Can't boot up OS 10.6 ... (grey Apple screen)

Hi guys,
I have read through quite a few threads to try and find a solution to my problem (though I'm having to use a slow computer to do so).

I have just built my Hackintosh, finally.

I have gone through the steps on this guide, to get the OSX installed:
http://tonymacx86.blogspot.co.uk/2010/04/iboot-multibeast-install-mac-os-x-on.html

I managed to use the OS 10.6 Snow Leopard "disk" to install the OS, and also installed Multi Beast.
Unfortunately I now find that I cannot get the OS to load when I try to start up the computer.
... I get the light grey screen with the medium grey apple logo in the middle, and it just stays like this - frozen. I took a look at the 2 digit code on the motherboard and it just said AE, which I have come to understand this means that the computer can't see the device, drive etc.

I have tried booting in safe mode, typing "-x" in the TonyMac boot screen... this has worked. However, I am unable to use my WiFi card while in Safe Mode, so wouldn't want to have to use this mode all the time.

I have tried to boot up with the OS 10.6 CD-ROM in the DVD drive, and tried to hold down "c" or "opt" but I can no longer boot up with CD only. I was able to do it once, when the OS was not yet loaded onto the hard drive (SSD).

From what I have read on this post: http://www.tonymacx86.com/snow-leop...w-leopard-haswell-based-pcs-8.html#post669567 it seems like I might have to try to instal Mavericks on my Hackintosh, but I'm not 100% sure.

Sorry if I have missed something basic. I am suffering from information overload

Please advise... How do escape from this Catch-22 loop?

Your help would be GREATLY appreciated.
Thanks for reading

Update:
Under the assumption that I must try and re-install OS 10.6 onto my hard drive (to free me from this Catch-22 cycle), and go through the process again... I have been trying to boot the Hackintosh from the Apple OS 10.6 SL retail disk. Unfortunately, I haven't found a way to do this.

I have tried booting up with rBoot, but this didn't work.
It gave me 2 booting options: rBoot and the HardDrive. If I select rBoot I just get a warning
"Can't find mach_kernal "
... and if I try the hard drive, grey apple screen / death coma.

Also, the only way I am able to boot up the Hack at all, is in Safe Mode and only by putting the iBoot Haswell disk in the DVD Drive.

Q: Does anyone know how I can boot up using my retail OS 10.6 disk?
... or is the only option using Uni Beast to make a Mavericks installation drive (on a 8 GB flash device)?

I am guessing that your Hardware is Haswell. As you haven't displayed your hardware it is next to impossible for anyone to try and help you, please fill out your profile or signature as per forum Rules This will assist others in assisting you. Information should be motherboard, processor make and model and graphics/discrete or onboard.

Toby39 said:

Update:
Under the assumption that I must try and re-install OS 10.6 onto my hard drive (to free me from this Catch-22 cycle), and go through the process again... I have been trying to boot the Hackintosh from the Apple OS 10.6 SL retail disk. Unfortunately, I haven't found a way to do this.

I have tried booting up with rBoot, but this didn't work.
It gave me 2 booting options: rBoot and the HardDrive. If I select rBoot I just get a warning
"Can't find mach_kernal "
... and if I try the hard drive, grey apple screen / death coma.

Also, the only way I am able to boot up the Hack at all, is in Safe Mode and only by putting the iBoot Haswell disk in the DVD Drive.

Q: Does anyone know how I can boot up using my retail OS 10.6 disk?
... or is the only option using Uni Beast to make a Mavericks installation drive (on a 8 GB flash device)?

Click to expand...

Are you using iBoot Haswell? Put your mainboard make/model on the System block in your profile, not the OS you are trying to install.

Hi guys, thanks for replying... and sorry for not adding the right stuff in my sig.
I should have it in there now.

On the subject of the BIOS, I think I was able to find and set everything that the guide instructed me to... except for HPET. I never found this as the screenshots in the guide didn't seem to match my BIOS screens.

My build...

Hackintosh (all parts purchased early 2014):
CPU: Intel i7 4770k
Cooler: (fan that came with CPU)
Mobo: Gigabyte GA-Z87X-UD3H
Graphics: (onboard / no added card)
RAM: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (x 1)
PSU: Corsair RM650
HD: Samsung SSD 120GB
Case: CiT Gamers Case
Optical drive: Standard 3.5" DVD Writer/Player
WiFi card: TP-Link N900 (TL-WDN4800)
OS: OS 10.6 (retail disk) installed on partition.
Used "iBoot Haswell" & "OS 10.6.8 Combo" & installed "Multi Beast".

