Windows XP and Mac Os X MBR

[carrera594]

So to start, I have 2 hard drives, one 120GB disk that is for Windows XP and an 80GB blank drive that i want to use for OSX.

 

But my question is, once I install OSX am I going to have a problem with the Master Boot Record?

 

Like how am i going to choose for OSX and XP? I would like a really easy way since i am a noob.

 

Thank You.

[chelhydra]

You can use the chain0 method.

Put the last line of the following code in your bootloader settings :

[boot loader]
timeout=5
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOW  S
[operating systems]

multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Windows XP" /noexecute=optin /fastdetect
C:\chain0="Apple Mac OS X"

 

Copy chain0 to your C drive root folder.

 

If you want more info try the search button.

Cheers

[waradmin]

The above method works, however I prefer using a program like Acronis Disk Director which gives you a little GUI which lets you pick OS's before you boot. Depends on personal preference.

[carrera594]

Thank you. I will try both ways. I just downloaded the patched version of leopard but the dvd won't boot. But I can load it to the second harddrive and then boot from there. I just need a good program that can put the ISO on the harddisk.

[CLiDE FTW!!1]

Acronis' GUI is nice, but so unreliable.

[SA22C]

I've had the best success using Darwin as a bootloader. It takes a bit of juggling to initially set up the partitions, but once you're done it's a quick, stable and bulletproof way to boot multiple OS's.

[bkia7]

i use acronis os selector, but it only works if i only have one hdd plugged in. i can't boot to anything if i have all my hdd plugged in.

 

any ideas?

 

thanks

[chayss]

If you want to choose on startup between Mac OS X and XP then go and download EasyBCD (its free). Install the program in XP. Open it up and add the OSX86 bootloader to your boot menu (it's pretty much self explanatory but you have problems then just post on here and I can tell you exactly how to). Once you have added the entry then save it and then reboot. A simple menu will show up when you boot your computer that will allow you to choose XP of Mac OS X. It's really easy and probably the best way to do it. The program just adds a MBR on your XP drive that your computer picks up when you boot and then allows you to choose which one to boot to. You can also set the your OSX86 entry as the main boot OS so that the menu will show up but will boot into Mac if you aren't at the computer when it reboots. Let me know if this works for ya.

[replicant]

If you want to choose on startup between Mac OS X and XP then go and download EasyBCD (its free). Install the program in XP. Open it up and add the OSX86 bootloader to your boot menu (it's pretty much self explanatory but you have problems then just post on here and I can tell you exactly how to). Once you have added the entry then save it and then reboot. A simple menu will show up when you boot your computer that will allow you to choose XP of Mac OS X. It's really easy and probably the best way to do it. The program just adds a MBR on your XP drive that your computer picks up when you boot and then allows you to choose which one to boot to. You can also set the your OSX86 entry as the main boot OS so that the menu will show up but will boot into Mac if you aren't at the computer when it reboots. Let me know if this works for ya.

 

Chayss, so from what I gathered from your post, you MUST have OSX installed on a separate drive from Windows XP and vice versa? So, to sum that up, are you saying that you cannot install the two operating systems on the same drive, but separate partitions?

 

Thanks, because this would be the application I would use if I could install both operating systems on separate partitions, but on the same physical hard drive.

[chayss]

You can install Windows XP (or Vista) and Mac OS X on the same drive on different partitions, but it is just a little more difficult. The only way that I have been able to get that to work is by using the leopard-flat-img file. It is pretty simple to do this, you just have to use the command line to transfer the partition over and then you have to format another partition that you want to use for your data as a Mac partition. Then just setup the EasyBCD program like I talked about in my last post (it automatically picks up your Mac partition and adds a MBR when you add the OSX86 to your boot list). The whole problem with this is that you have a Windows OS partition, a Leopard partition that can only hold 20GB and then another partition that you will have to use for all of your data for Leopard (I have mine setup like this, with 20GB for the Leopard system files and 200GB for data, it works fine its just you have to get use to downloading and putting everything possible in the data partition if you work with a lot of files). But this is the only way that I have been able to get Windows and Mac on the same drive. Of course if you want to do this you will have to find the leopard flate image from somewhere.

[dj moksha]

i tried the method above, but easybcd needs vista to operate (wont work in xp).

 

i am in the same situation, 2 hard drives, primary hard drive is xp, booting fine (and i want to keep it the default), but the secondary hard drive is kalyway 10.4.10, and i want to have a choice to boot to either hard drive at startup. right now when i set my secondary hard drive with a higher boot priority than the primary, it boots to a black dos-like screen with a flashing caret and thats it.

 

kalyway installed fine, but maybe i need to reinstall.

 

that aside, how would i make a boot selector without having to buy acronis suite?

[kublid]

I just installed Kallyway's 10.4.10 also - install went just fine.

 

I was able to get XP to go into dual boot by editing boot.ini - excatly how to do that can be found here http://forum.insanelymac.com/index.php?showtopic=4749

5th post down.

 

Okay so when i boot up i get both options - BUT as Mac is loading lots scrolls by in ;arge font, then switched to small compact font -

 

Gets to something about FIREWIRE - then says can't detect - going to full secure mode

 

BUT THEN it hangs - says waiting for root host or something like that.... keeps repeating that and just hangs!

 

I haven't been able to load OSX yet!!! someone PLEASE PLEASE help!!!

 

Also here are two pics of what my screen is showing...