Mac OS X 10.6.3 Update

Today Apple released 10.6.3, the 3rd major update to Mac OS X Snow Leopard. To update from 10.6.2, simply run Software Update or download the 10.6.3 Delta Update from Apple.

If you're doing a fresh install, you can download the 10.6.3 Combo Update from Apple, which bundles the 10.6.1 and 10.6.2 updates, making it possible to go straight from 10.6 to 10.6.3.


When you install a point update, know that it will erase and update some of your kexts in System/Library/Extensions. This can render components inoperative- especially when Apple modifies their graphics kexts.

Remember to do a full backup of your data before running the update- you never know what will happen. Also do a full backup of your /Extra folder and your /System/Library/Extensions folder before installing the update. You may need some of those kexts, especially if you have made changes to device ids, modified AppleHDA.kext, etc... To back up, simply drag your /System/Library/Extensions folder to desktop, and rename the folder 10.6.2 System-Library-Extensions, or whatever will reference it best for you.

If you're worried about borking your install, don't feel like you have to update right away- wait a week and see if it breaks anything. If I hear of any updates or workarounds needed for graphics, ethernet, sound, or any other component, I will add them to this post.

Please post your results with the update in the forum! It will help others with similar hardware! See you in 10.6.3!

-tonymacx86

10.6.3 ISSUES AND SOLUTIONS

About This Mac
Still says Intel Quad-Core Xeon for i5/i7 by default.  However, you can inject i5/i7 info into About this Mac by inserting SMcputype into smbios.plist.  This functionality is included in the latest MultiBeast.
For i5, use 1537.  For i7, use 1793 .  Thanks to Lightspeed and zoleg


USB
Some users are reporting lack of USB support upon update to 10.6.3.  In order to be 100% functional, USB needs DTGP + UHCI/EHCI fix applied in a modified DSDT.  Otherwise USB keyboard/mouse will not work.  If you do not have a DSDT, you may end up with no USB keyboard/mouse support.  

USB Wake from Sleep
 If waking from sleep with current DSDT edits and 10.6.3 IOUSBFamily.kext, you will have to re-plug any devices that require power. There is no official fix besides rolling back to 10.6.2 for now.  We're working on new DSDT edits that will solve this issue. 
  • UPDATE:  Use the Power Button on your case to wake from sleep instead of USB.  There will be no USB issues, and even better, you do not have to change the IOUSBFamily.kext. 
USB Solutions For Non-DSDT Users with No USB
  • 10.6.2 IOUSBFamily.kext Rollback will alleviate all issues, including trouble with iPhone/iPod Touch syncing. 
  • USBFamilyMOD 9.9.9 is now included in the latest MultiBeast This allows full USB support without DSDT with the exception of syncing iPhone/iPod touch.
  • New USB Fixes are in MultiBeast
Audio
The 10.6.3 update will break the current audio solution for  LegacyHDA + DSDT for ALC 888/888b/889.  The good news is that 889a is still supported- you can use the same solution as before.  Bad news is that we'll have to come up with a better solution for these 3 codecs.

Non-Vanilla Audio Solutions
  • One less vanilla approach is to install the 10.6.2 AppleHDA.kext. Your system will work exactly as before.  I've rolled up a package installer that will do the job automatically. This functionality is available in the latest MultiBeast..

Vanilla Audio Solution
  • Forget about LegacyHDA.kext and the DSDT edits and just use VoodooHDA.kext.  It works fine with the 10.6.3 AppleHDA.kext in initial testing.  Available in MultiBeast.
SATA Hard Drives
You may notice that upon 10.6.3 and reboot, all of your SATA drives are orange, hot swappable, and show up as External.  However, your drives will behave 100% normally.
  • If you're bugged by this, you can install IOAHCIBlockStorageInjector or JMicronSATA in /Extra.  Available in MultiBeast.
    ATI Graphics

    10.6.3 SleepEnabler.kext
    If you're using SleepEnabler.kext remove it before the update and update to this new version"Remove SleepEnabler.kext if you use it, this is very important step, old sleepenabler + new kernel = panic."  netkas.org
      For discussions on this and other topics, register today at tonymacx86.com!

      JMicron ATA Support

      Are you trying to build a Hackintosh on the cheap? Do you have an old IDE CD/DVD drive or hard drive from your Pentium II rig collecting dust in the closet? Does your motherboard use the JMicron or GSATA IDE controller? MacMan and I have got the answer for you.

      Introducing JMicron36xATA.kext, a 32/64-bit driver for the JMicron 361, 363, 365, 366, 368 and Gigabyte GSATA IDE controllers so you can support that old drive in your shiny new Hackintosh.

      We have implemented it in iBoot so you can now install from an IDE DVD Drive or to an IDE Hard Drive.

      These kexts are now available in MultiBeast. Enjoy your old hardware!


      -MacMan & tonymacx86
      For discussions on this and other topics, register today at tonymacx86.com!

      JMicron SATA Support

      Are you tired of seeing this in System Profiler?


      MacMan was, so that’s why he created JMicron36xeSATA.kext and JMicron36xSATA.kext.

      Now in System Profiler you will see this if you use JMicron36xeSATA.kext:


      Or this if you use JMicron36xSATA.kext:


      So what’s the difference other than the name display? When using JMicron36xSATA.kext all drives connected to the JMicron controllers will be displayed on the desktop as internal disks, just like the Intel connected drives. But if you use the JMicron36xeSATA.kext, then they show up on the desktop as external (orange) disks and can be hot swapped.

      These kexts are now available in MultiBeast.

      They install like any other Hackintosh kext. Just drag to /Extra/Extensions and rebuild the kext cache.

      -MacMan & tonymacx86
      For discussions on this and other topics, register today at tonymacx86.com!

      tonymacx86 Chat & MultiBeast Screencast

      Ever have that quick question and you don't want to wait for a quick answer?

      I've opened up tonymacx86 Chat for registered members of the forum! I'm hoping this will become a place where issues can be solved quickly. Perhaps if your questions were answered in the forum or elsewhere, you'll donate a bit of time there to help others. Note: you'll need to re-register for the chat section of the site.



      Also, I've set up a YouTube channel and uploaded the first of a series of short screencasts. This one demonstrates the functionality of MultiBeast. It's pretty much my OSInstall.mpkg Method using MultiBeast for all of the post-installation processes. A complete terminal-free install process with one reboot. It will take you through the steps necessary to fully install Mac OS X Snow Leopard in under ten minutes.

      Just a few tidbits until the full iBoot + MultiBeast guide is out. See you on the forum!

      -tonymacx86
      For discussions on this and other topics, register today at tonymacx86.com!