Apr
11
Use Windows Upgrade with Boot Camp

Written by: Adam Christianson

Categories: Follow-up

Listener Jonathan has a post on his blog describing the process he used to get Boot Camp running up and running using a Windows XP updgrade disk. Apple claims it can’t be done and I can’t confirm it, but there it is.

There are 16 comments on Use Windows Upgrade with Boot Camp:

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  1. Eternalnewb | Apr 11 2006 - 02:14

    So you could use a cheap 2K or NT to XP upgrade to fully install XP?
    It would not be something Microsoft would want done, but the system must be on there. It may have so many restrictions it is not worth trying to do, but I think it must be possible.

  2. Olly | Apr 11 2006 - 02:12

    It doesn’t surprise me that this works because I use the same method to do a full install of Windows XP on my Windows box. I have a Windows XP Home Upgrade disc, and when installing on a freshly-formatted hard drive it just asks for an older version of Windows for verification. I just drop in an old Windows 98SE disc that I have from years ago and it happily restarts.

    If it’s anything like installing on a generic Windows PC you don’t even need the external drive – you should be able to switch the discs out and it will just ask you to reinsert the XP disc to continue after verification.

  3. AppleNews | Apr 11 2006 - 02:12

    No because remember the iMac has a slot loading drive. And the Disc that Bootcamp burns for you has the drivers needed to eject a disc in a MS windows enviroment this would include the setup.

  4. Appleologist | Apr 11 2006 - 03:58

    No, AppleNews, those drivers were for the keyboard eject button, not the eject mechanism. Windows can eject the disc without any problems (even inside Windows Explorer).

    This would be sweet if this is true, because 400 bucks is way too much for Windows.

  5. eternalnewb | Apr 11 2006 - 03:10

    Is it really $400? I thought it was only about $130-$150, which is still too much (more than OS X, weird considering how much less development clearly went into it)… is that a “Pro” or “Business” version or something?

  6. AppleNews | Apr 11 2006 - 06:54

    I stand corrected

  7. Damien | Apr 12 2006 - 03:16

    Seeing the windows logo on a beautiful iMac makes me sad. Boy XP is just a sad joke isn’t it?

  8. Marc | Apr 12 2006 - 07:56

    yep a big joke!

  9. Stuart Still | Apr 12 2006 - 05:04

    I can confirm that this is correct. I had to use an external DVD-ROM drive in order in install XP on my dad’s iMac. Provided you plug in the drive BEFORE you boot the XP installer, this works.

  10. Jon | Apr 13 2006 - 09:51

    FWIW, you can also use the Remote to select the boot OS.

    Hold the ‘MENU’ button (instead of the OPTION key, then use ‘FORWARD’ or ‘BACK’ to select the desired OS, and ‘PLAY/PAUSE’ to continue with the boot process.

  11. Joe Jacobs | Apr 13 2006 - 05:42

    Man, the idea of Windows on a Mac makes me sick. I really have no tolerance for it, except for if it is absolutely necessary for work. Stupid BootCamp.

  12. TKO | Apr 13 2006 - 08:49

    Wow Joe, calm down. It’s just an OS. Admittedly not a particularly *nice* OS, but it’s the one with all the software. If you can’t understand how the exclusive software titles (including games) makes this and exciting opportunity you’re obviously far too hung up on the stereotypical ‘mac elitist’ mindset. ..All the people who can finally sell that extra PC will understand how stupid your “stupid bootcamp” comment is. :)

  13. Joe | Apr 14 2006 - 07:32

    TKO, I think I came off the wrong way. I guess what I have been trying to say is that I find BootCamp to be a novelty for some users. When I see supposed die hard Mac fans boast about how great OS X is, and then install XP at the first chance they get it makes me sick. Part of the Mac experience is the community, and people who so openly use Windows on a main machine, with beta software, and complain about issues, just confuse me. The only way I can ever see BootCamp being useful is for gaming, but know Mac gaming is cursed to die. I actually play Halo, Doom 3, and Command and Conquer on my Mac, and I really enjoy it. Now, us Mac user can’t expect to see as many Mac ports. Then again, I prefer a console over a PC, but that is just me. As far as the idea of BootCamp being used for people who are required to use Windows for work, it just doesn’t make sense. Honestly, if a worker has to reboot from OS X to get into windows, and then reopen all of his programs and locate all of his files, it just destroys a porductive work flow. I know it is clumsy, but a KVM switch solves the problem and easily allows for transition between computers. Anyone who installs Window on their Mac, just because they can, is no true Mac user. Sorry, buts thats how I stand.

  14. TKO | Apr 15 2006 - 06:41

    Okay Joe, I can understand your position there. With a little clarifaction that seems quite reasonable. You are quite right that a KVM switch is a better solution to bootcamp. I use a KVM at work, and even bought one for home because I love the way I can so easily swap between the PC and Mac.

    But this year I am moving overseas, and I might be moving around a bit too. The MiniMac I will take with me, but the PC’s have both been sold. I just can’t afford the expense or weight/space that an extra computer would be taking up. (Funnily enough, I sold them before BootCamp ..I had seriously decided to go 100% Mac in my IT life)

    Bootcamp might be a halfway solution for now, but I have faith that come 10.5 running a PC from *within* MacOS will make it easier for those of us who have grown to love MacOS-X to stay with Apple, yet work in a PC world as we often have to do. If a second machine isn’t practical this will be a KVM-beating solution too, coz MacOS and Windows will be on the same screen.

    I’m sure that people on the move, who have to be using a laptop, and have some PC ‘needs’, Bootcamp and whatever follows will be a great opportunity to stick with Mac hardware.

    I doubt the doomsday prophecies for MacOS itself or Mac application/games development will come true. If people have to sacrifice big money and HDD-space just to use PC stuff, they will always buy a Mac solution if it exists. That’s incentive enough for Mac development to continue.

  15. Harry | Apr 17 2006 - 05:18

    Better than bootcamp:

    Apple – create a PC Mini.

    PC Mini is an IBM PC clone in the exact same form factor as a Mac Mini.

    Stack Mac Mini on top of the PC Mini.

    Network the two together (networking PC and Mac is so easy these days).

    PC Mini has a special feature. It knows how to use the keyboard and display from your Mac. (a la Belkin switches)

    No more shutdown/boot PC/run Windows/
    shutdown/boot Mac/Run OS X, no special VMWare type software.

    Mac/Win Printer sharing is already being done.

    Macs can mount Windows devices (HD, CD, etc). PC’s know how to mount Mac hard disks.

    The only new thing to cretae would be two utilities. One allows the Mac to read/write to the Windows clipboard and the other util allows Wintel Machines to read/write to the Mac clipboard.

  16. Ernest | Apr 18 2006 - 09:52

    I am going through job postings right now and I came accross this one from Apple on CareerBuilder.com:

    CPU Software Manager
    RESPONSIBILITIES:
    – Lead and manage a team of system software engineers to develop and support Macintosh hardware products running Windows.
    – Provide scheduling, resource planning, and technical task direction for Macintosh HW specific support under Windows
    – Help design, implement, debug kernel level drivers and software under Windows
    – Use your experience in systems level software, PC architecture, and hardware bringup to help guide the Windows device driver development
    – Primary focus will be on supporting the Windows device driver development for Macintosh products, but will also be involved with other areas of system software

    Insteresting, no?