Installing Microsoft XP on Core 2 Duo

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Level 2

295 points

Installing Microsoft XP on Core 2 Duo

Gentlemen, I have attempted to install Windows on the Mac, without success so far. I downloaded Boot Camp from Apple and followed the installation instructions, including the burning of a disk of Mac drivers.

I then loaded the Windows XP Pro disk with service pack 1 and 2. On loading, the Mac went to a black screen, with a flashing cursor, and nothing I did could either re-start the Mac, or eject the disk. Eventually, through assistance from the Discussion Boards, I was able to restart the Mac and eject the disk.

I note from the BootCamp and other sites the XP disk must be XP with the service pack 2, intergrated into the XP data. I think this may be called 'slipstreaming'. This may be where I went wrong. the Mac drive did not like it at all. It does not say anything about service pack 1. Not too sure of the exact history of the XP disk anyway.

So my question is......how does one source an XP disk with Service Pack 2 intergrated within it? Do I take it that Microsoft sell XP now with the Service Pack slipstreamed in. I looked at Paul Thurrotts site re intergrating the two, ie XP and Service Pack 2, but it is way to complex for me to bother with.

iMac 20" Intel Core 2 Duo Mac OS X (10.4.7) iSight-three way

Posted on Sep 15, 2006 8:54 PM

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Answer 1

mhunter

Level 6

9,191 points

Sep 15, 2006 9:49 PM in response to Ronald Begg

Hello,

You will need to follow those complex directions to get the Windows XP disk you have now and the Service Pack 2 update merged together. I'm sorry to have to tell you that. But, that's the way it is.

Boot Camp will only work with a Complete Windows XP Service Pack 2 installation disk.

If you really don't want to mess with the process of getting your Windows XP installer modified to include Service Pack 2, then your only option will be buying the new Windows XP retail package which will contain Service Pack 2 already.

I'm sorry to have to give you the bad news. But, that's the unfortunate truth of the situation.

Now, if you don't want to use Boot Camp, you might try Parallels (which runs inside the OS X environment). That may permit you to install your current Windows XP and upgrade to Service Pack 2. But, that will perform slightly slower than booting directly into Windows would (since you'd be sharing your system between two simultaneously running operating systems).

http://www.parallels.com/en/products/workstation/mac/

I hope this helps.

Let us know if you have other questions.

P.S., if you'd like, go ahead and click the "Helpful" or "Solved" buttons on any of the posts / replies above if you feel they were helpful or adequately answered your question.

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Answer 2

mhunter

Level 6

9,191 points

Sep 15, 2006 10:17 PM in response to mhunter

Hello,

Also, just in-case you need more detailed directions to create a Service Pack 2 install disk, you can try looking-over the directions here:

http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxpsp2slipstream.asp

Naturally, you'll have to perform this operation from another computer that is already running Windows. Then, you can take the completed CD to your Mac for installation.

I hope this helps.

Let us know if you have other questions.

P.S., if you'd like, go ahead and click the "Helpful" or "Solved" buttons on any of the posts / replies above if you feel they were helpful or adequately answered your question.

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Answer 3

Ronald Begg Author

Level 2

295 points

Sep 16, 2006 4:14 AM in response to mhunter

Hi mhunter, you have confirmed my own thoughts in regard to the installation process, I have looked at the site you suggsted, US Macworld had an excellent article on the whole issue, but I guess I wanted confirmation from elsewhere. XP with the inbuilt service pack is my preference, I will try to buy one.
I have read some slightly critical comment re Parallels, maybe unwarranted, so would prefer to stick with Apple stuff. BTW, I am an ex Windows user of some three years back, but have become an ardent Mac fan over recent years, am now on my second Mac! The Windows thing is as a matter of interest only. I will need to deal with the Windows nasties like viruses etc. Probably should wait for Leopard, but I have always been an 'early adopter'

iMac 20" Intel Core 2 Duo, 250 gig HD, 1 gig Ram Mac OS X (10.4.7) LaCie EHD 80 gig

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Answer 4

mhunter

Level 6

9,191 points

Sep 16, 2006 10:45 AM in response to Ronald Begg

Hello,

Glad I could help.

Yes, you will still have to watch out for Windows Viruses. So, that will be an important consideration. Fortunately, Windows cannot read the Mac OS partition. So, those viruses should remain isolated to affecting the Windows partition.

Waiting for Leopard may not be a bad idea since installing it may require re-installing or completely re-creating your Windows partition (since we don't know what Apple's going to do).

I hope this helps.

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Answer 5

Ronald Begg Author

Level 2

295 points

Sep 16, 2006 2:12 PM in response to mhunter

Agree with the Leopard situation, but from what I understand, Leopard is some time away, maybe 6 months yet. I saw a demo of XP on a 20" Mac when I was in Sydney a few weeks ago, for some reason it looked like no XP screen image I've seen, much softer and clearer graphics, very impressive for old XP!

Now, I just can't wait to see it on my new machine. Have now obtained 'XP Home', with the Service Pack intergrated on the one disk, with any luck I will be up and running this morning. (Sunday here)

iMac 20" Intel Core 2 Duo, 250 gig HD, 1 gig Ram Mac OS X (10.4.7) LaCie EHD 80 gig

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Answer 6

mhunter

Level 6

9,191 points

Sep 16, 2006 4:22 PM in response to Ronald Begg

Hello,

Let me know how it works out. Should be a lot easier with the Service Pack 2 disk.

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Answer 7

Ronald Begg Author

Level 2

295 points

Sep 17, 2006 11:37 AM in response to mhunter

It worked a treat, no problems at all. When you first get Windows up the screen text looks big and puffy, BUT, when you apply the CD you have burnt as part of BootCamp, the whole Windows look becomes very Apple like, quite fantastic. Have applied the free AVG Anti-Virus program, seems to work like a dream.

The changeover between the two platforms works again, like a breeze.

Apple, you have done it yet again!!

Thanks for your encouragement, am using Windows to reply to this post, how about that?

iMac 20" Intel Core 2 Duo, 250 gig HD, 1 gig Ram Mac OS X (10.4.7) LaCie EHD 80 gig

iMac 20" Intel Core 2 Duo, 250 gig HD, 1 gig Ram Mac OS X (10.4.7) LaCie EHD 80 gig

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Answer 8

mhunter

Level 6

9,191 points

Sep 17, 2006 11:48 AM in response to Ronald Begg

Hello,

That's great to hear. I'm glad to hear that it is up and running now. It's nice when things work out 🙂

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