[gadgetlover]

Originally Posted by minimalpc

It doesn't hurt to run NBI again just before the update to 10.6.2, but it may not be necessary--depending on the circumstances. The key is that you MUST run NBI 0.8.3 RC4 or newer with the "Install bootloader" option checked at least once before you get a major update such as 10.6.2. The requisite one time could have been when you first installed OS X (as long as you used NBI 0.8.3 RC4 or newer). The special Chameleon bootloader in the newer versions of NBI patches the 10.6.2 kernel on the fly to re-enable support for the Intel Atom processor (which Apple removed from the official 10.6.2 update). As long as the special Chameleon bootloader is still in place whenever you decide to update to 10.6.2, you should be good. You must, however, always run NBI again after the update has been applied and the system reboots. Once you run NBI, reboot again. Until you do this post-update NBI, audio will not work.

Thanks. I feel much better prepared now. Can't wait to get the machine and try all of this.

[Mac Migs]

Originally Posted by gadgetlover

Which key on 10V maps to option key? Since you have OS X on your GF's mini, you probably know this one already.

Thanks for all the advice/feedback. I'll report what I find and then hopefully compile a master list of what I did to hopefully get a successful outcome.

Primary objectives for me:
1) Don't brick my new 10V
2) Don't ruin the XP OS (don't have an external CD drive to reinstall)
3) Get OS X on there successfully
4) Write guide for this thread (I'm a little surprised there are so few people desiring to do this based on lack of traffic on this thread - guess most have moved on to Win 7 for dual-boot)
5) Figure out how to get the Apple logo onto the cover

I have plenty of Apple stickers, but it might look too cheesy. No way I'm going to cut a hole and attempt to get the LED backlight to shine through. Someone spray-painted a plastic logo cutout silver and superglued it over the Dell logo - that has potential. Using a SGP carbon fiber skin on my Ubuntu Mini 9 - it's really nice but doesn't solve the logo problem. But I'm getting way off topic here. . .

Another off-topic question: How do you/your GF find the trackpad? Seems like lots of people complaining about it - wondering how it is after the OS X install.

Originally Posted by gadgetlover

Thanks. I feel much better prepared now. Can't wait to get the machine and try all of this.

Don't forget to report back here and let us know how everything goes with your install. What worked, and what didn't work... we all expect a FULL REPORT, LOL

[Bugben]

Originally Posted by Mac Migs

Don't forget to report back here and let us know how everything goes with your install. What worked, and what didn't work... we all expect a FULL REPORT, LOL

I agree, but please give a step by step report on everything you did so the Forum can have an up-to-date guide. There seem to be a lot of how-to guides and there is always something that is left out.

[gadgetlover]

Originally Posted by Bugben

I agree, but please give a step by step report on everything you did so the Forum can have an up-to-date guide. There seem to be a lot of how-to guides and there is always something that is left out.

Sure guys, I will. FedEx says my 10V is leaving Sacramento (I'm in San Jose area). I was hoping I could pick it up myself at a local FedEx, but looks like I'll have to wait until at least Monday.

Will publish a full report if I'm successful!

[Mac Migs]

Originally Posted by gadgetlover

Sure guys, I will. FedEx says my 10V is leaving Sacramento (I'm in San Jose area). I was hoping I could pick it up myself at a local FedEx, but looks like I'll have to wait until at least Monday.

Will publish a full report if I'm successful!

Wow... San Jose, I'm in Fremont... practically neighbors.

I bit the bullet and I just ended up buying a refurbished 10v with a 6 cell battery on Ebay not more than 10 minutes ago for $298.98 with free Ground shipping. Probably won't see it til late this coming week since it's coming from NJ. Looking for a small decently priced SSD drive on Ebay for it now.

[gadgetlover]

Originally Posted by Mac Migs

Wow... San Jose, I'm in Fremont... practically neighbors.

I bit the bullet and I just ended up buying a refurbished 10v with a 6 cell battery on Ebay not more than 10 minutes ago for $298.98 with free Ground shipping. Probably won't see it til late this coming week since it's coming from NJ. Looking for a small decently priced SSD drive on Ebay for it now.

Congrats! It took me 3 tries on Dell Outlet to finally get one configured the way I wanted. First I got the absolute cheapest one, but decided 3-cell wasn't enough runtime for me. Then I found a one with 6-cell and bluetooth module, and an hour later found one for $20 less w/o bluetooth (I already have a micro-sized USB BT I got for $2, plus I never really use BT anyway).

So you want to replace your HDD with an SSD? Any particular reason - lower power?

Are you going to get the same mCover hard case that you got for your GF's for your new one? Does it increase the overall size much (it seems light enough) - I have a Case Logic sleeve/carrier that I believe will just fit w/6-cell, but if mCover pushes me over into a new case, I might try to do something else. I'm still thinking the spray painted Apple logo if I can manage to make one myself that looks nice.

---------- Post added at 01:09 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:09 AM ----------

Originally Posted by Bugben

I agree, but please give a step by step report on everything you did so the Forum can have an up-to-date guide. There seem to be a lot of how-to guides and there is always something that is left out.

