dalts.net Kind Acts of Randomness

Ok - I've been reading about all these hackers running OSX on non apple hardware, and seeing as I just got delivery of a new uber-specced el-cheapo Dell 530S from the Dell Outlet and my 2 year old son went to sleep on time tonight, I thought I would try something different. Before doing my usual Ubuntu install (it gives me an enormous sense of satisfaction not even booting the vista virus) - I threw in the Kalyway OSX disk (obtained from dubious sources I know - but I do own OSX licences).

It all seemed to install ok - I got stuck in the keyboard loop problem that a lot of people get - but that was fixed by booting in single user mode and skipping the intro. If you have to do this don't forget to change the root password while you are in there - or you wont be able to login.

I had to throw in a different network card - but luckily I had an old Realtek clone card in the cupboard that worked straight off. Wasn't expecting to do any hardware hacking tonight but I did have to chop off half of the back plate to get it to fit in the slimline case so won't be a permanent fixture (damn those slimlines - I didn't notice the "S" on the model number when I ordered it).

My stumbling block was graphics - I have a ATI Radeon 2400 XT and despite following all the howtos - I am still a bit stuck with this one. I am either stuck in 1024x768 or I get the lovely block pattern and have to go back into single user and undo.

I'm going to give it one last chance tomorrow with the Leo4All build (someone with my card reported sucess with this)- then I'll give up and put what I originally indended on it. While it's fun - I don't think it's really worth all the hassle, especially since who knows what Apple will do in future updates to break people's installs. It's funny - Linux used to be like this 10 years ago - but oh look how it's changed... I've put Ubuntu on a lot of dells recently and it's generally a breeze.