How To Install Mac OS X Leopard onto Your Regular Computer

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In this guide I will teach you how to install Mac OS X Leopard onto your windows computer essentially turning your PC into a MAC. Before you get too excited this is a rather challenging task for some. It can easily consume your entire weekend. Or it can take as short as a few hours. It really depends how compatible your hardware is. But you do need some basic-intermediate computer skills AND basic problem solving skills(you can substitute problem solving with google skills).

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What is Leopard? It is currently Apple's latest and greatest operating system. It is based on a UNIX shell which offers great stability and security. Apple also added a myriad of features that makes OS X Leopard easy to use and extremely aesthetically pleasing.

Here's a screenshot of Leopard in all it's glory!

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Before you continue I would like to add a disclaimer where I accept no liability for anything that might go wrong. I doubt you will ruin your computer but you might waste hours of time if you don’t do it right. Just a warning. I don’t want you pansies bitching to me if you screw up… Although I would more be more than happy to help if you have problems that you would like me to address but only if you ask nicely =)


PART 1 GETTING READY

What You Will Need

1. An internet connection(The slower it is the more time you need)
   
   
2. Time(More time you have the slower you internet connection can be)
   
   
3. A DVD-R(Not RW, your going to be burning a iso onto it so quality is key!)
   
   
4. A disc burning utility that can burn an iso image(Nero can do it, or if you haven't pirated, I mean bought Nero you can use a handy dandy utility called ISO burner, how original I know. Get it here at http://www.ntfs.com/iso-burning.htm )
   
   
5. A license for Mac OS X (just buy the Mac OS X operating system at your local electronics store)
   
   
6. A bitTorrent client such as Limewire or BitComent (I’ll explain why you need this later)
   
   
7. A compatible computer (I'll detail compatibility requirements below)

What your computer needs

1. A computer with a SSE2 or preferably a SSE3 processor which means any modern processor(If you have a core duo your good to go). You can check if you have a SSE2 or SSE3 processor with CPU-Z download here: http://www.cpuid.com/cpuz.php I highly recommend having a SSE3 processor. SSE2 will work but you might have to patch it or else certain applications will crash like safari or iTunes. Also having an Intel processor makes it easier than having an AMD one. As a rule of thumb, the closer your computer matches a real iMac the easier it is to install Mac OS X on it.
   I circled where you can see if your computer is SSE3 and SSE2 capable
   
   
2. 9 gigabytes of hard drive space(Almost all hard drives are compatible)
   
   
3. At least 512mb of memory and remember the more the merrier(Almost all memory will work)
   
   
4. and hopefully you have a DVD-Drive(if not there are still ways of installing Leopard but that might be a guide in itself.)
   
   
5. A 32mb graphics card(You might run into compatibility issues here)

Check Individual Parts For Compatibility

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One of the most frustrating things about installing an operating system is that your parts might be incompatible. I've had numerous frustrations when I couldn't find a driver for Vista when it came out, or when I discovered that nobody reverse engineered my network card and wrote any drivers for it in Linux. So to save you some headaches later you can do your research now.

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If you have a pre-built rig you can check if somebody else has successfully installed OS X at this link: http://wiki.osx86project.org/wiki/index.php/HCL (ctrl+F is your friend)

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If you made your computer yourself you can check compatibility part by part here: http://wiki.osx86project.org/wiki/index.php/HCLPart (again ctrl+F will help)

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If your computer isn't found then check it part by part. If parts aren't found on the list then do a google search of your parts name and the keyword OSx86. For example if I wanted to see if my graphics card was compatible I would search: [graphics card name here] OSx86. If you can't find anything you are more than welcome to try it but I almost guarantee that you'll find something. If you can’t find something let me know and I’ll do a search for you.


PART 2 SETUP

A Quick Note Regarding Legality

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Before you get any farther I would like to inform you of some of the legalities of installing Mac OS X on a PC. Apple states in the EULA that it is against the terms of use to install OS X onto non apple hardware. In addition Apple has an amazing army of lawyers. So why hasn’t Apple shut down the OSx86 Project(The community/website aimed at installing OS X onto PCs)? Because under fair use laws you can do whatever you wish with the software you bought as long as you don’t harm anyone financially or I guess physically too. You just can’t hold the maker liable for what happens when you break the EULA though, so don’t expect tech support. To this date Apple has not sued or even sent any angry letters to anybody running Mac OS X on a PC.

Introducing Kalway

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In this guide I will teach you how to install Mac OS X via the godsend known as the Kalway 10.5.1 disk(although there are others this method is arguably the easiest). Before this and other similar disks such as iAtkos the only way to install Mac OS X was to spoof the EFI(Extensible Firmware Interface), something used to ensure that OS X was run on Apple only hardware. Now the experience of installing OS X is on par with say, installing an obscure distro of Linux

Now we can begin. From this point onward you MUST have a license for Mac OS X Leopard or else you WILL be breaking the law.

