Help With Mac

[DM]

Hello everybody,

Since owning a Mac Pro, I have relentlessly endeavoured to install Windows XP into it. I craved it so hard that I ended up sacrificing the Mac OS X installed on the single hard drive.

Anyhow I forced the installation and realised that despite running Windows XP quite well, it meant that all the button functions on the Mac Pro itself became useless and redundant. Other hardware functions like keypad lighting no longer operates. There's also no sound.

Now I desperately want my Mac OS X back but after the installation screen, an alert message pops up informing me that "This software cannot be installed on this computer".

I desperately need help guys.

[Ioman]

Did you use Bootcamp to do this, or a straight install? I would recommend using Mac OSX with Parallels. I will get Dang in on this since he knows more.

[dang]

Definitely either use bootcamp or parallels. Bootcamp will install the necessary drivers in XP so that your mac buttons/sound still work.

For re-installing OS X, try holding down the C key during bootup. This should cause you to bootup off the CD/DVD.

If that doesnt work, try holding down the OPTION key. This should bring up the System Picker, which will display all the bootable devices and allow you to choose which one to bootup into.

[DM]

Did you use Bootcamp to do this, or a straight install?

Straight install. I guess that's why it's all wrong.

You guys have to forgive me but I'm completely new to Mac terms. Paralles? Bootcamp?

For re-installing OS X, try holding down the C key during bootup. This should cause you to bootup off the CD/DVD.

I did exacly that but after the installation screen, an alert message pops up informing me that "This software cannot be installed on this computer". I currenly have Mac OS X installation discs, version 10.4.8. Shouldn't it work?

[dang]

I would think it would. I'll dig around and see what I can find.

Bootcamp (http://www.apple.com/macosx/bootcamp/) is a software progam that Apple released that lets you install Windows natively on your mac, along side OS X. You use it to do the install. You then reboot and choose which OS you want to boot into.

Parallels (http://www.parallels.com/) is virtualization software, where you can install Windows (or Linux) and run it "inside" OS X. It runs really well, and works for pretty much anything you want to do other then graphic intensive applications or for playing games.

[dang]

OH, you know what, I bet you did not format your hard drive. When you boot into the installation cd, run Disk Utility and format your hard drive and then try the installation again.

[DM]

OH, you know what, I bet you did not format your hard drive. When you boot into the installation cd, run Disk Utility and format your hard drive and then try the installation again.

Ok, I got up to the Disk Utility. Unfortunately there's no mention of "format" hard drive, so I feel a little bit lost. When I selected the hard drive image, a range of options came up. This is; First Aid, Erase, RAID and Restore. I'm assuming one has to go to Erase, "zero all data" and hit erase.

[dang]

Erase is Apple's friendly term for format. You are right on your assumption about how to do it.

[DM]

Thanks dang, doing it right now. Hopefully it'll work, fingers crossed.

[dang]

Good luck! Let us know how it goes.

When you are ready to install XP, make sure to either use bootcamp (to have a native, full speed XP install) or Parallels to do a virtual machine (runs slower and has graphics limited, but you dont have to reboot your machine to run it.)

[DM]

Doesn't work. The same error comes up. Do you think I should delete the free space?

[DM]

I think I just found the answer to my problem:

http://forums.macosxhints.com/archive/index.php/t-63096.html

http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=726230&tstart=0

[dang]

hmm. you are using the os x dvd that came with your mbp, right?

if so, are you erasing the entire hard drive? you should be.

[DM]

Yeah, it's the one that came with it. I'll erase the entire hard drive this time. What about partitioning? Do you reckon I should partition the hard drive? Since I installed Windows XP directly into the hard drive without bootcamping, couldn't this alter the way the hard drive accepts Mac OS X?

[snazz123]

I'd suggest you make sure you've erased and partitioned your Mac before you do anything. Make sure that you have no data or no data you care about before you do so. I would also suggest that you not have OS X and the Windoze OS on the same partition. Disk Utility will give you a host of options for partitioning. Good luck!

Snazz123

[DM]

Nothing works. I have formatted and partitioned the hard drive several times now and the same error comes up.

[snazz123]

Hello DM. OK. I seems to me that, perhaps, your installation of Windows XP had corrupted somethings. My understanding is that Bootcamp is BETA software at this stage and that may have something to do with things. At this point I would abandon your Windows experiments. You need to get your Mac OS X back on the good foot.

Start your MacBook and insert your Mac OS X DVD installation disc into your drive and quickly hold down the "C" key to boot from the DVD. Look for an "erase and install" option and select it. The idea is to get a "factory fresh" version of Mac OS X on your Mac first. Once you get a stable Mac OS X on your MacBook then you can tackle Windows but not until.

See if this helps. Good luck,
SNazz123

[DM]

My understanding is that Bootcamp is BETA software at this stage and that may have something to do with things.

I did not use Bootcamp in any way or form.

At this point I would abandon your Windows experiments. You need to get your Mac OS X back on the good foot.

I'm not experimenting anything snazz123. I think you're misunderstanding things. Windows XP was fully installed on my system without the use of Bootcamp. Now I'm unable to install my Mac OS X.

I'm better off contacting Apple on this one.

[dang]

Yup, you might want to. You definitely need to erase and repartion the whole drive for os X. If you can't then I'm betting windows installed its own master boot record and the OS x installer isn't removing it.

[Ioman]

I think you should contact Apple too. So what happens if you try "restore" wouldn't that automatically erase and install everything back to normal?

[DM]

I think you should contact Apple too. So what happens if you try "restore" wouldn't that automatically erase and install everything back to normal?

If I click on restore, Mac OS X gives me the following;

Source:

Destination:

What should I drag into the boxes?

Also, in the source box, there's an "image" button beside it. What image am I suppose to get?

[Ioman]

Hmm not sure, never done this. I would give Apple support a call and let them know you are trying to reinstall the OS.

I would not tell them you tried to put Windows on there though.

Another idea is to put back in the Windows XP CD, then delete all partitions alltogether. Then put in the Mac CD and try to create everything again.

[DM]

Yeah I tried that already. I'll visit my Apple store soon anyway. Thanks a lot for the support though, really appreciate it guys.

[snazz123]

Hi DM. I agree with the other gents: Head to your Apple Store or call tech support since you are under warranty right now.

BTW, under Disk Utility, don't click on the name you have given the hard drive, click on the name of the drive ABOVE the name you have given. (This will be the technical name for your drive.) You will then find PARTITION right there between "Erase" and "RAID".

I would advise you to ask the Apple folks if you should have a seperate partition for Windoze. My guess is that they will encourage this. Since Apple makes BootCamp, DM, they obviously encourage Mac users to use it so I would not be shy about telling them exactly what you are trying to achieve with your Mac, BootCamp, and your choice of Windoze OS. The more specific you are, the better they can help you.

Regards and good luck,
SNazz123

[dolemike]

Hey DM,

Did you ever find out what the problem was? I'm having the exact same issue with my MacBook....

-dole