Mac Owners: Do you guys run Bootcamp?

[filipelli]

Do any of you guys run bootcamp? Just wondering because I just bought a macbook from a member here, and was just wondering if it's an easy/ configurable process. I am pretty software proficient, and after reading the install process - apple suggests we use a single Windows XP SP2 disk...but I have SP1 and a seperate SP2 installation. Think this will ruin the macbook?

No flames about macs osx/windows please. I am here just for information.


edit: this probably should have been in the Gear-fi subforum, sorry about that mods. Only thought of that after I posted.

 

[devin_mm]

It will not install on anything but an install disk with sp2 the keyboard doesn't work during the install process. Look into slipstreaming sp2 into your install disk.

It's really easy, just download, install, and run. First it will burn all the drivers to a cd, then it will ask you to resize your hard drive, then reboot with the windows cd in the drive and follow the normal xp install process.

 

[filipelli]

Thanks for the advice Devin, I will work on the slipstreaming. The process does not seem that bad. I would stick to mac osx but med school software supports windows only...


So does windows run without hiccups? I hope so!

 

[devin_mm]

There have been a couple issues I've run in to; first the 'Fn' key combinations (to change the screen brightness and speaker volume etc...) have caused Windows to lockup requiring a reboot. Second Windows ate my partition table meaning I could boot into Windows but EFI (the BIOS) couldn't see OS X, the partition was still there I could pull the data off using MacDrive but I had to reinstall OS X. Everything else was fine, after Windows ate my partition table I am not reinstalling bootcamp until 10.5.

 

[filipelli]

Hmm sounds so strange that windows would do that. I guess I will try it. I do have another PC that I can use for school applications, should something happen during bootcamp. Thanks Devin, appreciate the tidbits.

 

[kugino]

is there any way you could obtain parallels or vmware? they run windows very well for non-intensive purposes...for anything other than doing hard-core simulations or photoshop-heavy stuff, virtualization is the way to go. just requires a lot of ram.

just know that this beta of bootcamp will expire when leopard (10.5) comes out. bootcamp will be a non-beta app in leopard

 

[filipelli]

Hmm I bought the macbook second hand. I assume you have to purchase leopard when it comes out...right? Haha new to the mac/apple world and I don't know how good apple is to customers. Anyway I read faint things about running parallels. I still need to do more research about it, but can you tell me what the jist is?

 

[devin_mm]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kugino /img/forum/go_quote.gif is there any way you could obtain parallels or vmware? they run windows very well for non-intensive purposes...for anything other than doing hard-core simulations or photoshop-heavy stuff, virtualization is the way to go. just requires a lot of ram. just know that this beta of bootcamp will expire when leopard (10.5) comes out. bootcamp will be a non-beta app in leopard

I should have thought of that, Parallels is a very good application and it runs quite fast. I gave up on virtualization because 90% of the reason I wanted to run windows was to play Fallout 2 and it didn't run properly in a virutalized environment.

EDIT:
To add on to my previous post, Parallels/VMWare are programs that allow you to run a virtual copy of an operating system (in your case Windows) within a host operating system (in our case OS X). You get about 90% of the speed you would if you ran it natively though I recommend having 2GB of ram or more.

You need to buy 10.5 when it comes out but it adds a bunch of new features to the operating system (I'm looking forward to 64bit support). It is supposedly coming out at the end of the month but it's probably all lies.

 

[filipelli]

Based on some reading I have done about parallels...it seems like the program for me...and very worth it since I want to run light windows based programs like word instead of having to buy a separate license.

How much will Leopard cost you think?
I suppose I can go to another forum to ask haha.. Thanks though guys.

 

[devin_mm]

Well the price of upgrading to 10.4 was ~$90 US so 10.5 should be about the same.

 

[SK138]

I tried boot camp but didn't care for Windows. I run Parallel in rare cases I need to run Windows. It's a wonderful app. I also run Linux on Parallel to simulate my work production environment.

 

[filipelli]

Sk138,

How is the parallels install? Does it require 1 disc of SP2 for windows?

I agree with you...but school is school...I can't make everyone get a mac =).

 

[devin_mm]

The install is really easy, and you do not need SP2 to install, appearently people have installed XP pre-SP1.

 

[blessingx]

Leopard will be $125 or a family license (5 computers) for $199. Don't know about student discounts.

And I run Parallels, but now that the upgrade charges I'm switching to VMware. VMware on top of winning on specs, appears to be cheaper at the moment with a $20 rebate. Since it cost me the same to upgrade or switch I'm switching.

And since you're new to OS X make sure to read the Defected to Appleland thread.

 

[filipelli]

Haha thanks blessingx...how horrible...now I am finding even more information everywhere.

So I've decided to replace the topcase of my new macbook (the one I purchased from a member, has a chip and worn trackpad)...good thing I know laptop repair haha. I am really excited. I am getting all these ideas of how I will mod my new MB -upgrade the HD, the memory...

I got here for $875. Will add 75 for new topcase and KB, $60 for 2gb memory, and I have a 160gb SATA hdd. How I miss the old days working as a tech.

BTW. VMware looks really good too. It looks like it is more streamlined and takes less system resources. I am leaning in that direction. As long as I can use office, and use USB devices (as per copyright security for med school I am good).