How to Dual Boot Windows 7 and Mac OSX

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

  1. Posts : 2
    Windows 7 RTM 7600
       #1

    How to Dual Boot Windows 7 and Mac OSX


    I'm running Windows 7 RTM 7600 and want to dual boot it alongside a mac OSX, is it as simple as just creating another partition on windows then booting up and installing the mac osx on that partition or is there more to do?

    A guide or step by step instructions would be really handy because i've never done this before,

    thanks,

    random123
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 29
    windows 7
       #2

    random123 said:
    I'm running Windows 7 RTM 7600 and want to dual boot it alongside a mac OSX, is it as simple as just creating another partition on windows then booting up and installing the mac osx on that partition or is there more to do?

    A guide or step by step instructions would be really handy because i've never done this before,

    thanks,

    random123
    If you're running on a Mac, use BootCamp on the Mac Install Disk. If you're running on a Windows machine and want a hackintosch, forget it. Your BIOS setting will not be compatible for both.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 2
    Windows 7 RTM 7600
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Well you can dual boot windows 7 rtm 7600 and a mac osx leopard, i've seen one
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 353
    Win 7 Ultimate x64
       #4

    Yup, I'm running:

    1) Windows 7 x64 RTM
    2) Windows XP x86
    3) MAC OS X Leopard 10.5.8 (iDeneb's)
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 1,112
    XP_Pro, W7_7201, W7RC.vhd, SciLinux5.3, Fedora12, Fedora9_2x, OpenSolaris_09-06
       #5

    A320 said:
    Yup, I'm running:

    1) Windows 7 x64 RTM
    2) Windows XP x86
    3) MAC OS X Leopard 10.5.8 (iDeneb's)
    So how did you get the MAC OSX on there ?

    A guide or step by step instructions would be really handy...
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 1
    windows 7
       #6

    really really handy ..........
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 353
    Win 7 Ultimate x64
       #7

    Well, to be brief, I started out with Windows XP.

    Using Acronis Disk Director Suite I created 2 more 'primary' partitions on my HD so 3 total in sequence from the beginning of the hard drive. I then install Acronis OS Selector but for now deactivate it. I then create an 'Acronis Bootup Disc' via the Disk Director Suite.

    Using Acronis, I set one of the blank partitions as active, change my bios settings appropriately for MAC (this will take some googling and time for finding your motherboard's best settings or to find out if it's even compatible. Check here for a progressive and detailed compatibility list for motherboards and other important hardware here --> Main Page - OSx86)

    After setting one of the blank partitions active, I reboot, change my bios accordingly, pop in leopard for boot up and install it. When it's done, and if all goes well and you are now booted up and running in Leopard, I reboot again, pop in the Acronis Bootup Disc created earlier, use it to 'activate' Acronis OS Selector. Reboot, now Acronis OS Selector should start when booting up your computer and it should have automatically found your new MAC OS. It will show as 'unknown operating system' but you can rename it. Now simply double click the OS you want to run today!

    For adding Windows 7 or any windows OS for that matter, similar process, BUT it is important that when you use Acronis to set the intended partition as active for the reboot and install process, that you HIDE the other Windows partition so it cannot be seen during the install as this can cause issues with two or more Windows OS's seeing each other. Also, for windows 7 specifically, because it is new, Acronis OS Selector does not automatically recognize it in it's boot menu so it has to be manually added. This is a bit tricky but if your savvy the instructions are available here:

    Vista disappeared in dual boot - Wilders Security Forums (the example used is for Vista, but it is the same process for Win7).

    If those insturctions are too tricky for you, there is a member/moderator named 'MudCrab' on that forum and he usually does it for you if you ask nicely and post him your associated boot files from Acronis.

    For more info on using Acronis, all the info you need is here:

    Acronis Disk Director Suite - Wilders Security Forums

    and here:

    Forums | Forums

    Both forums are the same community, the first link is a forum that has very recently just been closed and the second one is their new address. The first one though has all the good info archived and still available.

    For more info on OSX86/Hackintosh I did most of my lurking and problem solving here:

    InsanelyMac Forum (under the OSX86 Header, scroll down)

    And here:

    Hackint0sh - Powered by vBulletin (again scroll down for OSX86 threads)

    The most common and updated distributions available are:

    iDeneb (the one that is successful for me) - iHackintosh Reload! - iDeneb, Hi World! - iHackintosh Reload!

    iAtkos - iATKOS OSx86 Project: Welcome to iATKOS OSx86 10.5 for Intel/AMD

    iPC - http://pcwizcomputer.com/ipcosx86/

    For me I started out in all this by watching this first video:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZcqYfrIn914

    Keep in mind that using Acronis to accomplish this work is just ONE of many tools or bootloaders you have the option of using for the same purpose. It just happened to be what I used.

