Installing OSx and THEN XP on blank hd.

[Mebster]

I want to install OSX on a partition on a blank hard drive and then install XP on a second partition and leave room to create more partitions to save all my data (work, songs etc).

 

I’ve previously installed OSx on my system but to format and create a partition I had the help of XP's OS. With a blank drive I have nothing and so I have no idea how I can allocate partitions and do everything else that is needed.

 

All guides to installing OSx go through a method of using 'diskpart' mainly and 'partition magic'. Obviously to use these programs I need a running XP system, which I will not have.

 

E.g. of system I’m trying to make

Partition 1: OSx 10GBs (roughly)

Partition 2: XP 100GBs ''

Partition 3: Backup 100GBs ''

 

Help would be very much appreciated.

Thanks.

[greggh]

use a bootable cd. a lot of them exist that have partition managers. you can find them all over the web.

 

http://www.sysresccd.org/Main_Page

 

That one will work...

[Mebster]

Hey,

Thanks for your speedy response. I was hoping someone would be able to tell me which bootable cd is the best at doing the job and hopefully what I need to do with it. Thanks.

 

Also with dual booting I know there are some programs that help you dual boot. I know stuff exist but can't remember what the names are. I think all it does it gives you a nice dual booting system. If someone has any experience with any then please let me know.

 

Thanks

[jackt283]

Install XP FIRST, then OSX. I can't see any reason why you would want to put XP on second?

 

The simplest thing is this: Run through the windows installer and create a 10GB (or however big you need) partition for windows. Then use diskpart to create another partition (use type=af like in the tutorials...). Install OSX and reformat the partition you created. Bingo!

 

The best way to get a dual boot is to tripple boot with linux, and let it take care of the bootloader, etc.

 

Ignoring that:

 

Here is what I plan to do with my current set up that has recently gone haywire:

Firstly, use a Linux Live CD (there are loads, try typing "Linux Live cd" into google, I'm using Ubuntu, although I hear it isnt great) to erase my current boot drive and create three new partitions, using fdisk. One NTFS or Fat32, and the second two ext3.

 

The first partition is for Windows, the second is for Mac OS 10.4.5, and the third is for 10.4.6. This enables me to have a back up system for when my primary OSx dies and to try out the different versions.

 

I'll then run the Windows installer and install on the first partition. Reboot to the OS X install DVD and reformat the ext3 partition to hfs+ (mac os extended journaled) using disk utility and install OS X.

 

After I have both OS's installed I'm going to boot off a linux cd and install a distro of linux (I'm using CentOS) and create new partitions for that using it's installer. Installing linux will automatically set up GRUB - the bootloader, from this I can add a line or two to the config file to boot OS X.

 

I'll reboot after installing linux and be greeted with a fully working os selector.

 

--providing all goes to plan. My theories are correct are they not?

hopefully I have been of some help.

[DrivinWest]

Installing XP second is very easy. The only reason to do XP first is because XP will overwrite your other bootloader(s) but there are still many ways around it (lots on the forum including mine shown below):

 

1) Download GParted Live and burn the image (i.e. make it bootable)

2) Boot GParted & make however many partitions you want. Format one for XP (NTFS) and make one for OS X FAT32 (yes, FAT32 - trust me on this). Eject GParted and put the disk aside.

3) Install OS X. Use disk utility to erase and format the FAT32 partition to HFS+ Journaled and then install OS X on that partition (it didn't like trying to erase and format NTFS or an unformatted partition but a partition previously formatted as FAT32 was no problem).

4) Chances are when you try to boot OS X it will fail. Use GParted again to set the flag on your OS X partition to "boot." OS X will now boot.

5) When you choose to install XP on the NTFS partition you created it will overwrite your OS X bootloader. Once XP has been installed just use one of the many means on the forums to pic between OSes. I use Acronis OS Selector (part of the Disk Director Suite) because it is by far the simplest. Of course Acronis isn't free but it is exeptionally useful software and worth every penny anyway.

 

I installed XP on my machine this morning having previously done 1-5 a few days ago. Works perfectly.

[greggh]

Both replies are absolutely correct. You can do it either way. I persnally installed it in this order:

1. OS X

2. XP

3. Linux

4. setup grub for all 3.

 

simple as that.

