Leopard hacked for Intel PC consumption
By Paul Miller 
posted Oct 27th 2007 9:05PM
posted Oct 27th 2007 9:05PM
[Via dailyApps, image courtesy of mac.nub]
Please note: If you're a current Engadget commenter, you do not need to re-register. Simply login and you will be prompted to select a username.
I might have to try this....have ubuntu, mac os, and vista on one box.
Thats exactly what my Thinkpad does. And its great.
For work on the road I use Ubuntu, at work (I have an Ubuntu workstation at work) I use Vista for Office and Outlook, and for fun/personal their is Mac.
Mac does boot the fastest by far though.
DO THIS ON A MAC THEN!
Exactly what I want. Initially considered flirting with a macbook pro simply for bootcamp...but if I can get a great PC to triple boot Gutsy, Vista and Leopard it'll be the best option - save some dollars and have the best of all 3 worlds! Great work by the guys at OSx86!
Who let the cat out of the bag?
Don't do this on a Mac. Locking software to hardware with a TPM is a practice that I condemn to hades. Death to it!
Hmm... I wonder if this will "brick" your PC/laptop the next time Apple releases an update to OSX. Hey, it happened to iPhones. It could happen to your PC.
Great, now I can use an inferior OS with a low market share and no third party software development on my Windows box. But it's so easy to use -- even a typical Mac user can do it. Hahahah, yous is so studip.
Hey, if it works better than Vista on my PC, I'm down with it.
@Alan: Do you EVER say anything else?
Not everyone wants to buy Apple's one-size-fits-all laptops.
Is there a way to manually patch the leopard dvd? I don't feel like torrenting the image.
Also, does the family pack come with 5 dvds? because that would be awesome.
yes.. just make a copy of your dvd.. and point teh script to your dvd image
Nice Move! Let's create a Dual boot for windows pc...haha
Anybody who has instructions for patching the original, unpatched Leopard image file, please respond to this post with a link. Thanks!
Them hackers is smart!
Them hackers is smert.
OR you can get a mac, and run Linux, OS X, XP, and Vista all in Virtual machines all at the same time!!!!!!
But don't flame me, because I still think this is really cool, I was just pointing something else.......please don't hate me...
What's the point of buying another computer, if you can run the OS without the computer itself?
It's just a waste of money. I'm not too keen on wasting money.
Actually, you can do this on a PC or linux, and for cheaper (because VMWare for PC is free and open source). It just depends where you want the performance hit.
@melloncollie
Wow, you can run OSs without computers these days? Sweet!
@DT
Ever hear of context?
It was implying, through use of the former statement, that I do not need the extra computer in order for me to run its native OS.
No flame - but PCs are still cheaper than Macs for the specs you get. Also virtualization is never as good as having the real thing. If you triple boot and you want to use both at the same time you can always then use VMware or parallels in your Leopard on your cheaper more versatile PC. I can't wait for them to sort out the bugs ;)
@bugmat WTF?
as long as you dont upgrade RAM or HDD from the apple store, which is admittedly a very huge rip-off, macs are pretty competitive with the mid-high to high-end laptop market which is where they are aimed.
OSx86 is for people who want a high end gaming computer for a consumer level price, cant afford a new computer or mac, cant afford to buy multiple computers, or kids at the mercy of what their parents buy.
Many OSx86 users have ended up buying macs for their next computer because they get addicted to using OS X and dont want to go back to Windows.
@ed
Or they just realized that they can spend half the price building a PC to their own specifications that has higher quality parts and a longer warranty.
Maybe I'll buy a Macintosh when they make a computer that:
Isn't the size of a few pieces of bread, has intergrated graphics, no expandability, and lackluster hardware.
or
Doesn't have a built in ultra-glary LCD and limited expandibility.
or
Doesn't have a base price of $2500 (without a monitor), and still only has a shitty graphics card in the base config.
Until then I'll just keep building my own computers, or getting them from Dell.
Maybe I'll get a Mac when I don't have time to become Dr. Frankenstein.
