bootcamp
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Boot Camp 1.1.2
Boot Camp, the beta Apple software utility that allows you to run Windows on an Intel Mac (using a separate partition) has been updated to 1.1.2. Changes include: The Apple USB Modem now works correctly Trackpad scrolling and right-click gestures work correctly Fixed idle sleep bugs Reduced dialogs during Windows driver installation Improved international support Improved 802.11 wireless networking support That's a lot for a .0.1 release.Thanks, Jamie.Update: The Boot Camp website listed out of date improvements, this post now has the actual improvements listed in the Read Me. Thanks, Kevin.
Windows Vista RC2 doesn't work on Macs via Boot Camp?
It appears the just-released Windows Vista RC2 and the latest Boot Camp 1.1.1 don't play well for some reason. I just tried installing it to round up that Vista + Intel Mac post I've been working on, but the Vista installation process kept telling me it wasn't happy with the drive Boot Camp creates, and thus wouldn't touch it even after formatting.This is extra strange, as the RC1 installed and worked on Intel Macs just fine, and as far as I know, Boot Camp 1.1.1 has been updated for full compatibility with the latest Intel Core 2 Duo iMacs like the one I'm typing this on. What broke since RC1, how and whodunit (it was Ballmer in the meeting room with the office chair!) are a mystery to me, but what about you guys? Anyone else know what's going on?
Mac Pro EFI Firmware Update 1.0
Apple has issued an EFI Firmware Update 1.0 which "fixes several Boot Camp and start up issues on Mac Pro computers." We've been hearing about these problems for a little while now, so here's hoping this 1.8MB update can let Mac Pro + XP owners sleep a little better at night. The updater requires Mac OS X 10.4.7 and is available here.Thanks Robert
Boot Camp updated for Core 2 Duo Macs
Boot Camp, Apple's software that allows Mac users to run Windows XP on a separate partition, has been updated to version 1.1.1. Specific in this release is support for Core 2 Duo Macs (Mac Pro and new iMac), though the Boot Camp page lists other updates, such as support for built-in iSight cameras and improved Apple keyboard support, that actually appeared in Boot Camp 1.1.This release weighs in at 186MB, and is available from Apple's Boot Camp page.Thanks Randy
More Mac/XP woes
Recently, I detailed the trying ordeal I endured while installing Windows XP on a MacBook via Boot Camp. While many of you shared your success stories, I've found at least one other IntelMac owner who had a less-than-pleasant experience. Julio Ojeda-Zapata at the Your Tech Weblog had a dog of a time getting XP to behave nicely on his Mac Pro. When Parallels resulted in "...numerous" kernel panics, he went to Boot Camp route, only to find that the Mac driver CD he was prompted to burn during the installation process wouldn't install (unsupported hardware).Isn't it nice to see all this frustration and wasted time become a part of the Mac experience?
New Vista build is Boot Camp friendly
A blog post that has risen through the digg ranks reports that a pre-RC1 release of Vista (build 5536) can now be installed easily on Intel Macs via Boot Camp. No more messy instructions, just a good clean install and (apparently) smooth running. Reports indicate that most of the fancy schmancy Aero effects are supported, even on a regular MacBook (Aero, for those who don't know, is a hardware-intensive new UI for Windows Vista with a lot of flashy effects and Transparency Everywhere™ technology).Microsoft has announced a Release Candidate 1 of Vista for September, for which we believe another public rollout and serial code registration process will be available. Those who manage to get ahold of a copy of build 5536 will need a registration code from the recently-closed beta 2 offering in order to install it.While we aren't quite sure how Microsoft worked around the EFI limitation in Vista (EFI support was axed along with many other features some time ago), but this Vista + Intel Macs development is good news for anyone who needs to build apps and test websites for Microsoft's new Windows version.
