Windows XP on Mac solution posted
By Ryan Block 
posted Mar 16th 2006 11:46AM
posted Mar 16th 2006 11:46AM
We well knew early this morning that the
XP-on-an-Intel-Mac bounty was apparently paid out, so sorry if you had your eye on that Download (777KB), mirrors: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
[Thanks, dueport]
I think now I will be getting a macbook pro. :-)
I finally have a reason to buy a mac. Only if they made a tablet.
First post....Yoink
Sweet!
If anyone gets a chance, after reviewing this stuff please post your thoughts on how it (maybe) works-- I'm really curious, but not sure I'm hardware-savvy enough to figure it out on my own.
Very nice, thanks engadget... and narf2006 / blanka.
Well, I downloaded it, just out of curiosity on his process. Looks good. I am still hanging on for that dual boot capacity, until then I will have to lug my VAIO and my iBook for play and work respectively.
I'd hold off on the MacBook Pro comments. I'll be in the market as well once confirmed, but the HOWTO seems to only discuss the iMac. There was also a mention earlier that not even all iMacs are supported at this point.
I'd love to be proved wrong, but better to err on the side of caution.
I'd like to know if ethernet/airport/gfx/etc all work. Are there any limitations?
Awsome, well done to the two guys who made it happen. Gonna have to sell my ibook for a new macbook when they come out.
server's down :(
#6- the hack includes a custom boot loader that allows you to book XP or OSX; all it takes is the press of up/down and enter.
Let see what Apple staffs are think of this.
Maybe new firmware would be update on iMac with Intel. yuk yuk yuk
ok... WHY???
"Hey, Let's put bicycle pedals on that new Lamborgini!"
Sorry to say, but that bounty was encouraging RETROFITTING, not growth.
Put OSX (natively) on non Mac hardware and I'll be impressed.
wow seems really straight forward. Is that a custom boot screen they made for windows (the one with just the windows logo). I cant wait to get a new intel ibook now and throw that on.
This is great! I like the idea of being able to test my websites in XP as I develop on Mac. However, the instructions assume that one has a PC box to prepare for the install. Does anyone have a clue about how to do this if you only have a Mac box and a retail box of WinXP? If so, I'll be ordering a MacMini today.
has anyone replicated it yet? experiences? how much works, how much doesn't?
WHY?
OH, I see, so all you windows fools claiming that macs were overpriced now want one, hmmm touch hyocritical i think, i would however advise them to taste happyness by actually testing out OSX before you go ruining the machine, i know the small minded will dismiss it without ever trying but im sure most would actually love it, remember - most mac users are so because they are converts.
Is this a dual boot? i see no mention of how to dual boot.. This is great, but unless it's dual bootable, i'll be holding out. can someone confirm wether this is infact a setup for dual boot? If you can, will someone send me a picture or screnshot of what the screen looks like at the point of dual boot?
Lets have a contest to see how many people ask the same stupid questions that have been answered a million times in these threads.
WHY? (2points)
ITs like putting a [poor car analogy] ! Why? (3 Points)
Why not get OSX on a PC? (3 Points)
Mirror with Instructions:
http://www.uneasysilence.com/archive/2006/03/5687/
@Alan:
Don't be stupid. Running x86 software on a x86 Mac is more like, well, putting petrol in a Lamborgini. Running PowerPC software on a x86 Mac however, now THAT'S "bicycle pedals on a Lamborgini".
As for OSX on non-mac hardware - it was done months ago. Google it.
#6 Other than the fact that you obviously didn't read the instructions or well, the rules of the contest or any thoughts on what this was all about. It requires an OS X install to make it work. The EFI CSM lives on the OS X partition and that boots the Windows partition. So it, by definition of the rules and the nature of the solution, DUAL BOOTS.
@#12
been done, and a long time ago
Actually, I'm using OS X in my generic x86 pc right now
If you don't want to reformat/partition your iMac HD, would it be possible to install XP on an external hard drive, you think?
As one of the original testers I can say yes it works. Its now a matter of drivers. I've listed what works in the following thread and am updating as we find new working drivers or issues...
http://forum.osx86project.org/index.php?showtopic=12185
Basicly its a slipstreamed XP SP2 Pro with updated files and an EFI bootloader placed on the imac (which I assume is the CSM module also).
what happened to all those nay-sayers?
so many people were saying "that's a fake! you can tell because I am a image/video analysis guru and I can spot fakes from a mile away!", I guess they must feel like schmucks now...
