Multiple Partitions and Bootcamp ???

Question

Multiple Partitions and Bootcamp ???

I really need some help with Running Multiple partitions on my Macbook Pro and Bootcamp. It should be possible I think, yet I've had no luck so far.

I've always run two partitions on my mac, one for my everyday computing, and the other for my Pro Audio set-up (specific drivers and OSX for optimal ProTools Performance).

I had to delete my Audio Partition (backed up of course) to install Bootcamp and Windows 8. The Windows install went fine, but then I went back to OSX and I tried to make a new partition for my audio and it totally wiped my Windows install (Bummer as Windows took forever to insall and Update to 8.1).

I did this by reducing my Original Partition and thought it should work (after reading some experiences online).

So Ive tired again, this time after using Bootcamp assistant to make the windows partition, I then immediately went back to disk utiltiy to make my 'Main' partition space smaller and create the 2nd partition from this. I thought this should work (again from reading of experiences online), but windows won't install at all now, and keeps giving me errors.

Is what I want to do impossible, or what might I be doing wrong?

I pretty much need to have the two OSX partitions and ProTools needs it's own space to truly work best, and is not compatible with Mavericks.

Appreciate any help here.

thx

Posted on Dec 22, 2013 7:07 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Kappy

Level 10

361,741 points

Dec 22, 2013 7:14 PM in response to joeldadrummer

There can only be two partitions when using Boot Camp. Boot Camp shrinks the original OS X partition in order to create a second partition of the size requested in Boot Camp. There can be no other partitions on the drive. Boot Camp will refuse to work if there already is a second partition on the drive.

If you wish to have multiple partitions with multiple operatings systems with each being able to boot the computer, then you need to use different software. That software is Boot Runner or The rEFInd Boot Manager.

Reply

Answer 2

Dec 22, 2013 7:20 PM in response to Kappy

Thank you

Are you sure Boot Runner will solve my issue? From their website it does not seem to mention anything about multiple partitions, only an easier way to manage your dual boot Mac?

Reply

Answer 3

Kappy

Level 10

361,741 points

Dec 22, 2013 7:40 PM in response to joeldadrummer

No, Boot Runner should provide the mechanism for managing multiple OS partitions. rEFInd is similar, but it's an update to an older software utility called rEFIt that does not work above Snow Leopard.

I have not used either of them, but I did use rEFIt to run OS X, Linux, and Windows on a single drive with three partitions.

Reply

Answer 4

Dec 23, 2013 10:33 AM in response to Kappy

I just got an email reply from Boot Runner. It will NOT support multiple partitions. 😟

Reply

Answer 5

Number88

Level 3

806 points

Dec 23, 2013 10:45 AM in response to joeldadrummer

As Kappy has said, the limiting factor is Bootcamp and its hybrid MBR, nothing else.

If you could install all operating systems in EFI mode (and therefore GPT only) your options would be dramatically increased.

Reply

Answer 6

Jan 7, 2014 11:12 PM in response to Number88

Thanks.

Can't say I'm so tech savy as to understand about MBR or EFI though. 😟

But...would it possibly be a problem to install windows on a mac pro, first removing any extra startup drives, then putting them back in after the install? Or is this going to cause trouble?

thanks again,

Reply

Answer 7

turbostar

Level 4

2,941 points

Mar 6, 2014 1:02 PM in response to Number88

Kappy, Number88 et al

Trying to revisit this, would it be possible if only Mavericks and W8.1 were the 2 OSs since you mentioned all OSs in EFI mode.

I clean installed Mavericks today on a nMP (my USB installer showed up as EFI boot) and believe boot camp does install Windows 8.1 in EFI mode as well. Or, I could be wrong about all or some of these things.

Ideally, I would like 3 - Mac OS, Mac files and Windows - partitions on the SSD.

I think Joel was referring to what you see here in post #33 where in older OSs, you could 'fool' boot camp if you partitioned the drive in between the Windows install

http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=199262&page=2

Reply

Answer 8

Number88

Level 3

806 points

Mar 6, 2014 4:08 PM in response to turbostar

That may well be possible if the partitioning was carefully done and done at the right stage in the proceedings.

However, any subsequent upgrade of OSX would not find what it expected and is likely to trash the MBR.

Similarly running disk utility could do the same thing (repairing the disc).

Reply

Answer 9

turbostar

Level 4

2,941 points

Mar 6, 2014 7:39 PM in response to Number88

So a 10.9.3 update when released could hose the system? So then what are all those people doing in this mega thread, simply not updating once they multi partition?

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4144252?tstart=0

Reply

Answer 10

Number88

Level 3

806 points

Mar 6, 2014 8:16 PM in response to turbostar

That's the reason a lot of them are in that thread in the first place - because an upgrade caused them to lose the ability to boot Windows on an existing multi-partition setup.

Reply

Answer 11

McDoug1n

Level 1

4 points

Oct 29, 2017 3:36 PM in response to joeldadrummer

I know this post is super old, but for those who stumble upon it (like me) you CAN use virtualbox to run multiple OS’... depending on you’re needs. Its free and safe.

Reply