OS 10.5.8-Mac Mini and Windows XP Pro

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OS 10.5.8-Mac Mini and Windows XP Pro

Has anyone successfully used Bootcamp and OS10.5.8 to put Windows XP on their Mac Mini?? If so, how? Do I need to upgrade to Snow Leopard to do this?? Thanks for reading. Dan

Mac Mini early 2009 120GB 2GB Ram, Mac OS X (10.5.8), Pismo, B and W G3

Posted on Jul 7, 2010 3:32 PM

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Answer 1

MacProCT

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Jul 7, 2010 4:23 PM in response to fishmaven

I believe you would have had to download boot camp for osx 10.5 when it was still available from apple's site. because I believe it's no longer available for 10.5. once they shipped it as an integral feature of osx 10.6, they stopped offering it for 10.5.

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Answer 2

fishmaven Author

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Jul 7, 2010 6:22 PM in response to MacProCT

Sadly, what I've found supports your opinion. I played with the idea of Windows XP Pro on my Mini in the first couple of months after the early 2009s were released but abandoned it. I've just upgraded my Mini to 4GB Ram and a 7200RPM 500GB drive. I don't want to just throw money in hopes of a solution. IF I have to get Snow Leopard to make it work I will IF I've got some sort of assurance it'll work. Has anyone made it work?? Thanks,
Dan

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Answer 3

MacProCT

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366 points

Jul 8, 2010 12:29 AM in response to fishmaven

Boot Camp works great on the Mini.

But, in case you're not aware, you can run Windows as a virtual machine.

There are four popular options for this:

VMWare Fusion
Parallels Desktop
Sun VirtualBox
Codeweavers Crossover for Mac

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Answer 4

Fortuny

Level 7

21,461 points

Jul 8, 2010 5:02 AM in response to fishmaven

Hi Dan,

while I don't have a Mac Mini there are some wrongs to set right:

BootCamp became a part of OSX when Apple released OSX 10.5 Leopard.

The BootCamp Assistant that repartitions your harddisk for installing Windows is in your Applications/Utilities folder.

The Apple BootCamp Windows driver (version 2.x) are on your OSX 10.5.x install DVD but can usually not be seen when in OSX since that DVD is a hybrid one with an OSX part and a Windows part.

Following the BootCamp Install Guide to be found either here http://www.apple.com/support/bootcamp/ or in the BootCamp Assistant shows you how-to install Windows XP on your Mac Mini and how-to use the OSX Leopard DVD to install the Windows drivers.

Later Driver Updates (version 2.1 and 2.2) can then be found on the a.m. support page as well.

Hope it helps clearing

Stefan

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Answer 5

MacProCT

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366 points

Jul 8, 2010 7:42 AM in response to Fortuny

OK, apologies for my mistaken information.

I now realize where my confusion came from...

What I was thinking of was the fact that Boot Camp was originally downloadable when it was in beta stage. But it had a time expiration.

When 10.5 was released Boot Camp was then only available by buying a retail copy of the operating system.

I so rarely use Boot Camp (because of virtual machines being so much more convenient), that the details were fuzzy.

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Answer 6

fishmaven Author

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Jul 8, 2010 8:08 AM in response to MacProCT

My comment about the Mini was to indicate that Apple left a few things out on the Mini that were standard on other Apple devices.My guess, they figured anyone buying it wouldn't be interested in internet marketing or even in participating in webinars (no soundcard). Of course that logic is flawed because practically all the marketing software available is Windows only.

I followed, or TRIED to follow Apple's guide "boot camp install -setup.pdf" (I won't link it here), but I was unsuccessful.

You mean the hours I messed with Bootcamp were unnecessary? I didn't really want to use FAT 32 anyway. I've got a friend that uses Sun's VirtualBox but claims he rarely uses Windows. If using another option will work, I'm okay with that. Do you know of a reputable guide to choosing the BEST option? If I don't need Bootcamp I may try VirtualBox first, it's FREE. Parallels would appear to be the best of the options but gets bad reviews on customer support.
Thanks for your response.
Dan

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Answer 7

fishmaven Author

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Jul 8, 2010 8:38 AM in response to Fortuny

Stefan,
The link you posted was the one that lead me to believe I'd be better off with Snow Leopard. Within that page was the report I didn't add in my reply to MacProCT.

