Abit IP35 Pro - boot from USB stick

[PlasticCow]

I have recently tried to install Mountain Lion on my computer, though I cannot boot from the USB stick containing the files. My system is:
Motherboard: Abit IP35 Pro
CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 @2.4GHz
Memory: 3GB DDR2 PC6400 Corsair ram

Can anyone help me boot from the USB stick so I can install mountain lion?

 

[Middleman]

Hi Plasticcow,

I believe you're having problems probably because maybe you haven't enabled Onchip SATA mode > AHCI in your BIOS under Integrated Peripherals and Hard Disk priority set as the Unibeast USB stick under Advanced BIOS Features - this is why it isn't booting from the USB. However I have read that there is a problem with your board in that when AHCI is enabled on your Abit board, the USB keyboard doesn't work, only a PS/2 keyboard. However updating to version 16 of the BIOS solves this issue > http://www.lejabeach.com/ABIT/IP35Pro/m629b16.zip so you'll need to do that first.

Report back if you got any issues...

 

[PlasticCow]

Hi,

Thanks for responding, although when I tried using those settings in the BIOS and rebooted I received this screen. It's odd how I can see it in the BIOS in the hard drive priority bit, though it is just unable to boot from it.

 

[Middleman]

Have you formatted your USB stick correctly and installed Unibeast onto it? It must be Master Boot Record partitioned, using Macintosh Extended (Journaled) format.

 

[PlasticCow]

The USB stick should be fine - I followed the instructions here on tonymacx86 and was able to boot into the installer on a netbook I have. So it is most likely a problem with my motherboard or BIOS? Also, I saw on a video that someone used GUID Partition Table instead of Master Boot Record (I used Master Boot Record). The video: http://youtu.be/N4fpYnzqHEM
Their installation seemed to work fine...

 

[Middleman]

It could be a BIOS issue.....what version of BIOS are you running? If old, have you updated it to the v16 BIOS? Also noticed you don't seem to have a SATA hard drive attached here I see.

 

[PlasticCow]

I am running BIOS version 14 (need to update) and I do have a sata drive, though it might not be shown as the USB stick is first priority?

 

[Middleman]

Normally if you have a SATA drive attached, it should also show up in the BIOS regardless of whether you have a USB booting or not. So it's possible you could have a BIOS/motherboard issue. I would suggest in this case you update to the version 16 BIOS first for your board, as it also has a USB keyboard detection & AHCI conflict issue which version 16 BIOS resolves. Change that first and try booting from your USB stick again.

 

[PlasticCow]

So should I use a disc to flash it? Also, should I get version 16 or 17 of the BIOS?

 

[Middleman]

You should use a USB drive to do the install the BIOS, which requires it to be booted from the USB slot I believe. There's a guide here on how to do it > http://www.theraptorpit.com/forum/index.php?/topic/2628-abit-bios-flashing-guide-step-by-step/

You should try the official version 16 BIOS first.