Original URL: http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/02/15/macosx_intel_generic_pc_patch/
A utility has been released that will allow the Intel-oriented version of Apple's Mac OS X operating systems to be run on machines other than the company's own iMac and MacBook Pro. However, the coder behind the patch, Maxxuss, warned that the software is a work in progress and that there's "still a lot of work to do".
That said, for folk who like to "play around", he said, the software will help them get started. The code requires a computer with an SSE3-supporting processor. It also appears geared toward set-ups in which Mac OS X is run alongside another operating system using virtualisation software like VMWare.
The patch contains a modified version of the mach kernel that bypasses the systems Apple has put in place to try and prevent this kind of thing from happening. It also requires the Mac OS X 10.4 DVD bundled with Intel-based iMacs and, soon, MacBook Pros.
Clearly, installing the operating system when you don't own the disc is illegal, and the process almost certainly violates Apple's end-user licence agreement. Just for good measure, the patch's "decrypted system files" probably infringe the notorious Digital Millenium Copyright Act and its European equivalent, the EU Copyright Directive. Future Mac OS X updates may break the patch. You have been warned.
Anyone willing to proceed in such circumstances faces plenty of typing into the command line to attempt to get the OS to install and, ultimately, to boot. ®
eBayer offers OS X-booting Dell laptop (2 January 2007)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2007/01/02/ebay_osx_booting_dell/
Man boots Mac OS X on Asus UMPC, shoots video (19 December 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/12/19/umpc_boots_osx/
Apple yanks key x86 Mac OS X open source code (17 May 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/05/17/apple_closes_key_x86_osx_code/
Apple releases Mac OS X 10.4.6 update (4 April 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/04/04/apple_updates_macosx/
Apple MacBook Pro 'fastest Windows XP notebook' (22 March 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/03/22/mac_fastest_core_duo_laptop/
Mac-boots-Windows contest won (16 March 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/03/16/mac_boots_xp_contest_won/
PCs not dull, admits Apple UK (3 March 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/03/03/apple_pc_not_dull_claim/
Unpatched Mac OS X hole poses critical risk (22 February 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/02/22/macosx_vuln/
Apple 17in MacBook Pro 'to debut in June' (20 February 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/02/20/apple_17in_macbookpro_debut/
Mac OS X malware latches onto Bluetooth vulnerability (17 February 2006)
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/02/17/macosx_bluetooth_worm/
OSx86 Project forum halted after DMCA violation claim (17 February 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/02/17/osx86_project_dmca_claim/
Apple pushes MacBook Pro ship dates back to March (15 February 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/02/15/apple_macbook_pro_ship_dates/
Apple posts Mac OS X 10.4.5 update (15 February 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/02/15/apple_macosx_10-4-5/
PalmOS goes Linux - again (14 February 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/02/14/palmsource_linux_alp/
Apple's in the eye of flaw finders (8 February 2006)
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/02/08/apple_vulnerability/
Intel Macs only one fourth, not four times faster - report (23 January 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/01/23/intel_macs_25pc_faster/
Handheld PC runs two OSes on two CPUs (6 January 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/01/06/dualcor_cpc_pda_pc/
MS pulls plug on Mac IE (19 December 2005)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2005/12/19/ms_kills_ie_mac/
Apple's lockdown patent lacks method and apparatus (11 November 2005)
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/11/11/bogus_apple_patent/