Mac OS X 10.7.3 Update

type="html">Today Apple released Mac OS X 10.7.3 the 3rd major update to Mac OS X Lion. To eliminate any potential issues, we generally recommend to update any supported systems using the standalone Combo installer, and not the built-in Software Update.Download the Mac OS X 10.7.3 Combo UpdateBe sure to back up any important data, and if possible clone your hard drive before applying the update.  

Crucial m4 512GB Solid State Drive w/ the 0009 Update Review

Introduction

If you own a Crucial m4 solid state drive, we have good news. The company has released a firmware update that is said to increase sequential performance by up to 20%, lower latency and lower system boot up time negotiating with host controllers faster. Compatibility with certain chipsets has also been improved and we suspect some undisclosed fixes were also stuffed in as well. We've updated our entire portfolio of Crucial m4 products with the new 0009 firmware, all the way from the 64GB to the newest 512GB model. The updated benchmark results will be in our performance charts from this point forward.

This article isn't just about the new "free performance" firmware update, though. We have Crucial's largest SSD to date on the test bench and with it a big smile on our faces. We rarely hear about the largest SSD capacity sizes since they are generally beyond what most enthusiasts spend on a single product for their system, but prices have been falling rapidly. On its release the Crucial m4 512GB SSD cost over 1,000 USD and even at that price it was a bargain compared to the 1,700 Dollar Vertex 3 480GB. After a quick search this morning, we found the 512GB m4 available online for less than 600 Dollars.

You may think we've been overcome by SSD intoxication, but the price of these massive capacity products is starting to look good. Not really good or pretty good, but good. Once you come to grips with the actual capacity and the amount of data that can be stored on a 512GB drive, things start to look better. Before you know it something clicks and the price becomes secondary to the performance and capacity offered.

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MultiBeast 2.3.0 Update

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Today MultiBeast was updated to version 2.3.0.  The main new feature is an improved UserDSDT which no longer requires a name change to work.  Any .aml file placed on the desktop will be installed correctly to /Extra as DSDT.aml.

Full list of changes:

• Modified UserDSDT to use any file ending in .aml instead of only DSDT.aml
• Upgraded the official Realtek RTL8169 driver to the latest version, 2.0.5
• Added VoodooHDA 0.2.70 with prefPane.
• All smbios.plist choices were edited to remove all unnecessary keys and values.
• Corrected Chameleon Theme to install the correct theme.
• Corrected PC-EFI Theme to install the correct theme.
• Added VoodooHDA.prefPane to VoodooHDA 0.2.61

If this utility has helped you, please consider a contribution to support further MultiBeast development.  Thanks in advance, and enjoy!

-tonymacx86 & MacMan

For discussions on this and other topics, register today at tonymacx86.com!

MultiBeast 2.4.0 Update

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Today MultiBeast was updated to version 2.4.0.  We've added Core i3 options to smbios,plist, Chameleon RC5 Prerelease, USB 3.0 support, as well as a few other additions, fixes and features. Please do not upload or redistribute MultiBeast to any other sites. 

Full list of changes:

• Added Core i3 smbios.plist for iMac and Mac Pro
• Added Chameleon 2.0 RC5 r594 Prerelease
• Added Chameleon RC5 Default Theme
• Added USB 3.0 Support - LaCie driver patched by modbin
• Added VoodooHDA 0.2.72 with prefPane
• Merged VoodooHDA Official and Experimental choices and clarified VoodooLabs and Project OS X branches in descriptions
• Set all VoodooHDA Verbose outputs to 0 in info.plist
• Replaced MacPro3,1 with MacPro4,1 in smbios.plist
• Renamed menu choice JMicron36xATA to JMicron36x ATA
• Renamed menu choice JMicron36xSATA to JMicron36x SATA
• Renamed menu choice JMicron36xeSATA to JMicron36x eSATA

If this utility has helped you, please consider a contribution to support further MultiBeast development.  Thanks in advance, and enjoy!

-tonymacx86 & MacMan

For discussions on this and other topics, register today at tonymacx86.com!

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Today Apple released Mac OS X 10.6.5 the 5th major update to Mac OS X Snow Leopard. To update for any supported CPU, simply run Software Update, or download the standalone installer from Apple.

Download the Mac OS X 10.6.5 Combo Update

Be sure to back up any important data, and if possible clone your hard drive before applying the update.  Testing is underway.  Report your results in the forum here. 

