WinLinMac01 Posted April 28, 2008 Share Posted April 28, 2008 Here is my solution for OSx86 users who would like to Dual or Triple boot Mac OS X, Windows, & Linux on the same Machine. Important It is highly recommended to backup all existing data before proceeding below! 1). Download and Burn a bootable copy of Acronis Disk Director 2). Assuming that your hard drive is fully formated with zeros, insert your Mac OS X Disk and press ENTER when the disk starts up. 3). Select your language and in the next screen, go into Disk Utility. 4). Create one HFS+ Journaled partition dedicated to Mac OS X. 5). For the remaining space, set that as Free Space–> Before you commit the changes, in options, choose the MBR Partitioning Scheme. 6). Quit Disk Utility, and quit the installer. 7). Now, insert your Acronis Disk, and go into disk’s safe mode when the menu appears. 8). You will see the already created Mac OS X partition, but the remaining Free Space is unallocated. 9). Create one NTFS partition using that Free Space, This NTFS partition is only for Vista/XP. Create other necessary partitions after setup is successfully completed. (NOTE: If you are planning to use Linux, you will have to leave some Free Space, Do NOT create an Ext3 partition YET) 10). Now is the time to reinsert your Mac OS X DVD. 11). Select the appropriate packages and install on the OS X partition you created. 12). After installation, heres a tip, you can quit the registration by simply doing Command-Q. 13). After configuring your post-installation, it is optional if you want to install the latest kernel, 9.2.2. 14). The main thing now, is to go into disk utility again, and format the NTFS partition you created for Windows Vista as FAT (MS-DOS). 15). Now it is time to insert your Windows Vista DVD. 16). When you get into the partition selection, highlight the partition you created in Disk Utility (FAT). Format that partition as NTFS. 17). Now you should be able to install Windows Vista without any problems. Note that this will overwrite the existing MBR that Mac OS X configured initially. — For Users dual booting just Mac & Windows on one disk, Read Below! For those who would like to triple boot, skip the following steps & resume after step 21. Come back to these steps after completing step 29/30. 18). After installation is complete, and after confirming that your installation is successful, restart and insert your Mac OS X DVD. 19). Instead of Booting in the DVD, press F8 and boot with -s. 20). To use the Darwin bootloader, you will have to write a new MBR. Follow the commands below- fdisk -e /dev/rdisk0 flag 1 write quit reboot 21). Now after reboot, you should see the Darwin bootloader active again, and when you press enter, Windows NTFS will be the foreign O/S installed on your system in addition to Mac OS X. By default, after 8 seconds, Darwin should boot off the Mac OS X partition. However, you can always select the Windows Vista partition anytime you have to access that O/S. — 22). Insert your Linux DVD after you are done installing Windows Vista 23). Follow the prompts as you go along until you select your leftover unpartitioned HD space. 24). Create an Ext3 partition for this installation, instead of swap. 25). Proceed to the bootloader configuration, and select GRUB. 26). If Mac OS X is not on the configuration list, add the boot information manually by going into “edit” or “add“. 27). After doing this, GRUB will automatically detect your Mac OS X partition and add it to the grub.conf file after the installation is complete. You really don’t have to edit the .conf file, only if you want to change the appearance of the name, timeout seconds, and the default O/S to boot into. 28). Proceed with the installation for Linux (any distribution you like). 29). After installation is complete, you should be able to see three options to choose from the GRUB bootloader list. 30). Windows Vista will be displayed as Other, unless you change this manually to Microsoft Windows Vista manually in the grub.conf file. If you are going to tri-boot Mac OS X, Windows Vista, and Linux, do steps 18-21 in Darwin after selecting Mac OS X Leopard from the GRUB Bootloader. That way, by default, the Darwin will boot Leopard instead of Windows Vista. Because chances are the default value may be set to Vista. Therefore, performing those steps should resolve your problem if you face any. After all of these procedures are completed, you should be able to enjoy the most of your system on just one hard drive. Enjoy, WinLinMac01 Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/102068-how-to-dual-or-triple-booting-osx86-windows-linux-optional-on-the-same-hdd/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
MERLIN2049ER Posted April 28, 2008 Share Posted April 28, 2008 I've got a triple booting PC... OSX , Linux & Vista. What you can do is just install each OS on a separate drive and use the bios boot menu (F12) to select a drive to boot to. My bios also has a boot priority - so you can pick the drive you'd like to boot into. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/102068-how-to-dual-or-triple-booting-osx86-windows-linux-optional-on-the-same-hdd/#findComment-727818 Share on other sites More sharing options...
