Running OSX on your production PC

ELLFIVEDEE · Post by **ELLFIVEDEE** » Wed Feb 04, 2009 4:22 pm

I used a Mac for around 3 years for Graphics and Web Development work (which was bought for me by my employer at the time) and to be honest, as soon as I got it out the box, I never wanted to go back to windows, although now unfortunately due to money issues I am back to a high spec desktop PC (because upgrading to a better mac wasn't finacially viable) and all I can say is, I miss OS X

In my opinion it has a smoother work flow, is a lot easier to use, from simple tasks like system configuration all the way through to using advanced programs for specialist application.

There will always be arguements of Windows vs. OS X but at the end of the day, isn't it just the same as argueing that ketchup is better than BBQ sauce? (which it isn't for the record)

I looked into running OS X on my PC a while ago, and then just got bored of the idea due to the hassle it looked like it involved, but after reading this topic it has resparked my interest to do so.

I have all the appropriate components in my new system to run OS X smooothly (by pure chance) so I am seriously considering this option now!

I just wish I had the money to buy a sexy little macbook, especially now since they made it even sexier, I went into the apple store this week and nearly filled a cup!

Glad to see it is possible to do and have it all running stable though, you seem pretty stoked with your set up anyways!

One question I have is, Would I have to completely re-format my hard drive? Or could I just use something like partition magic to create a new partition and then install OS X on that?

daft cunt · Post by **daft cunt** » Wed Feb 04, 2009 5:28 pm

Daft tnuc wrote:Oh and Decklyn what method should be use to format the HDD? Is it the usual Windows methods and does OS X use its own?

Scratch that... Got all infos I need

gbass · Post by **gbass** » Wed Feb 04, 2009 9:31 pm

L5D wrote: One question I have is, Would I have to completely re-format my hard drive? Or could I just use something like partition magic to create a new partition and then install OS X on that?

not necessary to delete your existing Windows partition, you just need a free partition which will be formatted with apple's HFS file system.
Dual booting windows and OSX is not a problem.

I recommend an additional partition formatted with fat32 for easy data exchange between windows and OSX. I have all my samples on that fat32 partition and use it from Windows and OSX.
Windows won't let you format a big fat32 partition, but OSX will do it with its disk utilities.

teqh · Post by **teqh** » Wed Feb 04, 2009 9:53 pm

L5D wrote:I used a Mac for around 3 years for Graphics and Web Development work (which was bought for me by my employer at the time) and to be honest, as soon as I got it out the box, I never wanted to go back to windows, although now unfortunately due to money issues I am back to a high spec desktop PC (because upgrading to a better mac wasn't finacially viable) and all I can say is, I miss OS X

In my opinion it has a smoother work flow, is a lot easier to use, from simple tasks like system configuration all the way through to using advanced programs for specialist application.

There will always be arguements of Windows vs. OS X but at the end of the day, isn't it just the same as argueing that ketchup is better than BBQ sauce? (which it isn't for the record)

I looked into running OS X on my PC a while ago, and then just got bored of the idea due to the hassle it looked like it involved, but after reading this topic it has resparked my interest to do so.

I have all the appropriate components in my new system to run OS X smooothly (by pure chance) so I am seriously considering this option now!

I just wish I had the money to buy a sexy little macbook, especially now since they made it even sexier, I went into the apple store this week and nearly filled a cup!

Glad to see it is possible to do and have it all running stable though, you seem pretty stoked with your set up anyways!

One question I have is, Would I have to completely re-format my hard drive? Or could I just use something like partition magic to create a new partition and then install OS X on that?

I bought my mac and never looked back, runs really smoothly. I'd tell anyone to get a mac seriously better than PCS lookswise as well

decklyn · Post by **decklyn** » Thu Feb 05, 2009 12:17 am

Daft tnuc wrote:Oh and Decklyn what method should be use to format the HDD? Is it the usual Windows methods and does OS X use its own?

You format the disk during installation. I'm strongly thinking of grabbing another hdd and running RAID array with striping.

decklyn · Post by **decklyn** » Thu Feb 05, 2009 12:18 am

L5D wrote:I used a Mac for around 3 years for Graphics and Web Development work (which was bought for me by my employer at the time) and to be honest, as soon as I got it out the box, I never wanted to go back to windows, although now unfortunately due to money issues I am back to a high spec desktop PC (because upgrading to a better mac wasn't finacially viable) and all I can say is, I miss OS X

In my opinion it has a smoother work flow, is a lot easier to use, from simple tasks like system configuration all the way through to using advanced programs for specialist application.

