[Guide & Software] Complete Intel Bad Axe 2 Walkthrough with Software

[joneSi]

Well, I fixed my issues...mostly related to my laziness of dragging and dropping the script to the terminal rather than running it from the terminal. So clearly my mistake. Anyway, Weaksauce, brilliant guide, I am typing this on my 46" LCD TV. Very nice.

 

Doing the update shortly to 10.5.2....

 

joneSi

[macstah]

UUID Error:

I have been attempting to get Software RAID sets to act as boot drives. The first problem I ran into is that I got UUID Error 35 when SuperDuper tried to erase my OS X RAID set before cloning to it. Stella hooked me up with a custom plist to get rid of the UUID error (also fixes Time Machine/Ethernet but only for EFI 8 users!); here's a Zip:

 

http://rapidshare.com/files/89780723/UUIDfixer.zip.html

 

That file is for EFI 8.0 users ONLY! Do NOT use it on EFI 5.2! My EFI 8.0 guide is not ready for release yet for various reasons including bugs, so go with BJMoose's guide if you need EFI 8.0 for now.

 

Downloads seem to have been maxed out for free accounts. I added a new link for additional downloads :

 

UUID fix

[weaksauce12]

Doh! I even replied to that thread. Thanks man. So the one thing I'm not clear on (and I've been trying to do my homework on the netkas forum) is this:

 

So I use the UUIDfixer Boot.plist, but is that for Ethernet only? Would I then add my graphics string to my Boot.plist? On the netkas forums I've seen a Boot.plist discussed with a hex string, but then additional plist files like a NetworkInterfaces.plist? Ditto for Audio.

 

Thanks again, man, for all the efforts and knowledge in this thread!

 

-M

 

I haven't gotten into graphic strings too much. I decided not to add it to the next revision simply because everyone has a different video card. The UUID fix is a string for Ethernet, which fixes both Time Machine and UUID Error #35 and also replaces the IONetworkingFamily kext. Thanks for posting it for downloading somewhere else! Also I noticed an error in my UUID instructions - in front of Library it should be /Library, so it will give you an error that says the directory cannot be found when changing folders.

 

 

A few questions for everybody:

 

1. In 10.5.2, I've noticed that if I'm downloading something (file transfer, Internet, whatever), the icon "blinks", or flickers. Anyone else getting that?

 

2. In 10.5.2, SuperDuper freezes on the last step of the cloning process ("Restoring Spotlight state on Hard Drive"). Anyone else getting that?

 

3. Has anyone found a PCI USB card (that adds more USB ports) that actually works with sleep? I've tried two cards so far (both PCI, not PCIe) without any luck.

[joneSi]

EDIT: I'm a dope. Changed audio to digital out, clear as a bell.

 

THANKS!

joneSi

[macstah]

I haven't gotten into graphic strings too much. I decided not to add it to the next revision simply because everyone has a different video card. The UUID fix is a string for Ethernet, which fixes both Time Machine and UUID Error #35 and also replaces the IONetworkingFamily kext. Thanks for posting it for downloading somewhere else! Also I noticed an error in my UUID instructions - in front of Library it should be /Library, so it will give you an error that says the directory cannot be found when changing folders.

 

Thanks.

 

A few questions for everybody:

 

1. In 10.5.2, I've noticed that if I'm downloading something (file transfer, Internet, whatever), the icon "blinks", or flickers. Anyone else getting that?

 

2. In 10.5.2, SuperDuper freezes on the last step of the cloning process ("Restoring Spotlight state on Hard Drive"). Anyone else getting that?

 

3. Has anyone found a PCI USB card (that adds more USB ports) that actually works with sleep? I've tried two cards so far (both PCI, not PCIe) without any luck.

 

1. I have not seen that on my rig.

2. Seems to be solid over here. No error (BTW, thanks for pointing us to that app, I purchased a license last week)

3. I haven't yet. Not that this helps your question specifically, but I am using a BYTECC 2+1 Ports PCIe Firewire 1394a Card Model BT-PE1394 with a FW audio interface tht sleeps and wakes NP.

