Move Background Windows in Mac OS X [QuickTip]

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One of the things I love about Mac OS X is that you can learn new features even after using it for years.  Here's a tip I picked up via the Mac Life Podcast recently.

If you've got a messy desktop, you can get to a window's content and still keep the focus on the top window.  Just hold down the Command key and move the window with your pointer- it will not overlap the top window.  Great for referring something in the background window and typing in another. 

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

HDMI Audio + Video Solutions

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It's now possible to get HDMI digital audio + video outputs working on your custom build.  The trick is to get a supported graphics card.  Here are a few methods to enable HDMI audio + video using an NVIDIA GT 220 or GT 240 graphics card with a Gigabyte motherboard.  

NOTE: Since the NVIDIA GT 220 or GT 240 has its own audio chip, you may lose audio functionality with your current onboard audio solution.

UPDATE: The Easy Method also works for the NVIDIA 430, 450, 460, 465, 475, and 480, since they also have an onboard audio chip.  Advanced Method is not working.

Easy Method: VoodooHDA + Graphics Enablers

Enabling video is the first step.  You may use any of the methods described in this article: Enable Full Graphics Card Acceleration.

With VoodooHDA, a complete replacement audio solution, you can use your HDMI device without any further configuration.  To test, install a VoodooHDA version through MultiBeast.  Since some of these drivers are experimental, you may get kernel panics on install and with use.  In my own experience, VoodooHDA 0.2.1 and 0.2.56 work best for the GT 240.  You'll find upon reboot that in Audio/Midi Setup and System Preferences there are 4 Digital Options- the second one works for HDMI audio out.

Advanced Method: AppleHDA + DSDT Graphics

Using the default AppleHDA is also possible, with HDMI identified as built-in.  You can configure the NVIDIA GT 240 to use the native AppleHDA.kext for your HDMI solution independent of any onboard audio chip.  This method is considerably more advanced.

NOTE: Use 10.6.4 AppleHDA or earlier, 10.6.5 or later will NOT work with this method.

STEP 1: ENABLE GRAPHICS THROUGH DSDT
Configure your graphics card without kexts, Chameleon's GraphicsEnabler or EFI strings using the following article as a guide: Advanced DSDT Fixes: NVIDIA Graphics.  GT 240 users can skip this step.

STEP 2: ADD HDMI AUDIO TO DSDT
Next, we'll add HDMI audio edits to the graphics section of our DSDT.

1. Download and open DSDT-GT240+HDMI.dsl using DSDTSE
2. Open your DSDT.aml
3. Type Device (PCI0) in the search box to return to your previous graphics edit.
4. Compare and copy/paste the information as necessary.  NOTE: GT 240 owners can copy/paste the entire section including the full graphics code,
5. Compile and save your new DSDT.aml
6. Paste to /Extra/ as DSDT.aml

STEP 3: REMOVE ALL EXISTING GRAPHICS ENABLERS
You must now remove all Enablers, GraphicsEnabler=Yes, and EFI Strings from your system to test the new injection.

1. Open /Extra/Extensions and /System/Library/Extensions
2. Delete any graphics enabler kexts in both locations such as NVEnabler or ATY_init.
3. Open /Extra/Extensions/ and open com.apple.boot.plist in TextEdit
4. Delete any EFI String information and GraphicsEnabler=Yes
5. Save com.apple.boot.plist

STEP 4: PATCH APPLEHDA BINARY
In order to use AppleHDA.kext for HDMI audio, GT 240 users will need to patch the HDMI audio device id from the standard 0x10DE000A to 0x10DE000D using a Hex editor.  GT 220 users can skip this step. 

1. Make sure you're updated to the latest version of Mac OS X. 
2. Navigate in Finder to /System/Library/Extensions
3. Copy your AppleHDA.kext to Desktop
4. Download and install Hex Fiend
5. Right click on AppleHDA.kext and choose Show Package Contents
6. Navigate to /Contents/MacOS/
7. Copy AppleHDA to Desktop
8. Right click on AppleHDA and choose Open With…
9. Choose Hex Fiend
10. Type Command-F to bring up Find and Replace menubar
11. Copy and paste 0A 00 DE 10 in Find
12. Copy and paste 0D 00 DE 10 in Replace
13. Click Replace All
14. Save AppleHDA
15. Go back to your previously opened ~/Desktop/AppleHDA.kext
16. Right click on AppleHDA.kext and choose Show Package Contents
17. Navigate to /Contents/MacOS/
18. Delete AppleHDA
19. Copy and paste AppleHDA from Desktop to /Contents/MacOS/
20. Download KextBeast
21. Run KextBeast to install the new AppleHDA.kext and rebuild caches.
22. Reboot

 Credit to tmonkgol at Insanelymac.  Hope this works for you!

-tonymacx86

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

iBoot 2.5 - Unified Graphics Support

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Today, iBoot has received a major update.  No longer will there be multiple versions of iBoot, but one unified version for any supported Intel CPU with either ATI or NVIDIA graphics.  The new version is a permanent replacement for all previous versions of iBoot, including iBoot-NVIDIA, iBoot-ATI, iBoot-ATI-5xxx, and iBoot-Supported. 

Download iBoot

We've rolled in the latest pre-release version of Chameleon 2.0 RC5, and for ethernet, the latest beta version of Lnx2Mac's RealtekRTL81xx.kext.  For desktops and laptops using unsupported Intel CPUs and graphics, a legacy version of iBoot can be downloaded here.

As always, follow the iBoot + MultiBeast method for installation.  Please note that iBoot is an installation tool, and is not intended as a substitute for installing Chameleon to your hard drive or EFI partition. 

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

-tonymacx86 & MacMan

UPDATE: iBoot 2.5.1 now includes 10.5.0 kernel and updated USB support for 10.6.5.

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

USB 3.0 Now Supported in Mac OS X

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USB 3.0 is now supported in Mac OS X!  LaCie released drivers today for their new line of USB 3,0 PCI-E and ExpressCard controllers.  Download the drivers here.

The device identifies as USB Super-Speed Bus in System Profiler and IORegistryExplorer.  USB 2.0 devices are confirmed working on these USB 3.0 ports.  We haven't had a chance to test USB 3.0 devices.  Our initial testing was done on GA-H55N-USB3, GA-P55A-UD4P and the GA-X58A-UD3R.

We need more testers! Report your findings in the tonymacx86 Forum here.

UPDATE:
LaCie's driver is working only on specific LaCie devices.  Luckily, we've been tipped off to a patched version of the kext, which enables any USB 3.0 device.  Available in the latest MultiBeast. You can test speeds using Xbench, then target any drive plugged to the USB 3.0 ports.  Please post any stats in the forum! 

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.  

Minimal DSDT Edits for Gigabyte Socket 1366 Motherboards

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MacMan has posted a new DSDT editing guide for Gigabyte Socket 1366 Motherboards.  

Since I posted Minimal DSDT Edits for Gigabyte Socket 1156 Motherboards I picked up a Gigabyte X58A-UD3R Rev 2.0 motherboard as part of the post tonymacx86 and I did for the CustoMac Pro 2010 project on his blog.

I started researching and testing what edits from my Socket 1156 post were or weren't needed on this board. The good news is that the majority of the edits carry over, but some are not needed. For example, we don't need to inject anything for the USB ports to be fully recognized. But there are a couple of required Socket 1366 specific edits.

To read the full article, and detailed explanations behind each edit, visit MacMan's blog.