My weekend with Boot Camp and Windows
So I've got a friend who just purchased a shiny, new MacBook. It's packed with RAM and beautiful (she went with the classic white). She's a long time Mac user, and has been happy with her G3 iBook since she bought it. Recently, however, she had been charged with using some proprietary Windows-only software for work (sound familiar, anyone?). So, enchanted by Boot Camp and the Windows-friendly Intel Macs, she made the big purchase...and convinced me to get everything off the ground for her. I accepted the challenge, as I had never played with a Macbook or installed Windows on any machine. Even though this story has a happy ending (the aforementioned Macbook is currently a dual-boot machine), getting from Point A to Point B wasn't easy.First the good news. Boot Camp installed without a hitch. If you haven't done this before, I can tell you it's pretty straight forward. At one point, you're asked to burn a CD of Macintosh-specific Windows drivers, which I did. When the installation of Boot Camp was complete, you're asked to put your Windows installer CD (XP with Service Pack 2 on a single disc) into the machine and click the "Install Windows" button. It's very creepy, and the machine then reboots and starts the next installation, this time Windows XP. Or, at least, that's what the instructions say (Note: PRINT OUT the instructions that are bundled with the Boot Camp installer. Trust me).
Apple releases Boot Camp 1.1 beta
Apple has updated Boot Camp to version 1.1 with a number of new enhancements and compatibility fixes, including: Support for the latest Intel-based Macintosh computers (I'm assuming this means the Mac Pros) Easier partitioning using presets for popular sizes Ability to install Windows XP on any internal disk iSight camera support Support for built-in microphones Right-click when pressing the right-hand Apple key on Apple keyboards Improved Apple keyboard support including Delete, PrintScreen, NumLock, and ScrollLock keys Instructions for updating are provided at the Boot Camp site (and I would assume along with the Boot Camp install itself as well), but it's pretty simple: install the new version, burn a new CD of drivers, then flip over to Windows and install them.This might be a long shot, but I wonder if this update might make running Vista - either in its current version or the upcoming RC1 - easier. Anyone have any ideas?Thanks Blair!
Move your Boot Camp install of Windows to Parallels
Boot Camp and Parallels: two very different ways to run Windows on your Mac and never the twain shall meet, right? Not so fast, there is a way to migrate your Windows install from a Boot Camp install (or for that matter ANY Windows install whether it be on a Mac or a PC) to Parallels. It isn't exactly easy, and it does require lots of disk space and some third party apps, but if you really want to go virtual follow these instructions.[via Infinite Loop]
Apple releases Boot Camp 1.0.2 beta - sans details
Apple has updated Boot Camp to version 1.0.2 beta (remember: it's been a beta all along), but seems to have forgotten to release any details of what this update is all about. I couldn't track anything down at Apple's Downloads or Support sites, and even the VersionTracker entry notes that the MacFixIt ninjas came up empty as well. They managed to install the new version on a MacBook Pro without a hitch and settle for assuming that new Windows XP drivers are included with this version. They recommend installing the new version and burning a new drivers CD, then booting into Windows and re-installing the drivers.I'd try this out myself, but I decided the other day that I don't need any of the advantages that Boot Camp offers over Parallels (such as USB and true video card support), so I'm blowing away my Boot Camp Windows partition and reclaiming that space for a compress-able Parallels installation. Now I just need to find my Windows CDs in a townhouse we still haven't finished unpacking and moving into.Thanks to everyone who sent this in!
Apple's Windows site mentions Parallels Desktop instead of Boot Camp
"If you've ever wished you could enjoy the best of both worlds, now you can" is a phrase at the bottom of Apple's Windows section of their Get a Mac site, and I think they mean that phrase now more than ever. I can't even find Apple's own Boot Camp mentioned on the 'you can even run Windows' page of Apple's Get a Mac site - surprisingly, it's Parallels Desktop that has the spotlight now. Could Apple be giving Boot Camp the back seat in favor of the no-rebooting convenience of Parallels Desktop? Or might Parallels be working with Apple on virtualization (or a buyout) for the upcoming Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard? Is it possible for us to come up with any more wild speculation? Time will only tell.[thanks blackout!]