I used Bootcamp Assistant to partition the new drive when It seemed like I was going nowhere without using it. I found it fruitless, just another chase down the rabbit hole. You may have pointed out the flaw though. I was directed back to putting in my install disks (2 came with the Mini and it wasn't specified which to use). Pointless, if the windows drivers don't show up.

I don't understand. These two statements seem to conflict:

"The Apple BootCamp Windows driver (version 2.x) are on your OSX 10.5.x install DVD but can usually not be seen when in OSX since that DVD is a hybrid one with an OSX part and a Windows part.

Following the BootCamp Install Guide to be found either here http://www.apple.com/support/bootcamp/ or in the BootCamp Assistant shows you how-to install Windows XP on your Mac Mini and how-to use the OSX Leopard DVD to install the Windows drivers."

In the second paragraph you say to "use the DVD" that you said wouldn't work in the first paragraph.

While I'm not trying to nit-pick you, it's an example of Apple's guide that doesn't give CLEAR, EASY TO FOLLOW instructions. Surely on Apple's staff there must be someone that can write clear-cut user instructions, right? While your comment made perfect sense to you, I couldn't follow it.

I've been using a Mac since the mid-80s and only found this forum this year. I'm unfamiliar with the "a.m. support page." What does this mean?:
"Later Driver Updates (version 2.1 and 2.2) can then be found on the a.m. support page as well."

Thanks for your reply. I'm certain your English is much better than my German. It takes me about a day to work through a page written in German.
Dan

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Answer 8

Fortuny

Level 7

21,461 points

Jul 8, 2010 8:19 PM in response to fishmaven

Hi Dan,

I am completely at ease with written English, spoken English is another case since I don't have that much opportunity...

The Mac OSX install DVD (the number one of your 2-disc set) is a hybrid disc which contains an OSX part and a Windows part.
While in OSX you only get the OSX part of the DVD shown whereas when you are in Windows you only get the Windows part shown.
(if you like you can verify this by inserting the OSX disc on a Windows PC).

Sorry if that has lead to confusion.

In essence the installation of Windows with BootCamp goes like this:

- Just in case make or have a backup of your OSX.
- Quit all applications currently open in OSX.
- start the BootCamp Assistant in OSX to make a second partition on your harddisk for installing Windows on it.
- Install Windows from the Windows CD
- Once the Windows installation is complete boot into Windows
- Insert your Mac OSX install DDVD (no. 1) while in Windows to install the needed Drivers.
- Depending on the version of the drivers on your OSX DVD you might have to download and install driver updates that were released on a later date than the ones on your OSX DVD.

These can be found on the BootCampSupport page I linked to http://www.apple.com/support/bootcamp/ (and that is the same page I refered to with the "a.m. (above mentioned) support page".
Or you can find them here http://support.apple.com/downloads/#Bootcamp

There are some specialties to observe during the BootCamp Windows installation, therefor it is best to print out the BootCamp Installation Guide PDF and follow it.
And personally I find that Guide to be very informative.

As for VirtualBox, it is a very good alternative to using Apples BootCamp.
Although VirtualBox is not very good for playing Games in Windows it has the advantage over BootCamp that you don't have to reboot your Mac to run Windows, but rather can use Windows alongside OSX.
With the 'marketing software' you mentioned VirtualBox might be therefor the better solution than BootCamp for your needs.

Hope this helps

Stefan

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Answer 9

MacProCT

Level 2

366 points

Jul 9, 2010 3:48 AM in response to fishmaven

fishmaven wrote:
My comment about the Mini was to indicate that Apple left a few things out on the Mini that were standard on other Apple devices...(no soundcard).

Huh?

The Mini has analog and digital sound inputs and outputs right on the back panel. The sound is fully integrated -- no card required.

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Answer 10

MacProCT

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366 points

Jul 9, 2010 4:51 AM in response to fishmaven

fishmaven wrote:
... You mean the hours I messed with Bootcamp were unnecessary?

Well for those who want the full, unfettered windows experience -- and for the low price of free -- boot camp works great.

But as you've found out, there are other ways to run windows on a mac.