[Mebster]

Thanks all for your help.

 

Currently I have P1: XP P2: OSx.

I'm a major windows user and just installed OSx just for see what its like.

The problem I have it that ideally I want to be have XP chosen as default and then choose to select OSX but this isn't the case with my current setup.

 

When I switch on my pc it asks me to select OSX (first screen) or press any key for more options. Only then (second screen) can I select XP. So it's slightly long as it means every time I switch on my pc I have to press any key and wait and then select XP. I can't just walk away because or the countdown from the first screen will start OSX.

 

I thought installing XP second may solve the problem and give me XP to select first.

 

I may be wrong though.

[jackt283]

This is because you are currently using the Darwin bootloader, which is no good for that very reason.

 

If you set up GRUB, which I would highly reccommend - just download a Linux distro (I'm using CentOS, since I know it works) or buy one from a newsagents for 10 bucks, it is super easy to choose your default OS and set a timeout.

 

Either that, or look into Wingrub - this is very easy to configure through windows, and it is exactly like grub, you can set default OS and timeout vaules. Although I was using it, and everything got messed up - but maybe that was something to do with "Macdisk"... Try it at least, it worked for me for about a month. Oh yeah, make sure you read the manual and check out a few of the guides on the Wiki that use wingrub.

[Mebster]

Hi,

Thanks a lot for your help.

 

I don't really know what grub is. It's a boot loader right?

So does that mean it's the same as Acronis OS Selector, as DrivinWest suggested to use earlier? If so which is better?

 

Also do you use them both at the end of the setup?

 

I'm getting there slowly so thank for all the help that’s been provided.

[munky]

basically, whichever OS you install second will overwrite the bootsector of the other. osx however will recognise and support a windows XP bootable partition, or alternatively you can use the chain0 thing.

 

it comes down to a choice between using the darwin bootloader or the windows nt bootloader.

 

personally, i install winxp first, then OSX and use the F8 darwin bootloader menu thingy to choose. mainly cos i like winxp being described as a 'foreign os'

 

btw, when you boot from the mac os x dvd, you can choose 'Disk Utility' from the menu. this can do all your partitioning for you. other people {censored} about it, but i've used it from the first time i booted 10.4.1 dvd to now, and its never let me down yet.

[Mebster]

Interesting stuff.

 

Basically I want to have a nice looking system which has XP as the main os and OSX and the 'foreign os' (lol).

Currently somehow I’ve got it the other way round. I guess from what you’ve written it's because I installed OSx second.

 

Also I want an easy boot selector screen.

 

But can someone also please tell me if Acronis OS Selector is the same thing as GRUB?

 

I know this is a lot on one but please try and answer all.

 

I really appreciate this.

[DrivinWest]

But can someone also please tell me if Acronis OS Selector is the same thing as GRUB?

No, they're not the same but they provide the same function basically. Acronis OS Selector is prettier and a lot easier to use but GRUB is faster and not all that tough if you know what you're doing.

 

Simplest solution: buy Acronis (or maybe try the download 1st).

[jackt283]

I use GRUB over Acronis because, as drivinwest said, it is faster, lighter - and free. Acronis launches a graphical environment and is weighty.

 

WINGRUB - which is what you will want to use (if your not going with Acronis) is really quite simple. I set it up without even reading the documentation. Though I would recommend reading the documentation and following this guide:

 

Wingrub over GRUB (from wiki)

 

As far as appearance, It looks fine too. I'm a graphic designer, and particularly picky about things and I like its "baseness" it just says:

 

"GNU GRUB"

 

Windows XP

Mac OS X (or whatever you specified as the title)

 

and you choose which one you want. You can set it to timeout after a desired time and choose the default OS. Open source software is great, why pay for something, when you can use a free alternative?

[munky]

dude, hit F8 on bootup. does it let you choose between the OSes?

 

is the problem that you want XP as the default?

[mactogo]

Here's what works for me. If you're booting into darwin on startup, that means you have your mac partition selected as your active partition. You can use acronis disk director to convert your xp partition into your active partition. That will make XP boot by default. However, you won't be able to boot into Mac. You need to use load chain 0 in your windows c: drive . I forgot the exact process but its described in the wiki. The end result is you'll boot up with the windows boot selector which boots xp by default unless you press a key to boot into mac. You can even change the number of seconds the boot selector screen shows before it defaults to windows. No GRUB or WINGRUB needed.

