What is MBR and GPT?

If you have encountered a disk problem in hackintosh then, you might came across the terms MBR which is an acronyms for Master Boot Recored and GPT which is an acronyms for GUID Partition Table.

every hard drive is separated into partitions, even if it has only one partition it has a table describing that mapping, that mapping contains data like: how many partition on the drive, what is the size of each partition, what is the starting address of each partition etc. the partition table info can be described in two manners (actually more but we are interested only in these two), the one is MBR and the other is GUID, this manner is named Partition Scheme.

the partition schemes differ from one another by the way it holds the addressing of the partitions (CHS vs LBA), and by the max size they support for each partition, where is the boot recored kept etc. MBR is used in PC that uses a BIOS, GUID is used in computers that support EFI (like Mac). you can read more about it here.

when you install a hackintosh you need to prepare a partition for OSX, if it is a new partition on existing (already partitioned, from windows) disk, then there is no doubt you have an MBR partition scheme (well 99%), but if you prepare the disk from the OSX installation using the Disk Utility, then you have an option to choose from 3 types (MBR, GUID, Apple Partition Table Scheme).

Note 1: Apple Partition Table is not good scheme for a bootable HD for hackintosh, it is mostly for PPC.
Note 2: if you choose to repartition your hard drive from the Disk Utility or any other tool, it will cause loss of all information on that hard drive (including any Windows flavor you have installed on it).

you can repartition your hard drive from leopard installation or existing leopard installation in this way:
open Disk Utility.
right click on the drive you wish to partition from the left hard-drive tree, and choose the "Partition" option.


from the "Volume Scheme" drop-down menu choose the number of partitions you would like to create on the disk.


from the lower "Options..." button choose the desired partition scheme, i would suggest MBR.


if you would like just to know what partition you are currently using then open "Disk Utility".
and from the left hard-drive tree choose the drive you wish to query, (Note: the drive and not its partitions)



then look at the right lower corner next to the label: "Partition Map Scheme" and you will see your partition scheme (Master Boot or GUID)


Shay.

Leopard 10.5.2 in Hebrew

not sure how interesting it is for this blog (more related to my hebrew blog), but i have recently found a package that updates Leopard 10.5.2 interface to fully hebrew interface (it looks strange but some people may like it).

the package works with other versions as well but it supports only half of the available strings (i tried it on a 10.5.3 hackintosh), i haven't found any problems, the only thing that bothered me is that there was no uninstall script, and since the package only adds a hebrew lproj folders to the appropriate applications, bundles, kext, and utils, then it is only a matter of removing them,

i created an uninstall script, backup and restore script for the hebrew lproj that exist before the package install, it will create a folder named "Backup" in the root drive.

before you install:

1. backup using Time Machine
2. create a user with english only interface
3. download the file from this link

to install write these lines in the terminal:

1. cd /path/to/downloaded/folder
2. ./backupHebrew.sh
3. enter your password and press enter
4. execute the install package: LeopardHebrew.10.5.2.pkg
5. restart the computer (it may take a minute longer to load, just this time) and if you set your interface to hebrew, you will see hebrew interface.

to uninstall write these lines in the terminal:

1. ./UnInstallLeopardHbrew.sh
2. enter your password and press enter
3. reboot
4. if problems with hebrew interface occurres (that did not happened before the install) then write:
5. ./restoreHebrew.sh

more screenshots are available at my hebrew forum at this post,

hope this will be of some use to some one,

Shay.

OSX86 Library

today Tim Smart published his site "OSX86Library" on insanelymac, the site is meant to be a an HCL database for osx86,

the main idea behind it is to allow people about to buy a new computer to consider the ultimate hardware compatible with OSX86. (like psystar does), the site is still under construction but you can already submit your hardware list, there is an eye candy UI involved you should check it out.

Enjoy.