An easier method to get Windows Vista to run with Boot Camp
Yes, before you fire off a flaming comment, we know this is The Unofficial Apple Weblog, but we thought it might be nice to post a tip for those of you who either want or need to play with the next generation of Microsoft Windows, reportedly due out within the decade (hey, it was originally due in 2003 - by its present 2007 date they'll be almost half a decade late already). This Apple Discussions forum thread details a slightly more appealing trick for getting Vista, now in a public beta (but overloaded with download requests as of this writing), to install and run with Boot Camp. Basically, you need to have Boot Camp already set up and installed with Windows XP. Then, burn a DVD of the Vista beta you just downloaded. And before you ask: no, unfortunately, Vista won't run on Parallels Desktop - yet. Parallels has publicly mentioned making this work with a future version, but there is no ETA for when this support will land.Now - and this is the 'at your own risk' part - you need to use some kind of partition manager (the forum poster used one from within XP, but I've heard you can use one that starts up from within the Vista installer when booting from the DVD) to delete an ambiguous partition that Boot Camp creates that is around 180-200 MB in size. Again, we can't stress this enough: this is done at your own risk - you are messing with your boot record and after this step, Boot Camp won't be able to adjust your partitions or blow away and reclaim your Windows partition anymore. Mac OS X and Windows will still boot just fine, but this isn't an ideal setup for the faint-of-heart Boot Camp user.if you take the plunge and nuke that partition, however, you should now be able to boot from the Vista DVD and use it to upgrade your copy of Windows XP - which in and of itself could spark a discussion as to whether one should upgrade or install clean new versions of Windows; it usually isn't recommended with Mac OS X, who wants to take bets on Windows' ability to have a smooth OS upgrade ride?If you try any of this stuff out, feel free to post your thoughts on the experience, and then go wash your hands of one of the dirtiest things you can do to a Mac.
Gaming products dominate top tech list [update 1]
PC World's list of top 100 tech products of the year praised our sister blog Engadget and gave Apple lots of love but the categorical winner of the list is undoubtedly gaming. The following products aren't all directly gaming related (you could use some of them to run spreadsheets) although there's a quite clear video gaming subtext underlying many of the choices. Lets just say that they're as close to being gaming technology as Uri Geller is to being locked up in an asylum. 1. Core Duo - the first chip to enable desktop level performance in games on laptop computers.2. Athlon 64 X2 - for that ultimate gaming rig you always wanted (but couldn't, and still can't, afford).10. Boot Camp - Apple's Mac gaming solution.16. GeForce 7600GT - hits that price/performance sweet spot.19. Guitar Hero - we think that this is some kind of video game.55. Raptor X - 10,000RPM Hard Drives were invented for gaming.58. X1900 XTX - ATI's biggest, baddest GPU. Stupid name though.63. A8N32 mobo - it's all about the SLI, baby.89. Xbox 360 - we've heard of this! Isn't it designed to hold your lunch?92. GeForce 7900 GTX - nVIDIA's biggest, baddest GPU. Stupid name though.I personally own several products identical or similar to products on this list (a MacBook with a Core Duo CPU running Windows via Boot Camp is being used to write this post - I'm off for some Eve Online in a sec). Do you agree with these choices? What's missing?P.S. If anyone from PC World is reading this, I apologize for desecrating your logo.[Update: "top tech," not "top ten tech". Thanks Ahms!]
Apple's 17-inch MacBook Pro reviewed
You know, for all the talk about those greasy-hot, overclockin' MacBook Pros and their mysterious firmware updates, only now has PCMag completed a full review of the 17-inch flavor MBP. Alas, you won't find any real surprises in the review of this "astounding" 6.8-pound, easy toting 17-incher. Yeah, it does indeed get "too hot" by the reviewers standards, though apparently not as hot as the 15-inch model due to larger surface area to dissipate heat. And since this is PCMag, they installed Boot Camp, as you'd expect, "without a hitch" giving them the same "impressive" (for a Mac) gaming results in XP seen on the 15-inch sib. The reviewer calls the move to the 17-inch MacBook Pro a "no brainer" if you're a creative professional working heavily in graphic design or movie editing. However, if you're just looking for a "cool multimedia laptop" with plenty of screen then there are plenty of Windows-only systems available giving more bang, for that $3,099 as-tested, buck. Yeah, Mac fanboy enthusiasts, they're calling you out with that one. Still, PCMag slaps on a 4/5 editors rating which ain't too shabby, right?
