Installing Win XP after OS X - and dual boot

[wimdows1]

Hi all,

 

I have my 200GB disk divided into two partitions, roughly 100GB each. On one of these, I already have OS X 10.4.9 running nicely.

 

Now if I want to install XP - am I correct in assuming that all I need to do is:

 

1) Copy chain0 somewhere; say to USB stick

2) Install XP into the empty partition

3) Copy chain0 from stick onto C:\ root dir

4) Edit XP's boot.ini and reference chain0 like: C:\chain0="Mac OS X"

 

Is this correct? Or am I missing something?

 

Thanks a bunch,

Wim

[cbmkgd]

FYI, chain0 is already on the root of the install dvd.

 

Your description of the 'chain0' is correct; however, you'll also have to modify your com.apple.boot.plist in your osx.

Follow these instructions: "Messing with the boot options", in the "Speed up Darwin's timeout count-down" section.

 

Now, when you'll chose OSX in your NTLDR boot menu, it will show you the darwin loader boot menu, from which you'll see again two options: your OSX, and another choice which will be your XP.

Of course, this is redundant, but that's the method.

 

Another way is to make the osx partition active again after the xp installation; that way the darwin boot loader will come on first, and you'll only have one boot menu (you won't have to put that chain0 string in boot.ini in this case).

[wimdows1]

Thanks for that info.

 

How will the Darwin bootloader still boot though? Surely Win XP overwrites the MBR?

 

It looks that Win XP isn't too happy with the boot sector as it is, as indicated by the 0x0000007B error I'm getting, see also: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/324103

 

Any suggestions as to how to install Win XP and dual boot greatly appreciated.

 

Cheers,

Wim

[cbmkgd]

How will the Darwin bootloader still boot though? Surely Win XP overwrites the MBR?

As long as the boot sector is ok (and it should be), you should only need to make the osx primary partition active.

 

It looks that Win XP isn't too happy with the boot sector as it is, as indicated by the 0x0000007B error I'm getting, see also: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/324103

It's usually quite straightforward. Just make sure to install xp in a primary partition (it needs a primary for its bootloader).

 

edit: But in your present case, I think it may be about your sata drive. Have proper xp sata drivers (from your motherboard manufacturer) at hand during the installation, press F6 during setup.

 

Check the Device Driver Issues and Hardware Issues sections in the ms link you gave, and eliminate these options one by one, depending on what you know of your system.