WinLinMac01 Posted April 29, 2008 Author Share Posted April 29, 2008 Yep, but my tutorial is for those that have only one hard drive. And besides, wouldn't users be most comfortable without selecting F12 to decide which O/S to choose? I prefer this method, but as you know, we all have our own opinions and tastes. - Cheers :censored2: I've got a triple booting PC... OSX , Linux & Vista. What you can do is just install each OS on a separate drive and use the bios boot menu (F12) to select a drive to boot to. My bios also has a boot priority - so you can pick the drive you'd like to boot into. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/102068-how-to-dual-or-triple-booting-osx86-windows-linux-optional-on-the-same-hdd/#findComment-728515 Share on other sites More sharing options...
WinLinMac01 Posted May 1, 2008 Author Share Posted May 1, 2008 Personally, I would recommend this article to be a Sticky. =) Admin, any consideration? Thanks. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/102068-how-to-dual-or-triple-booting-osx86-windows-linux-optional-on-the-same-hdd/#findComment-730910 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Opes Posted May 3, 2008 Share Posted May 3, 2008 This is a very good tutorial. STICKY PLEASE! . I have one question, i have Mac already installed on my PC, and i would like to dual boot Leopard and Windows, can i just do steps 7 - 20? I know i will have to get some free space so i can make a new partition. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/102068-how-to-dual-or-triple-booting-osx86-windows-linux-optional-on-the-same-hdd/#findComment-734399 Share on other sites More sharing options...
defuse Posted May 7, 2008 Share Posted May 7, 2008 WinLinMac01 Got a few questions. 1. Step 4 Q. Do I create three partitions? One for OSX (MBR Partitioning Scheme), and two others that are unformatted? 2. Step 9 Q. Do create a partition for vista as active? Also for some reason after I installed Kalaway 10.5.2 when the computer restarted it put a password on my hard drive???? I never established a password on this hard drive to begin with? Come to find out that its almost impossible to remove this password. Any ideas? Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/102068-how-to-dual-or-triple-booting-osx86-windows-linux-optional-on-the-same-hdd/#findComment-738190 Share on other sites More sharing options...
meansizzler Posted May 7, 2008 Share Posted May 7, 2008 For Step 4, what is the partition type GUID?, as for step 5 you mention MBR for the Vista one, please make it clear.., have a Time MAchine backup I would like to use which uses GUID not MBR? Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/102068-how-to-dual-or-triple-booting-osx86-windows-linux-optional-on-the-same-hdd/#findComment-738976 Share on other sites More sharing options...
WinLinMac01 Posted May 8, 2008 Author Share Posted May 8, 2008 Yes you definitely can. =) This is a very good tutorial. STICKY PLEASE! . I have one question, i have Mac already installed on my PC, and i would like to dual boot Leopard and Windows, can i just do steps 7 - 20? I know i will have to get some free space so i can make a new partition.Thanks for noting that. MBR is the way to go if you want to follow this guide. - Cheers. =)For Step 4, what is the partition type GUID?, as for step 5 you mention MBR for the Vista one, please make it clear.., have a Time MAchine backup I would like to use which uses GUID not MBR?For step, four you only create one in Disk Utility for Mac OS X, then you quit the installation and pop in your Acronis Disk Director disk and create one NTFS for Windows XP/Vista. For Linux you chose when you are done with installing the other two O/S's first. Be aware that you will need to spare some unallocated space on your hard drive. OS X will need an MBR Partitioning Scheme. The partition for Vista will be active once you install Vista. With GRUB you can boot all three O/S's, however, when you boot into Darwin, you will need to change the flag to flag 1 so that it can by default, boot in Mac OS X. Hope this helps. Let me know if you have any further questions. =) WinLinMac01Got a few questions.1. Step 4Q. Do I create three partitions? One for OSX (MBR Partitioning Scheme), and two others that are unformatted?2. Step 9Q. Do create a partition for vista as active? Also for some reason after I installed Kalaway 10.5.2 when the computer restarted it put a password on my hard drive???? I never established a password on this hard drive to begin with? Come to find out that its almost impossible to remove this password. Any ideas? Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/102068-how-to-dual-or-triple-booting-osx86-windows-linux-optional-on-the-same-hdd/#findComment-739062 Share on other sites More sharing options...
