First Hackintosh Build - NEED HELP!! Z87X-UD5H Intel i4770k 16GB RAM 240GB SANDISK SSD

[FRANKINT0SH]

I am a complete beginner. Attempting my first ever Hackintosh build. Very exciting but daunting. This is not just my first Hackintosh, but literally the first computer I have ever built. I have been discovering how greatly I underestimated the challenge I have laid out for myself...

I listed all the important the specs in the Title, but the full parts list (for now, planning on upgrading and updating the post) are:

Intel i4770k Quad Core 3.5ghz processor
Gigabyte Z87X-UD5H motherboard
SanDisk Extreme II 240 GB SSD (Mac boot drive)
Hitachi 2 tb HDD (storage)
Corsair Vengeance 2x 8GB RAM (total 16GB RAM)
Corsair CX750M power supply
LG BluRay Combo drive (from the December buyer's guide)
TP-Link wifi adapter (from December buyer's guide)
ThermalTake Chaser MK-1 case
IO Gear Bluetooth 4.0 adapter (from December's buyer's guide)

No graphics card YET. On-board graphics for now. Should suffice, right?

I followed the Multi-Beast + iBoot method using the Haswell CD sccessfully (after first being unsuccessful using just the original iBoot disk by mistake. Can this damage or mess up anything I need to undo or be worried about?) and I have been able to repeatedly boot into Snow Leopard using this iBoot-Haswell disk. But when I try to install EasyBeast and the Apple Combo Updater 10.6.8, there is usually some problem during the process, but even if everything goes smoothly, I still am unable to boot from the SSD, without the iBoot disk. What am I doing wrong? Also, Safari seemed MORE stable BEFORE I ran MultiBeast and tried installing the Combo Update for the first time, now, even though I am seeing the WiFi adapter now in System Preferences, Safari freezes halfway through loading a page and must be forced quit.

I also still have no audio, no Bluetooth, no control over the video resolution, or monitor detection at all for that matter. I do have the App Store, so I know I'm running 10.6.8. About My Mac says 16gb ram, the right processor Intel i4770k, but when running Activity Monitor, under the CPU tab, it's only showing one core. What? Why? Someone please help me! I know the next step is installing custom kexts and then hopefully updating to Mavericks at some point, and i'm not feeling too confident at this juncture...

 

[pedrodanielu]

Try using the Unibeast method listed in here:
http://www.tonymacx86.com/374-unibeast-install-os-x-mavericks-any-supported-intel-based-pc.html

this worked for me with same processor and almost same motherboard.

 

[Going Bald]

I also still have no audio, no Bluetooth, no control over the video resolution, or monitor detection at all for that matter. I do have the App Store, so I know I'm running 10.6.8. About My Mac says 16gb ram, the right processor Intel i4770k, but when running Activity Monitor, under the CPU tab, it's only showing one core. What? Why? Someone please help me! I know the next step is installing custom kexts and then hopefully updating to Mavericks at some point, and i'm not feeling too confident at this juncture...

Of course nothing works - there is no, repeat, no support in the Snow Lepard kernel for Haswell based boards/CPUs. The only reason to install SL is if you need to download Mavericks to create UniBeast USB installer and have no access to a Mac or other PC-Mac.
So, download Mavericks and install it.

If you really need SL, the only thing to do is find a socket 775, 1156 or 1366 board with matching CPU and install on that.

 

[totenkopf4]

I am a complete beginner. Attempting my first ever Hackintosh build. Very exciting but daunting. This is not just my first Hackintosh, but literally the first computer I have ever built. I have been discovering how greatly I underestimated the challenge I have laid out for myself...

I listed all the important the specs in the Title, but the full parts list (for now, planning on upgrading and updating the post) are:

Intel i4770k Quad Core 3.5ghz processor
Gigabyte Z87X-UD5H motherboard
SanDisk Extreme II 240 GB SSD (Mac boot drive)
Hitachi 2 tb HDD (storage)
Corsair Vengeance 2x 8GB RAM (total 16GB RAM)
Corsair CX750M power supply
LG BluRay Combo drive (from the December buyer's guide)
TP-Link wifi adapter (from December buyer's guide)
ThermalTake Chaser MK-1 case
IO Gear Bluetooth 4.0 adapter (from December's buyer's guide)

No graphics card YET. On-board graphics for now. Should suffice, right?