[Asoulintime1982]

I have having a multi boot problem to I have XP VISTA and OSX. XP on C: VISTA on D: and OSX on E: both Windows OSs work fine but I cna not get OSX to boot any ideas??

 

EDIT I also have a F: Partition for apps

[iron]

Maybe you can look at GAG, which is an open source bootloader that you can find on sourceforge. It's very flexible and efficient. I've used it for dual booting Linux and WinXP with no problems. I have no clue about OSX though. I just ordered my refurb Dell 5150 from the outlet today & I'll try OSX on that when it comes, alot more compatible than my current Dell box. Something to do untill I can get more funds and get a decent graphics card to put in it instead of the integreated Intel GMA 950 graphics.

[Guest xeniczone]

what is the back up section for. Windows can't read mac. Mac can read windows format

[Asoulintime1982]

I want to know how you can get the VISTA bootloader to work with OSX a couple say they have it working but don't mention how.

[Guest xeniczone]

I want to know how you can get the VISTA bootloader to work with OSX a couple say they have it working but don't mention how.

 

Quit spaming posts with this. This topic had nothing to do with vista. Vista isn't even released yet. You only can get vista if your part of MSDN.You already have a topic on this. so quit spaming others.

 

 

 

Your backup idea may not work. Windows XP can't read the Macintosh format.

 

When you installed mac os x you should have set the partition to 10gigs. Then you should have had 240 gigs left (assuming it is a 250 gig hard drive). Then set 2x 100 gig partition when you install windows XP. This will format the first partition to 100 gigs the second to 100gigs both in windows XP format. This way Mac os X can read the NFST format and Windows can read this format. Do not format the 100 gigs backup in mac os x format. When you boot xp you will have a problem. It will say D: E: d being windows and E being your backup but wheres c: and why does is say 50 gigs free when you made 10 of that mac os x. Simple is windows can't read it.

 

As for the boot.ini edit their is already a posted topic I would post a link but I g2g. use search.

[Mebster]

This might sound like a silly question so I apologise in advance but is GRUB a category of which Wingrub and CentOS are off.

 

i.e. are Wingrub and CentOS both GRUB's?

 

If so which is better (looking, function-options,ease, speed, etc)?

 

Thanks for any help

[jwalker46]

gregg & DrivinWest: (a) how much disk space did you allow for each of the operating systems? ( don't you need a separate primary partition as a swap file for linux? (Thanks in advance for your help.)

[Mebster]

Anyone???????????

[jwalker46]

Anyone???????????

 

Grub is a Linux-based boot manager:

http://www.gnu.org/software/grub/

 

WinGrub is a Windows-based version of Grub:

http://grub4dos.sourceforge.net/

 

So, they are not the same, but they do the same function.

 

CentOS is a Linux operating system:

http://distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=centos

So, it has nothing to do with the other two products.

 

I have not used either of the three. However, from comments on this and other forums:

 

Assuming you want to dual/triple boot: if you are not comfortable with a Linux installation, or with a Linux live CD, then WinGrub or Acronis Boot Manager (search this forum, or do a google search) would get the job done.

 

Re Linux, I believe there are other distros much more highly rated....Mepis, Ubuntu, etc (see the link above for DistroWatch, and read the comments there).

 

Hope that helps.

[greggh]

AcePlayer. CentOS is a linux disribution, based on red hat. Grub is a bootloader. WinGrub is a version of grub that allows you to manage it from windows instead of from linux.

 

jwaker:

 

I have 6 partitions on this drive with 3 operating systems.

Partition 1: OSX, 10 gigs

Partition 2: Windows XP, 10 gigs

Partition 3: Linux (ext3) Boot, 150 megs

Partition 4: Linux Swap, 1 gig

Partition 5: Linux (ext3), 10 gigs

Partition 6: fat32 partition named Shared, rest of the drive (about 29 gigs)

 

The Shared partition is where all my home or my documents directories are. It is also where my download and media directories are. That way all 3 operating systems can see all of that stuff.

 

After installing them (in the order they are listed,) I installed grub from linux and setup the 3 operating systems.