Everybody likes to see and use Mac OS X, but how many of them are ready to buy Apple hardware? It’s very rare. This free and easy steps show how you can run Mac OS X on PC without buying any special hardware or software. This is completely free for testing and experimental use only.
I already published similar steps to run Mac OS X on PC with VMware workstation, obviously VMware workstation is not a free product. This time, let’s install and run Mac OS X on your PC with free product VMware Player 3. You can run Mac OS X on any X86 Intel or AMD computers having enough of RAM to run Mac virtual machine by this method.
Installation is not much differing than earlier steps.
Follow the steps,
1) Download Mac OS X 10.5.5 X86 VMware image here. ( It’s a torrent download)
2) Download and install VMware player 3. It’s a free product.
3) Extract the downloaded image file. See here for more details. ( it will be creating Mac VMware VMX file and VMware disk files)
4) Start VMware player.
5) Click on Open a Virtual machine.
6) Browse for ‘ Mac OS X Leopard ‘ VMX file on the extracted location. Select and press open.
7) Once clicked open, you can see the following summary screen.
By default, it’s not required to change any settings here. But still you can change anything if you want, like increasing memory size.
8) You have to play around with processor virtualization option if virtualization is enabled on your PC BIOS. You can check whether virtualization is enabled or not on motherboard by running tools in Windows OS. Read more here about motherboard BIOS virtualization.
9) My working Mac virtual machine processor settings show as below. (Already I disabled virtualization in BIOS)
It worked fine even after selected two processors.
10) That’s it. Start Mac Virtual machine by pressing Start VM. I’m sure it will boot and work fine. If it hangs with Mac logo, you must check processor virtualization and disable it. Check my previous posts and some useful user comments about this.
In fact, it worked better than in VMware workstation as mentioned in previous post. This is just for testing and enjoying with Mac. This is the easiest method to run Mac OS X on PC based on X 86.
11) Mac OS X VMware image admin password
The Mac admin password is ‘ password’.
Password worked with administration tasks.
12) USB access in Mac OS X VMware image
My USB drive working fine in Mac VMware virtual machine. It can be accessed inside virtual machine without any difficulties.
13) Network in Mac OS X VMware image
Just for network test, I selected NAT as network adapter type in virtual machine option. Network is OK in this image. Mac virtual machine started communicating outside world through NAT.
14) That’s it. I showed all above steps on my Intel X 86 Core 2 Duo computer. Enjoy the Mac OS X on your PC. To get better performance, please buy Apple hardware with original latest Mac. 
Worked Perfectly.
However, 2 questions. 1) Is there anyway to get it to go beyond 1024×768 resolution? 2) I went to Install the VMWare Tools, and it didn’t do anything. On the VM menu it lists “Cancel VMWare Tools Installation.” Have you installed the VMWare Tools? Any advice?
Thanks for posting this!!!
VMware tools cannot be installed on Mac. VMware tools for FreeBSD will not work with Mac OS. As you aware, VMware doesn’t support Mac as guest in their products. Because in VMware tools we can’t increase the screen resolution.
Thanks for your comment.
Hey there, this thing works great and I didn’t had to even see any other links…it worked in one shot. Currently problem which is bothering me is, I cannot install any new software as all the installers are asking for root password. If you can share us the root password, that would be great.
Thanks
Pradp
Root password is password and mentioned in this post.
my bad….thanks dinesh…i didnt even read the full article as it worked for me by step 4.
I heard that you can install vmware tools from Fusion 3 but I haven’t tried it. (http://www.insanelymac.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=139178) Need help on this too. Thanks
Check this post to change resolution:
http://pcwizcomputer.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=31&Itemid=32
(FROM ABOVE LINK)
Boot OS X
Open the TextEdit program in the Applications folder
With TextEdit, open the file: /Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/com.apple.Boot.plist
Open the file, and add these two lines (right after the Yes line if you are on Tiger or line if you are on Leopard)
Graphics Mode
1280x1024x32
Replace the 1280x1024x32 with the resolution you want
Then, in go to File >> Save As..