What we know about 10.6.5 so far...

• Intel Core i3 CPUs now identified in System Profiler and About This Mac... 
• Updated drivers for ATI and NVIDIA cards
• Two new ATI framebuffers: Nomascus and Orangutan for HD5xxx cards
• Adds support for exFAT file systems used on SDXC cards
• 10.5.0 Darwin kernel 

Most supported systems will not need to make any post-installation fixes, but here are a few points to be aware of. 

• Audio - The update will replace your AppleHDA.kext.  If you aren't using the ALC889a codec with Legacy889aHDA, you will have to reinstall the 10.6.2 AppleHDA Rollback using MultiBeast.  If you're using VoodooHDA, you will not need to make any modifications.

• USB - As of MultiBeast 2.4.1, EasyBeast has been updated to include USB Rollback, which enables full USB functionality on 10.6.5.  If you already have a system installed using EasyBeast, simply install the new USB Rollback option.  Download MultiBeast.

• Sleep enabler kexts are version specific.  Remove before installing the update.  

• iBoot 2.5.2 integrates the new 10.5.0 kernel and USB fixes for 10.6.5.  If you're having issues post-update, you can always boot using iBoot, then target your drive.  

• When using iBoot 2.5.2 as a rescue disk with 10.6.5, in order to have USB 2.0 support, you MUST have a USB 2.0 device plugged in at boot time.   Download iBoot.  

MultiBeast 2.5 Update

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This past weekend MultiBeast was updated to version 2.5 as part of the NVIDIA "Fermi" drivers update.

Please do not upload or redistribute MultiBeast to any other sites. 

Full list of changes:

• Updated Chameleon 2.0 RC5 - Prerelease to RC5 r643 for Fermi based card support 
• Added Chameleon 2.0 RC5 - ATI Experimental by Kabyl in Advanced Options -> Chameleon
• Added ATI 48xx Patch for 10.6.5 to Advanced Options -> Kexts -> Graphics -> ATI
• Changed Advanced Options -> smbios.plist -> MacPro to a menu
• Moved existing MacPro4,1 smbios.plists to Advanced Options -> smbios.plist -> MacPro4,1
• Added MacPro3,1 smbios.plist to Advanced Options -> smbios.plist -> MacPro3,1
• Added MacPro5,1 smbios.plist to Advanced Options -> smbios.plist -> MacPro5,1
• Added Auto-Detect CPU to Advanced Options -> smbios.plist -> iMac11,1
• Added Auto-Detect CPU to Advanced Options -> smbios.plist -> MacPro3,1
• Added Auto-Detect CPU to Advanced Options -> smbios.plist -> MacPro4,1
• Added Auto-Detect CPU to Advanced Options -> smbios.plist -> MacPro5,1
• Fixed all Mac Pro smbios.plists to have valid system-identifiers for each model serial number
• Changed EasyBeast smbios.plist to MacPro3,1 Auto-Detect CPU
• Changed UserDSDT smbios.plist to MacPro3,1 Auto-Detect CPU

If this utility has helped you, please consider a contribution to support further MultiBeast development.  Thanks in advance, and enjoy!

-tonymacx86 & MacMan

For discussions on this and other topics, register today at tonymacx86.com!

MultiBeast 2.6 Update

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Today MultiBeast was updated to version 2.6.  The major change in this release is Chameleon 2.0 RC5 Prerelease r651.  This new version provides more comprehensive NVIDIA 4xx "Fermi" GraphicsEnabler support.  We have also decided to use the latest RC5 as the default bootloader for EasyBeast and UserDSDT going forward.

Please do not upload or redistribute MultiBeast to any other sites. 

Full list of changes:

• Updated Chameleon 2.0 RC5 Prerelease to r651
• Removed PC-EFI 
• Updated EasyBeast and UserDSDT to default to Chameleon 2.0 RC5 Prerelease
• Renamed Advanced Options -> Kexts -> Graphics -> PCI Root ID Fix -> For Chameleon 2.0 RC4 by AsereBLN to For Chameleon 2.0

If this utility has helped you, please consider a contribution to support further MultiBeast development.  Thanks in advance, and enjoy!

-tonymacx86 & MacMan

For discussions on this and other topics, register today at tonymacx86.com!

