How to Install OS X on the HP TouchSmart
Disclaimer: This was tested on an HP TouchSmart IQ507, but should work on the entire IQ500 series, though the IQ504 runs on a different video chipset.
To get things started, you’ll need a copy of iDeneb v1.3 10.5.5 which can be found on any number of torrent sites. While you’re waiting for it to download, or for the disc image to burn to a DVD, take a few moments to create a new partition under Windows Vista. Name it OSX, and format it as NTFS for the time being.
Step 1: Enter your BIOS and disable the on board audio, then exit saving changes. Next boot off the DVD, select your preferred language, then click Utilities on the menu bar. Open Disk Utility, on the left-hand side, select the partition you created under Windows, then on the right-hand side, click on the Erase tab. Click the drop down for Volume Format and select Mac OS Extended (Journaled), hit Erase. Confirm your choice to erase the volume. After it completes, close the Disk Utility.
Step 2: Back on the Installers welcome screen, click Continue, then blindly agree to the license terms that will popup.
Step 3: On the next screen, select the partition you just formatted as your install destination. Click Continue.
Step 4: You should now see an Install Summery screen, click Customize. Scroll down and expand the options for Patches 10.5.5 Ready, and select the following patches:
Fix -> ICHx Fix
Fix -> AppleSMBIOS -> AppleSMBIOS 667
Click Done, then Install.
Step 5: After the install completes, reboot and complete the Setup Wizard that loads.
These instructions only cover the basics at this point, since I haven’t had much time to mess around with drivers. I’ll be updating this post as soon as I get greater hardware support figured out.
The biggest annoyance right now is that you have to disable the on board audio every time you boot into OS X or else it won’t recognize the keyboard and mouse. Needless to say, working audio drivers are high on my priorities list.
Update: Here’s how to fix the video resolution.
Edit the com.apple.Boot.plist file located in /Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/com.apple.Boot.plist and add the following:
<key>Graphics Mode</key>
<string>1680x1050x32</string>
Open Disk Utility and Repair Permissions. Restart.
Please note, fixing the resolution will not enable QE or fix the calibration issue.
The following items work:
- Ethernet
- Memory Card Reader
- FireWire
- DVD Burner
- Webcam (works, but doesn’t function with some apps since the graphics card isn’t supported)
- Touch Screen (no way to calibrate, so it’s off by an inch or so)
The following items don’t work:
- Audio
- Wireless Card
- Bluetooth
- Video Card
- TV Tuner
22 Comments
HP TouchSmart corriendo Mac OS X | Appleismo on November 6th, 2008
[...] puedar tener su hackintosh con una pantalla táctil totalmente funcional. Después de leer las instrucciones parace bastante sencillo conseguir [...]
Install OSX on the HP TouchSmart - Hack a Day on November 6th, 2008
[...] Nelson] of Hijinks Inc. wrote up how he installed OSX on his HP TouchSmart IQ507. It looks and works like you would expect, save for a few things. The touchscreen works, but the [...]
OS X on a HP Touchsmart « The Tech Lunch on November 6th, 2008
[...] Vista. Well Aaron Nelson a hacker posted up an article how he installed OS X on a HP Touchsmart (Here is the article). Aaron Nelson said that the wireless card, audio, Bluetooth, video card, TV tuner don’t work [...]
Tr1gg3r_M4n on November 7th, 2008
You can permanently change the resolution by editing a kext that should also fix the touchscreen alignment, can’t remember which one though
Hak9.Com - Coming To Hack The Planet • Hak9.Com » Blog Archive » Install OSX on the HP TouchSmart on November 7th, 2008
[...] Nelson] of Hijinks Inc. wrote up how he installed OSX on his HP TouchSmart IQ507. It looks and works like you would expect, save for a few things. The touchscreen works, but the [...]
HP TouchSmart con Mac OS X | Andrebills on November 7th, 2008
[...] las instrucciones, no parece tan complicado lograr la hazaña. Sin embargo, aún no hay solución para que funcione [...]