...I didn't really want to use FAT 32 anyway. I've got a friend that uses Sun's VirtualBox but claims he rarely uses Windows. If using another option will work, I'm okay with that. Do you know of a reputable guide to choosing the BEST option? If I don't need Bootcamp I may try VirtualBox first, it's FREE. Parallels would appear to be the best of the options but gets bad reviews on customer support.

Reputable guide? Well, you could check out MacWorld.com for their thoughts on it. They think highly of Parallels Desktop and VMWare Fusion. I prefer the latter product because it's easier to use.

Note that VirtualBox is great for light usage, but that there is no company support, unless you pay for a support contract. So if support is a concern, you're really just better off paying for one of the products above, as they work better, too.

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Answer 11

fishmaven Author

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Jul 9, 2010 10:58 AM in response to Fortuny

Stefan,

Thank you for taking the time to write a very exacting missive explaining the procedure and options. Apple needs some one to do what you just did.

I may yet be forced to use Bootcamp but for now I've got VirtualBox set-up.

Dan

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Answer 12

Jul 9, 2010 11:01 AM in response to MacProCT

Note that VirtualBox is great for light usage, but that there is no company support, unless you pay for a support contract. So if support is a concern, you're really just better off paying for one of the products above, as they work better, too.

I would comment that Parallels' paid support is less useful than is free support via VirtualBox fora.

As far as `working better' is concerned, Parallels has more features (one useful one being the ability to open a file from Mac OS X using a client program) but ℹ VirtualBox is zippy and free and (ii) Parallels appear to be trying to lock one into a cycle of upgrading every year or so e.g. with Snow Leopard compatibility.

I can confirm that VirtualBox is responsive on a mid 2010 mini with 8GB RAM, running Windows 7, XP or Ubuntu 10.04. USB works fine too - e.g. I could mount a USB drive formatted in EXT3 in Ubuntu without any difficulty.

I have virtually (ha ha) no experience of VMWare.

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Answer 13

fishmaven Author

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Jul 9, 2010 11:32 AM in response to MacProCT

Chris,
You know the headsets with a mic on them… they don't work without Griffin's iMic or the equivalent. The mic input is only line level… not good enough, it needs to be amplified. Unfortunately the "Geniuses" at most Apple stores don't know that either. If you'd like to test this out take one of those headphone/mic combos to the Apple store. Apple doesn't carry them. The ear bud/mic things the "Geniuses" carry (for iPhones) won't work either.

Another missing item… you can drive 2 monitors only if neither are HD. If one is HD you have to use both outputs to drive the one monitor. I, for one, feel that I shouldn't have to resort to going to Radio Shack to get the pieces that Apple didn't make available, or even point out that I needed, to support my Apple devices. If it only costs xx cents to manufacture, it should have been added to the box when I bought the devices. OK… flame off.

As I commented to Stefan, I may yet be forced to use Bootcamp. If or when I do, I'll look at the then existing options. I haven't upgraded yet to Snow Leopard. I haven't been able to justify the benefits vs. the risk. Apple seems to want to make my decisions for me. Their choices aren't always in my best interests.

BTW, I do own a PC laptop with XP. I did buy a NEW copy of XP (with key) to use on my Mac. I just want to use the monitor and keyboard that I use with my Mac rather than picking up the laptop.

Thank you for taking the time to reply to my questions.
Dan

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Answer 14

MacProCT

Level 2

366 points

Jul 9, 2010 11:36 AM in response to Nick Bell

Nick Bell wrote:

I would comment that Parallels' paid support is less useful than is free support via VirtualBox fora.

Ouch. That bad, huh? When I used to deal with them, they were a smaller company and I worked at a Fortune 500 company, so they gave us special treatment.

As far as `working better' is concerned, Parallels has more features (one useful one being the ability to open a file from Mac OS X using a client program)

Plus the ability to drag files in and out of the VM, which Virtual Box doesn't do.

and (ii) Parallels appear to be trying to lock one into a cycle of upgrading every year or so e.g. with Snow Leopard compatibility.

Too true!

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Answer 15

fishmaven Author

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Jul 9, 2010 11:43 AM in response to Nick Bell

Nick,

Thanks for your reply. I guess there needs to be an area for Mac users that use windows on their Macs. Although there must be lot of them, they're hard to find when you need an answer.

Re Parallels: …I was about to pull out my credit card until I read the reviews citing lack of customer support. I get too much of that already from Chase, AT&T and others.
Dan

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