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3 Replies Last post: Feb 12, 2008 6:34 PM by Quietus_Prime

macuser13

2 posts since
Feb 6, 2008

Feb 6, 2008 8:13 PM

Running XP Pro without the CD in the drive????

Hey everyone,

I need some help!! I just recently installed XP Pro into my Macbook, and all seemed well. When I tried to restart, while holding down the Option key, there was no Windows HD, just the Mac HD. Once I inserted the XP CD, the Windows CD icon popped up. Basically, I must have missed a step in the installation process, because, as I've noticed in all the materials I've read, there should be a Windows HD icon regardless of whether the CD is inserted. Can anyone help me with my problem???

Thanks in advance.

Reply Tags: boot, camp, xp, cd, macbook

Quietus_Prime

105 posts since
Jan 13, 2002

1. Feb 10, 2008 3:44 PM

in response to: macuser13

Re: Running XP Pro without the CD in the drive????

macuser13,

That sounds odd; another one for my collection of odd things when installing Windows on a Mac!

Allright, here the serious part.

1.- Using Boot Camp, delete the existing Windows partition. Oncee the Windows partition is gone, start Boot Camp again and partition your hard disk again. I do recommend you use half the hard disk for Windows and half for MacOS X if you can afford it.

2.- Proceed to install Windows just like you did before. Make sure that when the Windows Install shows all the available partitions, you do not delete the FAT32 partition and create a new one. The only thing you need to do is select the FAT32 partition and, when prompted, choose to format the partition into NTFS. Once it formatted the partition and the installation is on its way just proceed as usual.

It is very important that you do not erase the FAT32 partition and that you format into NTFS because, after you finish the initial part of the Windows installation, and you are ready to reboot, all kinds of odd things will happen (including what you are experiencing, most likely.)

Hope this helps. Let us know what happens.

Martin

macuser13

2 posts since
Feb 6, 2008

2. Feb 12, 2008 3:55 PM

in response to: Quietus_Prime

Re: Running XP Pro without the CD in the drive????

Hey Q-P, thanks for the response. i decided that, although it's a pain, i'll just boot into leopard, and then boot into xp, which seems to work. i'll consider doing what you've offered, if it starts to get to be too much a pain or if something happens. also, i have the oem version of xp. if i un-partition, and then re-partition, will i have problems entering the same passkey?

thanks again!

Quietus_Prime

105 posts since
Jan 13, 2002

3. Feb 12, 2008 6:34 PM

in response to: macuser13

Re: Running XP Pro without the CD in the drive????

macuser13,

You should not have any issues with the CD key since you are running it on the same hardware. If anything you will need to call Microsoft which will take no time; those people answer very quickly. Just tell them that you had to rebuild your system for the reasons you stated here. Just be honest with them and you will be fine. You know how it is, s**t happens every once in a while and the Microsoft people surely understand that.

I'm glad I could be of some assistance to you. If anything feel free to contact me directly.

Martin

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This Question is Answered

Feb 6, 2008 8:13 PM

Running XP Pro without the CD in the drive????

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