How I sold two Macs this week
Alternate title: Linus needs his security blanket. I'm lucky enough to work at an all-Mac school. However, the majority of employees (as I'm sure is the case most everywhere) are PC users at home. Two of them recently came to me on separate occasions seeking my opinion on a new computer purchase. Both admitted that they've recently become intrigued with Macs, but aren't sure they want to take the plunge. So we talked a bit and I showed them around my iMac, letting them play with a few of the iApps (photo sharing in iPhoto across two Macs via airport was a real crowd pleaser, I can tell you). Still, they couldn't be swayed. Until I dropped the bomb, that is."These can run Windows, you know," I said. "WHAT?!?" Their eyes lit up. I explained Boot Camp, and how the technology it represents will be a part of the next version of the OS. They reeled. It was like finding out you can eat cheesecake on your diet. I realized what was going on, of course: the security blanket effect. Knowing that their precious Windows is there, even if it's never used (and eventually it won't be) pushed them over the edge. They've both since purchased Macs. The whole experience leads me to believe that Apple is going to sell a LOT of computers next year.Linus and all PEANUTS characters are copyrighted © United Feature Syndicate, Inc.
More Dev Interviews from E3
Tentonhammer has an exclusive piece from E3, featuring interviews with WoW developer Tyven, where he discusses much of the news we've already heard from E3; the main subjects being Draenei, flying mounts, and the rest of the announced content. Nothing shockingly new, but for all you E3 news completists, there's some good info there.Also included are a few tidbits of information from Blizzard's Mac team member Rob Barris, discussing Bootcamp on the Imac & other platform news. The full article can be found here.
Pogue's Town Hall: The OS Wars
David Pogue has put together another goofy video for the New York Times -- Town Hall: The OS Wars. Pogue answers questions from the "public" about running Windows on a Mac with Boot Camp and Parallels. Pogue's "public" includes shills like Andy Ihnatko, asking questions the masses are likely to have, like: Why would anyone want to run Windows anyway? Am I going to catch all those Windows viruses? Mr. Pogue, is running Boot Camp like having a real Windows PC in your office? (The response in typical Pogue style: "Let me answer your question in two parts: Yes and No.")It's all tongue-in-cheek, but it struck me that the staged questions are probably the very ones the masses (who don't read sites like TUAW) are asking.
Boot Camp Resource Center
If you're just getting started with Boot Camp, you may want to head over to VersionTracker to check out their new Boot Camp Resource Center. You'll find a collection of troubleshooting and opinion articles from MacFixIt, as well as some links to basic Windows software compiled with the Mac user in mind. Of the three software categories -- Essentials, Gaming, and Drivers -- Essentials looks to be most useful. It has links to virus protection tools, spyware, browsers, an image viewer, a screenshot app, and other basic apps for Windows. The other two categories are pretty sparse, but at least it's a place to start.
ASIA--or--Another Stupid Inquirer Article
Now, this is just stupid. Here's an inquirer article that suggests Apple doesn't want Windows running side-by-side with Mac OS X because then people would see that "Mac OS X is slower than Windows." What's their proof? They installed Mac OS X and Windows on the same Intel machine then ran World of Warcraft while booted into each OS and compared framerates. The Windows version scored better. C.K. showed us this a week or so ago.Um...how exactly is this a speed comparison between Mac OSX and Windows? It's actually a speed comparison between World of Warcraft for Windows and World of Warcraft for Mac OS X. WoW is not a benchmarking tool.Everyone knows games are better on Windows, including us Mac Heads. But I guess the foobs at the Inquirer couldn't pass up a chance to snipe at Apple and Mac OS X.
Buy a MacBook Pro with pre-loaded Windows XP
I am writing this at midnight, dear readers, and I can only pray that what I'm looking at is a fever-induced hallucination and I'm trapped in some sort of cruel nightmare triggered by Microsoft's secret Terror Ray XP Premium Edition (originally designed to torment Mossberg and Pogue every time they write a pro-Apple article, and also used to bend Dvorak, Thurrott, and Enderle to the company's uncompromising will).It seems a company called ExperCom is selling standard-specced MacBook Pros...pre-loaded with Windows XP. This is for those folks who want the beautiful Apple hardware and the ubiquitous Windows software without having to deal with Boot Camp themselves, I guess.We all knew this was inevitable, and fighting it is pointless. Still...just looking at that page sends shivers up my spine. At least they're happy to note, "We don't support Windows XP - and neither does Apple. We'll install it for you, but, hey, we're Mac people, so we can't help answer Windows questions."[Thanks, Dan K. Kinda.]