@almostfamous: no, they're not. it depends where you're buying from. bestbuy? overpriced, so i guess macs seem somewhat price competitive. but smaller pc shops or ebay, you can get some really good specs for next to nothing. pc hardware at the same specs is far cheaper if you shop for it.
Crap. This is the one time I wish I didn't have AMD.
This time only? really? I like AMD but they are the lacking CPU to date.
Don't worry, there will be a full installer DVD for leopard with AMD support soon, or so i've heard. Basically the same way they did tiger. If you dont mind using tiger, you can already find those all over.
Wait, I am a little confused about this. In the instructions it made it look like you need to do all that stuff from leopard. Is that true or can I just do it from vista?
Yeah, this all has to be done through Mac OS X. It looks like they did it in Tiger; I wouldn't see any reason why it would have to be Leopard. I guess you're out of luck on Vista. It looks like this is only possible right now for people who already have a version of OSx86 on their PC or have a Mac.
It works just fine on a computer without any previous Apple software. You do not need to own OSX first, but if you don't Steve Jobs will come and eat your first born son, or maybe just sue you.
If you're new to this I highly recommend disconnecting critical drives unless you have their IDs memorized. Also something to keep in mind is the configuration of the image that your use. The hardware setup needs to be similar to avoid issues. Also I needed a usb keyboard.
Yes the PATCH requires OS X. You can, however, get a fully working Tiger OSx86 iso and install that so you can run the patch, the installation of the Tiger versions are a breeze and actually easier to install than XP. The scene is getting ready to release a fully working Leopard disc that wont need any patching or USB steps to get working.
sorry about the "teh"..lol
Looks like Apple was a little naive to release OS X without any serial number protection or activation this time around. Two years ago with Tiger it wasn't much of a concern...but they should've seen this coming. There's gonna be a whole lot of pirated copies running out there.
Still a miniscule amount compared to the Apple machine installed base. I don't think Apple is too concerned with it. Why piss of 99.99% of your users with SNs or activations to stump the few who are going to do this?
Yea your right with pissing off legitimate users. I just finished my third install (Family Pack) and would have been annoyed if I had to go through the typical MS type activation. It really was painless and that's what Apple wanted.
I wonder if it's Apple's long term goal to eventually give away the OS and pretty much just make hardware products and some applications.
I don't really see how Apple can charge for their OS anyway isn't OS X BSD based and isn't BSD open source?
It would certainly make Microsoft shudder since they are pretty much Windows and some apps. Their only real hardware is the Xbox and Zune.
If Apple gives away their OS, and any Intel (and AMD?) based PC can run it, MS or at least Windows is doomed!
The keyword is "hack." You can't just up-and-install Leopard on your x86 PC without any problems. Also, OSx86 has been around since Tiger, so it's not anything new.
Also, I did this on my last computer (a Dell Inspiron 6000), and, while it was pretty cool, there ain't nothin' like the real thing. It took a week to get my
video card to support both Core Image and Quartz Extreme simultaneously, and since my monitor was widescreen, I couldn't just "deal" with a 1024x768 display on a 1280x800 display. On top of that, Intel's wireless network cards were barely supported (when I used it, support for open networks only was just beginning, it might have progressed since then). You can't install operating system updates immediately, because they run the risk of essentially bricking your partition. Manual installation of packages is a requirement for even thinking about trying this, but luckily, its all fairly easy once I learned how to use the terminal commands. At the end of the day, though, OS X doesn't run nearly as well on a PC as it does on a Mac box, which should be expected.
I'm sure Apple isn't too concerned about this community, since the majority of its users are basically trying OS X out before they buy.
Apple naive? That's funny.
No, all mac OS upgrades were free until around 1993 or so. Then when MS started charging for Windows 95, Apple joined in. Old school Mac users still use the free os approach, so Apple isn't about to piss off the core of mac users by requiring a serial number.
Apple makes stuff that is easy to install, maintain, so putting a serial number in there is insinuating their customers are thieves. They use the Karma approach, plus the OS comes free with every new mac, so unless you don't buy one but every 4-6 years, you basically are fine.
