[MW Forums]

Here's what you need to know, in detail, about Apple's Boot Camp and running Windows on Mac hardware. more

[jmincey]

What an excellent, straightforward, well organized article which distills much of the information that heretofore had been scattered across multiple articles and sources. It's one-stop-shopping for the best information to date on Boot Camp and Windows XP on the Mac. Thanks for this.

[jmincey]

Have you tested whether there is a difference in the behavior of remote access to the Boot Camp-enabled computer? Suppose, for example, you have booted into Windows XP on your fully networked MacBook. If you then access this computer remotely from an OS X platform, then even though Windows cannot read the local HFS+ partitions (without MacDrive), would a remote Mac be able to access the files on that volume, even though the running OS on the machine at the time is Windows?
A burning issue this is not -- I admit. It's mostly a question to satisfy my intellectual curiosity. /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[kenner]

I have Windows XP Pro SP2 as part of Virtual PC version 7. Since Virtual PC will not work on an Intel Mac, is there any way for Boot Camp to install the Windows that came with Virtual PC? It would save me from buying another copy of Windows.

[jmincey]

I suggest you advise Mac users to run Windows XP under a "Power User" account rather than the default "Administrator" account. Many contend this is good advice under OS X as well, but it is especially important for new or novice users of Windows (who may not stop to think of those implications).
Also, since some ISPs use the MAC address to identify a computer, I wonder if a Boot Camp user could trip over some problems in regard to dual network configs or contradictory configs between OS X and Windows XP. Suppose, for example, a user has a fixed local IP under OS X and is using DHCP under Windows -- but both are linked to the MAC address from the point of view of the router in the ISP-provided modem. Is this a non-issue or is this asking for trouble?
I would like for someone to experiment with such things between the two systems and see if any problems migrate from one OS to the other because of issues in coordinating with other network devices, (such as routers).
Another example which leaps to mind is the use of Active Directory and local domains. My own Mac is registered in an Active Directory database of a client. If I were to use Boot Camp and boot to Windows, and if the machine name (or Network or NetBIOS name) under Windows is different from the name I've chosen under OS X, could this bring unintended consequences?
Then there is the question of customized host files and legacy DNS cache files, etc. Mostly I'm concerned about the networking implications of such a dual-boot config, and I look forward to learning more about your experiences in this regard.

[griffman]

Some answers, combined into one follow-up...
"Have you tested whether there is a difference in the behavior of remote access to the Boot Camp-enabled computer?"
Just this morning, I accessed my XP-booted mini from my G5 using Remote Desktop Client. Everything worked just as expected.
"If you then access this computer remotely from an OS X platform, then even though Windows cannot read the local HFS+ partitions (without MacDrive), would a remote Mac be able to access the files on that volume, even though the running OS on the machine at the time is Windows?"
Not at all -- because you're accessing Windows, not OS X or the machine itself. Since Windows can't see the drive on the mini, I couldn't see the drive using Remote Desktop Client on the G5.
"Since Virtual PC will not work on an Intel Mac, is there any way for Boot Camp to install the Windows that came with Virtual PC? It would save me from buying another copy of Windows."
I thought we had that in there, but I'm about 99% sure the answer is 'no.' I don't think VirtualPC came with a full XP install disc, right? It was preloaded or somesuch? You need to have a standalone, bootable, Windows XP SP2 disc.
"I wonder if a Boot Camp user could trip over some problems in regard to dual network configs or contradictory configs between OS X and Windows XP."
While I can't speak to this directly, I have the XP and OS X machines set up with static IPs, both pointing at the same router, both with the same MAC address, and haven't had any issues.
"Another example which leaps to mind is the use of Active Directory and local domains"
Can't help there at all, sorry. AD is something I have zero experience with.
"Then there is the question of customized host files and legacy DNS cache files, etc."
If it was something loaded by OS X, then there shouldn't be any issues, since the machine is physically booted into XP. If, on the other hand, you used OS X to set your router, well, obviously, that would still be set ... or am I mis-understanding the question?
-rob.

