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Full Windows Install Only

Blankman

By Blankman,
in Boot Camp

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Blankman
Blankman
Posted
Posted

Hello all, first post, so be gentle... :unsure:

 

I am wondering if anybody has tried to install XP or Vista using the entire hard drive space on their Mac? Basically wiping Mac OSX off the hard drive? I'm new to the forums, and I didn't see any posts regarding this, so please excuse me if this is already common and posted all over the place.

 

Why would you want to do this? Well, I have a Mac Mini w/MiniPal HD as a HTPC because it is small, looks good, and fits perfectly with the rest of my 'decor'. I find Front Row very lacking, and also for the life of me, I couldn't get iPhoto, iTunes, and iMovie to recognize files on my external HD. It kept importing them onto the internal drive, so I had duplicates. And with Vista, I thought that 80GB wouldn't be enough.

 

So, almost accidentally, I did it. I am now running Vista Ultimate on my full 80GB. Vista autorecognized all the device drivers but 3 of them. And with the BootCamp 1.2 Drivers CD, there are no more unsightly "BANGS" in the device manager. Everything appears to be working OK, but I haven't had a chance to get into it too deep. I had a personal emergency come up, and I'm not at home and won't be until Monday.

 

I didn't see a how to guide, so if anybody is interested, i can put together a quick how-to from my memory. But I don't know how many mac users really want Windows as their only options... :thumbsup_anim:

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https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/47682-full-windows-install-only/
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INFNITE
INFNITE
Posted
Posted

i dont know if you could simply delete the Mac OS X partition leaving the 200mb partition and Windows partition in tact. Not guaranteed it will work, but you can always try it. I think you can expand the partition in Vista without having to reinstall everything.

 

http://vistarewired.com/2007/02/16/how-to-...-windows-vista/

Falcon351
Falcon351
Posted
Posted

Might be tricky with XP, because its partitioning utilities would only modify the MBR and wouldn't touch the GPT (I assume Boot Camp Assistant would define the same partitions in both tables), thereby making a mess of the disk; I don't know how EFI would handle this. However, even if you don't have OS X installed, you might still be able to boot from the installation DVD and use Disk Utility or whatever apps to partition the disk.

 

Vista, on the other hand, seems to recognise GPT disks (at a glance, haven't tested this fully), so it might work out better.

 

NOTE: Having had no chance to use/experiment with an Intel Mac yet, I can't confirm my theories, so I'll leave that up to the "experts".

Blankman
Blankman
Posted
  • Author
Posted

OK, here is what I did, the cliffnotes version:

  1. Install BootCamp and burn a Drivers CD
  2. When it asks to partition the HD, quit the program
  3. Reboot from the MacOS Restore or Reinstall Disk
  4. Go into Disk Utility and choose your hard drive. Redo the partition on the HD as MS-Dos
  5. Quit the Reinstall and reboot holding down 'Alt'
  6. this should bring up the menu, but only one option, the "Mac OS Install Disc"
  7. Eject it and put your Vista CD in, and reboot. Here it might look like its now working, as my mac mini didn't recognize the disk right away. that is why i added the reboot step.
  8. Hold down 'Alt' again, and it will give you the CD again but it will have your Vista CD label.
  9. Boot up and install Vista. You will have to redo the partition again in the Vista Setup as NTFS.
  10. Be sure to leave the 200MB EFI partition alone!!! I did and it worked.

lovero
lovero
Posted
Posted

When you start the XP install you come to a blue screen asking about partitioning your hard disk. At this point you can remove all the partitions and create a new one spannig the whole disk. We have used this method on about 50Imacs and 20macbooks and had no problems. The MBR is recreated when you make a new partition.

cfactor07
cfactor07
Posted
Posted

I'm sorry, but I must say this..........

 

WHAT A WASTE OF A FREAKIN MAC!

 

You gave up a perfectly good, consistent os to a faulty os? Hope you didn't pay for Vista or that just makes it worse. Good luck with your viruses! Even if you wanted to do this, Why Now????? Vista did not even come out with service pack 1 yet. But, you know what, i can't tell you what to do with your computer. Good luck, i guess.......

Prawker
Prawker
Posted
Posted
I'm sorry, but I must say this..........

