Make backup copies of your OSX install disk.
Basically an app that lets you update a OSX retail disk with the latest combo update, plus shrinks the D/L DVD onto a S/L DVD. So far only tested on my PPC PowerBook and a couple of hackintoshes. The Intel Mac parts of the app are untested, but should in theory work.
Hexley 0.1 pre-alpha released 28/10/08
Hexley 0.2 pre-alpha released 18/11/08
Hexley 0.3 pre-alpha released 24/11/08
Hexley 0.4 pre-alphareleased 30/11/08
Hexley 0.5 pre-alpha released 07/12/08
wiki pre-alpha definition
Overview of how the app works:
- The app creates disk image (dmg), this is like a virtual hard disk held on file within the real hard drive.
- The app then installs a stock OSX system on the dmg from the retail disk.
- Any modification required is then performed on the stock system held in the dmg.
- That stock system is then wrapped up in a package (pkg) and saved on you real hard drive.
- The stock system held in the dmg is now converted to small installer system to be used as the DVD.
- The pkg is then added to the small installer system.
- The dmg now holds the content of a OSX install DVD, the app converts the dmg into a DVD image (iso/cdr) and makes it bootable for the target hardware (PPC/Intel Mac or Hack)
Disclamer:
You have to remember this is alpha and if something can go wrong then it probably will. The app is quite verbose if there is an error copy and paste the whole output and send it to me. If you would like more info on what the app is doing try launching Console.app in your utilities folder and watch the All Messages section, this should give you an idea of what is going on/wrong.
Thanks goes to anyone willing to help with testing this app. If you want to try the app, I would suggest you try making a backup DVD first. If that works then try making an updated backup DVD. If that works then try making a PC compatible DVD.
Remember this is alpha software. It shouldn't set fire to your house and kill your family, but then again it might.
The app is just a simple GUI wrapper for a shellscript. If you look inside the app you can view the script in any text editor (I recommend Xcode). If you like you can run the script in terminal to aid debugging.
Feel free to modify the script as you wish.
The PC compatibility comes from the pkgs held in four folders labeled:
chipsetCompatibilityPkgs
compatibilityPkgs
gfxCompatibilityPkgs
networkCompatibilityPkgs
These folders can be found in "/Library/Application\ Support/HexleySupport"
Add any pkg to these folders and it will be presented as a choice in the appropriate section of the app.