    Good luck!
    Last edited by A320; 14 Dec 2009 at 17:34.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 8
    Windows 7 RC
       #8

    A320 said:
    Well, to be brief, I started out with Windows XP.

    Using Acronis Disk Director Suite I created 2 more 'primary' partitions on my HD so 3 total in sequence from the beginning of the hard drive. I then install Acronis OS Selector but for now deactivate it. I then create an 'Acronis Bootup Disc' via the Disk Director Suite.

    Using Acronis, I set one of the blank partitions as active, change my bios settings appropriately for MAC (this will take some googling and time for finding your motherboard's best settings or to find out if it's even compatible. Check here for a progressive and detailed compatibility list for motherboards and other important hardware here --> Main Page - OSx86)

    After setting one of the blank partitions active, I reboot, change my bios accordingly, pop in leopard for boot up and install it. When it's done, and if all goes well and you are now booted up and running in Leopard, I reboot again, pop in the Acronis Bootup Disc created earlier, use it to 'activate' Acronis OS Selector. Reboot, now Acronis OS Selector should start when booting up your computer and it should have automatically found your new MAC OS. It will show as 'unknown operating system' but you can rename it. Now simply double click the OS you want to run today!

    For adding Windows 7 or any windows OS for that matter, similar process, BUT it is important that when you use Acronis to set the intended partition as active for the reboot and install process, that you HIDE the other Windows partition so it cannot be seen during the install as this can cause issues with two or more Windows OS's seeing each other. Also, for windows 7 specifically, because it is new, Acronis OS Selector does not automatically recognize it in it's boot menu so it has to be manually added. This is a bit tricky but if your savvy the instructions are available here:

    Vista disappeared in dual boot - Wilders Security Forums (the example used is for Vista, but it is the same process for Win7).

    If those insturctions are too tricky for you, there is a member/moderator named 'MudCrab' on that forum and he usually does it for you if you ask nicely and post him your associated boot files from Acronis.

    For more info on using Acronis, all the info you need is here:

    Acronis Disk Director Suite - Wilders Security Forums

    and here:

    Forums | Forums

    Both forums are the same community, the first link is a forum that has very recently just been closed and the second one is their new address. The first one though has all the good info archived and still available.

    For more info on OSX86/Hackintosh I did most of my lurking and problem solving here:

    InsanelyMac Forum (under the OSX86 Header, scroll down)

    And here:

    Hackint0sh - Powered by vBulletin (again scroll down for OSX86 threads)

    The most common and updated distributions available are:

    iDeneb (the one that is successful for me) - iHackintosh Reload! - iDeneb, Hi World! - iHackintosh Reload!

    iAtkos - iATKOS OSx86 Project: Welcome to iATKOS OSx86 10.5 for Intel/AMD

    iPC - http://pcwizcomputer.com/ipcosx86/

    For me I started out in all this by watching this first video:

    YouTube - How To Dual Boot Windows XP and Mac OS X Part 1 (HD)

    Keep in mind that using Acronis to accomplish this work is just ONE of many tools or bootloaders you have the option of using for the same purpose. It just happened to be what I used.

    Good luck!

    Awesome. Thanks for all the info. I've been trying to figure out how to do this for awhile, as Windows 7 does not support Pro Tools, my audio program. Thanks again!
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 353
    Win 7 Ultimate x64
       #9

    Funny you should say that, I am only keeping my XP right now to continue running my Ableton Live and all the VST's! Specifically, my CME instrumental keyboard does not have an appropriate driver for Win7 OR Vista for that matter.

    On a side note here's one of my Ableton projects from scratch , hit the 'HD' button for better sound quality......

    [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gMsUvQkPZM"]YouTube - "Teecas" - My First Ableton Live Project - Trance Genre[/ame]

      My Computer


  10. Posts : 1,112
    XP_Pro, W7_7201, W7RC.vhd, SciLinux5.3, Fedora12, Fedora9_2x, OpenSolaris_09-06
       #10

    There ya go...

    Nice job, A320 !!
      My Computer


 
Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

  Related Discussions
Our Sites
Site Links
About Us
Windows 7 Forums is an independent web site and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Microsoft Corporation. "Windows 7" and related materials are trademarks of Microsoft Corp.

© Designer Media Ltd
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 15:42.
Find Us