Can only boot in safe mode "-x" with iBoot Haswell in the DVD Drive... tho with no internet!
"rBoot" disk doesn't work.

Other computer:
MacBook 2007 (black).
OS: OS 10.6.8 (Mavericks cannot be installed on this machine)

Internet connections:
I cannot access the Ethernet cable.
I have to reply on WiFi connection only.

... if you would like any more info, please do ask ...
Thanks for reading

Toby39 said:

Used "iBoot Haswell" & "OS 10.6.8 Combo" & installed "Multi Beast".

Can only boot in safe mode "-x" with iBoot Haswell in the DVD Drive... tho with no internet!
"rBoot" disk doesn't work.

Internet connections:
I cannot access the Ethernet cable.
I have to reply on WiFi connection only.

Click to expand...

There is no reason to install MultiBeast whilst using Snow Leopard to download Mavericks from the Mac App Store, Snow Leopard has no support for your hardware and won't work.

It is important to boot Snow Leopard from iBoot Haswell each time, firstly to install and then secondly after you have updated to 10.6.8 which has the Mac App Store. Your motherboard has Intel ethernet that is supported in iBoot Haswell. When you mention you have to reply on wifi, does your wireless card work on Snow Leopard? I'm not sure but could be wrong. The main goal is to download Mavericks from the Mac App store which will support your hardware.

wildwillow said:

...
It is important to boot Snow Leopard from iBoot Haswell each time, firstly to install and then secondly after you have updated to 10.6.8 ...

Click to expand...

Hi WildWillow, thanks for replying.
I was able to use iBoot Haswell once, to install the Snow Leopard from my retail disk.
However, since using this one opportunity to install my OS 10.6 on 1 of 2 partitions, I have never again been able to use iBoot Haswell to do the same (unless I boot up in "-x" safe mode, in which case I have no WiFi and no other internet source).

In fact, since your post I have tried it again.
1. I boot up and hold down F12, when I get to the blue BIOS option screen, I make sure iBoot Haswell is in the DVD Drive.

[See Screenshot-1]


2. I get to the TonyMac boot option screen where I have a choice between iBoot Haswell or the OSX on my Hard Drive (partition 1 of 2).
... No other choices / no more option of booting up from my OS 10.6 retail disk.

[See Screenshot-2]


3. Whatever option I choose I end with a crash screen.

[See Screenshot-3]

... the crash screen I used to get was just a light grey screen with the medium grey Apple logo in the middle, but no spinning icon or wait-to-load bar. Now I just get this.

Q: If I am able to take my Hackintosh to a place where I can stick in an ethernet cable to the internet, I will be able to boot up in Safe Mode (-x), and will hopefully be able to use the internet... if I am able to access the internet, what do you suggest I do?
... Note: I would like to be able to wipe my OSX because I want it on 1 (of 1) partition, and not on 1 (of 2) partitions.

Thanks for reading

When you tried to reinstall Snow Leopard did you reformat the hard drive again? if you didn't this will cause the problems you are seeing. I understand that you want OS X on that partition, but at this point it doesn't matter as when you manage to get to the Mac App Store for Mavericks you will have to repartition your drive again to start at fresh. Then you can create the partition scheme that you require.

I assume I only formatted the HD when I installed Snow Leopard that one time. I hadn't formatted it before that time.

If I need to reformat the HD (with OSX) then I will have to get at it somehow. I can't at the moment as I can't seem to boot up from any disk at all... just the HD.
... Should I make a boot USB stick with something on it, like Uni Beast?

Or, I could take out the HD and try and connect it to my MacBook as an external drive via USB, and wipe it... ?

Toby39 said:

I assume I only formatted the HD when I installed Snow Leopard that one time. I hadn't formatted it before that time.

If I need to reformat the HD (with OSX) then I will have to get at it somehow. I can't at the moment as I can't seem to boot up from any disk at all... just the HD.
... Should I make a boot USB stick with something on it, like Uni Beast?

Click to expand...

Try using the 10.6 guide again at the top of the page. To format the drive you will need OS X which of course uses Disk Utility on your Snow Leopard Retail DVD. To create a partition using UniBeast requires an OS X install Application which at the moment you don't have.

Toby39 said:

Or, I could take out the HD and try and connect it to my MacBook as an external drive via USB, and wipe it... ?

Click to expand...

Yes this an option but you are still going to come up against the brick wall, not being able to boot from the DVD drive of your system. If I were you I would reset the BIOS, setting it the same as you did on your first successful install and use the hot key F12 to choose your DVD drive to boot iBoot Haswell then the Snow Leopard Retail Disc opting to format/partition the drive before the installation.