First-Time Install-nearly impossible.

[ImEatingSeeds]

So, I'm trying to get the installation running on an Intel machine, instead of the original AMD machine I had in mind for my little OSX86 project.

The first distro I downloaded and tried to install was the latest LEO4ALL distribution. THAT, however, didn't work out well at all. It took me to the screen where it loads up the initial files and drivers, and then it begins waiting for the root device.

...the root device never answers.

SO, I went back to the torrents and located the latest version of iDeneb, and downloaded that. When I pop iDeneb into the computer, it begins loading up the installer, it takes me to that second screen with the smaller sized font where it's loading up drivers/kernel/devices etc, and after a LONG LONG time, takes me to that initial grey apple screen with the little circle that looks like it is revolving, but it hangs there. I let that thing sit for 9 hours, and it got me nowhere.

Now, obviously, I know this is not enough SPECIFIC information, but if you guys tell me what information you'll need, or how I can obtain more detailed information from the computer itself as it is loading things up, I will do it immediately and post it back to the forums ASAP.

It seems as though I can't get this to work on this machine...ever!

_A.R.

[Ali C.]

Motherboard and processor information would be most helpful. Also, if the hard drive you're trying to install onto or the DVD drive your using is SATA.
For now, I'd suggest trying Kalyway. iDeneb and Zephyroth's AMD 10.5.2 never loaded on my machine but Kalyway hasn't failed me.
Also, try -x at the boot prompts of both the discs you do have.

[ImEatingSeeds]

It's a laptop, the hard drive is ATA, and the DVD Drive is also ATA.

System: Gateway® 7320GZ Notebook

Processor and core logic
Processor: Pentium 4 518 (2.8 GHz/533/1 MB L2)

Chipset-Northbridge Intel 82852GME
Chipset-Southbridge Intel 82801DBM ICH4-M

System memory
Memory type 333 MHz PC2700 DDR SODIMM
Installed memory 1.512 GB


Video
Video Chipset UMA
LCD display panel

* 15-inch TFT WXGA wide screen
* Maximum Resolution 15-inch: 1024 × 768
* Maximum Color Depth: 32-bit (16.7 million colors)

LCD supported video modes WXGA

Modem features

* Integrated V.92 56K modem
* Uses the RJ-11 jack on the rear of the notebook
* Supports Wake on Ring from S3 power mode

10/100 Mbps Ethernet interface features

* Integrated IEEE 802.3 (10/100 BASE-TX) Ethernet interface
* Uses the RJ-45 jack on the rear of the notebook
* Supports Wake on LAN from S3 power mode

Wireless Ethernet interface features (Factory installed option)

* 802.11g wireless Mini-PCI card type III-B
* FN+F2 keyboard combination turns wireless Ethernet on and off.
* Antenna: Uses factory-installed diversified internal antenna
* Operating channels: 11 selectable channels
* Security: 128 and 64 bit WEP encryption
* Operating Frequency: 2.4 GHz Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (IEEE 802.11b and IEEE 802.11g)
* Maximum Data Rate

o 54 Mbps (IEEE802.11g)
o 11 Mbps (IEEE802.11b)


Input/Output (I/O) ports

* Four USB version 2.0 (4-pin)
* IEEE 1394 (4-pin) (Factory installed option)
* V.92, 56K Modem (RJ-11)
* 10/100 Ethernet (RJ-45)
* External monitor (VGA)
* Stereo headphone output
* Monophonic microphone input
* TV out (S-video) jack (Factory installed option for systems with ATI Radeon 9600 graphics)
* PC Card socket (one Type II)
* DC input

PCMCIA

* Accepts one Type II device
* Ricoh R5C590 controller

Note: This notebook does not support Zoom Video.

Storage
Hard drive

* 80 GB 4200 RPM
* 2.5-inch diameter
* 9.5 mm height

Memory card reader (Factory installed option) Supports the following card types:

* Memory Stick®
* Memory Stick Pro®
* MultiMediaCard™
* Secure Digital™
* CompactFlash®
* IBM Microdrive™

Optical drive (Factory installed) DVD±RW/CD-RW

[nfoav8or]

specs help to ensure the releases you are trying to install will work on initial boot. another bit thing that might help (both you and us when helping you) is to use the boot flags "-f -x -v"...
as what they do and why to use them are the same I'll just state them right out.

-f is a "force" flag. it tells the kernel to load using the kernel extensions found in the "/System/Library/Extensions/" folder on whatever drive you are trying to boot from (DVD/HD).

-x is a "safe mode" flag much like windows. it causes only the extensions that need to boot the system up to a bare minimum. (helpful for installs since not much is needed to ensure this works)

-v is a "verbose" flag. This gives a readout of what is going on with your system while it boots. It helps users/debuggers see what their system is hanging on or loading (if you can read the text fast enough). If you are getting kernel panics it will also help point out what is causing this.

More help can be found throughout the forum by simply reading issues (even if they are unrelated to your system) as this will give you more insight to how the OS works.

[ImEatingSeeds]

Well, I've BEEN poking around here and there on the forums, I found a guy with a similar problem. He gets the SAME EXACT screen I get, when I try the -x parameter

Looks like this:




And when I went with -x -v -f, I got an error regarding my FireWire, after which it went back to waiting for the boot device that never answers, without even reaching the apple screen.

[ImEatingSeeds]

"FireWire unable to determine security-mode; defaulting to full -secure"

^That's the killer message. I got that with the KalyWay 10.5.2 Disc.

[Ali C.]

Hmmm. I smell an unsupported southbridge. How old is your computer?