"native graphics drivers arent in place yet, for example, so there is limited video performance" from: http://www.macworld.com/news/2006/03/16/xponmac/index.php
no gaming on macbook's yet.
Adam,
If you are referring to me (even if you arent referring to me), lose the friggin attitude... I did read the instructions and the rules of the contest. I want to know if this particular solution will enable me to, when i turn on my intel imac, choose wether it boots into the OSX or Windows environment. If you dont have the answer to this question, don't bother responding. Thanks,
-Josh
I meant 13
"Why do this?" I guess there are a few reasons to do it. There's the convenience of only owning one computer with two of the top consumer OS's on it. DOn't have to buy two. As far as software goes, Windows has a larger library. I know major applications are on the OSX, but I guess some are only on the Windows. Plus....games. A lot more games available for WIndows. However, Macs aren't the best machines for that.
I guess the final reason is similar to why mountain climbers climb mountains. Because they are there.
It's OS X that you should spend your time hacking to run on other hardware. Everyone knows how easy Windows OSes are to hack, exploit, etc. You've ruined an otherwise fine work of art by replacing the fundamentals.
I'm just amazed that there are still any Mac fanatics out there that believe their computer is somehow a better *computer* than a PC. It's the same hardware just in a different box. And there are lots of PCs (at lower prices) that out-perform the Mac even WITH the switch to Dual Core.
Yes, being able to dual boot is a nice convenience - but it's hardly going to make many people run out and buy a Mac.
In any case, if Microsoft updates VPC for Mac to Intel, then it'll be as zippy as VPC for Windows (essentially at 90% of CPU for most stuff), and you can run Windows that way. Or perhaps VMWare will do it.
Now, MacOS X86 on non-Apple hardware. That's something interesting. And as it's been noted, that's been out for a while now.
Definitely much ado about nothing.
I think that you have to repartition the iMac unfortunately. XP inherently does not like being booted off external drives and I don't think that the few solutions that may be out there would work with this config.
I like the boot selector as its more maclike. BUT I suppose I would have prefered a screen that autoselected an OS after a specific wait time and displayed all the options at once. Maybe this will be something someone can work out down the road.
As for the people screaming fake I made sure all the screenshots I posted were of decent quality so they couldn't declare the "BLURRY FAKE SCAM!" crap as usual. Too bad I don't have my camcorder right now or I'd have done that too
->18. LOL, if only we could have a points system. Earn enough points and all your posts are pink with a dunce cap.
(#28 is a contender!)
Thanks for the laugh.
#26, it has been mentioned several times how to dual boot, both in the posts and the howto file, why don't you go ahead and check it out yourself and quit bugging us here.
can someone explain the point of this whole thing??
if you want to run xp...buy a goddam windows pc...
why spend money on a mac and then want to run xp on it??
it just dosent make any sense wahtsoever to me...
Why would you spend all that cash on a mac and then add XP? It's purely for style over substance. I hope apple patch it up quickly. I can understand why you'd want to try the challenge, but what a waste. Just switch.
#20: Who's running PowerPC software on an x86 Mac? OS X is x86 software on an x86 Mac. Various apps (like Photoshop and MS Office), however, still run as PowerPC software, but not the OS. So no training wheels there.
It's THE END for Mac game developers...
Hey AirmanPika,
I can access the page u posted. Do you have those pictures cahed anywhere where i can see them?
Thanks
Since it won the contest per the rules of the contest, it is rquired to let you choose. The solution even tells you how to do so. It boots into a menu:
After rebooting, you should see a crystal Apple logo at the center of the screen. Use the arrow keys up/down) to switch between OS X and Windows. Make sure the slipstreamed Windows XP CD is inside, select Windows and hit Enter.
Everyone knows the internet is fueled by rage, and my rage is fueled by those who don't bother to read. The internet is a selfsustaining power source now.
Josh,
The solution does dual boot, it uses a selection screen right after powering on the machine. You use the up or down arrows to choose which OS to run. Crystal Apple is for OS X, Windows logo is obviously for Windows.
This is GREAT for Apple !! ...
why you might ask .. ?!
well first of all EVERYBODY knows that OSX are superior to xp and PC users who might buy a intel mac will find themsellfs booting OSX more and more and XP .. well less and less ...after making there intel mac dual-boot ofcourse ...
I think this is a part of Apples "well-laid-plan" .. because Apples spokesmen have anounced that they will no etemp to prevent to stop windows botting on a mac ... but they have tried to stop OSX botting on a PC ..