 

-M

[Team Scream]

I haven't gotten into graphic strings too much. I decided not to add it to the next revision simply because everyone has a different video card. The UUID fix is a string for Ethernet, which fixes both Time Machine and UUID Error #35 and also replaces the IONetworkingFamily kext. Thanks for posting it for downloading somewhere else! Also I noticed an error in my UUID instructions - in front of Library it should be /Library, so it will give you an error that says the directory cannot be found when changing folders.

 

 

A few questions for everybody:

 

1. In 10.5.2, I've noticed that if I'm downloading something (file transfer, Internet, whatever), the icon "blinks", or flickers. Anyone else getting that?

 

2. In 10.5.2, SuperDuper freezes on the last step of the cloning process ("Restoring Spotlight state on Hard Drive"). Anyone else getting that?

 

3. Has anyone found a PCI USB card (that adds more USB ports) that actually works with sleep? I've tried two cards so far (both PCI, not PCIe) without any luck.

 

 

Yep.

I had a SuperDuper back up image (clone) so I figured before i go any further with the BAdAxe build lets see if this cloning process is reliable and it is NOT.

I got no errors when SUperDuper was creating the image but when I went to restore from that image, obviously you have to erase the boot drive before you can restore to it to see if it will work or not and all i got after almost an hour and a hlaf of restoring and verifying was a blinking cursor on reboot

I was really really bummed but at least I know i cannot put my faith in SUperDuper for cloning on the BadAxe2.

 

I now have a licensed copy of CopyCat-X and the related boot image and I will be testing that next, my goal is to have a good working clone that I can always restore to complete with all my apps and everything.

[tuukka H]

I really really would like to know what will the graphics update do? Can I install it to my system (6600gt)? Is there any reason why I should install it?

 

Also weaksauce12.. How did u overclock your machine? I just tried to overclock and after that my system didnt start.. Nice..

[joneSi]

I really really would like to know what will the graphics update do? Can I install it to my system (6600gt)? Is there any reason why I should install it?

 

Also weaksauce12.. How did u overclock your machine? I just tried to overclock and after that my system didnt start.. Nice..

 

 

Overclocking is a touchy thing...you've got to have great components, and not be afraid to push them, as well as have their lifespan shortened. I am still searching for a good overclocking guide for the BadAxe2. My only other prior experience of overclocking is with my old Asus A8N board and my opteron. This is all new territory for me.

 

joneSi

[alamoa]

A few questions for everybody:

 

1. In 10.5.2, I've noticed that if I'm downloading something (file transfer, Internet, whatever), the icon "blinks", or flickers. Anyone else getting that?

 

2. In 10.5.2, SuperDuper freezes on the last step of the cloning process ("Restoring Spotlight state on Hard Drive"). Anyone else getting that?

 

3. Has anyone found a PCI USB card (that adds more USB ports) that actually works with sleep? I've tried two cards so far (both PCI, not PCIe) without any luck.

 

1. No blinking here, but I deleted the download stack and use firefox dw manager.

2. With me SD creates the backup image and cannot even erase that-Using CCCloner.

3. All my 8 usb ports (6 in the back and 2 in the front) are working, If you need more ports why not get a Mini Hub which is touble free?

[weaksauce12]

SuperDuper is NOT working with my 10.5.2 had to backup using CCC carbon copy cloner

 

Okay so SuperDuper is not working on 10.5.2 for me, alamoa, and Team Scream?

 

What happens is it freezes on the last step for me (restore Spotlight state). If I try to boot from the cloned drive, all I get is the blinking cursor at boot. SuperDuper worked on 10.5.0 and 10.5.1 perfectly for me, so something in 10.5.2 broke SuperDuper on Hackintoshes.

