After several days of attempts and findings, finally, I managed to install Mac OS X Snow Leopard in VirtualBox 3.2 in non-Apple Intel PC. This guide explains step by step methods involved in how to install snow leopard in VirtualBox 3.2.
This method is completely for testing and learning purpose. Do not use for permanent or production use. Please buy the original Mac OS and Apple hardware. Oracle VirtualBox 3.2 officially supports Mac OS X as the guest on Apple hardware only. But still, it’s possible to install Mac OS X on non-Apple hardware with different bootloaders
UPDATE – 17-02-2011
Download MAC OS X Snow Leopard 10.6 (torrent) MAC OS X 10.6.3 Intel Snow Leopard RETAIL.dmg. -This is the exact same as if you were to walk into the Appl!e store and buy Snow Leopard on DVD off the shelf -Yes it is okay to update, register, and even show Steve Jobs your mac. For example if you wanted to burn “Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard Build 10A432 Golden Master Multi-Language” you would do the following: 1. Double click on the ISO/DMG. Restore the Snow Leopard DVD Disk Image onto partition 2. Boot off partition 2 and install Snow Leopard onto partition 3. Download mac os x 10,6 (final Retail) for free. Mac OS X 10.6.3 retail - iso (BY GROMS) download free! BRHIPA4Yamam Bodnarchek. Updated 20 October 2016.
Intel i-series processor users- Check this other guide with three methodssuitable for Intel i3,i5 and i7 processors.
Check this post – This same guide re-written with several major issues fixed and how to update to 10.6.5
When you updating to latest 10.6.6, make sure to check few considerations at end of this guide.
Check this post – This same guide re-written with several major issues fixed and how to update to 10.6.5
When you updating to latest 10.6.6, make sure to check few considerations at end of this guide.
The good thing is, you do not require any hacked Mac OS X installation DVDs or ISO files. Use your original Snow Leopard retail DVD or ISO file.
Os X Snow Leopard 10a261
Required Products to Install Mac OS X Snow Leopard 10.6.3 on Oracle VirtualBox 3.2
1) Oracle VirtualBox 3.2 ( Read more and download from here)
2) Mac OS X 10. 6 Snow Leopard Retail DVD or ISO
3)EmpireEFIv1085.iso for Intel Processors (This is the boot loader we will be using to boot Mac, download the correct version here)
Updated-EmpireEFI Boot loader for AMD processor
Updated-EmpireEFI Boot loader for AMD processor
4) VT Checker (Read more here and make sure Hardware Virtualization is enabled is Host BIOS)
5) Sound driver (Mentioned under sound)
Demonstration PC configuration
1) Intel Core2Duo 2.66GHz (VT Enabled, 64 Bit Architecture supports)
2) 3GB RAM
3) Intel P35 Chipset
4) Windows 7 32 Bit
Step by Step Installation of Mac 10.6.3 on VB3.2
1) Create a Mac OS X Virtual Machine with following configuration ( If you have latest VB, then select Mac Server version)
More information on installing SL on VB 3.2.6
More information on installing SL on VB 3.2.6
Memory – Minimum 1GB
Processor Cores – 1 or more (Change it to one core if you face any issues. Two cores worked for me)
Enable PAE/NX, VT-x,
Nesting Page – Enabled
Enable IO APIC and Enable Absolute pointing device.
Remove Enable EFI. Built-in EFI loader may work with Apple hardware only.
Processor Cores – 1 or more (Change it to one core if you face any issues. Two cores worked for me)
Enable PAE/NX, VT-x,
Nesting Page – Enabled
Enable IO APIC and Enable Absolute pointing device.
Remove Enable EFI. Built-in EFI loader may work with Apple hardware only.
Enable 3D Acceleration under display and setup maximum video memory.
Storage Controller type ICH6 and create a 20 GB Hard disk.
Storage Controller type ICH6 and create a 20 GB Hard disk.
2) Mount empireEFIv1085.iso to CD drive. Make CD ROM as the first boot device. Keep your Snow Leopard DVD or ISO file ready.
3) Start the virtual machine. When the following screen appears, eject loader ISO and load Mac installation DVD or ISO.
To do it, right click on CD drive and select drive or ISO image. Wait a bit, Press F5 and ENTER Key when DVD loaded.
4) Wait for some time. If you see the installation screen, you are almost done. Go through the installation process.
Go to disk utility and create a partition if you can’t see installation disk.
5) I got the following warning message at end of the installation. It’s not an issue, just restart the Virtual machine.
