johnmelano Posted May 27, 2007 Share Posted May 27, 2007 I tried to search for this but came empty. I want to setup OS X and XP on two different drives, totally separated from each other, but with a boot manager that defaults to whichever I set it to after a couple of seconds or so. Can this be done with the Darwin boot manager? I just want something more simple than having to go to the BIOS setup every time I want to switch to XP. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MelH Posted June 29, 2007 Share Posted June 29, 2007 Hi, would also like some help with this as i'm a newbie , take pity!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shadowz29 Posted July 3, 2007 Share Posted July 3, 2007 I tried to search for this but came empty. I want to setup OS X and XP on two different drives, totally separated from each other, but with a boot manager that defaults to whichever I set it to after a couple of seconds or so. Can this be done with the Darwin boot manager? I just want something more simple than having to go to the BIOS setup every time I want to switch to XP. Thanks I have the same problem... hope someone can help us... this will make it sooooo much easier~!! everything else works fine in the computer, both xp and OS X. I just need to find a way to make it easier than going into BIOS to change the BOOT drive. THanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schweppes Posted July 3, 2007 Share Posted July 3, 2007 Put OS X drive as default in BIOS, then edit com.apple.Boot.plist and darwin bootloader gives the option to start from OS X HD or XP HD. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MelH Posted July 3, 2007 Share Posted July 3, 2007 ok will try this when i get home from the evil work!! erm..... edit it how???? is it fairly obvious to a windows indoctrinated newbie!!! if not if you could possibly post step by step idiot instructions i would be very greatful!!! thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schweppes Posted July 3, 2007 Share Posted July 3, 2007 1) you need this app: PlistEditor Pro 2) make a copy of: com.apple.Boot.plist to your desktop ( located in /Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration ) 3) open com.apple.Boot.plist from your desktop with PlistEditor Pro in the left column add: Timeout (if doesn`t already exist) in the right column add: 5 (or the seconds do you like the darwin bootloader will wait you to choose your startup HD) 4) Save and close. 5) Copy the original com.apple.Boot.plist ( located in /Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration ) to somewhere on your HD 6) Replace com.apple.Boot.plist ( located in /Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration ) with modified version. 7) REPAIR PERMISSIONS with DiskUtility (you have to do!!! ) 8) Restart... If this method doesn`t work, you also coud try Acronis OS Selector Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MelH Posted July 3, 2007 Share Posted July 3, 2007 i think i love you!!! really thanks!!! will try as soon as i get home! only 21 mins to go!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mel hall Posted July 3, 2007 Share Posted July 3, 2007 ok, i tried it and it half worked!! checked my bios and the mac's drive already is the primary disk ( i have my priorities right at least ..mac before win!!) manged editing the plist (not tough!!) saved etc and rebooted... up pops darwin and it offers only one option the mac drive is there anything else you could suggest??? (still greatful!! ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishyeah Posted July 5, 2007 Share Posted July 5, 2007 Ever tried Grub (need to install a Linux distro)? Grub allows you to map drives (switch between primary and secondary at boot time), use the following lines: map (hd0) (hd1) map (hd1) (hd0) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MelH Posted July 5, 2007 Share Posted July 5, 2007 erm no i haven't tried grub.... i am a sad newbie and need intructions:-S if you could post a 'how to' again i would be greatful! ta Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishyeah Posted July 5, 2007 Share Posted July 5, 2007 a bit more detail in http://forum.insanelymac.com/index.php?showtopic=56248 I don't have time to write up the guide at the moment... (I believe you can find detailed guide on this forum). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MelH Posted July 5, 2007 Share Posted July 5, 2007 thanks, i'll give it a go when i get home from work! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aries326 Posted July 5, 2007 Share Posted July 5, 2007 I want to do the same configuration as well. Are you dual booting off of two IDE drives or two SATA drives? I think I read somewhere that there isn't as much support for SATA drives as there are for IDE drives. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishyeah Posted July 6, 2007 Share Posted July 6, 2007 I used two SATA drives. I even had a mixture of (2 SATA + 1 IDE) all had OS installed at one time with Grub bootloader. I never had any problem with SATA drives when using OS X. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts