Hijinks Inc.

Category: Tutorial

  • Free SIP Calling with Google Voice (sans Gizmo5)

    Let me start by saying this tutorial does not use Gizmo5, since they no longer are accepting signups (gee, thanks Google) I was looking for a way to make this work without using their service. When you’re done, this will allow you to make  calls via your computer, iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch (2nd gen and newer) to any number using your Google Voice number, all for free.

    For starters you’ll need a Google Voice number, if you don’t have one, post your email address in the comments and we’ll do our best to hook you up (I have 5 invites currently available).

    This tutorial is rather long and some might find it overly complicated, so consider yourself warned. What I’ve outlined here is the free way of doing things, but if you purchase iPhone software like Acrobits Softphone [$7.99] you’ll get a much better user experience.
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  • 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


  • Scratch magic

    It’s probably happened to all of us LCD owners at one point or another… somethings scratches that beautiful real-estate you’re so proud of, and it makes you cry a little on the inside every time you see the glaring blemish. Good news! I’ve found a way to remove scratches… even fairly deep ones!

    Disclaimer: I’ve tried this trick on one screen, a Samsung LCD TV (LN40A550). I can’t be sure it works on all LCDs, and I’m pretty sure it won’t work on the glossy type, only the anti-glare screens.

    Ready for it? A white pencil eraser! Not the white ink pen erasers, which are rough, but a soft, white pencil eraser.

    When we received our screen at work it had several deep scratches in one corner. It looked as if something sharp like a screwdriver scratched it. After reading somewhere online that white erasers worked, I gave it a shot. I was able to completely remove them by rubbing them with a white pencil eraser for a couple of seconds, then cleaning the residue with Windex and a soft cotton cloth.

    Don’t believe me? Check out the pictures after the break. I can’t even tell where they were before, by sight OR feel. If your screen is scratched, consider giving this trick a try, then post a comment and let everyone know if it worked for you or not.

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  • OS X on an Eee PC

    I recently purchased another Eee PC, this time around I got the 1000H model, which has quite a bit more power than the 2G Surf which I started with.

    Now it comes with Windows XP Home, but leaving it with its stock configuration is just plain boring, so I’m setting out to install OS X on it. Granted it has been done before with varying amounts of success, but taking someone’s word for it isn’t half as fun as doing it yourself.

    First Step: Download iDeneb 10.5.4.

    iDeneb is a modified (read: illegal) version of the OS X Installer, which basically allows installation on unsupported hardware. Which is exactly what we need.

    Second Step: Update the BIOS.

    I read on a few other websites that it’s recommended that you update your BIOS before proceeding, especially if you purchased the 901 model of the Eee.

    Download BIOS update for 1000H
    Download BIOS update for 901

    Once you grab the correct BIOS file, you can use the ASUS update utility that came installed on your Eee.

    Third Step: Configure Your BIOS.

    First you’ll need to change a few BIOS level settings, to access the BIOS quickly tap the F2 key after you first power the system on. Once the BIOS menu appears, go to Advanced > CPU Configuration. On my 1000H there was only one option and it was already disabled, apparently some people have three options, and you need to disable all three. Press Esc. Next, go to Onboard Devices in the BIOS and disable all but the first two items (first two items are USB related). Finally, Save and Exit.

    Fourth Step: Installing OS X.

    Of course this step requires a copy of iDeneb burned to a DVD and a USB 2.0 DVD-ROM drive.

    When the computer first starts up, quickly Escape key until the Boot Menu loads. Select the DVD drive from the menu, then hit any key to boot from it.

    After the Installer loads, select your preferred language. Next, go to Utilites > Disk Utility.

    Select the drive you want to format. Go to the Partition tab that appears. Select Mac OS Extended (Journaled) as the partitioning.

    Click Options. Select GUID Partition Table and click OK. Then click Apply to format the drive.

    Follow the onscreen prompts. When you reach the drive selection, chose the drive you just formatted. Then press Continue.

    Now comes the fun part, on the next screen, chose Customize to select the correct packages.

    Expand the list of patches.
    Expand the options for Chipsets and check ICHx Fixed.
    Expand the options for Kernel and check Kernel 9.4.0 Vanilla.
    Expand the options for Network -> Wireless and check Broadcom.
    Expand the options for Fix and check both FireWire Remove and ApplePS2Controller
    Expand the options for Video, then the options for Intel. Check the box for GMA950.

    Click Done.

    Click Install. Cross your fingers.

    Complete the Setup Wizard after the install finishes.

    Step Five: Make Stuff Work.

    You might notice that audio, graphics acceleration, and Wi-Fi all are not working. Whoops. We can fix most of this, though audio and built-in ethernet support aren’t possible as of writing this.

    Download this ZIP of patches. Extract the contents.

    Next, restart your computer and boot back into the BIOS (tap F2 repeatedly). Under Onboard Devices re-enable everything. Save and Exit.

    Now run the AboutThisMac tool inside the folder you just extracted. This will fix the processor identification on your regular About This Mac window.

    Copy the Kext Installer utility from the folder you just created to the Applications folder. Run it. Now drag all the files from the Drivers folder into the Kext Installer window. Enter your password. Let it finish. Restart.

    Lastly, install the Wi-Fi driver. You can download a copy of it from Ralink. Mount the disc image, then install the OS X 10.5 version of the driver. Restart.

    To configure your newly installed Wi-Fi, open System Preference > Network. It will notify you that a new Ethernet connector has been located. This is your Wi-Fi card. Click OK, and close the System Preferences window.

    Connecting to a Wi-Fi network is a little trickier now. You’ll notice there’s no AirPort menu, so instead you need to go to your Applications folder. Launch WirelessUtilityCardbusPCI. Open the Site Survey tab, click Rescan. Double click on your network to connect to it.

    My experience with the wireless is anything but reliably, but it’s still awesome to have OS X on an Eee.

  • How To Run Cracked .IPA Files

    Yes, this is blatantly illegal, proceed at your own risk.

    The App Store is missing one feature which I deem key, and that is the ability to try applications before you buy. While some apps offer “Lite” versions which accomplish the same thing, I’d like something a little more consistent.

    Enter the jailbroken iPhone solution.

    Requirements: A jailbroken iPhone / iPod touch running 2.0.2 or 2.1

    Stage 1:
    Open Cydia.
    Install Open SSH.
    Restart.

    Stage 2:
    SSH into your device. Default username is root, default password is alpine
    Then navigate to the following directory: /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/MobileInstallation.framework
    Make a backup of the MobileInstallation file from the directory above.
    Download the patched version of the file here for 2.0.2 or here for 2.1 (the 2.0.2 file might come up as a .dylib, if it does make sure and remove the .dylib extension after you copy it to your device)
    Copy the patched MobileInstallation file into the /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/MobileInstallation.framework
    Set the permissions for MobileInstallation to 775
    Navigate to /private/var/mobile/
    Set permissions for the Applications directory to 777. Make sure reclusive is checked.
    Navigate into the /private/var/mobile/applications/ directory.
    Create a new folder named Documents in the /private/var/mobile/applications/ directory.
    Set permissions to 777.
    Navigate to the root level.
    Open the Applications folder.
    Create a Documents folder here as well. Set permission to 777.

    Restart the iPhone/iPod.

    Download an application from the app store (one of the free ones will work just fine)

    Now you’re free to download and install cracked IPA’s! Obviously for legal reasons I can’t link straight to a source for cracked IPA files, but they’re pretty easy to find, just do some searching.