Shuttle XH61 Hackintosh with Snow Leopard

NEW! The Shuttle XH61 has an “Overclocking” option in the BIOS.
Unfortunately it doesn’t apply to this model, but Shuttle is adding “overclocking” options to the BIOS.

Shuttle XH61 build components I used:

Intel Core i3-2120 3.30ghz
4GB DDR3 1333 Memory (recommended amount to install Mac OSX) Add more when install is completed
Toshiba 500GB SATA II hard drive 2.5″
DVD RW Slim drive

Start the computer and get into the BIOS (hit the F1 key for setup)
Adjust the date and time
Make sure the SATA configuration is in ACHI mode (it was set to that by default)
Make your boot priority to boot from the DVD drive first (if you’re using a retail DVD)

Installing Mac OSX Snow Leopard:
iBoot
Bridge Helper (for Sandy Bridge processor)
MultiBeast 3.10.1
Mac OSX 10.6.3 Retail disk
Upgrade combo 10.6.8

Insert iBoot disk and start the computer
When you get to the screen that shows the iBoot logo
remove the iBoot and insert the the Mac Retail disk, then press F5
This starts the install process
When you see the Mac Install DVD, press enter
Language screen comes up, select your language
When you get to the install screen, select Utilities/Disk Utility
Partition your hard drive to GUID Partition Table (this is default setting)
Format the hard drive to Mac OS Extended (Journaled)
Name it “Snow Leopard” or what ever you want
Close Disk Utility
When the installer asks where to install, choose Snow Leopard (or what ever you named it)
Next choose “Customize” at the bottom and uncheck the options (can be added later)
When the installation is complete, restart the computer
Put iBoot back in the DVD drive, to reboot
When you get to the boot selection screen, choose your new Snow Leopard installation, press enter
Go through the setup screens till you get to the Mac desktop screen

Now we need to install the Bridgehelper, MultiBeast and the 10.6.8 Combo upgrade
I have these on a USB flash drive and copied to the desktop

Do the Bridgehelper first (no reboot required)
Then install MultiBeast and check off the options:
EasyBeast
System Utilities
-Drivers and Bootloaders
-Kext and Enablers
Audio
Realtek ALC887 driver (works)
-Disk
IOAHCIBlockstorageInjector
3rd Party SATA
-Graphics
I didn’t check anything off
-Miscellaneous
ElliottForceLegacyRTC
EvOreboot
FakeSMC (required)
-FakeSMC Plugins
Motherboard
-Network
LnxMac’s RealtekRTL 81xx (works)
-Bootloaders
Chimera
-Customizations
Boot Options
Instant Menu
-OSX86 Software
Kext Helper
Kext Utility
Show All Files

Now a reboot is required
You should now be able to boot from the hard drive, if all goes well
Now you can install the 10.6.8 Upgrade Combo (if using a processor with the HD3000 graphics)
Reboot again

Here are the problems I did have:

The processor I used has the Intel HD2000 graphics, which is not support by Mac yet. The graphics worked fine as long as I stayed with Mac version 10.6.3
Solution: Use a processor with the Intel HD3000 graphics, that is supported with the Mac OS X Lion.

The Toshiba hard drive I used for some reason wouldn’t install the Chimera, so couldn’t boot from the hard drive. It did boot fine using the iBoot disk.
Solution: Had to manually fix the boot drive and install Chimera.

Conclusion:

The Shuttle XH61 works great with the right component selections.
CPU with the HD3000 graphics (for Snow Leopard 10.6.8 or Lion)
Different Brand hard drive (Toshiba was the only Brand I had in 2.5″, so couldn’t try another Brand)

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