Apple is a HARDWARE computer company .. there biggest proffit is in ther HARDWARE .... not software ...
with the abaility of booting OSX on a PC = that Apple will sell less Computers ..
with the abaility of booting XP on a intel mac = that Apple will sell MORE computers ...
but what makes people buy a mac ... well ofcourse ... OSX
.. I will end my statement with a small story..
"There once was two brothers walking into a store .... one brother bought a mac and one bought a PC... . mounth lather . the PC brother have had milions of viruses and had to reinstall his computer several times, and days after days with long support phonecalls ... well not the mac brother ... he just enjoyd his mac. working day in and day out without any troubles ... so the PC brother looked at his brtohers mac and woundered ... why did he buy a more expensive computer than me? ..... could it be that OSX? ......... YEH DUDE OFCOURSE IT IS !"
You dont know heaven until you been there .... buy a mac !
I'll upload the pics to a site when I get home. Right now OSX86Project is virtually useless due to everyone wanting to see the news, pics, solution, etc.
You think its bad here with a few people not reading the instructions...imagine thousands hitting up one page asking "HOW I GET FILES ON CD AND BOOT?!". Unfortunately even though the directions are straightforward they still require some decent tech knowledge and skill.
AJ, you have the same initials as me and we can both read! Amazing! I guess everyone else should change their names.
Pika, the best solution for those people is to tell them to get their windows CD, flip it over and etch the files onto the CD with a thumb tack.
It doesn't work with NTFS?
It does in fact work on a MacBook!!!
I've been dual-booting all morning, mainly trying to find drivers for the blasted thing. I've got ethernet, but the wireless on the MacBook is giving me trouble. I'm sure once the initial rush is over we'll be able to collaborate our findings on what drivers work on what machine.
My pics... I'll keep adding too.
http://photobucket.com/albums/j60/macbookboot/
=)
36. It's THE END for Mac game developers...
You mean there were Mac game developers to bedin with??
coulda fooled me!
@Matt: If I've understood correctly, HFS+ and NTFS don't like to live together on the same spindle.
Please stop.
There is no anyone who truly uses a computer can honestly say that a Mac or OSX, to quote above, "Heaven".
Why did he buy a more expensive computer than me? Because he doesn't know what he's doing and his and he needs something built for those who don't want to take the time to learn.
Just stop. It's ridiculous.
I am by no means a huge fan of MS but I used a Mac for a long time and once I switched I never looked back.
Any thoughts about gaming?
Why do the Mac zeolots feel the need to come out in droves with the "why do this?" posts. Any halfway intellegent person can think of dozens of reasons, including the need to run windows specific apps or a desire to run windows specific games.
So great, you don't want windows touching your pristine Mac. Don't do it then. And STFU.
I have followed this project from the first day it was on the net. Great job guys.
1. It will not boot of an external drive (yet)
2. Its good for all of technology so stop bitching pc and macfanboys.
3. Follow the instructions..for fu$k sakes my 91 year old grandmother could do it.
4. Video driver problems will exist for awhile...far as I remember the grpahics cards in teh iMac are flashed to be mac specific. SO no games at 60FPS yet.
#40 ANDY that is the worst, most poorly written grabage I have ever read on any engadget comment post in all the months I have been reading this blog.
PS Great job guys u earned the money.
I converted to Mac OSX a year ago for a reason...
Stupid Windows, ruining our machines...
what, there isn't one for the ibook?
comeon!
THIS IS A DUAL BOOT SOLUTION!!!! YOU CAN CHOOSE THE OS YOU WANT AT STARTUP!!!!!!!
Andy - i know the small minded will dismiss it without ever trying but im sure most would actually love it, remember - most mac users are so because they are converts.
You mean they were straight before right.
HERE IS A PAGE FOR DRIVERS NEEDED!! BOOKMARK IT!!!!!
http://forum.osx86project.org/index.php?showtopic=12185
@ John the Geek
Make your album open to guests please.
This is a DUAL BOOT solution
You can choose an OS at startup!
Here is a page for drivers needed.
http://forum.osx86project.org/index.php?showtopic=12185
The solution works on ALL intel mac models.
While I too think OSX is a superior operating system, most business applications fail to work on it. Especially, custom apps. This would be great for someone who has to do some work from home, but prefers OSX. Why should I buy two computers when i can use the superior apple, and temporally switch to windows to do work. Plus, maybe, ill play a game or two... but thats neither here nor there.
Fixed!!! (Sorry!)
*********************************************
MacBook and Windows XP Pictures!!!
http://photobucket.com/albums/j60/macbookboot/
*********************************************
=)
Well, I can see why they did this....just because you can. Forever and ever techies will try to do stuff that was unintended with technology. OK, so?
