macbook pro need help installing xp

[larns23]

I just got a macbook pro, i want to install 'windows xp', when i run the boot camp app i get to where you have to decide about the partition for XP, this is where i'm a bit confused

I will be using XP pretty much all of the time, and probably never OS X so what would be the best way to proceed with making a partition? i dont get what the difference is between NTFS and FAT i hope im making sense...
thanks

[Buzz]

Fat means the partition can be used for both OSX and Win. NTFS will only bee seen by Windows. OSX can't use NTFS formatted volumes/partitions. I'd format the partition as FAT. It's better to leave it in a more universal state just in case. It won't effect how the drive runs at all.

If you're going to primarily use Windows I'd create a partition that was as large as possible, leaving around 20GB for the OSX portion. It depends on your hard drive size, but if it's a 100GB hard drive I'd make the Win partition 80GB. That will let you at least use OSX should you need to.

[larns23]

right ok, the only thing is it says in the bootcamp setup guide that if i use FAT the partition has to be 32GB or smaller, so this is the real reason i am stuck on wht to do

so if i create the partition for xp as NTFS i wont be able to access files from the windows xp volume when logged into OS X? if so that does not matter since i will be using xp for audio work and nothing else

[Buzz]

hmmm.. I wasn't aware of the 32GB limit. Must be a WIN limitation.

if i create the partition for xp as NTFS i wont be able to access files from the windows xp volume when logged into OS X?

That is correct.

[larns23]

ok let me just clear something up, i now know that if i make a partition in NTFS i cannot access files from the XP volume when logged into OS X .

but could i still access files on the OS X which i have in that volume? when logged into OS X??

THANKS

[Buzz]

absolutely.

What Bootcamp does is retain your original OSX installation and volume, then creates a second partition for use with Windows. It keeps the OSX installation in tact.

You might think about Parallels Desktop rather than Bootcamp. You seem very nervous about the entire procedure. Parallels will allow you to log in the Mac under OSX then launch Windows. it doesn't require any reformatting or partitioning. it creates "virtual partitions which can be increased or can be set to expand as needed.

I've tried both Bootcamp and Parallels with my MacBook Pro. I decided to stick with Parallels and dump Bootcamp. It's just easier. No need to reboot with Parallels, you aren't locked in to a specific volume format or size and you can copy > paste between OSX and WinXP as well as share files between the two OSes. Parallels also allows you to install as many virtual OSes as you want to. I actually have two Parallels WinXP OSes installed, one for IE67 and one for IE7.

But... I use OSX 90% of the time, not Windows.

[larns23]

can i run any software i like on windows using this parallel desktop?

[Buzz]

Yes. Parallels is just like running Windows natively via Bootcamp. it's just far easier to manage. Try the demo.