 

WHAT A WASTE OF A FREAKIN MAC!

 

You gave up a perfectly good, consistent os to a faulty os? Hope you didn't pay for Vista or that just makes it worse. Good luck with your viruses! Even if you wanted to do this, Why Now????? Vista did not even come out with service pack 1 yet. But, you know what, i can't tell you what to do with your computer. Good luck, i guess.......

 

Couldn't have said it better myself...

AirmanPika
AirmanPika
Posted
Posted

OK I'll cut through all the BS in one shot and answer Blankman's Question...

 

Yes

 

Now for the datails...

 

Once apple released the updated firmware for the intel based Macs it basicly turned all their PCs into regular intel computers that can run OSX with no hacking. If you are getting a mac thats newer than the original bootcamp release then you shouldn't have to do anything. Otherwise you just wanna make sure you update the firmware before wiping the PC.

 

Also just make sure you have a copy of the bootcamp drivers CD so that you have all the drivers needed.

 

Once all that is checked off just boot off the windows CD, wipe all the partitions (you don't need the 200MB partition either) and install windows.

 

I only have OSX on my MacBook Pro because there are a few things I like to do with it. Otherwise I use vista (yes, it was free). Also I don't use bootcamp. When I partitioned my HD I installed windows alone and restored OSX to a 2nd partition I made via a drive image I created of OSX. I don't use GPT partitioning at all.

 

Also for all those who think running windows alone is stupid...so what? As someone mentioned some of us love the hardware and don't really like the OS. I don't care if windows may be more vulnerable. I know how to secure it. Of course OSX isn't exactly foolproof either, why else would they release a security update? Also its pure preference. They all do the same thing in the end and some of us just prefer windows.

bxsci(macuser)
bxsci(macuser)
Posted
Posted

dude - at least keep some mac on the system - otherwise.... you could have gotten a {censored} dell minipc (granted without some support for bluetooth and whatnot)

 

 

also - once you get used to mac there is no stoping what u can do with her

AirmanPika
AirmanPika
Posted
Posted
dude - at least keep some mac on the system - otherwise.... you could have gotten a {censored} dell minipc (granted without some support for bluetooth and whatnot)

also - once you get used to mac there is no stoping what u can do with her

 

You guys keep missing the point. We KNOW we could have gotten a {censored} dell PC. We WANTED a snazzy looking mac. Show me another PC maker who can sell decent looking PCs at the prices Apple has and look as good and we'll talk. The closest is Sony and they are even more expensive.

cfactor07
cfactor07
Posted
Posted
OK I'll cut through all the BS in one shot and answer Blankman's Question...

 

Yes

 

Now for the datails...

 

Once apple released the updated firmware for the intel based Macs it basicly turned all their PCs into regular intel computers that can run OSX with no hacking. If you are getting a mac thats newer than the original bootcamp release then you shouldn't have to do anything. Otherwise you just wanna make sure you update the firmware before wiping the PC.

 

Also just make sure you have a copy of the bootcamp drivers CD so that you have all the drivers needed.

 

Once all that is checked off just boot off the windows CD, wipe all the partitions (you don't need the 200MB partition either) and install windows.

 

I only have OSX on my MacBook Pro because there are a few things I like to do with it. Otherwise I use vista (yes, it was free). Also I don't use bootcamp. When I partitioned my HD I installed windows alone and restored OSX to a 2nd partition I made via a drive image I created of OSX. I don't use GPT partitioning at all.

 

Also for all those who think running windows alone is stupid...so what? As someone mentioned some of us love the hardware and don't really like the OS. I don't care if windows may be more vulnerable. I know how to secure it. Of course OSX isn't exactly foolproof either, why else would they release a security update? Also its pure preference. They all do the same thing in the end and some of us just prefer windows.

 

If you haven't realized "THE COMPUTERS ARE THE SAME ON THE INSIDE! Same graphics cards, dvd drive, express slot, cpu etc. You could have gotten a customized laptop pc for maybe even a lower price. To have an install with only a faulty OS on like windows (virus galore) is just wrong. But do what u want, whateva!

Zizou
Zizou
Posted
Posted

he meant to say that Mac's look pretty and that 90% of the computer users care for the outside of the computer, and wouldn't even notice the difference between a p4 and a C2d.