I followed the Multi-Beast + iBoot method using the Haswell CD sccessfully (after first being unsuccessful using just the original iBoot disk by mistake. Can this damage or mess up anything I need to undo or be worried about?) and I have been able to repeatedly boot into Snow Leopard using this iBoot-Haswell disk. But when I try to install EasyBeast and the Apple Combo Updater 10.6.8, there is usually some problem during the process, but even if everything goes smoothly, I still am unable to boot from the SSD, without the iBoot disk. What am I doing wrong? Also, Safari seemed MORE stable BEFORE I ran MultiBeast and tried installing the Combo Update for the first time, now, even though I am seeing the WiFi adapter now in System Preferences, Safari freezes halfway through loading a page and must be forced quit.

I also still have no audio, no Bluetooth, no control over the video resolution, or monitor detection at all for that matter. I do have the App Store, so I know I'm running 10.6.8. About My Mac says 16gb ram, the right processor Intel i4770k, but when running Activity Monitor, under the CPU tab, it's only showing one core. What? Why? Someone please help me! I know the next step is installing custom kexts and then hopefully updating to Mavericks at some point, and i'm not feeling too confident at this juncture...

FRANK...

Welcome ... First time is a learning curve and its steep.
As to your questions, Accidentally using the original iBoot CD, will not hurt, you will need to use the Haswell iBOOT CD and install to the drive of your choice.
You must understand that using the Haswell CD is like being in the Emergency Room your on Life Support.
Nothing will work they way it would be if this was a Real Mac or a Hack using comparable hardware which you are not.
So Items like Wifi; Bluetooth; BlueRay DVD; will not show up and as the Haswell iBoot CD is special to this function to get SL installed - Items like CPU cores etc may not show up as the iBOOT CD may have limitations placed upon it in order for it to function as a single core CPU.
The Sole purpose is to get you to the Apple App store so you can get the OSX file and make a USB drive.
Other parts of the software you need can be downloaded to a USB stick from any other computer.
So using program like Apple Web Browser is not part of this equation at this time.
When your on SL w your Haswell hardware we do not use any custom KEXTS. We go straight to Apple App store and make the UniBeast thumbdrive.
Your video will be limited to standard resolution, No sound and no Wifi - remove these items - Wifi and Bluetooth adapters
We will need to use the on-board Network to get to the internet. So direct connect the computer to the router w a network cable.
Remember this is a computer on life support.
I hope this clears up some of those questions.

 

[FRANKINT0SH]

Thank you Pedro. I didn't know if I had to have SL totally up and running before upgrading to Mavericks. So I appreciate the suggestion, and when I attempted this process, at first this method was going well, but everytime I run UniBeast and try to create the bootable USB drive, it says "Installation Failed" what does this mean? what am i doing wrong?

 

[FRANKINT0SH]

Toten, I very much appreciate your encouraging and reassuring words, thank you! It does help. I got back on the horse, after taking a few days off, and have been following the UniBeast method on my still SL 10.6.8 running Hackintosh, but whether I run UniBeast on my currently running old MacBook running 10.6.8, or whether I run it on the "Life Supported" hackintosh running 10.6.8, it says installation failed everytime. It won't let me create a USB boot rive. I have downloaded Mavericks onto the hackintosh from the Mac App Store, but without UniBeast creating the USB drive correctly, it would be a bad idea to install Mavericks now right? What do I need to try to get this working? and I can now just ignore MultiBeast for Snow Leopard and lion and ML, and just focus on UniBeast, MultiBeast for Mavericks, and getting my SL 10.6.8 updated to Mavericks and booting from the SSD? Need to change my BIOS settings maybe? My BIOS settings currently were set to Default Optimized Settings, then I changed the graphics to Onboard (INX...?) and the wake on lan off, as many others have advised to do. other things I'm missing?