Note – Shutdown and Restart will not happen normally, you have to do it manually from VirtualBox console. You have to load empireEFI ISO again to load from installed hard disk.
6) This time, select mac hard disk by right arrow key and press Enter to boot. I’m sure after several initial configurations you will land on Snow Leopard desktop successfully.
Let’s Check and Fix Some Issues in Snow Leopard in Oracle VirtualBox 3.2
1) Network worked out of the box. NAT and Bridged type worked without any patches.
2) 10.6.3 Update in VirtualBox Mac OS X Guest Yes, it worked. I downloaded combo update and successfully updated.
updated- 10.6.4 update also worked nicely with this method.
updated- 10.6.4 update also worked nicely with this method.
3) USB Support It worked well. Somehow data transfer is a little slow but manageable. It detected my USB hard disk and flash drive.
Mac Os X Snow Leopard Retail Dvd Iso Download Free
4) The sound in Mac OS X Guest Sound is a little issue here but worked. I’m sure you are not going to connect 5.1 speakers, watch movies and listen to songs. So follow these steps to install Sound drivers. For me it worked, one side speaker worked with little distraction. Something is better than nothing.
Updated-Try this driver for easy installation through pkg file.
If you are not happy with it then try manual method.
Download this driver file; extract the AppleAC97Audio.kext file on Snow Leopard desktop.
Open Terminal, (/applications/utilities/terminal.app) Type sudo -s in terminal then your admin password following this, now you should be root.
Type
At this point, the file AppleAC97Audio.kext should have disappeared from the desktop.
Type
Type
Now, CLOSE TERMINAL, then go to /system/library/caches/com.apple.kext.caches/ and trash Extensions.mkext (This cache will regenerate automatically on boot with the current kext library) Reboot and enjoy sound support! Original Source is here.
5) Screen Resolution and Screen SizeFollow the steps to adjust the screen size. Widescreen size didn’t work for some users.
6) Shutdown and Restart We can’t shut down or restart Mac VM normally. You may see messages showing ‘CPU halted’ (for Shutdown) or ‘MACH Reboot’ (for restart), this means nothing will happen after it. Power off or reset virtual machine from VirtualBox console. Here is the working Snow Leopard Guest on VirtualBox 3.2.
7) Update 1
Install Boot Loader permanently and some fixes
To avoid attaching empireEFI ISO every time and boot OS X virtual machine, you can install bootloader permanently on mac local hard disk. This method will install Chameleon bootloader, and some other drivers and fixes.
Go to Empire EFI CD, which already mounted an open Post Installation folder. Take a snapshot before doing anything at this point. Run myHack Installer Package.
Select Customize in Installation Type.
Read each package description and select if it requires for your hardware. I recommend to not deselecting anything, which selected by default. Press the Install button to continue.
After successful installation, remove empireEFI ISO. Start the virtual machine, it should boot from the hard disk as shown below.
If this doesn’t work, restore VM to the last snapshot and install Chameleon bootloader from separate installation file in Post Installation folder. After this installation, bootloader worked and I can see good performance in OS X virtual machine on my Intel Core2Duo PC.
8.) Update 2
Some fixes for booting issues
a) Mac DVD reading error EBIOS read error: Error 0×0c Block 0×1ed48a Sectors 0 This is due to accessing data from Mac retail DVD to VB. Convert DVD with some cloning software to ISO. More people faced the same issue and solutions are suggested here.
b) Booting errors after installation. Try with verbose or Boot Ignore Caches. In empireEFI bootloader, go to mac disk by pressing the right arrow key. Once it’s selected, press down arrow key that will bring more options. Select and press Enter.
c) Change Boot Loader For old type processors, select legacyempire_efi1085.iso, which will be in the same folder.
if this bootloader and method don’t work on Intel processor then try this method with different iboot loader.
9) Shared folder between mac guest and Windows host, read this post ( Point 3) Network required.
10) Update 3 ( 17-02-2011)
- USB disks access gives trouble with the same guide in Oracle VirtualBox 4. Snow Leopard virtual machine crashes when trying to explore USB storages such as flash disk and external hard disk. If you face the same problem, then check this guide on how to fix this issue.
- IOUSBFamily.kext and IOUSBMassStorageClass.kext files should be replaced to older version immediately after the software or manual update to 10.6.5 or 10.6.6 before the restart. If not, USB mouse, keyword, USB storage devices may stop working after the update. Read this guide on fixing USB issues after the update.
Again, this method is just for learning and testing purpose. Feel free to share your comments and issues you face. I’m not a Mac or VB expert, but I will try my best to help you.
Have Fun.