 

@ alamoa, I've got a few USB hubs but some devices don't play nice on them (lag and other problems, such as on my keyboard). Direct always seems to work better for me.

[Team Scream]

Overclocking is a touchy thing...you've got to have great components, and not be afraid to push them, as well as have their lifespan shortened. I am still searching for a good overclocking guide for the BadAxe2. My only other prior experience of overclocking is with my old Asus A8N board and my opteron. This is all new territory for me.

 

joneSi

 

joneSi

 

Here are a few places I hive visited over the last couple of years while learning how to overclock.

The first link is a good overview of teh BadAxe2 with some great links and guides to help you understand the methodology.

 

CLICK HERE FOR ONE GOOD LINK

 

HERE IS ANOTHER GOOD LINK

 

Here is ANOTHER One

 

I have been overclocking for a few years now and the bottom line is you are right, it is a {censored} shoot when you buy components whether or not you will get good parts that are built for overclocking.

 

The second part of the equation and I learned this the hard way, it all has to do with heat management, so on air cooling of any kind, you are going to get limited results with reduced stability.

 

The only real way to get stable high overlcocks is on active cooling of some kind, be it water, peltiers, phase change or whatever.

 

What I settled on after trying everything but phase change and ultimately selling off the parts that I did not burn up was water cooling.

 

I can get a good stable 25 to 30% overclock on water with GREAT components, mostly you can reasonably shoot for 15-20% with average components and CPU and GPU water blocks alone.

 

My current BadAxe2 is using CPU, GPU, North Bridge, South Bridge and Memory water blocks and I am over 6 months at this speed on this processor completely stable which is nice, my temps never get above 50c on my processer in XP while playing Crysis, COD4, Unreal or whatever.

 

The quads dont really over clock very well on 975 based boards, the Duo's especially the 6600 do very very well on 975 based boards like the BadAxe2 however there are good results being posted by guys with Quads on X-38 Intel based motherboards.

[joneSi]

ScreamTeam,

 

Thanks for the AWESOME links! I have the BadAxe2, E6600, antec 400w power supply (which needs to go to properly overclock), 2gb of OCZ Platinum Rev 2 800 (will be 4gb in a few weeks) and a 7600gs, which will go in favor of an 8800 shortly. I'm on stock air cooling right now, that will go in favor of a scythe infinity or similar. Possibly moving to water. The overclock I want (about 3.0ghz) has been achieved on air by some...I'm hoping to be lucky. As we all know, it is better to be lucky than good

 

joneSi

[alamoa]

Got It. Sound is WORKING, For some reason my appleHDA.kext was messed up. I extracted it again from 10.5.2comboupdate, reinstalled with kexthelper and VOILA!!! going for a beer. Sheers Folks, i am going for a beer. :)

[weaksauce12]

I'm having another weird 10.5.2 issue -

 

Apps will freeze up, then won't quit even on force-quit. For example, I was using TextEdit, went to save, and it hung. I force-quit, the app gave me the error message and I clicked ignore, but it's still sitting on the dock like it's running. Force-quit does nothing but give me a -600 error.

[lindmar]

I'm having another weird 10.5.2 issue -

 

Apps will freeze up, then won't quit even on force-quit. For example, I was using TextEdit, went to save, and it hung. I force-quit, the app gave me the error message and I clicked ignore, but it's still sitting on the dock like it's running. Force-quit does nothing but give me a -600 error.

 

 

Oh man, this is not sounding good at all.

 

Are we going to have to stay put at 10.5.1???

[tuukka H]

I'm having another weird 10.5.2 issue -

 

Apps will freeze up, then won't quit even on force-quit. For example, I was using TextEdit, went to save, and it hung. I force-quit, the app gave me the error message and I clicked ignore, but it's still sitting on the dock like it's running. Force-quit does nothing but give me a -600 error.

My system is doing just as good as 10.5.1. So I think that installing the graphics update does something unwanted!.. Only thing with 10.5.2 is that temperature monitor wont work anymore.