Downloading Kalway

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The only way to obtain the Kalway 10.5.1 disk is through torrents as no site wants to host a download for such a large file. The Kalway 10.5.1 is everything you need to install OS X on a PC so that copy of Leopard you bought at your electronics store is good for nothing except as a license and a drink coaster(and some Apple logo stickers =D!).

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Unfortunately I can’t link to torrent sites so you’re going to have to google “Kalway Disk 10.5.1 torrent” or something like that. And remember if you’re downloading Kalway Disk without a license it is against the law. It’s ok to do it if you have the license as you are able to make “backups” of software you purchase under fair use laws.

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This download will take a loooong time. I took me 26 hours and I have a 10mbs downstream connection. It takes this long because of so few seeders and such a large file(Your essentially downloading the entire operating system plus some extra software to optimize OS X for the PC). Expect download speeds as low as 20kbs although I got an average speed of 300kbs towards the end. There is a Kalway Disk 10.5.2 out now but I recommend downloading the 10.5.1 and then patching to 10.5.2 as there are even fewer seeders for the second edition as it was released about a month or so ago. You can try your luck with either one. Just leave your computer on and it will finish eventually.

Burning The Kalway .ISO

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When your finished downloading burn the .iso onto a DVD-R not DVD-RW using your disc burning utitlity or the .iso burner I gave you a link to in the beginning. Use 1x or 2x speeds to ensure that no errors are made.

Again the link for the iso burner is http://www.ntfs.com/iso-burning.htm


A screenshot of ISO Burner

Preparing The Bios

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Now you need to ensure that your BIOS is set to boot from the DVD drive. If you need to change your BIOS settings do so now. 95% of the time the BIOS is instructed to boot from the DVD drive if it contains a disc but a few don't. I can’t tell you how to access your BIOS as different companies use different methods some common BIOS access buttons are, F2, F4, F8, F10, or F12. Do a google search on the maker of your computer to find out for sure. If you built your own rig do a google search on the motherboard.

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Now you’re ready for the installation! Make sure you back up any files you want to save first.

PART 3 INSTALLATION

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This is the fun part. It really is. It’s weird and exciting at the same time to see a PC run OS X. It’s almost unnatural!

1. First pop in the Kalway Disc .iso you burned and then shut down your PC and tell it you love it dearly.
   
   
2. Next turn it on. If your BIOS settings are right it should boot from the disc. It will say:
   “Press any key to start the disk. . .”
   Just press enter if your given this prompt
   
3. Or it will just start loading. When loading it will say: “Loading Darwin x86 . . .” This step will take a while I would say maybe 5-15 minutes depending on how fast your processor is and how much memory you have. Just be patient.
   This what it will look like when loading.
   
   
4. After it loads you will see the apple loading screen. This apple loading screen you see will be white and has a circular, moving, loading icon in the middle. Enjoy the simple beauty of this loading screen as you wait about 5-10 minutes for everything to load. Or you can just watch TV while you’re waiting…
   The white apple loading screen
   
   
   
5. When it has finished loading you will be prompted to choose your language, with English conveniently located at the top. You will also be treated to a background of a beautiful nova that will almost bring tears to your eyes with its beauty. It’s ok to cry, most apple fan boys consider this a religious experience.
   Language selection screen.
   
   
6. Next it will display another loading screen. This one won’t take as long I promise.
   Another loading screen
   
   
7. Now you will see a Welcome screen. Kalway has added the silhouette of what appears to be a break dancer but you can judge for yourself. Personally I think it looks like a pokemon. You can click the more information button to see what Kalway has included in his disk. Whatever you do don’t click continue yet.
   The Apple welcome screen with some additions by Kalway
   
   
8. You must format the hard drive before you can install Leopard. You’re going to be wiping your hard drive clean which means windows will be gone! Stop now if you must! To format your hard drive click on Utilities from the drop down menu all the way at the top. Then click on Disk Utilities. The disk utility will come up.
   How to get to Disk Utility
   
   
9. Click on your hard drive NOT any partitions you might have created and then click the erase tab.
   Your hard drive is on the top in the left pane. The erase tab is in the right pane and is highlighted blue in the screenshot
   
   
10. Click on the volume format drop down menu. I usually use Mac OS Extended Journaled. I don’t remember if the other types work but your more than Then name the partition: I’m Gerard’s Bitch. This is very important as it won’t work if you don’t do that =P When all is said and done click the red X to exit Disk Utility.
    Selecting the proper volume format
    
    
11. NOW you can click continue in the welcome screen!
    
    
12. The agreement screen will now be displayed and Kalway has incorporated some nice fonts and colors to drive some important issues home. I’ve covered them all before you even downloaded the disk but if you won’t heed my warnings heed Kalway’s. Click agree to continue
    Teh Kalway warning screen
    
    
13. Next it will ask you where you want to install OS X. The drive you just formatted should be displayed. Click on that and click continue. If it doesn’t let you install there you fucked up so go back and use Disk Utility again.
    Select your drive
    
    
14. Afterwards you will see the Install page summary window. IMPORTANT click on customize or else you will probably FAIL! Now select whatever you can that most closely matches your system. Select only ONE of each. Click done and then install.
    
    
15. The installer will then start to check the disk. It’s up to you if you want to let it or just skip the process and save 5 minutes. If any errors from downloading or burning happen this will discover it so just let it run at least for your first time.
    
    
16. OS X will then install =)
    
    
17. When finished it will tell you and then prompt you to restart you computer.
    
    
18. Eject the Kalway Disk before it loads the installer again.
    
    
19. Now sometimes it will display boot options when your computer starts up other times OS X will just start booting. If it asks where you want to boot from you usually just have to keep on pressing enter. For example on my Sony VAIO it will list my hard drive and then when I press enter it will show the option for OS X boot which I select and hit enter.
    
    
20. When OS X boots it will show the same white loading screen for a while. On your first boot it might take a while. As long as you see the animated loading symbol, good things are happening. If it freezes or an error message is displayed… then you messed up when Kalway asked you for the custom options (usually related to what graphics option you tried) just go back and retry with different options. There isn’t that many.
    
    
21. If all is well in the world a welcome video will play. Then it will customize/set up Leopard basics for you. Just do what it asks you to do. It’s up to you if you want to put personal information down or sign up for a .mac account(don’t buy one of these pieces of crap). Apple doesn’t put anti-piracy features on it’s OS so don’t worry.

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After you get that your done! Kalway made a couple personalization changes such as an ugly orange background for Explorer but you can change that.


PART 4 POST INSTALLATION


NEVER EVER EVER EVER EVER PERFORM AN APPLE SYSTEM UPDATE!!! YOUR COMPUTER WON’T WORK AND YOU’LL HAVE TO REINSTALL OS X!!!

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You can update to newer versions through upgrades which I will show you how to do at a later time. For now I’m tired of writing this guide. But if you can’t wait you pretty much just google "Kalyway 10.5.2 update torrent" and download it. Then you install it. It may brick your machine like the regular apple update depending on your configuration so I recommend not doing it unless you really want to. It doesn’t add a whole lot of features in my opinion

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If your looking for drivers for anything look here: http://wiki.osx86project.org/wiki/index.php/3rdPartyDrivers

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For more resources this is the ultimate source for installing OS X on a PC: http://www.osx86project.org/ You can choose to either use the wiki or peruse the forums. There is a plethora of info on the forums that hasn't been added to the wiki yet so check both. The wiki is easier to use so check it out first.

THE END!

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I’ll add a basic troubleshooter for problems eventually but for now ask away. I doubt anybody here will even attempt to install OS X but if you do let me know how it turns out. I’m rather active at the insanelymac forum(the forum for the OSx86 project) so after I polish this guide up I’ll probably post it there.


Any questions or concerns or criticisms feel free to let me here them. Any Feedback positive or negative is appreciated.

 

ok im srry but im terribly confused. why would you do this to your wonderful pc?

 

Wow, this is a nice guide all you need is pictures of some of the steps. Nice job.

 

Windows Vista failed to offer me any real technological upgrade from XP except maybe Direct X 10. Pretty much it's just a pretty face for an ugly OS. Mac OS X is also much easier to use and much prettier. It's a matter of personal preference which OS you like better. I'm offering an alternative for those fed up with Windows but don't want to spend an arm and a leg to buy a Mac.

 

If ur def up with windows use Ubuntu! Thnx for the guide, i might use it (H) Good quality

 

Okay Im trying to figure this out.

 

Okay...thanks for guide

 

I tried Linux but it doesn't offer much for me feature wise except stability and low system requirements. My rigs are pretty top of the line so I like to push them to the limit. Some distros do offer some use to me but Ubuntu is for ease of use in installing and use and in my opinion OS X is easier to use once installed.

 

Really long and detailed guide.. good setup! Only thing you should add is what Mac OS X Leopard is. Some people may not have any idea of what this program is or does!

Other than that great guide.

 

One of the best guides i've seen on Sythe.
You've obviously put a lot of effort into it.
You have a good understanding in how to layout a guide and good use of pictures.
10/10

 

Your right. Always assume the student knows as little as possible when teaching to assure that nothing gets missed.

 

Very excellent guide. A++ might want to cover how to open ports or a link to that... that will speed up some peoples torrent guide.

If you need help on the torrent part heres my guide... --> http://sythe.org/showthread.php?p=3207604#post3207604

 

why would i wanna ruin my machine with this ?

excelent guide tho, wont be needing it tho =P

stick with (tiny)XP <3

 

im with you there... maybe if they wanted to do video editing or something?
or maybe they wanted to brick their pc.... =P

 

Wow is all i can say. This guide is incredible. I actually had a teacher back in 7th grade who had a friend come in with his Dell laptop like this. After his presentation he showed us how to do it on another Windows laptop he had, but this guide is a lot better than what he showed us. Very in depth, very detailed, 10/10!