course you want to choose among those with a gigabyte ethernet port as well. Gigabyte boards almost always work well for a Hackintosh project, but others work also. Just be sure to choose one which is compatible with your needs.

If you have any more specific questions, you can always post again. HTH

From the main system of mosslack...

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[Kachinapat]

Report on my build:

I assembled the hardware (see below) and used Tony Max UniBeast to
install ML which worked very well. MultiBeast, however, did not.
MultiBeast seemed to be running, but ended with an error. I plan to
use it with the install USB as boot-helper until Tony releases a new
(un-broken) version of MultiBeast 5. Is there an alternative way to
make the ML intalled HD bootable?

Hardware:
GA-B75M-D3P
Intel Core i3-3220
8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3 1600, Ripjaws
500GB SATA HD, (recycled)
Antec 300 Black Steel mATX

[Michael Wing]

On Tue, Oct 9, 2012 at 11:50 AM, Kachinapat <kachi...@gmail.com> wrote:

Report on my build:

I assembled the hardware (see below) and used Tony Max UniBeast to
install ML which worked very well. MultiBeast, however, did not.
MultiBeast seemed to be running, but ended with an error. I plan to
use it with the install USB as boot-helper until Tony releases a new
(un-broken) version of MultiBeast 5. Is there an alternative way to
make the ML intalled HD bootable?

The way I made mine bootable without using MultiBeast is to create a 9G partition at the beginning of the drive, and install Unibeast on it.  Then, create a second partition after it for the ML install.  Then, I modified org.chameleon.Boot.plist in /extra on the 9G partition to use that partition by default when booting:

<key>Default Partition</key>

<string>hd(0,2)</string>

It's the same thing as booting off a Unibeast thumb drive, without the thumb drive.

[faithie999]

here's what the MultiBeast UserDSDT option does (from the multibeast info panel):


UserDSDT or DSDT-Free is a solution for those who have a pre-edited DSDT on the desktop with an .aml extension or a motherboard that works without a DSDT. Installs your DSDT if found as DSDT.aml, a org.chameleon.Boot.plist  with GraphicsEnabler=Yes, Apple Boot Screen, UseKernelCache=Yes, GenerateCStates=Yes, GeneratePStates=Yes and darkwake=0 kernel flag, MacPro3,1 smbios.plist and tonymacx86 theme in /Extra. Installs FakeSMC.kext in /System/Library/Extensions. Installs Chimera v1.11.1 r1394 so the system will be bootable from the hard drive and ready for sleep with all hardware recognized in System Profiler. Patches /System/Library/Extensions/AppleRTC.kext to prevent CMOS resets. Does not include any Network or Sound drivers.


so, what i would do, is:

boot into your new installation using your installer stick as a boot helper.

go to system preferences--security and check the "allow applications downloaded from anywhere" radio button.
google, download, and install Chimera 1.11 onto your HD.
google and download fakesmc.kext and install in system/library/extensions (using kext wizard).
create an Extra folder on your HD.
place your DSDT.aml into the Extra folder.
then i would copy the boot.plist file from your USB installer stick (in the Extra folder) to your HD's Extra folder.
i would then download and run Chameleon Wizard,  click on the SMbios tab, then click on Edit, and choose mac pro 3,1 system definition under the "premade SMBioses" tab, then click save and quit.  this will create an smbios.plist file and will place it in your Extra folder.
if you want to take the "blunt instrument" approach (i just had to do this on a particularly troublesome Zotac geforce 9300 mobo when i updated to ML), you can also copy the Extra/Extensions folder into your HD's Extra folder.  it's likely that you won't need any of those extensions, and you can remove them one at a time, rebooting each time.  if you remove a needed one, you can always boot with the installer stick and replace it.

that should get you a bootable HD.

if you get cmos resets with your mobo, you can google and install a patched applertc.kext.

for ethernet and audio, you can search and download kexts for your mobo's hardware.

[Michael Wing]

Just wanted to say THANKS for this, it works great.

 

[mosslack]

Just goes to show there is always more than one way to do things when it comes to Hackintoshes. Tonymacx86 and his utilities are not perfect, but then nothing is when it comes to doing something which is not meant to be. I dare say Apple would have problems supporting all of the different combinations available should they ever decide to support generic PC's. 

FYI, I don't know how you tried using MultiBeast, but I've found that sometimes only one chosen option is the reason for failure to complete. I usually do one thing at a time when using it just for this reason. I normally choose either the EasyBeast or UserDSDT option first. That loads the necessary items to get the system booting on it's own, then I go back and add any other kext that are needed for video, network and sound. Of course as always, YMMV.

[pete...@cruzio.com]

> Just goes to show there is always more than one way to do things when it
> comes to Hackintoshes. Tonymacx86 and his utilities are not perfect, but
> then nothing is when it comes to doing something which is not meant to be.
> I dare say Apple would have problems supporting all of the different
> combinations available should they ever decide to support generic PC's.
>
> FYI, I don't know how you tried using MultiBeast, but I've found that
> sometimes only one chosen option is the reason for failure to complete. I
> usually do one thing at a time when using it just for this reason. I
> normally choose either the EasyBeast or UserDSDT option first. That loads
> the necessary items to get the system booting on it's own, then I go back
> and add any other kext that are needed for video, network and sound. Of
> course as always, YMMV.

I ALWAYS keep a copy of my most recent operational DSDT on the Desktop as
dsdt.aml.

Then, whenever (IF EVER) I invoke MultiBeast, I can, if I want to, specify
USER DSDT and whichever other options I want (usually something to do with
USB 3.0 or sound or something similar).

I believe (but do not know for sure) that a DSDT-less installation
implicitly involves invocation of IASL to construct a DSDT from that DSDT
which the BIOS supplies.

However, my personal experience has been that a handmade DSDT is always
preferable.

[kachi...@cox.net]

Michael,

I partitioned my drive as you suggested and it works just like a UniBeast thumb drive. When I look in the first, small partition I don't see an /extra folder. Please advise this humble nudie.

Pat

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[Michael Wing]

On Fri, Oct 19, 2012 at 4:39 PM, <kachi...@cox.net> wrote:

Michael,

I partitioned my drive as you suggested and it works just like a UniBeast thumb drive. When I look in the first, small partition I don't see an /extra folder. Please advise this humble nudie.

Pat

I believe that UniBeast should have created an /Extra folder in the smaller partition.

I have since abandoned this method and followed faithie999's advice:

[mosslack]

UniBeast does create an /Extra folder, but it is hidden. You can view it's contents using the Go menu, then choose Go to Folder and type in /Extra. Note, this will not reveal the contents of the /Extra/Extensions folder, you need to use the same procedure and type /Extra/Extensions at the prompt. HTH