Aaron Nelsen on November 7th, 2008
Thanks for the tip, I did manage to fix the resolution issue, but it does not fix the touchscreen calibration.
HP TouchSmart runs Mac OS X - iMacs threatened? | GadgetLite - Latest gadgets and technology news... on November 7th, 2008
[...] [via Hijinks] [...]
El nuevo HP TouchSmart corriendo Mac OS X on November 8th, 2008
[...] táctil. Para tener tu equipo con pantalla táctil corriendo Mac OS X tienes que seguir las instrucciones, que no parecen difíciles, aunque por desgracia habrá ciertos componentes que no funcionarán [...]
Dinowarrior18 on November 8th, 2008
I would like to know that using the iDeneb program to boot from the DVD. Is the boot DVD an original OS X Disk or one of the patched copies I see on the torrent sites. I have access to official copies of OS X and I like to know if there is a simple software that will extract and patch the software from the DVD to the Hard drive to boot the OS? Or do I have to enter the the Mac Kernal files directly and path them myself. If you have step by step instruction or know of a site that has can you e-mail them to me at Dinowarrior18@gmail.com. Thanks
Dinowarrior18 on November 8th, 2008
Sorry about the duplicates I am multitasking right now and my 12 inch powerbook choked on the data.
Apple Addicted » Blog Archive » Mac OS X no HP TouchSmart. Ou quase isso. on November 9th, 2008
[...] Aqui você vê um tutorial de como instalar e rodar o Mac OS X no HP TouchSmart. A máquina possui um diferencial bem bacana dos iMacs que é a tela touchscreen (não multi-touch, que é uma marca registrada da Apple) e o leitor de cartões. [...]
adzling on November 12th, 2008
can you tell me anything about the touchscreen technology or touchscreen driver card/ manufacturer?
You may be able to use an osx touchscreen driver from another manufacturer….
Many overseas manufacturer’s use *cough* the ELO driver for their systems…
elotouch.com
Get me some info on the touchscreen driver card manufacturer/ chip manufacturer and/or touchscreen technology and I may be able to find the right osx driver for you…
(I design touchscreen systems for a living)
Aaron Nelsen on November 12th, 2008
The touchscreen is manufactured by NextWindow, and is connected to the system via a USB interface (directly to the motherboard of course).
Any help you could provide would be fantastic.
adzling on November 13th, 2008
ok then you may have a solution! Or not.
nextwindow technology is IR based unfortunately they do not have any OS x drivers on their site that I can find (despite some verbage elsewhere saying they are available).
I have a call into them to figure out where they are on OS X support…watch this space….
adzling on November 13th, 2008
chatted with rep today and I may have a lead on an OS x driver…stay tuned.
btw compusa is selling refurb 22″ touchsmarts at @$930 each…
Nobody975 on November 19th, 2008
Nice work!! I’m currently using it right now!! I didn’t have to disable my audio in my bios though. Not sure why since I’m new to this. I still don’t have sound though but that’s not too big I guess. My biggest problem is the resolution, how did you change it? Any help would be appreciated…
Thanks!!
Nobody975
Aaron Nelsen on November 19th, 2008
You can set the resolution with the bootloader, just like MattTS suggested.
Just type “Graphics Mode”=”1680×1050x32″
You do have to type it in every time you boot though, which is annoying, so I’ll try and track down the kext file you need to edit to make that change permanent.
Nobody975 on November 19th, 2008
Ah sweet! Thanks for the fast reply!!
Aaron Nelsen on November 19th, 2008
I’ve updated the instructions with an extra step to fix the resolution by editing a plist file.
Pliskin on December 4th, 2008
So Aaron any word on the touch screen as of late?
I’m planning on getting a new computer, and I’m stuck between a TouchSmart and an iMac. (I figure I’ll wait and see what happens in January.)
Thanks.
MattTS on November 5th, 2008
Have you tried setting the resolution at the boot loader? Many people at TUAW have suggested that getting the resolution working may fix the touch screen problem.