[Team Scream]

I'm having another weird 10.5.2 issue -

 

Apps will freeze up, then won't quit even on force-quit. For example, I was using TextEdit, went to save, and it hung. I force-quit, the app gave me the error message and I clicked ignore, but it's still sitting on the dock like it's running. Force-quit does nothing but give me a -600 error.

 

Hmm...

I was having some similarly strange things happen but no apps freezing.

I noticed that TextEdit would always be open in my dock for some reason even tho I never opened it, but it has never frozen on me nor refused to quit.

 

I do think it is time for me to try another board however as in reality these BadAxe 2 boards are going to be 3 generations old by the end of next month when X-48 comes out.

 

I think my next build will be an X-38 based motherboard and a new 45nm quad on water in this chassis that I have.

[weaksauce12]

My system is doing just as good as 10.5.1. So I think that installing the graphics update does something unwanted!.. Only thing with 10.5.2 is that temperature monitor wont work anymore.

 

Yeah there's something funky going on with my system. Here's a dump from Console on SuperDuper:

 

2/20/08 10:32:08 AM SuperDuper![234] ***ERROR OCCURRED: 2008-02-20 10:32:08.463 SDDiskTool[267:10b] _CFGetHostUUIDString: unable to determine UUID for host. Error: 35

 

Might have something to do with the new SMBIOS27 I installed.

[Team Scream]

ScreamTeam,

 

Thanks for the AWESOME links! I have the BadAxe2, E6600, antec 400w power supply (which needs to go to properly overclock), 2gb of OCZ Platinum Rev 2 800 (will be 4gb in a few weeks) and a 7600gs, which will go in favor of an 8800 shortly. I'm on stock air cooling right now, that will go in favor of a scythe infinity or similar. Possibly moving to water. The overclock I want (about 3.0ghz) has been achieved on air by some...I'm hoping to be lucky. As we all know, it is better to be lucky than good

 

joneSi

 

joneSi

 

That Antec 400w PSU will probably be fine until you step up to the 8800 card.

Then you can look at the Antec "Phantom" which is a silent 500w PSU or go with what I think are the best PSU's on the planet which are the PC Power & Cooling Silencer (750w) series.

Just remember that if you are going to cool with air, it is NOT just the CPU you have to worry about, the north and south bridge chips are also passively cooled on these boards so at the very least you should remove the stock heat sinks in favor of something a little heavier and DEFINITELY use Arctic Silver themal paste on everything, then you should alos make sure you have good positive case ventilation, which means good air flow in and good air flow out.

 

One thing many new overclockers forget to think about is ambient temps inside the case, and the biggest culprit for generating heat inside the case besides the CPU and GPU are the hard drives so having good airflow helps to keep the ambient temps inside the case down.

[macstah]

Yeah there's something funky going on with my system. Here's a dump from Console on SuperDuper:2/20/08 10:32:08 AM SuperDuper![234] ***ERROR OCCURRED: 2008-02-20 10:32:08.463 SDDiskTool[267:10b] _CFGetHostUUIDString: unable to determine UUID for host. Error: 35Might have something to do with the new SMBIOS27 I installed.

Weaksauce, sorry to hear about the probs your having. Yeah man, I'm getting a bit suspicious of SMBIO27 as I got two kernel panics last night for the first time ever. Things seemed to be ok with the netkas smbio so I might revert to that. Also after changing to the v27 some of my authorized apps became unauthorized (not really a surprise there).

Got It. Sound is WORKING, For some reason my appleHDA.kext was messed up. I extracted it again from 10.5.2comboupdate, reinstalled with kexthelper and VOILA!!! going for a beer. Sheers Folks, i am going for a beer.