 

[totenkopf4]

Toten, I very much appreciate your encouraging and reassuring words, thank you! It does help. I got back on the horse, after taking a few days off, and have been following the UniBeast method on my still SL 10.6.8 running Hackintosh, but whether I run UniBeast on my currently running old MacBook running 10.6.8, or whether I run it on the "Life Supported" hackintosh running 10.6.8, it says installation failed everytime. It won't let me create a USB boot rive. I have downloaded Mavericks onto the hackintosh from the Mac App Store, but without UniBeast creating the USB drive correctly, it would be a bad idea to install Mavericks now right? What do I need to try to get this working? and I can now just ignore MultiBeast for Snow Leopard and lion and ML, and just focus on UniBeast, MultiBeast for Mavericks, and getting my SL 10.6.8 updated to Mavericks and booting from the SSD? Need to change my BIOS settings maybe? My BIOS settings currently were set to Default Optimized Settings, then I changed the graphics to Onboard (INX...?) and the wake on lan off, as many others have advised to do. other things I'm missing?

Frank.....

If UniBeast fails to create the USB then we have some issues and these are not always easy to resolve.

Your USB thumb drive needs to be a USB 2.0 - IMHO - and from a company that makes Good drives not some fly by night outfit in China.

As to USING a USB 3 drive I don't have one but it could be done but you need to use a USB 3 port and that means you need iBoot to have those kexts. To which I do not know if it has it.

So as to eliminate these obstacles I suggest stick with USB 2 disk and a USB 2 port on the rear of the computer. Do not use USB connectors from the motherboard that go to the front panel of the computer.

Also we used to be able to use 8 GB units but some of these USB drives have a little less that what we need.
YMMV.

SO you may want to use a name brand unit say a 16 GB unit. I use SANDISK. And a few others. Again I shy away from USB drives I get / got at trade fairs or as freebie's.

So use USB 2 - Name Brand Unit - and USB 2 port on rear.
IF this still fails suggest you re-download the OSX file from the Apple App store again.
Delete the old one first.

It used to be that if you downloaded the file and moved it to another location this would change the file and cause this situation. Not sure if this is still what's so. Hench copying it can cause this problem as well. But Backup works!
File should be in the Applications folder.

Also only the file from the Apple App store works w the UNIBEAST methods if this is from somewhere else then it won't work. (don't know why its free now).

 

[FRANKINT0SH]

Hey Toten,

First off, let me thank you again for your ongoing help on this matter!

I have a small update on my current progress and some other notes for you;

That is all great advice, only my motherboard DOESN'T EVEN HAVE ANY USB 2.0 ports. I bought such a nice one, it has 10 3.0 ports. My case however, does have two built-in 2.0 ports that are connected to the motherboard. I tried using those such ports, which did work, but not such luck, the UniBeast USB drive creation failed again.

the drive itself, I was given to borrow from my roommate, who is also an IT professional, but knows nothing of Macs. He was given the drive from his Cousin, who reportedly bought it at Fry's. it is a 16gb emtec brand USB drive. Do you know if this will work? Do I need to just go buy a new USB drive designated for this purpose?


I was wondering... What are the dangers if I tried to install Mavericks WITHOUT this UniBeast thumb drive everyone keeps talking about? (Lol)

Will it just not install? Will it mess things up and make me start from scratch? Can I just create UniBeast and update my Kexts from Mavericks?

i know you said it might not work, but I am going to try copying the downloaded ISO of Mavericks from the Hackintosh to my old SL Mac via thumb drive, and then try running UniBeast from there. Likelihood of success? Dangers?

 

[totenkopf4]

Hey Toten,

First off, let me thank you again for your ongoing help on this matter!