 

What os you use is a personal preference, some just seem to like windows over OS X, but love the design of the mac... so unless you know someone who builds fance cases like Apple does, the only solution is to buy a mac and get windows on it.

 

and just a fact, Dells are ugly, just like most of the ACERs Vaios and all. Mac looks nice, pretty much 90% of everyone agrees on that.

  • 3 months later...
macXPy
macXPy
Posted
Posted

Thanks for the info guys!

I too want to install Windows XP alone onto my MacBook's 80gig HD and I was wondering if it's possible. Actually I wanted to do a dualboot with *both* OS's being XP Pro. One for running Audio apps like Cubase SX2 (and other windows-exclusive audio related programs/synthesizers), and the 2nd for the regular windows stuff (gaming, installing weird programs etc). So I plan to repartition the 80gig HD as follows:

 

First windows (optimized)

1) 3GB -- Swap file

2) 10GB -- OS

3) 27GB -- Programs and audio files storage

 

Second windows (standard)

4) 35GB -- OS, Programs, games etc all on single partition

 

 

Couple of you suggested to remove all of the Mac partitions, Blankman suggested to leave the 200MB EFI partition intact. So, I will first attempt to remove all partitions, and if that fails I'll reinstall everything back and keep the 200mb partition. I will try this tonight and post my results.

  • 4 months later...
FearedBliss
FearedBliss
Posted
Posted

I have tried this today and it took me a few hours to get it to work since I never installed it before on a Mac and I also forgot to do something.

 

1. Back up all your information.

2. Insert the Mac Installation Disk.

3. Restart computer and hold option booting onto the the Mac disk.

4. Open up Disk Utility

5. Format the drive as MS-DOS File System and make sure that the partition style is MBR not GUID

6. After formatting it correctly, Reboot and hold the Eject key on the Mac Keyboard. Quickly insert the Windows Disk to boot ( or else you will have to reboot again ).

7. The Windows disk will boot up automatically.

8. Install as normal and Enjoy

*9. When Windows is done installing, install the drivers the same way you would if you use Boot Camp, insert the Leopard Disk.

CLiDE FTW!!1
CLiDE FTW!!1
Posted
Posted
I'm sorry, but I must say this..........

 

WHAT A WASTE OF A FREAKIN MAC!

 

You gave up a perfectly good, consistent os to a faulty os? Hope you didn't pay for Vista or that just makes it worse. Good luck with your viruses! Even if you wanted to do this, Why Now????? Vista did not even come out with service pack 1 yet. But, you know what, i can't tell you what to do with your computer. Good luck, i guess.......

What viruses in Vista?

  • 2 weeks later...
GTR-33
GTR-33
Posted
Posted

lol This is retarded. Some people bought a Mac because of the pretty case? Kids buying MacBooks for the pretty case? I'm sure it happens. I see the little "my husband is a doctor" type that never work a day in their lives buy Macs or "I'm a spoiled little brat college kid who wants a cool looking mobile" For what? That magic of a Mac is in the OS. Windoze just sucks. Seriously just get a Toshiba or something if you want Windows. It'll cost less. If I see someone with a Mac running XP or Vista on it I just scratch my head and say WTF? I have no reason to run that {censored} OS. My brother reinstalled XP and had a trojan in less than a day. What a joke. Go buy a dell or some other {censored}box.

ducke21x
ducke21x
Posted
Posted

"I find Front Row very lacking, and also for the life of me, I couldn't get iPhoto, iTunes, and iMovie to recognize files on my external HD"

 

You can use your photos and music on iPhoto and iTunes with an external and internal HD or both at same time!!! JUST GO TO PREFERENCES>ADVANCED and uncheck the "Copy items ro library".

 

Sell your mac mini and buy a Dell if you just want to run WINDOWS! You killed that poor little Mini!

(MoC)
(MoC)
Posted
Posted

I understand that the person could have gotten a pc but that is not the point. People, please try to help the person in need without going "OMFG m4cz0r m1n1 r(_)nz windowZ!!". You scared the dude away....

 

 

So please other users RTFM: http://forum.insanelymac.com/index.php?act=boardrules

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