Leopard version list

hi,
i have compiled this list to help you not download "the wrong version" so i hope this "map" can guide you to a better release and build.

osx86 releases available:
iATKOS_v1.0i.iso (10.5.1)
iATKOS_v1.0iR2.zip (PPF (patch) so the 10.5.1 ISO will convert to 10.5.2)
iATKOS_v2.0i this is an 10.5.2 release
Leo4allv3final
KALYWAY_LEO_10.5.1intel_SSE2_SSE3.zip (Kalyway 10.5.1 for Intel and AMD)
kalyway_Leopard_DVD_intelSSE3_9a527 (Kalyway 10.5.1 9a527)
kalyway_hack_10.5.2ComboUpdate (updates kalyway 10.5.1 to 10.5.2)
Kalyway_10.5.2_DVD_Intel_Amd.iso (new - published on 10.04.08)
JaS OsX86 10.5.2 Intel SSE2 SSE3.iso (JAS comeback)
Leopard-10.5.2-AMD-EFI.iso (Zephyroth Leopard 10.5.2 for AMD)
ToH_x86_9A581_RC2.iso ( Mac OS X 10.5.1 Leopard ToH -RC2 SSE3 SSE2 Intel)
BrazilMac-9a581-Patch.zip (old BrazilMac-9a581-Patch patch real leopard DVD)


Leopard builds, status and release dates (compiled from MacRumors):

9A241	10.5 Developer Preview	(August, 2006)
9A241e	10.5 Developer Preview	(September, 2006)
9a283	10.5 Developer Preview	(October, 2006)
9a303	10.5 Developer Preview	(November, 2006)
9a321	10.5 Developer Preview	(December, 2006)
9A326	10.5 Employees Preview	(December, 2006)
9A343	10.5 Developer Preview	(January, 2007)
9A377	10.5 Developer Preview	(March, 2007)
9A377a	10.5 Developer Preview	(March, 2007)
9a410	10.5 Developer Preview	(April, 2007)
9A466	10.5 WWDC07 Preview	(June, 2007)
9A499	10.5 Developer Preview	(July, 2007)
9A500n	10.5 Developer Preview	(August, 2007)
9A527	10.5 Developer Preview	(August, 2007)
9A528a	10.5 (Server) Developer Preview	(August, 2007)
9A528d	10.5 Developer Preview	(September, 2007)
9A557	10.5 Release Candidate	(September, 2007)
9A559	10.5 Release Candidate	(September, 2007)
9A581	10.5 Gold Master	(October, 2007)
9A581	10.5 Retail	(October, 2007)
9b13	10.5.1 Developer Preview	(November, 2007)
9b16	10.5.1 Developer Preview	(November, 2007)
9B18	10.5.1 Release Candidate	(November, 2007)
9B18	10.5.1 Update	(November, 2007)
9C??	10.5.2 Developer Preview	(December, 2007)
9C16	10.5.2 Developer Preview	(January, 2008)
9c23	10.5.2 Developer Preview	(January, 2008)
9c27	10.5.2 Developer Preview	(January, 2008)
9c30	10.5.2 Developer Preview	(February, 2008)
9c31	10.5.2 Release Candidate	(February, 2008)
9c31	10.5.2 Update	(February, 2008)
9d10	10.5.3 Developer Preview	(March, 2008)
9D11	10.5.3 Developer Preview	(April, 2008)
9d12	10.5.3 Developer Preview	(April, 2008)
9D19	10.5.3 Developer Preview	(April, 2008)
9d22	10.5.3 Developer Preview	(April, 2008)
9d23	10.5.3 Developer Preview	(April, 2008)
9d27	10.5.3 Developer Preview	(May, 2008)
9d29	10.5.3 Developer Preview	(May, 2008)
9d34	10.5.3 Release Candidate	(May, 2008)
9d34	10.5.3 Update	(May, 2008)
9E6	10.5.3 Developer Preview	(June, 2008)
10A96	10.6 Developer Preview	(June, 2008)

in order to find what build you have installed:
1. open the apple menu
2. choose "About this Mac"
3. press "More Info..."
4. choose "Software" node from the left tree
5. look at "System Version"

Shay.

Google Analytics June 08

here is this month analytics report, and there is also a pdf and xml format attachments at the bottom of the post.



Analytics_apple2pc.blogspot.com_2008.pdf
Analytics_apple2pc.blogspot.com_2008.xml

Enjoy.