As for BSD, yes, Apple uses FreeBSD as the foundation, but the upper layers are extremely well crafted, and that's why OSX has been so popular with former Linux and Windows users.
Plus OSX Leopard is a TRUE, Certified UNIX, Linux is not, so it's pulling them over in droves.
All n All, I really doubt Apple cares if there are a couple million copies of OSX running on PC Clones. A Mac is much better built machine than what you can get, build in the PC world, so at some point these people will move up to a Mac anyway, so it's not something Apple has to worry about.
----
I don't know why everyone keeps saying Windows activation is so horrible.
I've probably done close to 20 XP installs and several Vista installs in the last few months, and activation has always been a breeze.
My install was near-perfect. Install, patch the audio, and it's in a near-perfect state. No, I don't care about wireless, because most places I am I'll have Ethernet, and other places my cellphone works perfectly as a modem.
Of course, I'd like to have a perfect install, but I like having a laptop that can take a few bumps and bruises better (had a Powerbook, amazed at how fragile the thing was, now running OSx86 on a Panasonic Toughbook).
You sure it doesn't support AMD? It has all the same features as Intel chips.
Yah, i would like to know too. My AMD has SSE3. Has anyone had any luck?
It may have the same features, but OSx does not include an AMD specific hardware abstraction layer. Think of it as a sort of dictionary to convert the higher level OS software to low level hardware instructions.
Cool
Im trying to do this..the torrent is mind-numbingly slow, though. And thanks to engadget's reporting of this (i presume), the website is no longer accessible for instructions. :^(
Works fine for me as of this writing.
I can't wait to get home and try this :)
who cares. I got Leopard for $10 and that's the most I would pay. Please tell me what app is worth the $130. I mean people wake up. This upgrade is not worth $130.
$10.00 ????
How?
Is Vista worth $200+?
Not talking about vista. I am talking about Leopard. So come on tell me...
ie. I did the up to date program.
@Taylor
Nope, vista is worth the freeware torrent program you use to get it for free! Leopard IS worth the €130
*High-Fives you!*
Why would I want to put my Ferrari Engine in a Yugo?
Temporary safe-keeping while you have your Ferrari gold-plated.
If you looked at xbench.com scores youd see its more like putting a ferrari engine in a rocket car. The intel developer systems (osx86 PC's) are the fastest computers that have submitted benchmarks.
You have to be kidding...even Dell makes laptops that eat Apples for lunch.
Because it would have a killer power to weight ratio?
Because you can. And once you step on the gas, you'ld change its' name from Yugo to You-Really-Go.
does anyone care about guitar hero three pics i just took some a work and just got out/ they're of the les paul skins, game, and display. if so ho do i post them
?
Somebody hired you to work in a store? Where you interact with people? I gotta shake hands with your boss, because he might just be more of an idiot than you.
Is that good enough for Leopard if i want to try it?
Thank you.
AMD Turion 64X2 Dual-Core Mobile Technology TL-52, 2x512KB L2, 1GB DDR2, 120GB 5400rpm SATA, 8x DVD±R/RW, 17" WXGA+ BrightView display, 5-in-1 Media Reader, 10/100 NIC, 802.11b/g, Vista Home Premium
Sorry, you need a 7200RPM hard drive for Leopard. Says so in the manual.
thanks
What the fuck.
Why would it need a 5400RPM drive?
**7200RPM
@MDP
Total nonsense, it doesn't require a 7200rpm drive.
it was a joke
LOL. That would exclude most Apple laptops.
Yeah. That'll stop the war.
Call me a cynic, but a protest on the Internet isn't exactly productive. I admire the intentions behind it, but have to dock you several points for practicality and effectiveness. Nobody in the current administration cares what a bunch of bloggers think... They don't even care what the majority of their own constituents think.
Similar to the way the hackers don't care what Apple thinks about them messing with Leopard.
See? I managed to be somewhat on-topic.
Some virtual protest is going to mean even less than magnetic car-ribbons and antiwar t-shirts sold by people who list "following Phish" as their career. At least those people are physically there and hard to ignore. Ignoring a virtual protest requires simply not logging in. I doubt the people who could actually MAKE peace are going to be wringing their hands over what is posted in blogs on one day, or any day for that matter.
