os x on pc

[yeoamuca]

does anyone know if it is possible to install os x on a non mac custom built pc
and if it is possible does it have to be on an intel chip or amd chip or doesnt it matter
thanks

[mb26]

yes its possible, but not legally. it can work with amd if u get the right one. osX86project.org

[yeoamuca]

why isnt it legal

[doctorgonzo]

It's illegal either because you have a pirated, hacked version of the OS, or you are violating the EULA by running it on hardware that is not allowed.

[yeoamuca]

if you can install os x on intel based mac computers that basically have all of the same components as pcs couldnt it be installed on a pc with those same components
we just got a new g5 (2.5) and as far as i can tell other than the mb none of the components are mac proprietary (other than the processor)
and many of the new macs have the intel processors

[doctorgonzo]

None of the components may be "Mac proprietary", but the OS X install procedures checks the hardware to make sure it is really a Mac it is being installed on. Apple has gone to great lengths to ensure that OS X won't install on just any x86 machine; why would anybody buy expensive Mac hardware if a cheap eMachines can run OS X?

[yeoamuca]

thats a good point
we paid 3500 just for the tower in which i figured there was 1200 worth of components if that
macs can run windows now cant they
is there any way to fool osx into thinking that its installing on a mac
what if the video card dies on the g5 and i go to replace it with another nvidia 6600 but its not the same brand that mac uses
will osx say that its not on a mac and throw fits

[doctorgonzo]

"Fooling" OS X into installing on a PC is the illegal part. That is not an allowable discussion on these forums.

I don't think that the video card, hard drive, or any other piece of hardware is marked in a Mac as being "Mac-only"; you can get another video card and it should work as long as there are Mac drivers for it. I am not sure how the security system works, but if I had to guess I would say that the Mac-identifying portion is a part of the BIOS or a separate chip on the motherboard that OS X can query, in effect an internal dongle.

[yeoamuca]

so if i got a mac and took the motherboard out and built a computer around it it might work to install osx on

[doctorgonzo]

Probably, since a computer is essentially the motheboard and what is attached to it. I don't know what taking a Mac motherboard and sticking it in a PC case would accomplish, however, other than to confuse people.

[yeoamuca]

well we constanly have broken pcs and macs come into work and we throw them into storage so i might grab a mb and see if i can make it work
ive always wanted to have a mac station since my old powerpc died but i have no desire to pay what apple wants for them
ive got plenty of parts
i just was thinking since macs were becoming compatible with windows installs if it was possible to install the os x on pcs and maybe do a dual boot or a tri boot with mandriva

[doctorgonzo]

You can do a multi-boot on Mac hardware, but you can't legally install OS X on non-Mac hardware.

Windows will only run on the newer Mac hardware that has Intel processors.

[yeoamuca]

ok cool thanks