meansizzler Posted May 8, 2008 Share Posted May 8, 2008 thanks for the reply, much appreciated, but will my time machine backup made using GUID boot on mbr?sorry but can someone make it truly step by step i.e include the mac os install, i.e what settings you set when you install it..eg.. efi/guid or mbr as it can be really confusing, i normally use efi/vanilla kernel and GUID for a single os install, but what do I choose for dual boot? Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/102068-how-to-dual-or-triple-booting-osx86-windows-linux-optional-on-the-same-hdd/#findComment-739077 Share on other sites More sharing options...
WinLinMac01 Posted May 8, 2008 Author Share Posted May 8, 2008 For your dual boot, you choose MBR. Your time machine backup will most likely not work since it is based on a GUID scheme. If you are using one HDD, MBR is the way to go. However, they have been reports on running both O/S's in GUID over at infinitemac.com, but it has reported by some to not work and others that it does work including with the steps I introduced above. I chose MBR just to be safe. This tutorial is based on my experience. I haven't tried with GUID nor do I personally think it will work, but it can worth a try if you decide to combine the steps above and the article over at Infinitemac.com. I see what can be done in combination with this tutorial. You can also choose to install GRUB bootloader seperately. Let me know how it goes. thanks for the reply, much appreciated, but will my time machine backup made using GUID boot on mbr?sorry but can someone make it truly step by step i.e include the mac os install, i.e what settings you set when you install it..eg.. efi/guid or mbr as it can be really confusing, i normally use efi/vanilla kernel and GUID for a single os install, but what do I choose for dual boot? Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/102068-how-to-dual-or-triple-booting-osx86-windows-linux-optional-on-the-same-hdd/#findComment-739476 Share on other sites More sharing options...
meansizzler Posted May 8, 2008 Share Posted May 8, 2008 Thanks, I have a spare hard drive for vista so how would I install the edual boot then so I can keep GUID for Leopard? Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/102068-how-to-dual-or-triple-booting-osx86-windows-linux-optional-on-the-same-hdd/#findComment-739514 Share on other sites More sharing options...
WinLinMac01 Posted May 8, 2008 Author Share Posted May 8, 2008 You can follow a similar guide above. Or even better use steps and 18-21 after installing Windows, and Darwin should automatically give you two options to boot into. Thanks, I have a spare hard drive for vista so how would I install the edual boot then so I can keep GUID for Leopard? Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/102068-how-to-dual-or-triple-booting-osx86-windows-linux-optional-on-the-same-hdd/#findComment-739973 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Opes Posted May 8, 2008 Share Posted May 8, 2008 Thanks for this HOWTO, dual booting Leopard and Windows now . Just did steps 7-20 because i already had Mac installed. Used GParted to partition the drive. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/102068-how-to-dual-or-triple-booting-osx86-windows-linux-optional-on-the-same-hdd/#findComment-739996 Share on other sites More sharing options...
WinLinMac01 Posted May 8, 2008 Author Share Posted May 8, 2008 That works too. =) Thanks for this HOWTO, dual booting Leopard and Windows now . Just did steps 7-20 because i already had Mac installed. Used GParted to partition the drive. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/102068-how-to-dual-or-triple-booting-osx86-windows-linux-optional-on-the-same-hdd/#findComment-740313 Share on other sites More sharing options...
meansizzler Posted May 9, 2008 Share Posted May 9, 2008 Ok if I want to install on seperate disks, what settigns do I choose for these steps in your guide 4-5 8-9 Refer to Vista HD as V, and Leopard HD as L, i.e format V drive as this, create parition on L drive.. Sorry for asking so many questions buti followed a similimar guide which turned outto be a waste of time... Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/102068-how-to-dual-or-triple-booting-osx86-windows-linux-optional-on-the-same-hdd/#findComment-740480 Share on other sites More sharing options...
WinLinMac01 Posted May 10, 2008 Author Share Posted May 10, 2008 Yes, those steps you pointed out should work. However, I would recommend to create the NTFS partition (only one) using a third-party partitioning utility such as Acronis Disk Director Suite. Ok if I want to install on seperate disks, what settigns do I choose for these steps in your guide 4-5 8-9 Refer to Vista HD as V, and Leopard HD as L, i.e format V drive as this, create parition on L drive.. Sorry for asking so many questions buti followed a similimar guide which turned outto be a waste of time... Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/102068-how-to-dual-or-triple-booting-osx86-windows-linux-optional-on-the-same-hdd/#findComment-741494 Share on other sites More sharing options...