War is good business for some people. If you can't invent an OS or something that benefits people enough for them to make you rich, then the capitalist with questionable ethics can always push for war and then sell bullets to governments.
I'd love peace... But I'm not stupid enough to believe anyone who has the power to change things will EVER listen to the People, and they'll certainly not give a damn about what bloggers have to say about the subject.
But you go, girl. Good luck. Maybe some bloated, corrupt, power-mad, greedy fascist will have a change of heart ala Ebenezer Scrooge and bring about significant change. The problem is that even if that did happen, the other bloated, corrupt, power-mad, greedy fascists will promptly have him killed.
It's an imperfect world. Whattaya gonna do?
It has been done with some success. Check the boards at OSx86 and read up. I remember reading about some people that got it working without any problems at all but I didn't read into it too much since I didn't really care.
FOR AMD USERS It has been done with some success. Check the boards at OSx86 and read up. I remember reading about some people that got it working without any problems at all but I didn't read into it too much since I didn't really care.
Um guys before you go all 1337 and do this I have one thing to say. This is kinda illegal. If you would get a copy of OS X and run it on a machine that his Steveness did not make you would be breaking your End User Agreement or something like that. If you want to run Leopard 100% legally, then buy a Mac. (They're nice)
Ahahahahaha...
Oh, you're serious.
Ahaha.
We all know that already.
Hey just want to make sure Engadget doesnt get sued.
If you buy a copy of OS X and patch it yourself it is absolutely no more illegal than unlocking an iPhone or putting custom firmware on a PSP. All youre doing is breaking a license agreement, which is like the pettiest cyber crime you can do.
And it's illegal to bundle a media player with an OS in France and Japan. See the irony.
Prosecute me for /that/ and you'll have a class action, I guarantee it. What they're doing should be illegal. What we're doing should not.
SO I guess I should report Engadget to Apple because they posted articles about the iPhone hacks and unlocking software?
Not goona happen.
Engadget, I love you guys for all you do, whether the whole front page is filled with Apple stuff or you guys are rambling on about the implications of a terabyte USB stick :)
This is why I like living in China. Totally legal for me to do OSx86 (certainly the Chinese EULA doesn't read quite like the American one).
How would OS X work if my graphics card is DirectX 10 ?
Considering you asked such a question, dont even attempt to install it.
ZeroCorpse - Cynic or not, I liked your reply much better than Dave's.
Valid points, all. My idea is idealistic, unrealistic, pollyannish and downright stupid - a waste of time. So say the realistic cynics of the world.
Today I watched 10,000 march for peace in San Francisco and the war marches on.
November 7th I will watch hundreds of blogs blog for peace. The war will undoubtedly march on. But we're all making a noise. Same noise. Different format.
I guess I still have enough faith in the concept of hope to try and make a difference. Even if it's only dialogue, even if it's only ranting, even if it's only marching on my keyboard. Who's watching, you say?
You were.
Are you real?
Are you real?
seems like you need a mac already somewhere to do it. Bah, OSX escapes me again. Oh well.
Actually, theres a torrent...but its phreakin slow. Alas, if you don't have a mac, it seems to be the only option.
http://www.demonoid.com/files/details/1402044/3100888/
Sorry, you need a 7200RPM hard drive for Leopard. Says so in the manual.
That's not true. In fact, it couldn't be because MacBooks / MacBook Pros come with 5400rpm hard drives.
what? it says nothing of the sort. drive speed no bearing on running Leopard. My powerbook runs it fine, and it's a 4200rpm drive. The requirements are 867Mhz or higher and 512MB of ram or higher. That's rather amazing for all it does.
relax guys, i was making fun of the guy on page 1 who asked if his computer's specs were good enough to run osx86. He listed every spec about his shit, even the rpm of his hdd, so i was just poking fun at that.
i bet microsoft is freaking out right now, its like us being attack by the russians or something, great work by the OSx86 team but they better run and hide because am willing to bet microsoft its already unleashing there dogs right now, that shiet can knock down a entire empire if windows users get a taste of leopard
Erm, i doubt MS will be hunting these people down, they don't hunt down users of other OSs, do they? Also, Apple should probably be worried about all this unauthorised copying and modification going on.....
