Using Windows XP Home on iMac

Windows on Intel Macs

There are presently several alternatives for running Windows on Intel Macs.

1. Install the Apple Boot Camp software. Purchase Windows XP w/Service Pak 2 or Vista. Follow instructions in the Boot Camp documentation on installation of Boot Camp, creating Driver CD, and installing Windows. Boot Camp enables you to boot the computer into OS X or Windows.

2. Parallels Desktop for Mac and Windows XP, Vista Business, or Vista Ultimate. Parallels is software virtualization that enables running Windows concurrently with OS X.

3. VM Fusionand Windows XP, Vista Business, or Vista Ultimate. VM Fusion is software virtualization that enables running Windows concurrently with OS X.

4. CrossOver which enables running many Windows applications without having to install Windows. The Windows applications can run concurrently with OS X.

Note that Parallels and VM Fusion can also run other operating systems such as Linux, Unix, OS/2, Solaris, etc. There are performance differences between dual-boot systems and virtualization. The latter tend to be a little slower (not much) and do not provide the video performance of the dual-boot system.

Hello Eyesforyou,

You don't need to install it yourself. There is an Application called Boot Camp that comes with Leopard. As long as you have a legal disk of Windows XP Home, the process is easy...

You will need a printer though and to read the instructions VERY carefully! ( I messed up the first attempt by not reading the manual carefully enough )

So...

Launch Boot Camp.
Print AND read the instructions.
Pop the XP disk into the Mac.
Follow instructions.
Job done.



Hope that helps some.

Regards

Ian

One problem Ian is that Boot Camp cannot run Windows side by side with OS X as the user stated (or mis-stated.)

Hello Kappy,

Thanks for that - I misread that part of the post. I also need to check either my typing speeds or my internet. You had not replied when I posted my reply.

Regards

Ian

You should have no problems, but it would be best to pose this question in the Parallels Forum to be sure you get all the information. Browse their forum first since this is a frequently posted topic.

Unless Windows is pre-installed in a pre-installed Parallels you will have to install Windows yourself.

Message was edited by: Kappy

Hello again,

It sounds like you may be buying a pre-owned iMac. No iMac, that I know of at least, arrives with Parallels pre-installed. The set up of Boot Camp and Parallels are radically different. More information required please.

NB - See Kappy's post about running OS X and XP " side by side " I may have been mistaken in my earlier post.

Regards again

Ian

Ian,

Yeah, locational delays often make that happen. Not much we can do about it, though.

Note to self - Type faster or get better internet connection.

Note to Kappy - Stop typing so darned fast!

Note to O.P. - Apologies for the off topic addition to this one! 🙂

LOL.

Hello again Suzanne,

No problem at all...

The set up is easy. Just read the instructions before you start. I would also advise a full back up before you start the process. I am not for one minute saying anything will go wrong - Just good house keeping is always a good idea.

Regards again.

Ian