By the way, I've already started on the step-by-step guide this afternoon. It's a good exercise as I need the step-by-step for myself as well when I start on the OS X install part. As conscientious as I'm trying to be in compiling all the steps from multiple sources, I have a feeling I'm going to hit a fork in the road at some point and have to make a guess that will hopefully not screw me. I should have the guide up mid-week if everything goes smoothly.

---------- Post added at 01:15 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:09 AM ----------

Originally Posted by minimalpc

It doesn't hurt to run NBI again just before the update to 10.6.2, but it may not be necessary--depending on the circumstances. The key is that you MUST run NBI 0.8.3 RC4 or newer with the "Install bootloader" option checked at least once before you get a major update such as 10.6.2. The requisite one time could have been when you first installed OS X (as long as you used NBI 0.8.3 RC4 or newer). The special Chameleon bootloader in the newer versions of NBI patches the 10.6.2 kernel on the fly to re-enable support for the Intel Atom processor (which Apple removed from the official 10.6.2 update). As long as the special Chameleon bootloader is still in place whenever you decide to update to 10.6.2, you should be good. You must, however, always run NBI again after the update has been applied and the system reboots. Once you run NBI, reboot again. Until you do this post-update NBI, audio will not work.

minimalpc, when running NBI, do I need to "Regenerate a system specific DSDT.aml file"? This shows up in mechdrew's OS X install guide, but for this dual-boot install, I don't know if this is required, optional, or a really bad idea.

[Mac Migs]

Originally Posted by gadgetlover

So you want to replace your HDD with an SSD? Any particular reason - lower power?

Are you going to get the same mCover hard case that you got for your GF's for your new one? Does it increase the overall size much (it seems light enough) - I have a Case Logic sleeve/carrier that I believe will just fit w/6-cell, but if mCover pushes me over into a new case, I might try to do something else. I'm still thinking the spray painted Apple logo if I can manage to make one myself that looks nice.

Well... although SSD drives are still pretty expensive, I've gotten spoiled with using them as "boot" drives in both my Mac Pro and MacBook Pro. My MacBook Pro actually has 2 hard drive in it (dvd drive removed and replaced with a hard drive caddy). I have a 64GB SSD drive used as a boot drive and applications, and a 500GB 7200rpm drive used for my user/home folder and everything else. From the time I push the "on" button to full startup takes about 12 seconds and also full brightness since the new MacBook Pros have use the LED displays. Applications load almost instantly.

I know putting in a SSD drive in the 10v won't boot "as" fast, but it'll definitely be an improvement over the oem 5400rpm drive. I really don't need that much storage space on the 10v either. I can always plug in a compact external USB drive or thumb drive.

I didn't the mCover for my 10v like I did for my gf's. I ordered a cabon fiber skin from SPGStore.com instead.

[gadgetlover]

Originally Posted by Mac Migs

Well... although SSD drives are still pretty expensive, I've gotten spoiled with using them as "boot" drives in both my Mac Pro and MacBook Pro. My MacBook Pro actually has 2 hard drive in it (dvd drive removed and replaced with a hard drive caddy). I have a 64GB SSD drive used as a boot drive and applications, and a 500GB 7200rpm drive used for my user/home folder and everything else. From the time I push the "on" button to full startup takes about 12 seconds and also full brightness since the new MacBook Pros have use the LED displays. Applications load almost instantly.

I know putting in a SSD drive in the 10v won't boot "as" fast, but it'll definitely be an improvement over the oem 5400rpm drive. I really don't need that much storage space on the 10v either. I can always plug in a compact external USB drive or thumb drive.

I didn't the mCover for my 10v like I did for my gf's. I ordered a cabon fiber skin from SPGStore.com instead.

I see. So do you plan on making your new 10V dual boot with XP and SL?

I have the carbon fiber skin from SGPstore.com for my Mini 9. It's really a nice, high-quality skin. I'd get one for my 10V as well, other than wanting that Apple logo somewhere since I'm spending so much time/effort on hackintoshing it.

[Mac Migs]

Originally Posted by gadgetlover

I see. So do you plan on making your new 10V dual boot with XP and SL?

I have the carbon fiber skin from SGPstore.com for my Mini 9. It's really a nice, high-quality skin. I'd get one for my 10V as well, other than wanting that Apple logo somewhere since I'm spending so much time/effort on hackintoshing it.

I honestly don't think I'm going to do the dual boot on my 10v. It's really rare that I use any Windows apps. I have XP and Windows 7 on my Mac Pro already. No need to take up space on my 10v. I'm a Mac snob.. LOL.

I just read another thread regarding the SPGstore.com skins.

They say if you put "solid skin without dell logo cutout" in the notes when you order that you will get one.

[gadgetlover]

Originally Posted by Mac Migs

I honestly don't think I'm going to do the dual boot on my 10v. It's really rare that I use any Windows apps. I have XP and Windows 7 on my Mac Pro already. No need to take up space on my 10v. I'm a Mac snob.. LOL.

I just read another thread regarding the SPGstore.com skins.

I actually just wrote to SGPstore.com and recommended they create new skins with Apple logo for both Mini 9 and 10V since so many people install OS X on them.

If I leave the hole/Dell logo off (i.e. solid skin), I still will have my "how do I get the apple logo on there" problem. I guess the 10V Dell logo is also a little raised/textured, so you can see the impression through the solid cover as well.