And anyway, it's not as if the average computer user is going to try this. Microsoft's market is safe.
No its the other way around remember microsoft is a software compsny thats has big contracts with pc companies, if people are ablle to intall leopard on Pcs how in hell are they goin to sell Vista
You do realize there are other PC OS's besides Windows right? It's not like until now Microsoft has had exclusive rights for the PC.
This is no different from a PC user switching to Ubuntu.
You should just stop talking.
An original piece of (analog) work of art, like a sculpture or a painting, is not possible to copy (exactly). Anything created in the digital domain, be it software or music recorded digitally, or even the digitized form of literature, is free for anyone (to try to) grab (even if some copy protection is applied.
What are things "worth"? It doesn't matter what it cost to create them, or how many man-hours is behind the creation (just imagine all the work, creativity, and plain cost behind an application like OS-X 10.5 Leopard), because all it maters is how easy it is for someone to "grab" it. When you get something for free, it is in monetary terms worth "nothing".
With digital distribution on the internet; software, music, video, literary works etc. can technically be had for free (even if it means some technically minded "hacker" removes the protection, and the "hordes" can have for free what they otherwise would have paid for.
In the analog world stealing is to actually do a "hold up" or to break into someone's property to appropriate physical objects. In the digital world, only the "hackers" need to get their hands dirty, and the "hordes" can just innocently pick up the fallen fruit and consume it. It just happened to be there.
Nothing I write here can change this trend and reality in our digitized world. I make my living form creating, manufacturing, and selling tangible analog objects that can not easily be copied. Such products can be sold for very substantial sums of money, but it also takes a very substantial effort to make them (just like software). The difference is of course that in the analog world you have to make each piece, while in the digital world, even the manufacturer simply make copies of his creation to sell.
Whether someone hacks Leopard to make it run on OSx86 equipment breaking the Apple EULA becomes a calculated risk that I am sure Apple has simulated well. On the other hand the day will come when also Apple finds it advantageous to demand activation of a serial number for each copy of a future MAC OS-X issue.
Being no angel; even myself owning 8 MAC computers (and we also have OSx86 machines in our little business), I bought a single version (not the family edition) to install Leopard 10.5 on three of our computers (the rest are below the G4 867MHz limit, so they stay on TIGER. I still feel that I sufficiently support Apple by buying their hardware.
The problem will be how the cruel big world of hackers (and the "hordes" who like to pick up free fallen fruit) will behave. The so far comfortable experience of being a MAC user. Remember that I use Windows as well as MAC, and I shall from now on with Apple's official support of BootCamp migrate to run my legal and proper copies of Windows XP (not yet Vista before it grows up) exclusively on Apple MAC hardware, thank you! We have had incredibly bad experiences with OSx86 hardware from some very prominent brand names (that I will avoid mentioning here). A recent experience showed that Windows XP could not be run on a certain Vista only PC, and a major software application hat requires XP (and not Vista) cold not be used. The solution was to run Windos XP in BootCamp on an iMac 20" Core2Duo. Perfect!
Doesn't OSX86 basically just run on PC replicas of actual Mac models?
If this is indeed true aren't PC users basically just be redundant? Building computers specifically designed to run on OSX instead of buying them?
Or has the OSX86 team actually broken down the operating system enough that hardware specs are now a non issue? Which would have to be the case in order to get any better performance out of any non mac running OSX since all others would just be carbon copies of existing Macs and would thus perform almost identically to their factory equivalents.
Hardware support is somewhat limited, but not strictly to the precise hardware found in an official Apple computer. Intel chips and chipsets have wide support, AMD less so, but still doable. Generally, if you have a SSE2 or SSE3 capable processor and a fairly modern motherboard, you can run OSX86. Both my desktop and notebook run without too much tweaking, the only problematic area that is of any consequence is a flaky wired NIC driver for my notebook, but since I typically use the built-in wireless, I can live without it.