If you want to install OS X (hackintosh) on your Samsung NC-10 Netbook, then you must have realised by now that neither the WiFi card nor Ethernet card inside it are compatible with the Mac operating system. The only option you have is to swap the WiFi card out for a model the OS X can work with. I chose the Dell 1490 which uses the Broadcom chipset. These are readily available on eBay for around £15.
What you will need
Spludger – if you’ve never heard of one, it’s a plastic tool used to open devices such as iPods and iBooks (although you can use something flat and smooth instead)
Small Philips Screwdriver
OS X comaptible WiFi Card
Open up
Once you have your WiFi card you’re going to want to swap it out, this isn’t to difficult, although it can seem that way at first. Just follow these steps and you should be fine.
1. Turn the Netbook off, unplug the Power cord, and remove the Battery.
2. Place it upside down on a soft surface (you want to protect that finish right?)
3. Proceed to remove all 15 screws from the bottom of the machine, including the Memory access door screw.
4. Once these are removed you will not notice much other than the keyboard feels a little loose. This is where you must be careful
5. Take a spludger, or anything relatively smooth and flat (I used the bottle opener on my Swiss Army Knife). I found starting in the bottom left corner (near the two USB ports) to be best. Gentle pry the case apart with your spludger, there are numerous clips holding the case together. It’s easier to slide it along the gap, rather than try to lever it open, less chance of leaving marks.
6. Move your spludger around the casing cracking open all the clips. You’ll feel the case is nearly ready to come off.
7. The last part holding the case together is four clips along the back section, where the battery fits. Gentle work you spludger in here and crack the four clips open.
8. The bottom should now come free and you will see the bottom of the Motherboard, housing the fan, and in the corner, the WiFi card.
9. Unplug the two antennae cables from the WiFi card, then remove the single black screw holding it in place.
10. Once removed, replace the card with your own, rescrew and reconnect the cables.
11. Clip the bottom case back on, making sure all the clips are seated properly. Turn the laptop over and make sure the keyboard is clipped in properly.
12. Replace all 15 fifteen screws to the bottom on the Netbook.
13. Refit Battery, and power on the machine. Once if loads Windows you will be greeted with a Driver install screen.
14. I found the easiest way through this part was to connect the Netbook up via Ethernet, then choose to search for the Driver online. Windows will then find and install your WiFi card and you’re ready to rock!
Thanks for reading, I’m going to attempt installing OS X on this baby next, so check back for a progress update!
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Thanks for the really helpful guide, the only one on the net that enabled me to get the job done. I have a problem though, having installed the Dell 1490 and found a driver, I am only getting a max speed of 1 MBPS, any idea why? Where did you get your driver from and which version do you have installed?
Man thanks
Hmmm strange. Like I said in the guide, I just let Windows Update find the driver for me, and I was connecting at 54Mbps straight away. Are you sure you connected the aerial cables securely?
Did this before i went away for a month, now home and don’t seen to be able to share with my imac.
Not sure if i shared before i went away and also have installed Snow Leopard on the mac.
Puzzling me, may have to just try and Mackintosh the Samsung, been scared to before now lol
Any comments appreciated.
Mack120
Hey Mack, not quite sure what you mean about sharing?
hi wireless share, moving files many movies, tv shows. Doesn’t show up in finder window under shared devices. Doesn’t even show up when connected via cable. Very strange.
Need to take the plunge and put OSX on the samsung but still looking for total idiots step by step guide. Either that or wait till snow leopard hacks are out.
Thanks
Just an add on. It connects to wireless BT router Signal Strength excellent,
hi,
think this is a problem with SL.
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2134254
Mack120
Any luck on sorting it yet?
no, may just have a go at hacking it this weekend.
Did mine, not having it as a dual boot, so literally just turned on the Mac OS and it picked up the card fine and worked first time. Yayyy! Getting the damn screws out was a mission though – they are in far too tight for a plastic shelled machine.
I am really glad to see that you are putting so much of effort for encouraging the readers with valueable posts like this, I have sent this post to my twitter account.
Thanks for this guide – Really helped me and kept me to such a brilliant OS!
Although i will just say, (I Have a n110, NOT nc10) And i cant work out how to get the two front corner screws in!
Any help guys?
Could you please tell the form-factor of Wi-Fi card used in Samsung NC10? Did I get it right that it is Mini PCI-Express?
I’m asking because I was unable to find the Dell 1490 Wi-Fi card you’re talking about and I am trying to find some other card that will fit in.
I can’t remember if it was just Mini PC Card or the newer standard, Mini PCI-Express? Been a while since I’ve touched the NC10!