WinLinMac01 Posted May 11, 2008 Author Share Posted May 11, 2008 Sticky anyone? Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/102068-how-to-dual-or-triple-booting-osx86-windows-linux-optional-on-the-same-hdd/#findComment-742886 Share on other sites More sharing options...
meansizzler Posted May 12, 2008 Share Posted May 12, 2008 Sticky anyone? Nope too complicated, I gave up, infact I never even started, check the guide I made, it's simple as you can get, which I think is worthy of a sticky and the only one that should be a sticky... as it's straightforward and pretty much guaranteed to work for everyone who meets the criteria that is listed... have a nice day! Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/102068-how-to-dual-or-triple-booting-osx86-windows-linux-optional-on-the-same-hdd/#findComment-743567 Share on other sites More sharing options...
WinLinMac01 Posted May 12, 2008 Author Share Posted May 12, 2008 What ever you say buddy. People in OSx86 Community, and everyone says that it works flawlessly. Check the InfiniteMac Forums. Positive feedback as well. It may be hurting you because it involves Linux too, but that's optional. All you have to do is just pluck steps 18-21 out of this guide, and there you go, if you're planning to just dual-boot Vista and Mac OS X. May be that's why members at InfiniteMac Forums have claimed awkward experiences at the InsanelyMac Forum, lol. Ah well, take care, and have nice day. Nope too complicated, I gave up, infact I never even started, check the guide I made, it's simple as you can get, which I think is worthy of a sticky and the only one that should be a sticky... as it's straightforward and pretty much guaranteed to work for everyone who meets the criteria that is listed... have a nice day! Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/102068-how-to-dual-or-triple-booting-osx86-windows-linux-optional-on-the-same-hdd/#findComment-743827 Share on other sites More sharing options...
nicholasbgr Posted May 19, 2008 Share Posted May 19, 2008 When I try to install vista I get a message saying "Windows is unable to find a system volume that meets its criteria for installation". Any idea? Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/102068-how-to-dual-or-triple-booting-osx86-windows-linux-optional-on-the-same-hdd/#findComment-752058 Share on other sites More sharing options...
aceboy222 Posted June 9, 2008 Share Posted June 9, 2008 When I try to install vista I get a message saying "Windows is unable to find a system volume that meets its criteria for installation". Any idea? When using the Vista CD, before pressing "Install", near the bottom theres this button that says "Repair". Click it and click next, and then, if it does a diagnostic on your computer, let it finish, and then when it asks you to restart, don't restart and click advanced near the bottom. Then click Command Prompt. If it doesn't do diagnostics, click Command Prompt. Type in diskpart, then list disk. Find which disk you are about to install Vista on. Then type in select disk X (instead of typing in X type in the actual number). Then type list partition. Then find the partition that you are about to install Vista in and type select partition Y (don't actually type Y, type the number of the partition). Then type active. Go back to the installer and install again. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/102068-how-to-dual-or-triple-booting-osx86-windows-linux-optional-on-the-same-hdd/#findComment-776351 Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephensaw Posted July 2, 2008 Share Posted July 2, 2008 Is it possible to dual boot Vista and Mac on a single HDD where I've already installed Vista? I had tried to do so, however during installation my h/w failure and osx86 installation stopped, when I boot into my HDD, it said Missing Operating System, I guess it does mess up my Vista or bootloader right? Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/102068-how-to-dual-or-triple-booting-osx86-windows-linux-optional-on-the-same-hdd/#findComment-803667 Share on other sites More sharing options...
STTMac Posted September 19, 2008 Share Posted September 19, 2008 Nice... The Acronis Disk Director can be down from HERE Thank's again Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/102068-how-to-dual-or-triple-booting-osx86-windows-linux-optional-on-the-same-hdd/#findComment-897166 Share on other sites More sharing options...
sthEn Posted November 30, 2008 Share Posted November 30, 2008 Thanks, all working Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/102068-how-to-dual-or-triple-booting-osx86-windows-linux-optional-on-the-same-hdd/#findComment-983185 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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