This, to a Mac guy is sacreligious. To correct the anology used above about cars....this is like pulling the engine out of a Ferrai and replacing it with the engine of a GM.
Seems pointless to replace a far superior OS with the likes of Windows.
@35/Bloobie:
Obviously, I wasn't talking about OS - both XP and OSX are now x86 on x86. However, virtually all PC software released to date was written for the x86 processor, in contrast to a tiny minority of Mac software. Hence a typical PC system (OS + software) will have no emulation, but a Mac one will. I should have thought that this was a pretty simple argument to follow.
Check out my site for more download links: kublakhan.wordpress.com
The only things that need to be worked out are:
>Communication between Windows OS and Mac OS
>Possible NTFS partioning (currently there is a problem with NTFS)
> Drivers
It's opensource. So I guess we'll see a sourceforge repository opened soon. Then, we can all make this solution better, easier, and all that other stuff.
"34. can someone explain the point of this whole thing??"
Let me try another analogy for you...
I have a blonde and find that my blonde is useful for many tasks and suitable for most purposes. But every once in a while I'd love to have the use of a brunette for other things such as gaming and entertainment purposes maybe. The blonde and the brunette can both accomplish almost all day-to-day tasks with equal success, therefore there is the argument I probably only need either the blonde or the brunette. But if I can can have both the blonde AND the brunette, each with their own specific strengths, and they can live together in harmony within the same environment, then isn't that the optimum solution? It certainly is for me! (c;
(Please note that to keep everyone happy, this analogy is not gender specific.)
@59 Thanks :) Looks great. Does it run like a normal Windows computer (laptop in this case) or can you spot some slow downs?
hey engadget, how about removing the comment facility for future XP on macintel posts? we're all dumber for having read these. i award us no points; may god have mercy on our souls.
I am trying this on my Core Solo Mac Mini
It's FAST as heck. The only noticeable lag I get is video related, slow refresh, slow redraw. That sort of thing.
I'm sure a nicely-paired video driver for the x1600 would fix that right away though. I hope we can find one.
=)
Heh, I'd like to see the web statistics charts for onmac.net and osx86project.org for the past few days and see how they spiked like mad.
At someone's request... I created a Flickr mirror for the pics as well...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/86824404@N00/
=)
HOORAH! This is great news, it means that I will be able to use CAD software for my university course!!!
What if you put windows media center on a mac mini?
Next challenge: Run both MacOS and XP simultaneously, with a hot key to switch between them. Hint: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypervisor
#40 OMG STFU !! Macs are good for people with IQ's of less than 60 or graphics designers (about the same IQ then)... or people who lost all but one finger in a horrible accident or birth defect....
STOP PRESS!!! Windows XP runs on Laptop ...
(48 & 50 - totally agree) ... Napalm all Mac users.
u guys are fucking retards wanting windows on a mac.
the last thing i will ever ever ever put on my mac, is that shit
for all you mac/pc fanboys:
use the right tool for the right job-- i wouldn't use a screwdriver if a saw was needed and vice-versa.
as a computing art major, I use the best application for the job independent of the platform. this means if I need to do video editing I'll use final cut on OSX, but if I need to do some level design for a game, I'll use 3DS Max (now only for PC).
PS. as for the whole virus thing, in a parallel world where OSX had the majority of the market share hackers would write viruses targeting that platform.
#40, the PC brother must've been mentally handicapped. As a long-time Windows user (and yes, I've worked with Macs before, and while they're nice enough, I go with what works better for me, and prefer to not pigeonhole myself into a niche just for the sake of impressing random people on the internet) I've never had one serious virus problem. As long as people exercise a little common sense and don't open attachments from unknown senders, .exe files especially, always read the fine print when installing downloaded programs, etc, they should be fine. Granted a lot of viruses do exploit software vulnerabilities, and Microsoft should be held accountable to those, I don't think an OS should have to hold your hand and wipe your ass.
Please stop with the "why are you guys doing this?" junk. Until Windows specific apps and games started getting moved to the mac since it is x86 now, this is the only solution. And since most macs are capable of running the latest games on the hardware side why waste it? Windows XP is a fine operating system.
I recently switched to a Mac and I love it, but I still recognize the value of Windows considering everyone and their mother uses it. Get off your high horse and take it for what it is. Maybe these people will start to love Mac OS, and then when the x86 mac compatible games roll out people will switch. Maybe this was Apple's intention all along...
