I've tried all the Virtualisation programs: CrossOver, VirtualBox, Fusion, and Parallels - and none can be called 'brisk' in their operation, so I've gone the Bootcamp route.
If you have an original Windows 7 install disk this is no problem in Mountain Lion. Unfortunately for me, I have Windows XP 32bit OEM disc and a Windows 7 64bit upgrade disc. Mountain Lion doesn't play with XP, so this how to workaround the problem (but you'll need a Snow Leopard disc)....
1) On your Mac, Insert Windows 7 upgrade disc,
2) Run Boot Camp and make your Windows Partition the size you want and complete the wizard. Start the Windows 7 installer,
3) Be prepared to burn a disc with the Bootcamp drivers for later use, for when you install your Windows 7 upgrade disc over Windows XP,
4) Restart your Mac - and after the chime, hold down the 'alt' key until you see the screen showing Mac HD and the Windows Disc,
Use the arrow key to highlight the Windows CD, then press the eject key.
5) Insert your Windows XP CD,
6) Install Windows XP,
7) When prompted, insert your product key,
8) Install Bootcamp Drivers from your SnowLeopard disc from inside Windows.
Run Apple Software Updates in Windows as many times before no more updates are available in order to get the latest BootCamp drivers.
If you're content with using Windows XP, the job is completed - save for installing your choice of software - but if you want to upgrade from 32bit XP to 64bit Windows 7....
If you insert your Windows 7 64bit upgrade disc into your Windows XP 32bit desktop an incompatible warning is given. So here's how to install your Windows 7 64 bit upgrade...
1) With Windows XP open, insert your Windows 7 disc - and ignore the incompatibility warning,
2) From the 'start' menu, restart Windows,
3) When your Mac restarts, hold down the 'alt' key until you see the screen showing Mac HD and the Windows Disc,
4) Use the arrow to select the Windows disc,
5) Choose the install option, and agree to the MS terms and conditions,
6) Your two options are to 'upgrade' or perform a 'custom install',
7) Choose custom install (this will perform a fresh install of Windows 7 over your Windows XP installation). This will wipe all your previous software applications,
8) When prompted, insert your product key,
9) Go watch some paint dry - this will take some time to complete,
10) When completed, insert the disc previously burned with BootCamp drivers,
11) The overly bright monitor settings can be altered via the nVidea control panel in Windows,
12) Install your chosen Windows programs, and you're done.
Good Luck. |