Alright Alamoa! Congrats. I can seriously relate to the joy of resolving a hackpro issue

[weaksauce12]

Weaksauce, sorry to hear about the probs your having. Yeah man, I'm getting a bit suspicious of SMBIO27 as I got two kernel panics last night for the first time ever. Things seemed to be ok with the netkas smbio so I might revert to that. Also after changing to the v27 some of my authorized apps became unauthorized (not really a surprise there).

 

I'll revert tonight with a fresh system install just to see how it goes from scratch. I really want to get SuperDuper working again

[alamoa]

Might have something to do with the new SMBIOS27 I installed.

 

It must be. Yesterday I was with shut down problems after trying to make my sound work. After returning to the 10.5.2 applahda.kext from kally update I return to a very stable system.

 

Sure it is an old board but from what I am reading in the forum BA2 is still a fantastic (easy install troiuble free) board. Apart from Super Duper, Folowing kally guide from the botom up I had no problem installing any applications so far. I am doing FCpro editing, rendering and after efects post production much faster then in Tiger.

[weaksauce12]

It must be. Yesterday I was with shut down problems after trying to make my sound work. After returning to the 10.5.2 applahda.kext from kally update I return to a very stable system.

 

Sure it is an old board but from what I am reading in the forum BA2 is still a fantastic (easy install troiuble free) board. Apart from Super Duper, Folowing kally guide from the botom up I had no problem installing any applications so far. I am doing FCpro editing, rendering and after efects post production much faster then in Tiger.

 

I've had two kernel panics on the new smbios27 since my last post. Doing a fresh install with the previous smbios on a spare drive to compare!

[weaksauce12]

I've been testing different BIOS revisions in order to come up with the best release for our motherboards. I've had some trouble regarding the BIOS with my modded Quadro FX 5600 video card and have finally solved it:

 

BIOS 2802 = reads as 8x

BIOS 2809 = reads as 16x

BIOS 2813 = does not read

 

For some reason, BIOS 2802 read my 16x Quadro card as only 8x, while BIOS 2813 would not utilize it at all - I got a blank screen at boot. I had to swap out the Quadro for my 7900GT to get it to boot. BIOS 2809 read the card correctly as a 16x video card and also allowed it to boot properly. So my recommendation is BIOS 2809. Here is the download link:

 

http://downloadcenter.intel.com/confirm.as...0Systems〈=eng

[Team Scream]

I've been testing different BIOS revisions in order to come up with the best release for our motherboards. I've had some trouble regarding the BIOS with my modded Quadro FX 5600 video card and have finally solved it:

 

BIOS 2802 = reads as 8x

BIOS 2809 = reads as 16x

BIOS 2813 = does not read

 

For some reason, BIOS 2802 read my 16x Quadro card as only 8x, while BIOS 2813 would not utilize it at all - I got a blank screen at boot. I had to swap out the Quadro for my 7900GT to get it to boot. BIOS 2809 read the card correctly as a 16x video card and also allowed it to boot properly. So my recommendation is BIOS 2809. Here is the download link:

 

http://downloadcenter.intel.com/confirm.as...8364;ˆ=eng

 

 

Ok thats really weird Sauce

I am running 2813 on my BadAxe2 right now and I dont really have any problems at all except that TextEdit deal, and now that I have looked into it a little more, the same thing happens on my Octa Pro as well which is also at 5.2

So it may very well be a Leopard issue and not hardware specific for me.

You on the other hand, if your system wont see the GPU with a certain bios installed then that leads me to believe it has something to do with flashing your card to Quadro specs, I dont think it is a BadAxe problem.

 

On another note, I hear from an inside source that Leopard is really causing problems in the OSX utility coding circles and perhaps the reason is that it is allowing memory leaks into the kernel.

This could have a lot to do with why SuperDuper is not working properly, I also know that CCC does not work for me at all either when trying to create a bootable clone image, finally if you want to use CopyCat-X you have to have their bootable CCX cd image to clone the boot drive unless you can start from another partition and then run the app from there.

That is my next approach, I will post back with results in an hour or so.