Some News

sorry for not investing in the blog for the last month, but in my defense I am occupied with other hackintosh related matters including:

the hebrew hackintosh blog

and the hebrew hackintosh forum

i am also working on a Hackintosh direct download driver site (hope to release it in the coming month, will release a link once it is up)

also i have decided to develop the LG keyboard driver and i have help from a developer from mexico goes by the name of apple.mla123, it will take some time until we release the first version.

we need some testers if you are willing to help please send me a mail and i will send you RC versions as they come out, thanks ahead for that.

I have also created osx86 search engine (that i added to the head of the blog) it took me a whole day to filter the list of related and up-to-date sites here are the site that i am indexing, i will keep it up to date as i come across new sites, also if you know of a site that would be good to index please let me know.

http://www.necnet.de/krass.man/Installers
http://www.neonkoala.co.uk
http://nvinject.free.fr
http://www.osx86library.com
http://pcwizcomputer.com
http://osx86tools.pcwizcomputer.com
http://chameleon.osx86.hu
http://windows-mac-osx86.qarchive.org
http://www.uphuck.com
http://www.macgeekblog.com/blog/archive/category/osx86
http://www.maconpc.org
http://www.maceee.com
http://osx86help.we.bs
http://www.maconlysource.com
http://netkas.freeflux.net
http://www.xplodenet.com
http://blogmarks.net/search/osx86
http://swik.net/osx86
http://my.macdotnub.info
http://www.engadget.com/tag/osx86
http://wordpress.com/tag/osx86
http://lifehacker.com/tag/osx86
http://pcwizcomputer.com/blog
http://leo4all.uni.cc/index.php
http://www.hackint0sh.org/forum/index.php
http://forum.infinitemac.com
http://www.infinitemac.com
http://osx86leo4all.wikidot.com
http://www.osx86.theplaceforitall.com
http://osx86install.blogspot.com
http://osx86.wikidot.com
http://osx86.thefreesuite.com
http://forum.osx86scene.com
http://osx86heb.darkbb.com
http://apple2pc.blogspot.com
http://osx86heb.blogspot.com
http://dev4mac.blogspot.com
http://www.insanelymac.com
http://wiki.osx86.org
http://www.hackint0sh.org
http://wiki.osx86project.org
http://netkas.org

Shay.

Power Management on 10.5.3

10.5.3 update has ruin my Power Management icon in the menu bar, i fixed it using this method:

ether use this auto installer or use the manual method described here:

1. open terminal

2. write: sudo -s

3. enter password and press enter

4. write: vi /System/Library/Extensions/AppleACPIPlatform.kext/Contents/PlugIns/AppleACPIPowerSource.kext/Contents/Info.plist

5. press / (and don't press any thing else this will enter search mode)

6. write: com.apple.driver.AppleACPIPlatform and press enter, it will locate the driver line
7. using the keyboard arrows goto the next line
8. press i (in order to enter edit mode)
9.change the value 1.1.0 to 1.2.1
10. press escape from the keyboard
11. press : (enter prompt mode)
12. write: w! (and press enter, it means write to disk even if read only file)
13. press : (to enter prompt mode again)
14. press q (to exit vi editor)
15. repeat steps 4 - 14 for the files:
/System/Library/Extensions/AppleACPIPlatform.kext/Contents/PlugIns/AppleACPIThermal.kext/Contents/Info.plist
/System/Library/Extensions/AppleACPIPlatform.kext/Contents/PlugIns/ACPIPS2Nub.kext/Contents/Info.plist

16. download this file to your Downloads folder

17. write: mv /System/Library/SystemConfiguration/PowerManagement.bundle /System/Library/SystemConfiguration/PowerManagement.bundle.10.5.2 (it will backup your old Power Management bundle)

18. write: cp -R ~/Downloads/PowerManagement.bundle /System/Library/SystemConfiguration

19. write: chown -R 0:0 /System/Library/SystemConfiguration/PowerManagement.bundle

20. write: chmod -R 755 /System/Library/SystemConfiguration/PowerManagement.bundle

21. reboot

22. from finder goto folder: /System/Library/CoreServices/Menu Extras

23. double click the file: Battery.menu

thats it, you should see the power icon in the menu bar,

Enjoy the power.