Save the file as com.apple.Boot.plist on the Desktop (make sure the .plist part is there!)
Navigate the the /Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/ folder
Drag your com.apple.Boot.plist file on the Desktop into the folder window
When a messages appears, click Authenticate and Replace and enter your password
You’re done! Reboot OS X to see the changes
Here is an example of what the com.Apple.boot.plist file looks like with Leopard:
kernel
mach_kernel
Kernel Flags
Graphics Mode
1280x1024x32
Hi everyone,
Let’s see if I can help some of you with the display issue. First of all, yes, you can run OS X in VMWare in your computer’s native resolution and refresh rate. Go ahead and upgrade your VMWare Workstation to v7.0.1, which just came out a little while ago. I’ve found it to solve several problems compared to the initial release, v7.0. Pretty amazing what a little x.x.1 upgrade can accomplish.
I ran it in WUXGA 1920×1200 resolution on my Thinkpad W700, and now on another one laptop with UXGA (1600×1200). All the eye-candy that OS X offers work (and look) well, too. Going full screen, it will look, feel, and work like a Mac. Sound works just fine, although I did have to install the Ensoniq audio driver for the W700, while it worked “out of the box” with my current laptop. Networking works well and Internet speeds are fast (enough).
I just installed VMWare Player, because I read that it supposedly runs even better on it than in VMWare Workstation. It does run well, and I want to say that due to VMWare Player’s smaller footprint, maybe the additional resources that can (apparently?) be allocated to the Mac OS X virtual machine make a difference. It seems to load a little faster. Has anyone had similar experiences?
Besides the cost, what is the difference between VMWare Workstation and Player?
Crunch
I got VMware Player to load the VM just fine. But I can’t figure out how to maximize screen resolution. The instructions listed above are for VMware Workstation.
Also, will it save any changes I make, like loading software, when I exit the VM?
is it possible to update the OSX to 10.6.2 from the vmware?
Ralph, you could try what Richard said to increase screen resolution. I didn’t try this method yet. Yes, all changes will be saved on VM. It’s like a real Virtual Machine.
Jay, currently updating this 10.5.5 to 10.6.2 in VMware is not possible. I found the way how to install 10.6.2 on VMware in same method. I will update soon.
thanks Dinesh, look forward to it.
Worked fine on x64 Intel Core i3 4 kernel
I was able to do it twice. Update my 10.6.2 to 10.6.3 from within VMware. I say twice because Apple came out with v1.1 of the update to 10.6.3 after I had already done the upgrade. The first one was build 10D573, and v1.1 is build 10D578. The “Supplemental Fix” as Apple calls it fixes *some* issues for *some* people but I find that I prefer the v1.1 fix.
Where did I get either update? Straight from the horse’s mouth, apple.com/support. Note that the update using Software Update does *not* work. You have to download the full update which is, co-incidentally, what Apple recommends that everyone does anyway. It’s amongst the top downloads on the Support site, so you can’t miss it, and it is over 750MB in size (in .dmg format) and 830MB or so after OS X unpacks it to a .pkg file. It’s pretty fun and interesting to watch OS X do its thing with virtually no user intervention.
VMware is amazing, and you don’t even need Workstation. The free VMware Player (currently 3.0.1 is the latest version) does everything just as well and is much less of a space hog. The only thing is that you can’t take snapshots with Player.
I hope this helps. I’ll be by to visit to speak up if you need help.
Hi Dinesh,
Do you have the instructions to update 10.5.5 to 10.6.2.
Thanks in advance,
Niranjan
Niranjan,
I have not done it by myself. But the way Crunch explained in earlier comment seems good. You can try it. Anyhow, I will also try and update in this post.
Hi Crunch,
Thanks for your valuable comments on changing screen resolution and Mac Updates. Hope, you will contribute more.
Thanks for the tutorial, I’ve never guess it would be that easy to setup os x.
Thanks for the tutorial, I’ve never guess it would be that easy to setup os x. (tested on Athlon II 435 et winXP)
Hi
I cant play virtual maschine. When i tryed it wrote :
Mac OS X is not supported with software virtualization. To run Mac OS X you need a host on which VMware Player supports hardware virtualization.
