Windows XP on Mac solution posted

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 $11,000 $12,000 $13,000 bounty. But what we didn't have was the solution. Well, Colin over at windows.onmac.net still doesn't have anything much to say about it, but we think the file itself should say enough. Grab it below if you want it -- the zip includes a bootloader CD image and a how-to for getting XP on your MacBook Pro, iMac, or mini. Happy Windows-ing.

Download (777KB), mirrors: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

[Thanks, dueport]

[Dan @ Mar 16th 2006 11:51AM]

I think now I will be getting a macbook pro. :-)

[Noodles @ Mar 16th 2006 11:52AM]

I finally have a reason to buy a mac. Only if they made a tablet.

[Homer J Simpson @ Mar 16th 2006 11:55AM]

First post....Yoink

[J. Diaz @ Mar 16th 2006 11:56AM]

Sweet!

[Nij @ Mar 16th 2006 11:59AM]

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.

[jaemz @ Mar 16th 2006 12:01PM]

Very nice, thanks engadget... and narf2006 / blanka.

[Ketsuke @ Mar 16th 2006 12:03PM]

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.

[jv @ Mar 16th 2006 12:03PM]

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.

[Eric Davis @ Mar 16th 2006 12:04PM]

I'd like to know if ethernet/airport/gfx/etc all work. Are there any limitations?

[furby @ Mar 16th 2006 12:04PM]

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.

[Kunal @ Mar 16th 2006 12:05PM]

server's down :(

[e @ Mar 16th 2006 12:08PM]

#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.

[Excuse me for my terrible grammar @ Mar 16th 2006 12:10PM]

Let see what Apple staffs are think of this.

Maybe new firmware would be update on iMac with Intel. yuk yuk yuk

[Alan @ Mar 16th 2006 12:10PM]

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.

[Jesse @ Mar 16th 2006 12:11PM]

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.

[Dan @ Mar 16th 2006 12:11PM]

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.

[Ed @ Mar 16th 2006 12:12PM]

has anyone replicated it yet? experiences? how much works, how much doesn't?

[Jay @ Mar 16th 2006 12:14PM]

WHY?

[andy @ Mar 16th 2006 12:16PM]

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.

[Josh @ Mar 16th 2006 12:16PM]

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?

[James @ Mar 16th 2006 12:19PM]

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)

[Dan @ Mar 16th 2006 12:20PM]

Mirror with Instructions:

http://www.uneasysilence.com/archive/2006/03/5687/

[C @ Mar 16th 2006 12:20PM]

@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.

[Adam @ Mar 16th 2006 12:20PM]

#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.

[aazp @ Mar 16th 2006 12:20PM]

@#12
been done, and a long time ago

Actually, I'm using OS X in my generic x86 pc right now

[Saxon @ Mar 16th 2006 12:21PM]

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?

[AirmanPika @ Mar 16th 2006 12:26PM]

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).

[anon @ Mar 16th 2006 12:26PM]

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...

[Santiago @ Mar 16th 2006 12:27PM]

"native graphics drivers aren�t 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.

[Josh @ Mar 16th 2006 12:28PM]

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

[aazp @ Mar 16th 2006 12:31PM]

I meant 13

[noah @ Mar 16th 2006 12:34PM]

"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.

[Darren @ Mar 16th 2006 12:34PM]

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.

[Jeff Lewis @ Mar 16th 2006 12:37PM]

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.

[AirmanPika @ Mar 16th 2006 12:37PM]

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

[tim @ Mar 16th 2006 12:39PM]

->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.

[jstudio @ Mar 16th 2006 12:40PM]

#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.

[agent lead @ Mar 16th 2006 12:42PM]

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...

[nick @ Mar 16th 2006 12:42PM]

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.

[Bloobie @ Mar 16th 2006 12:45PM]

#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.

[JC @ Mar 16th 2006 12:45PM]

It's THE END for Mac game developers...

[Josh @ Mar 16th 2006 12:45PM]

Hey AirmanPika,
I can access the page u posted. Do you have those pictures cahed anywhere where i can see them?
Thanks

[Adam @ Mar 16th 2006 12:46PM]

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.

[AJ @ Mar 16th 2006 12:48PM]

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.

[Andy @ Mar 16th 2006 12:48PM]

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 !

[AirmanPika @ Mar 16th 2006 12:52PM]

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.

[Adam @ Mar 16th 2006 12:53PM]

AJ, you have the same initials as me and we can both read! Amazing! I guess everyone else should change their names.

[Adam @ Mar 16th 2006 12:56PM]

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.

[Matt @ Mar 16th 2006 12:59PM]

It doesn't work with NTFS?

[John the Geek @ Mar 16th 2006 1:01PM]

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/

=)