First Hackintosh Mini-itx

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Mostly Successful Hackintosh Mini-itx [PS/2 Keyboard Issues]

So I am looking to build my first computer for 3D work, ripping movies, gaming, ect. but wanted to also have it also run Mountain Lion. This was originally meant to be more of a budget build, but I'd rather think about buying now over upgrading later. So far, my build goes as the following:

Processor - i7 3770k
Video Card - MSI GTX 660 Ti
Motherboard - Gigabyte GA-Z77N-WIFI
RAM - Corsair Vengeance DDR3 16GB (2 X 8GB) 1600MHz
Power Supply - OCZ ZT Series 550W Modular
Cooler - Corsair H60
SSD - Intel 330 Series 180GB SATA III
Hard Drive - Seagate Barracuda 1TB 7200RPM SATA III
Case - Cooler Master Elite 120 Advanced
Optical Drive - Lite-On iHOS104-06 Blu-ray Combo Drive

Other minor components:
Replacement Wifi Card - Dell DW1515 AR9280
Fan Controller - Sunbeam PL-RS-3 Rheosmart 3 3.5" Bay
Keyboard - Logitech K120

I predict that most of the project will go smooth, but still am questioning how I will get this all to fit in the case. I will most likely need to remove the Hard drive case to fit the H60, leaving my hard drive and fan controller nowhere to go. The SSD can be mounted at the top of the optical drive. The fan controller will be for the H60 radiator fan(s) and a misc. case fan which can run off PWM from the motherboard fan header. I heard the replacement wifi card works OOB so I did not hesitate to purchase it. My main concern is the graphics card. I only have a VGA monitor and am not sure if it will work completely at first, or if I need to troubleshoot with the HD4000 (don't have HDMI Adapter or DVI-I Male to VGA Female). I understand that this motherboard does not have a way to change the Vcore, but from what I've heard, people are still able to get above 4Ghz on stock voltages. I'm also looking to overvolt (is that the correct term?) the video card but am not too sure how.

 

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Well in case anybody cared, I got the machine to boot through a Unibeast USB stick without any boot arguments. Possibly the easiest install I have ever done. My only problem now after the flawless install is that the PS2 keyboard that is plugged in will not let me pass the "Create Your Computer Account" screen as a keyboard is needed to type in the information. My USB mouse works, but the keyboard does not. Any quick fixes to this?

In addition to my keyboard issue, Windows is being really uncooperative not allowing me to install as the drivers (AHCI or IDE) are not installed. Not sure yet what to do.

 

[Going Bald]

In addition to my keyboard issue, Windows is being really uncooperative not allowing me to install as the drivers (AHCI or IDE) are not installed. Not sure yet what to do.

set the SATA ports in BIOS back to IDE, boot Windows 7/8, open IE and go to http://support.microsoft.com/kb/922976/en-us and hit the Fix It button.
Reboot to BIOS, set SATA ports to AHCI. save&exit, continue boot. Problem solved.

For the KB/mouse PS/2 to USB try http://www.amazon.com/StarTech-USB-PS-Adapter-Keyboard/dp/B00028OP2Y/ref=pd_sim_e_10

 

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I tried changing it it IDE but I had the same error message. Right now I'm seeing if putting my new ssd into my other computer to install and switching it back to my new build will work.

 

[Going Bald]

I tried changing it it IDE but I had the same error message. Right now I'm seeing if putting my new ssd into my other computer to install and switching it back to my new build will work.

For Windows 7 or 8 that won't work. You must install on the machine you are going to run on. Part of the install stuff MS does is take a "snapshot" of your system. If it changes, you can boot to the login screen, but try to log in and it balck screens and says it is a pirated software and never boots to desktop.

 

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Yea, All I got after the install was a BSOD. I'm probably going to try to create the USB stick again. If that fails, I'll order a DVD drive and use a DVD that I've used in the past successfully.