MultiBeast 3.0 Update

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Today MultiBeast was updated to version 3.0.  We've made quite a few structural changes, including enabling all choices, so no options are greyed out.  The downside to this is you can now choose to install everything within a category.  Only check the top level choice and the specific sub-choice options.  Checking the category, or root option will most likely corrupt your installation by installing unwanted or unneeded options.

Please do not upload or redistribute MultiBeast to any other sites.   

Full list of changes:

• Restructured menus: Advanced Options now separated into Drivers & Bootloaders and Customization.
• Updated Chameleon 2.0 RC5 - Prerelease to r668.
• Updated Chameleon 2.0 RC5 - ATI Experimental to r679.
• Updated Chameleon post install script to correctly install on a dual boot system.
• Added tonymacx86 theme Remixed by complx to Themes.
• Changed EasyBeast and UserDSDT to install tonymacx86 theme Remixed by complx.
• Removed all CPU-specific smbios.plist definitions.
• Removed Chameleon 2.0 RC4 by AsereBLN 1.1.9
• Replaced all Legacy88xHDA kexts with the new unified ALC8xxHDA kext.
• Replaced LegacyAppleRTC with ElliottForceLegacyRTC for 32/64 bit support.
• Updated EasyBeast and UserDSDT to use Chameleon 2.0 RC5 - Prerelease.
• Updated EasyBeast to use ElliottForceLegacyRTC instead of LegacyAppleRTC
• Added iMac11,2 and iMac11,3 System Definitions

If this utility has helped you, please consider a contribution to support further MultiBeast development.  Thanks in advance, and enjoy!

-tonymacx86 & MacMan

For discussions on this and other topics, register today at tonymacx86.com!

Mac OS X 10.6.6 Update

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Today Apple released Mac OS X 10.6.6 the 6th major update to Mac OS X Snow Leopard. To update for any supported CPU, simply run Software Update, or download the standalone installer from Apple.

Download the Mac OS X 10.6.6 Combo Update

Be sure to back up any important data, and if possible clone your hard drive before applying the update.  Testing is underway.  Report your results in the forum here. 

What we know about 10.6.6 so far...

• The Mac App Store is included!  This application shows up in the dock after reboot.
• 10.6.0 Darwin kernel
• Replacement NVIDIA drivers - not Fermi capable.

Most supported systems will not need to make post-installation fixes, but here are a few points to be aware of.  

• Graphics - If you're using a NVIDIA 4xx "Fermi" card, you will have to re-run the NVIDIA Update to regain full acceleration.  Make sure you have a Mac Pro System Definition installed from MultiBeast, or it will not let you install.  You may also use the tonymacx86 NVIDIA Update.

• Audio - The Combo update will replace your AppleHDA.kext.  If you aren't using the ALC889a codec, you will have to reinstall AppleHDA Rollback using MultiBeast.  If you're using VoodooHDA, you will not need to make any modifications.

• USB -  The Combo update will replace your IOUSBFamily,kext.  To restore full USB functionality on a non-DSDT or EasyBeast system install USB Rollback using MultiBeast before reboot.  Download MultiBeast. 

• Sleep enabler kexts are version specific.  Remove before installing the update.  

iBoot 2.6 Update

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Today, iBoot is updated to 2.6.  Grab the latest version at tonymacx86.com/downloads.

• GraphicsEnabler=Yes only.  We've removed all kext based graphics enablers. 
• Chameleon 2.0 RC5 r700 - ATI Experimental by Kabyl (branch) with support for both NVIDIA 4xx and ATI 5xxx cards.  If you can't get to installation, type -x PCIRootUID=1.
• tonymacx86 Classic theme optimized for standard or widescreen displays.
• iBoot-GE has been retired.  iBoot now contains all of the same functionality.

Please do not upload or redistribute iBoot to any other sites.  

iBoot Legacy and BridgeHelper have also been updated and now use the 10.6.0 Legacy Kernel by Nawcom, AnV, and Azimutz.  This modified kernel adds experimental support for Intel's new LGA1155 Sandy Bridge CPUs.  PLEASE NOTE: Sandy Bridge CPUs and chipsets are not currently supported natively by Mac OS X Snow Leopard.  We are providing this to assist early adopters only- use at your own risk.

-tonymacx86 & MacMan

For discussions on this and other topics, register today at tonymacx86.com!