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My first Ivy Bridge build

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Joined
Sep 26, 2011
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Motherboard
Gigabyte Z87X-UD3H
CPU
i7 > need model # > See Rules!
Graphics
RX 580
Mac
  1. MacBook Pro
  2. Mac mini
Mobile Phone
  1. iOS
This is my first post and I think I am in the correct forum.
My PowerMac G4 1.42 died four months ago and I decided to build a Hacintosh using the IvyBridge CPU.
I realize that there isn't much out there for Ivy Bridge but I am hoping more info will be forthcoming when Apple announces the new Ivy Bridge computers.

My build is:
Gigabyte Z77X-UD5H with Intel Core i7-3770K CPU
(1) Kingston 120 GB SSD
16 GB Kingston Ram (4x4)
TP Link TL-WDN4800 WiFi Card
Asus GTX550 Ti GPU
Best Connectivity Firewire 800 PCI Express Card
(I ordered a SYBA card and was sent this card and it works)
LG DVD/CD Burner
Corsair PSU HX650W
Fractal Design Define R3 Case
Mac OS 10.7.4

The following items are from my G4:
Apple Pro Keyboard
Microsoft USB IntelliMouse
Phillips WebCam SPC 1000NC
M-Audio Audiophile Firewire
(2) Seagate 1 TB HD
Samsung SyncMaster 930b

I followed the directions here:
Lion Installation Guide for Ivy Bridge CPU [Updated] http://www.tonymacx86.com/viewtopic.php?t=59052

The first few times I tried to install everything would go fine until I ran Multibeast with the recommended settings, then when I tried to restart using the Lion disk I would get a kernel panic. I tried this about three times doing a fresh install after each try.

The last time, I unchecked the option "User DSDT Install" and all went well and I have a working Hackingtosh with only minor problems.

Most everything seems to work including Sleep, except for the following:

I get the boot0 error if I try to boot from my Lion disk.
To boot the system I have to select the USB drive then select my Lion drive.
I followed the instructions from boot0 Error: The Official Guide, but I still get the boot0 error.

I can't change the screen resolution, my only option is 1024 x 768 with a Samsung SyncMaster 930b.
I've tried changing the boot.plist to include:
<key>Graphics Mode</key>
<string>1280x1024x32</string>
<string></string>
But that didn't make any difference.

Some of my USB ports work and some don't. The USB 2 ports on the rear panel work but the USB 3 ports on the rear panel do not.
The USB 3 port on the front panel works but not the USB 2 ports on the front panel.
Gigabyte also includes a USB 3 2 port adapter that mounts in a 3.5 drive bay which I installed but that doesn't work either.
I double checked all of my MBO connections and they are correct. I am assuming that my USB problem is due to the fact that Apple has no USB 3 support yet.

I installed the latest Flash upgrade 11.3 and the Audiophile driver for Lion.

The web cam does not work, when I start Photo Booth I just get a spinning wheel.

The WiFi card works.
I haven't tried the Intel supplied WiFi/Bluetooth card.

BlueTooth, I have 2 USB Bluetooth adapters, Hawking and D-Link which both work.

I have sound through my Firewire Audiophile interface.
I haven't tried the built in audio jacks but I intend to do so soon.

YouTube videos play fine.

I am impressed with the GigabyteZ77X MBO, you can use the mouse to move around and the interface is much cleaner and simpler than the old style boards. I didn't even have to change the bios default settings.

So all in all the build went pretty smooth, I am impressed at how easy it was mainly because of all of the info and help at this great web site and forum. Thanks to all.

My only problems right now are that I can't boot directly to OS 10, no video cam, and I can't change the screen resolution.

Hopefully some or all of these problems will be resolved when Apple announces the Ivy Bridge Macs.
 
Mountain Lion

Shortly after I posted this I installed Mountain Lion.
I reformatted my SSD and did a clean install.

I had some problems installing, searched the forum and came up with a solution that involved removing my GTX550 Ti card, installing ML then re-installing the GTX 550.
After some tuning with MultiBeast I had a successful install.

All of my USB ports now work, my video cam works (although I haven't yet Used Skype), YouTube videos play, and it seems like everything else works fine except for a few items of which two are video card related.
I cannot use Sleep, it will sleep but not wake, I can't change the screen resolution (I get a Blue Screen) and Dictation does not work.
In the future I might think about changing my graphics card.

I moved my home folder and any applications that I am adding to another internal HD so I won't clutter up my 120 GB SSD.

The computer is stable, no crashes, freezes or KP's in normal use. I am extremely satisfied.
It would have not been possible without the TonyMac site and forum.
 
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