I have a small update on my current progress and some other notes for you;

That is all great advice, only my motherboard DOESN'T EVEN HAVE ANY USB 2.0 ports. I bought such a nice one, it has 10 3.0 ports. My case however, does have two built-in 2.0 ports that are connected to the motherboard. I tried using those such ports, which did work, but not such luck, the UniBeast USB drive creation failed again.

the drive itself, I was given to borrow from my roommate, who is also an IT professional, but knows nothing of Macs. He was given the drive from his Cousin, who reportedly bought it at Fry's. it is a 16gb emtec brand USB drive. Do you know if this will work? Do I need to just go buy a new USB drive designated for this purpose?


I was wondering... What are the dangers if I tried to install Mavericks WITHOUT this UniBeast thumb drive everyone keeps talking about? (Lol)

Will it just not install? Will it mess things up and make me start from scratch? Can I just create UniBeast and update my Kexts from Mavericks?

i know you said it might not work, but I am going to try copying the downloaded ISO of Mavericks from the Hackintosh to my old SL Mac via thumb drive, and then try running UniBeast from there. Likelihood of success? Dangers?

Frank ...
As to this motherboard... I see some issues ... yes it appears that the only USB 2.0 ports maybe the ones on the USB header pins on the motherboard. These are not what we want to use.

Ok so the rear of the computer is all USB3 ports. Thats ok and I think we should be able to use one of them to boot from.

As to the USB drive on loan from "friends and family" suggest a Thank You No thank You ... EMTEC makes promotional items so this is not name Brand. IMHO.

See if you can get either a USB 3 or USB 2 spec drive that is 16GB. Name Brand.

I assume your using the Haswell iBoot 1.01 CD for this process ( Booting SL from this MB / hardware.)

What version of UniBeast are you using.

If you have a fresh download on the Hack and this still fails. Then suggest you use a Real Mac and do it on that system. Making a UniBeast Thumbdrive.

As to the Old SL Mac ... try to download it first not copy... reason is that the Apple App store APP check's the system first for compatibility ( Does this mac support Mavericks) If it does then the download will commence.

THen try unibeast to make the USB drive - if you can't get it to download to download - meaning Apple rejects the Mac as to old then copy the file to the Applications folder and see if you can do it that way. You will need Admin or the Root account to do this if multiple accounts are on the mac. You should have a Mac w an Intel CPU when you do this.

Again a USB 2 drive would be prefered when on the Mac.

Also See if you can use one of the Unibeast older versions which maybe in the Downloads Archive section.

Also we have a section on UNIBEAST - in which you can post your results along w a log file and see what answers are posted in that section. We do not deal w UniBeast issues so much in the SL Desktop support section.

Also You may want to check the BIOS version you have on this MotherBoard with what is posted on the Gigabyte Support website for this MB and note it for reference. Updating BIOS can sometimes fix strange issues. But do not use any BIOS marked development or Test (experimental) .

Also when your boot this up in SL mode on the Haswell iBOOT CD - how many USB ports show up and what speed are they listed as... Also can you mount any USB devices like the EMTEC USB etc and do the work - copy data etc.

 

[FRANKINT0SH]

update;

I almost thought I had it! finally! i went and bought a SanDisk 16gb, as well as just borrowed my other roommates brand new Christmas present Macbook Air (he's spoiled) and was able to successfully create the unibeast boot drive, and get all the way complete through Step 4 of the Unibest: Install OS X Mavericks process, when I got stuck at step 5. The installation of Mavericks completed, perfectly, and then restarted my machine. When I try to boot from Chimera boot screen to my new Mavericks installation, it just says "Not found." wtf? i just installed in perfectly! i am so close, i know! what is still preventing me?!?

re: your last post toten, i am such a noob i didnt even know about how to update your bios, so i will try that, although i do at least reading somewhere you could, i just had no idea it would be the impacting. i will try that as well. so that leaves me... booting from the haswell-cd still? or am i one tweak away from Mavericks? I have the Unibest drive, but Multibeast is just on the harddrive already of the hackintosh. that doesnt matter right? its solely for the purpose of running multibeast once you get mavericks running? ive read about booting in verbose mode, is there a way to book my new mavericks installation on life support as you described my SL hackintosh running on perviously?