There will always be arguements of Windows vs. OS X but at the end of the day, isn't it just the same as argueing that ketchup is better than BBQ sauce? (which it isn't for the record)

I looked into running OS X on my PC a while ago, and then just got bored of the idea due to the hassle it looked like it involved, but after reading this topic it has resparked my interest to do so.

I have all the appropriate components in my new system to run OS X smooothly (by pure chance) so I am seriously considering this option now!

I just wish I had the money to buy a sexy little macbook, especially now since they made it even sexier, I went into the apple store this week and nearly filled a cup!

Glad to see it is possible to do and have it all running stable though, you seem pretty stoked with your set up anyways!

One question I have is, Would I have to completely re-format my hard drive? Or could I just use something like partition magic to create a new partition and then install OS X on that?

Dual boot is doable 100% for sure. Grub should be able to handle this and osx will let you create a partition and install on it - my only uncetainty is whether or not there is an order of installation that is preferable or required.

decklyn · Post by **decklyn** » Thu Feb 05, 2009 12:19 am

GBass wrote:
L5D wrote: One question I have is, Would I have to completely re-format my hard drive? Or could I just use something like partition magic to create a new partition and then install OS X on that?
not necessary to delete your existing Windows partition, you just need a free partition which will be formatted with apple's HFS file system.
Dual booting windows and OSX is not a problem.

I recommend an additional partition formatted with fat32 for easy data exchange between windows and OSX. I have all my samples on that fat32 partition and use it from Windows and OSX.
Windows won't let you format a big fat32 partition, but OSX will do it with its disk utilities.

Only issue with fat32 is that you can't have files bigger than 2 or 4 gigs (can't remember which - ran into the issue on my work laptop running linux via VirtualBox - the virtual hard-drive got too big and started reporting out of space issues - turns out it was a fat32 size limitation)

decklyn · Post by **decklyn** » Thu Feb 05, 2009 12:24 am

Also, for anyone looking for a laptop, it is 100% possible to install osx on a laptop! you just need to check and ensure someone else has done it on the same model. Some are very compatable (SOME ARE NOT!)

I've been up and running for several days now and everything works 100%. I'm really enjoying OSX. This is the first time I've run it because I refuse to pay apple all that money for such shitty specs! I hand built a $1700 mac for $800 and aside from the case and the fact that my keyboard has a windows key which I use as the apple key, it's a mac. OSX thinks it's a mac pro *sticks out tongue*. OSX is a great OS though. It comes with everything that anyone who works in IT would appreciate - BSD based OS pre-installed with BASH, VIM, and all the new school unix goodies, comes with Samba server, FTP server, Multiple desktops. It's like running linux, except nothing is a hack and slash operation. If you know linux/unix, there is maybe a one hour learning curve. You can run Microsoft office, We have Cubase and Live etc. We also have LOGIC! Which is pretty killer. After spending a couple days with logic i"m debating if I prefer Cubase or Logic... It's pretty close. Logic has better plugs and some ingenius features... Still really thinking about this one. I'm upset with some of the implementations in logic but I'm finding there are a few ways to accomplish some things.

Does anyone know if you can draw sines and saws in to automation like you can in cubase??

fiziks · Post by **fiziks** » Thu Feb 05, 2009 2:14 am

I've got a few tips for everyone that wants to do this as I've installed it on a few different systems(one was a regular ass dell).

a) be patient. It took me at least 5 installs to realize I had to uncheck vanilla kernel to get it to run right on my build. All systems are different, but if you stick to Gigabyte motherboards and Nvidia Video cards you'll be fine. Also, Texas instruments firewire chipsets ONLY.

b) do yourself a favor and give OSX it's own hard drive. Hard drives are cheap as fuck so there's no reason to try and partition your windows hard drive and all this bull. Install it on it's own drive, trust me.

Getting the hardware right is key. As I stated, Gigabyte motherboards are known as the best for installing OSX. I had to add a small patch for internal audio(which isn't even necessary since I'm running an Audiofire) and a patch that was included in the install for my Nvidia video card and that was it. There are no bugs, it runs fast as shit. Updating the OS is tough depending on the install method. I'm on 10.5.1 and see no reason to upgrade.

Main point, be patient. You gotta be somewhat tech savvy to pull this off, but it pays off in the end. I just got a new macbook and my hackintosh is just as butter. I was gonna roll the dice on a hackintosh notebook, but didn't want to risk it. insanelymac.com is your friend. Every problem you'll encounter is already addressed there.

tavravlavish · Post by **tavravlavish** » Thu Feb 05, 2009 3:14 am

Just got a mac, i'm stoked. I havnt really done anything on it yet besides bumrush slsk.

Running OSX on your production PC

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