[dalerb]

I have to challenge the notion that you must have anit-virus software installed if you're running Windows on the Mac. I suppose people will use Windows in different ways on the Mac but in my case I will never run an e-mail application under Windows (and if I did, I wouldn't be opening attachments from senders whom I didn't know) nor will I be using IE to visit sketchy websites. Turn on the Windows firewall, do most of your web browsing under OS X and use Firefox when you need to access the web under Windows. With those simple precautions, I can't see any great risk of infection.

[griffman]

The reality is that IE is the default browser in Windows, and many people may not change it. Others may also have to use Outlook for business reasons.
Hence, it's good advice to have antivirus software on your Windows install. But yes, if used as you describe, you'll be relatively safe.
-rob.

[jmincey]

"I wouldn't be opening attachments from senders whom I didn't know..."
And if a virus hijacks the address book of one of your friends, acquaintances, or business associates and sends a message in his behalf, bearing his name and e-mail address in your inbox, you will know this how?
"...nor will I be using IE to visit sketchy websites."
And the definition of a "sketchy" web site is? And you know one when you see one how? If you think spyware and other malware resides only on porn sites or gambling sites, you are in for an unhappy surprise.
Besides, why the opposition to security software when you can run some decent packages (like Grisoft) at no charge?
Also, some malware comes unbidden -- specifically worms. If your Windows system is unprotected, then you are out of luck with a worm (and even with some very effective Trojans).

[Nobody]

Great article!
Oops --typo!
What abut Windows Vista? --> abOut

[lantzn]

Newegg has a number of XP choices. Will any of these work Peter?
Why would the Pro retail be the cheapest??
Retail Pro $97
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16837116194

OEM Home $89
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16837102059
Retail Home $199
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16837116193

[MacGeek1955]

Windows is way too expensive for a toy project. I have an Intel iMac and I thought of running Windows, but the cost to legally run Windows is too expensive. There are lots of Linux distributions that cost pennies on the Dollar compared to Windows. Also you can run wine without actually buying Windows. How effective this is I don't know. I could probably get a copy of Windows 2k cheap but that has not been recommended. Before OSX was kicking in good I ran Yellow Dog and some other distributions of Linux as well as Red Hat on a circa 1995 IBM PC which even had USB 1 before iMacs made it popular. That was my favorite PC I've ever used including ones I've built. It was just built really solid.
Linux is interesting. It seems to have a steep learning curve and not be very user friendly, but I've found that anything you learn about Linux is usually very helpful when using OSX. Someday I want to set up a Linux router with an older computer.

[dalerb]

I realize that saying "I won't be running anti-virus software on my Windows partition and don't expect anything bad to happen" sounds like famous last words, but I've been using the same Windows XP PC since 2004 (with an up-to-date susbscription to an anti-virus product) until I got my Intel iMac in Februrary and never discovered a virus on my system ever. (Even people I know don't e-mail me attachments containing pictures of naked tennis stars. /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif)
I don't mean to hijack the discussion, the article was very worthwile (I wish I had known about slipstreaming before I ran Boot Camp!). But all of the coverage I've read about Windows on Mac emphasizes the need for anti-virus software over and over again and I just wanted to bring up another position on the topic.

[montgomery_burns]

In reply to:

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For right-clicking, weve already mentioned the Apple Mouse Utility.

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Which is made by a third party. And Control-click is already used in Windows for other functions. Apple should have incorporated some kind of support themselves in their own driver, such as double-tapping the touchpad or clicking the touchpad button with 2 fingers on the touchpad.

In reply to:

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Control-Alt-Delete is really only an issue for the MacBook Pro, as it lacks a true Delete Key.

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In Mac OS X, you can simulate the Del key by pressing Fnbackspace on a laptop keyboard. Shouldn't this also be supported in Windows?

You should also be able to use Fnfunction keys to change laptop LCD brightness. After all, that was the original purpose of the Fn key on a laptop-- to use those secondary commands located on the F1-F11 keys.