Mac OS on self-built computer??

[mazz72]

Ok, this may seem like an ignorant question. I'm not very educated on the ways of the Apple.

Right now, I have a computer that I built myself. Asus mobo, Intel cpu....no Apple products whatsoever. I have windows xp installed right now.

If I were to buy a new harddrive....fresh, clean, empty....would I be able to install a Mac OS onto it? Or does the computer itself have to be made with all Apple hardware??

Thanks all, and sorry again if it's a stupid question.

[kilgoretrout]

Not at the present time. Until recently, macs ran on proprietary ppc processors, not x86 processors like intel and AMD. The mac OS was completely incompatible with intel architecture. Apple recently switched to intel processors and the new intel macs are just coming out. However, the new mac OS for the new intel macs will not install or run on standard intel compatible hardware; the bios is incompatible for starters. Someone will probably hack a standard intel box to install the mac OS someday but apple has taken steps to lock down their OS to apple only hardware and circumvention would be illegal.

[cowboy399]

Originally Posted by mazz72 Ok, this may seem like an ignorant question. I'm not very educated on the ways of the Apple. Right now, I have a computer that I built myself. Asus mobo, Intel cpu....no Apple products whatsoever. I have windows xp installed right now. If I were to buy a new harddrive....fresh, clean, empty....would I be able to install a Mac OS onto it? Or does the computer itself have to be made with all Apple hardware?? Thanks all, and sorry again if it's a stupid question.

Yes you can with some restrictions. First, the only Mac OS that will install on a regular PC is a hacked version of OS X Tiger (OSx86), which can be had for free via bittorrent. OS X for Intel was hacked long before apple released their first retail Intel machines. But it's essentially pirated software and illegal to download and install. The second obstacle is picking the right motherboard/graphics controller/processor combination. If you want to know more,

http://wiki.osx86project.org/wiki/index.php/Main_Page

[Hitokiri]

PearPC is the only easy way of getting OS X on your PC. But, of course, you would need to buy a copy of Tiger. Plus, setup is a little tricky, and networking it is even harder.

It runs pretty well on my system, just like an ibook G3 500MHz with 128mb RAM.

Don't ask me if it is legal.

[kilgoretrout]

PearPC is an emulator IIRC. I always heard the performance was pretty slow but never tried it myself.

cowboy, that x86 OSX version that will install on a standard intel equipment is probably a pirated version of the OS that was sent to developers in advance of the new intel mac release. They were sent to developers last year IIRC and were not as locked down as the consumer version. They are totally illegal.
Either that or you are confusing running OSX under windows with the PearPC emulator.

[doctorgonzo]

Originally Posted by mazz72 If I were to buy a new harddrive....fresh, clean, empty....would I be able to install a Mac OS onto it? Or does the computer itself have to be made with all Apple hardware??

The jist of this all is that right now, you can't legally do this. Whether this will change is up in the air. I don't think there are plans to release a version of Mac OS X that will run on non-Mac computers.

[mazz72]

Alright, thanks everyone. It's a shame, because my friend uses Mac, and I've played around on his before, and I really like the Mac OS better than Windows....but I'm not about to drop the money for a new system anytime soon.

It's a shame Apple can't play well with others.

[doctorgonzo]

Originally Posted by mazz72 It's a shame Apple can't play well with others.

Apple makes their money selling hardware, not Mac OS. If they started selling Mac OS for non-Mac computers, then they would be shooting themselves in the foot.

[Mac Medic]

Would it technically be illegal though? Let's assume I build a PC to the exact specs as an Intel Mac, go out and purchase OS X86 and get it installed without any hacking/cracking. It's one thing for Apple to say they'll prevent it being done, it's another thing entirely to prevent it legally. I for one wouldn't consider installing a perfectly legally purchased OS on compatible hardware (Intel Processor/chipset) illegal. I wonder how they'll handle that one.

[kilgoretrout]

It's illegal alright. The OSX license specifically limits installation to one Apple branded computer. Also, the mac motherboards do not have a BIOS like standard x86 computers. They use something called "EFI" instead and it's a custom EFI at that. You can't legally buy this motherboard with Apple's proprietary EFI from anyone but Apple.

[cowboy399]

Originally Posted by kilgoretrout PearPC is an emulator IIRC. I always heard the performance was pretty slow but never tried it myself. cowboy, that x86 OSX version that will install on a standard intel equipment is probably a pirated version of the OS that was sent to developers in advance of the new intel mac release. They were sent to developers last year IIRC and were not as locked down as the consumer version. They are totally illegal. Either that or you are confusing running OSX under windows with the PearPC emulator.

I can see you didn't actually read my post. Perhaps you should take another crack at it.

[cowboy399]

Originally Posted by kilgoretrout It's illegal alright. The OSX license specifically limits installation to one Apple branded computer. Also, the mac motherboards do not have a BIOS like standard x86 computers. They use something called "EFI" instead and it's a custom EFI at that. You can't legally buy this motherboard with Apple's proprietary EFI from anyone but Apple.

That's exactly why they are altering it to run on BIOS machines. Currently 10.4.3 (which was the latest developer version) runs fine. Version 10.4.4 is the latest commercial version. According to latest reports they already have it booting from a BIOS machine from a CD and are almost there.

[cowboy399]

Originally Posted by Mac Medic Would it technically be illegal though? Let's assume I build a PC to the exact specs as an Intel Mac, go out and purchase OS X86 and get it installed without any hacking/cracking. It's one thing for Apple to say they'll prevent it being done, it's another thing entirely to prevent it legally. I for one wouldn't consider installing a perfectly legally purchased OS on compatible hardware (Intel Processor/chipset) illegal. I wonder how they'll handle that one.

What will probably happen is that you will go out and buy a copy of OS X for intel (as soon as it is available), apply a hackers patch (or loading software), and you're good to go. I'm sure Apple won't like it and will do everything in their power to legally prevent it, but I don't really see how they can realistically stop it.

[doctorgonzo]

cowboy399, please do not post replies to your own posts. If you have more information to add to a post, edit your original post, don't post again.

The answer to the original question is no: there is no legal way to run OS X on an Intel machine. The forum rules do not allow talking about hacks or illegal downloads:

9. Zero Tolerance on Piracy
NO WAREZ. NO SERIALS. NO CRACKS / CRACKING / ILLEGAL PROGRAMS. Anything that can be used in software piracy or other illegal software activities will result in a ban. Same goes for abusive programs like mailbombers, forum and usenet flooders and email harvesting bots. This also includes unreleased products. Workarounds which comprimise security, bypass password protection, or otherwise go to gain unauthorized access to private data or information is prohibitied. Links provided to locations that offer tutorials or tips for any of these activities are also forbidden.