Help for newbie on Dell inspiron 1520

Inspiron1520 · #1 06-06-2009, 04:33 AM

Hello all. I need help for my Dell Inspiron 1520---2Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo, 2 GB RAM.
I managed to install iAtkos 5i to a USB hard drive. I wanted to keep my laptop harddrive intact and only want to "play" with OS X to get a feel to possible get either an iMac or Macbook.
So I have 10.5.5 installed to my USB harddrive. OS X boots up. I updated to 10.5.6 a while back. I have to use a USB keyboard and USB mouse. Ethernet works, but not wireless. No Audio either. I installed iLife 09 and although it installed somethings not right. Take iWeb for example: I click on iWeb and it opens. I click on a "Welcome" page to begin and it opens but the whole page is blank. I click on the "about me page"...same thing. Even the chess in OSX isn't working. I mean its installed but doesn't work. I updated to 10.5.7 tonight and eveything seems the same. So what if I have 10.5.7 if I can't get ILife to work right. If anyone can help it would be GREATLY appreciated. I've been trying installs on my 3Ghz Pentium 4 Northwood desktop with no success. This Inspiron USB external harddrive install is the closest I've gotten to being able to "play" with OSX. I'm typing this on my inspiron OSX now. Help!-----Inspiron1520

Voyn1x · #2 06-06-2009, 10:25 AM

Within 'System profiler > Graphics/Displays' make sure you have this:

Core Image: Hardware Accelerated
Quartz Extreme: Supported

If not, you haven't installed support for your graphics card and that's your problem

Inspiron1520 · #3 06-07-2009, 01:24 AM

Thank you for your quick reply Voynlx.
I went into system profiler as you advised and sure enough mine says:
Core Image: Software
Quartz Extreme: Not Supported

..So what do I do now? Do I have to REINSTALL or is there a fix from within OSX?
Here are my complete specs:
Core 2 Duo T7250 @ 2.0Ghz
2 GB DDR RAM
nVidia GeForce 8400M GS---(128MB I believe)
TSSTcorp DVD+-RW TS-L632H
Conexant HDA D330 MDC v.92 modem
1394 Net adapter
Brodcom 440X 10/100 Integrated controller
Intel (R) Pro/wireless 3945 ABG Network Connection

When I installed iAtkos 5i I only used the following:
EFI
stock kernal
stock Apple ACPI platform
Broadcom 440x

I tried many installs and the above was the only one where I actually succeeded when I went through the customized screens. Any further help would again be GREATLY appreciated.---Inspiron1520

Inspiron1520 · #4 06-11-2009, 09:01 PM

Anyone?? I'm kinda stuck; don't know what to do. Please help---Inspiron1520

thorazine74 · #5 06-12-2009, 08:27 AM

You are missing some kext to add support for the Geforce 8400M, without that the graphics are not hardware accelerated.
You dont need to reinstall, you need to learn to how to install a kext and find out one that works with your geforce card (I would try nvinjectgo or natit) and install it.
Keep in mind a non working graphics kext can stop your system from booting so you should better learn how to recover from that (booting in safe/single mode and deleting a non working kext).

Inspiron1520 · #6 06-13-2009, 11:11 PM

ok guys...need some real help here.....
I was reading and searching and was looking at Kext installation etc.
I d/l'd and installed a .pkg file that had a bunch of ATI and nVidia drivers...even ones for the 8xxx (I have a 8400m GS 128 Mb).
Anyways I saw where someone had luck by deleting a certain kext after they had done a similiar install on their Dell Vostro....so of course I deleted that kext and rebooted....
now its an all black screen and I can get anything. I had 10.5.7 running an dnow black screen. Granted, my wireless, audio, and keyboard/touchpad didn't work either but it was running. I use a USB keyboard and mouse. What do I do? I'm thinking I have to START over with another install as I don't have a screen to see whats going on even to add a kext back. I'm a Windows guy. Thats all I'm used to. I can build my own PCs and fix 85% of their problems. I want to learn a MAC cause they're "so much better" but this is getting frustrating. I only want to get the hackintosh up and running to play with OS X..and if I like it, here comes an iMac or Macbook Pro. Please help!-----Inspiron 1520

Voyn1x · #7 06-14-2009, 12:16 AM

boot in safe mode by using the -x flag, delete the kexts you installed and reboot with -f (to force recreate the kext cache)