I tried with enable virtualization and disable virtualization. Can you help me?
Mine just sits at the appple logo screen.
Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz 6MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor
hardware virtualiztion was on…
For this Mac OS X image, hardware virtualization in BIOS should be disabled. If you don’t want to disable it in BIOS because you want to use for other purpose, then go to Processors settings in VMware Player and Tick the ‘VMware kernel paravirtualization’. Selecting this check box is to run this virtual machine without hardware virtualization enabled. Try and let me know.
I published a post about increasing Mac Virtual Machines Screen resolution. It works well. Now you have option to increase screen resolution. Enjoy.
Visit here http://www.sysprobs.com/increase-mac-os-virtual-machine-screen-resolution-virtualbox-vmware-player
When I start the Mac VM, it sits on the logo. My machine doesnt have virtualization technology.
Machine : poweredge 400sc
OS : windows xp
VM : vmware player 3
please, help me with audio !
not work audio in my leopard host !
thanks
@walterdj, for sound read this post
http://www.sysprobs.com/steps-install-mac-snow-leopard-vmware-player-pre-installed-vmware-image
Under sound in 12th, download the driver and install. I hope it will work.
thank you !!!
Hello.
I’m using an Acer Aspire 4520 (Turion 64 x2 Processor – According to CPUz, it supports AMD-V, SSE 1, 2 and 3), and it worked with the legacy image.
However, the system doesn’t seem to capture my mouse and keyboard correctly. During the Empire EFI bootloader, the keyboard works normally (as I need to select if I want to boot the system or if I want to install the outdated VMWare Tools), but after MacOS boots, the mouse pointer gets stuck on the corner and the keyboard doesn’t responde. I can only click with the mouse. Plugging in an USB mouse didn’t work either…
Anyone have some suggestions?
works like a charm,easiest way to play around with mac. Thanks
can i install this on my dual core intel pc? how much ram will be enough?
Yes you can run.Better go with1GB Ram for virtual machine. 512MB also will work.
Thank You SOOOOOO Much… worked the first time…just had to add sound drivers and it is good to go. AMD Phenom II x4 955 – Asus m4a78l-m – Crappy Evea Nvida 210. Tried all kinds of other ways for three days…yes I have alot of free time…nothing worked for me…But this did…whooohoooo
cabcrafter
One thing is NOT quite clear 2 me….
DOES this image REQUIRE a “Hardware Virtualization” capable Computer to run on (even though you disable it in the BIOS)
—-> (Yes) or (No)
Thanks!!!
@Mmh
No
can’t get the internet to work. on XP i am using quetec wireless usb adapter. anyone can tell me how to fix?
@Nishant, I have no idea about setting up wireless USB adapter inside Mac VM. Sorry.
@Crunch How did you update from 10.5 to 10.6 downloading the update pack from apple.com/support? According to apple page to update to any 10.6.x you need to be already on a 10.6 OS.
@Dinesh Do you know how to go to 10.6 from this 10.5 image?
@teo,
I tried, it didn’t work for me in the way Crunch said.
I think you are trying latest mac on non virtualization ( VT) enabled computer ;(
Yeah Dinesh I’m trying to find a Mac OS 10.6 image on a non VT computer… still haven’t founded it… Thanks for the post also it’s a really good one. I also tried to update to 10.5.8 but the VM crashes. Any idea?
@teo, my idea is ” Don’t update”, it will not work.
I don’t think we can find a image like that to work without VT enabled computers. Latest Snow Leopard 10.6 requires VT.
Its working as you explained !
Thanks a lot !
IT’S WORKING ON MY AMD AND VT IS *NOT* REQUIRED……;-)
Few questions:
1. How to install vmware-tools?
2. Is it good idea to update to 10.6? Yes or No? If Yes, then how to update.
3. How do you access windows folder inside SL?
Cursor is little jerking but rest is fine.
Cheers
Prashant
Ok, I am here with a bad news and it’s really BAD!!!!