This is an amazing feat, congrats to the winner
If i wanted a dual boot system, i wouldnt by a Mac and put xp on it... rather, i would buy a PC and install osx86 and save put the difference into something else.
I happen to like OS X, and I'm not the biggest fan of Windows, but I love to play games, so I have a pc. I love my pc, and I gurantee it outperforms your precious PowerPC and Core Duo macs. Apple makes great machines, but they are overpriced for what they are.
Now, the reason I would want windows on a mac, is I'm needing a laptop, and I personally think OS X is the best OS out there, but I also have to go out to sea and would like to play games in my off time. So OS X and no games or stuck with windows and game. Well, now (if we get vid drivers) I can have the best of both worlds. Dual booting OS X and XP. What a beautiful day. Next, Gentoo.
It took a long darn time for OSX to get truly better than XP. It was years in the making of updates to the OS every year. But the true question is, will OSX hold up to Windows Vista. Once windows looks as purdy as OSX...and now that Viruses are finally starting to make their way onto OSX...what true benefit is there in having a platform that is not Task Based...Is not easier or more intuitive than windows (Click START> Click My Pictures> Click Picture) and doesn't have the software support. There are so many cool programs for the PC that Mac users have to wait for Apple to Spoon Feed to you because no one else will.
Will mac make their GUI 4D ala PS3 to maintain the Wow factor over the very clean and impressive looking Windows Vista?
81. Have you ever used OS X? Wait, stupid question, otherwise you'd realise how stupid and uninformed your post was.
Also, am I the only person that finds the Vista UI fugly and obtrusive? I mean, I have Beta 1, and I'll tell you right now, the ui is clunky, in the way, and altogether ugly.
More mirrors (Apparently that's what people want):
Blog with lots of different mirrors (includes short excerpt from intructions):
http://kublakhan.wordpress.com/2006/03/16/theyve-finally-done-it-windows-xp-on-the-intel-mac-download-here/
Direct Links download link (from Blog):
http://www.4shared.com/file/1000986/a3f42021/winxponmac01.html
WoW...
Who are that stupid that they will run Windows on a MAC?
If you own a Mac, you already got a greater system then Windows and if you want to run Windows the easiest way to do so is to Buy a PC. I don't understand why any would want to do this.
I feel sad for Macs that are forced to run Windows :/
So when you boot to XP, it's going to suck only having one button to use w/ the touchpad....hey, some people don't always carry mice around!
@23 "Actually, I'm using OS X in my generic x86 pc right now"
and NOW I'm impressed!
and I will be looking for those instructions.
I agree with many of the posts above, it's not the hardware, but the OS that makes the difference.
(and that's why the apt analogy, @19 James. XP is far inferior to OSX for my use. Therefore the user interface is much more clumsy than what it could/should be.)
uuuhhhhh doesnt having windows on a mac defeat the whole point of having a mac? y dont u just buy a pc? it would probably be more stable at running xp and be cheaper than a mac! long live apple!!!!
#50: Wow, there's a staggering amount of ignorance and opinion masquerading as fact in your post.
I recently bought an iMac (I actually build PCs on the side and, upon a time, I was an IT guy for a medium-sized company, so I hardly think I qualify as one of the persons you tar with a very broad brush) and, after numerous weeks on OSX, it is, indeed, a superior environment for just about everything but games ("everything"=just about anything your average, day-to-day, user could want which equals, oh, 95% of the market for PC...except games.)
Of course, unlike you, I can understand that this is MY opinion and I certainly do not expect someone with your staggering intellect and keen powers of perception to wholly grasp this concept, but try it out--and if it hurts...please keep doing it.
engadget, please remove the possibility of adding comments to "the xp on mac" posts.
i'm already sick of reading those stupid mac zealots "why would anyone wants xp on mac" comments.
please.
i have downloaded the software, but reading the howto.txt
i dont' know how to create the installation media. please help. and i am using the new macbook pro. i am kinda waiting for this kinda software to come out. thanks.
Anyone try omegadrivers.net for drivers on the dual-booted systems? I'd be curious to see if those worked....
Don't forget the other XP on Mac solution: http://www.microsoft.com/mac/otherproducts/otherproducts.aspx?pid=remotedesktopclient
OK, so it is not exactly XP running on your mac, but remoting to a XP box (which you can keep in the basement) works for everything but games.
Dear engadget, please remove the possibility of posting by those who are not looking at reality when putting an inferior os on a much more costly hardware.
look into economics folks.
better os on cheaper hardware = more $ to buy more gadgets.