I was using SL successfully using vmware player. I closed the app, shutdown my xp, had my lunch and next time I won’y able to start xp. It’s completely crashed. As far as I remembered, I closed the vmware last time by close button(top right) when SL I was running and I think I have seen world famous “blue screen” while xp was shutting down.
Any body else faced similar problem?
Jack
@jack, sorry about it. if you close working virtual machine by close button in VMware player, it will save the virtual machine state to disk. I think before it completes the job, you shut down your host windows XP.
Don’t go for 10.6 update, it will not work on non VT computers.
I will update you about VMware tools installation when you successfully restore the machine.
Good luck,
when i start .vmx file in vmware player after processing it says operating system not found.i m using win7,amd athlon dualcore ql-65 processor with 3 gb ram and 320 gb hard disk.pls help
@rajiv, I suggest to have a look at this post
Download darwin_legacy boot loader and try
On the same machine(crashed previously) I did a fresh installation of xp & vmware-player. Previously before crashing I was able to run the SL without any problem, although entire OS got crashed.
Now everything is same but process is stuck on apple logo. I don’t have a VT enabled processor.
Any ideas?
Cheers
One more thing: As far as I remember previously while loading it was showing FreeBSD(on console) but now same .vmx file at the time of start-up it’s showing Darwin-x86. I am a bit confused here?
BTW I am on AMD( No VT)
Hoping to see the SL screen again….
Cheers
@jack,
Its a strange situation. Are you running the same version of VMware? Change processor core to one if you set more than one.
OS will be FreeBSD but while booting it may show Darwin-x86. You can ignore this message. if VT is not available or disabled then this image should work straight away. Restart host and try several times, it may work.
Let us know the result.
Yes, everything is same, image, machine and vmplayer. The only difference is that this time I am trying on a freshly installed xp. As I mentioned I don’t have VT enabled processor. may be I’ll try on win 7 later.
BTW, Do you think that post install tools such as .NET framework, DirectX or any thing is causing the problem?
I’ll let you know if any thing comes up.
Thanks
@Jack,
There will not be any connection between post install tools and Virtual machines.
Try your best
Hi,
I’m having a problem, when i play the virtual os, all i get is a loading screen (apple logo and loading “circle” on a grey back). Im on win7 x64.
Plz help? thanks
@Tinusz,
Have you disabled Virtualization Technology (VT) on BIOS.
More information available here http://www.sysprobs.com/disable-enable-virtualization-technology-bios
VT should be disabled for this method. Let me know if it works.
Thanks a lot, this works great for me. I have ubuntu running on my Toshiba satellite laptop with vmware 3.01. Loaded on the first go itself.
Thanks! This worked perfectly! I tried everything but to no avail until this solution. I don’t have a Intel Processor that enables virtualization (Pentium Dual Core T4.2), so I was afraid this wouldn’t work for me. But it did so thanks so much!
My only question is, how can I make one of my partition physical hard drives be the drive to store all of my files on my virtual Mac?
If this isn’t possible, is it possible to increase the size of the virtual Mac? I tried but the settings are grayed out.
Any thoughts would help. Thanks!
@Lena C,
VT is not required for this method.
If you managed to setup network between host and Mac VM then follow the shared folders method (point -3) here,
http://www.sysprobs.com/mac-os-guest-virtualbox-326-snow-leopard-1064-windows-7-32-bit
One more option, shutdown VM and add a new hard disk ( creating new VMDK). Mount it from disk utility. It should work.
The virtual mashine runs very slow with 1 an 2 cores selected, and some times it crashes, also I have no sound, maybe needs a driver?
But its good for geting to know os x in other environments
@Jerry,
How much RAM allocated for VM?
If VT is supported on host computer processor, you can try latest Snow leopard 10.6.4 with working sound and display screen resolutions.
I allocated 1.7 GB of ram (max allowed), and no my notebook does not have VT is a Core Duo T2250 @ 1.73 GHz
=(
@Jerry,
I think you can make 1GB RAM (your host also requires some memory and make 2 cores) Increase memory for Display and enable 3D support.