Windows on a Mac??

[allanm]

i might just plump for Bootcamp!! im baffled as to why it would want me to check the time and date!! lol..

Cant answer that question, but if you are going to use Bootcamp again, make sure you have a windows disc ( I assume you want to use XP) with SP2 on it. Keep the windows partition below 32gb and as fat 32, that way you can drag windows files back and forth from the Mac side ( If you want to see Mac files when in windows, you need another programme, something like Macdrive (.com)
If you use NTFS, you can just see the files as above but cant move them.
( Vista always uses NTFS)
I,ve used Bootcamp for quite a while with no problems at all, just make sure the first thing you put on the windows side ( whether its in Bootcamp VM or Parallels, ) is a good anti virus programme!

Allan

 

[kfridge]

just wondering if anyone had any idea on the reason for this?

no idea why it's doing this...I've just VMW for a while now and have never had a problem setting up a VM. Usually its just a simple case of selecting to create a new VM, insert the install disc and away you go.

Don't forget that you don't just have to be limited to Windows - you can create a VM for other OS's as well, I currently have XP, Vista and Ubuntu installed on my MacBook. Just don't try to run them all at the same time though ;o)

 

[fraggle101]

iv just had a call from a friend, he said maybe i should use bootcamp and install windows.. THEN install Fusion?? that maybe why its looking for the virtual drives time and date.. and cant find it.. its not there!! lol..

 

[erding]

iv just had a call from a friend, he said maybe i should use bootcamp and install windows.. THEN install Fusion?? that maybe why its looking for the virtual drives time and date.. and cant find it.. its not there!! lol..

If you are using Fusion you have to install Windows or another operating system e.g. Linux from within Fusion.

 

[kfridge]

iv just had a call from a friend, he said maybe i should use bootcamp and install windows.. THEN install Fusion?? that maybe why its looking for the virtual drives time and date.. and cant find it.. its not there!! lol..

I wouldn't have thought that was the problem...the whole point about Fusion is that you can install Windows (and other operating systems) without needing to use Boot Camp. The virtual drives are created when fusion is installing the operating system - by their nature virtual drives aren't "real" and therefore creating a boot camp install, which is on a physical volume wouldn't remove the virtual drive error as far as I can see.

Have you had a look on vmwares site to see if the problem is listed their on the support section?

 

[fraggle101]

I wouldn't have thought that was the problem...the whole point about Fusion is that you can install Windows (and other operating systems) without needing to use Boot Camp. The virtual drives are created when fusion is installing the operating system - by their nature virtual drives aren't "real" and therefore creating a boot camp install, which is on a physical volume wouldn't remove the virtual drive error as far as I can see.

Have you had a look on vmwares site to see if the problem is listed their on the support section?

Thats what i thought! infact it did once try to install, but it asked me to choose a drive size, once i did it wouldnt complete the install....

 

[kfridge]

ahh...that might be the problem - how are you creating the virtual machine? The steps I usually take are to select to create a new vm, insert the OS disc and then just follow the prompts and don't change anything.

 

[Glen]

I've had to do a similar thing with my new mac.

I put in a new 1TB drive into bay 1, then made the old one(320gb) into a new windows FAT 32 drive, in bay 2. Then went through boot camp assistant to install windows XP on the drive. This install disk MUST include service pack 2 within it, mine had SP3. Then I installed Paralells and just setup and tweaked until all is now working OK, so far.

 

[fraggle101]

Parallels seems to have found TWO bootcamp partitions!! i don't see how! i DO have ONE and thats got my windows on it... but even when i press option when booting it shows my mac drive and two windows drives to choose from.. i wonder if its because i have my old windows drive fitted in the machine?? do you think it could be seeing that as a bootcamp partition.. it IS partitioned as well!! lol..

 

[kfridge]

the mac boot screen will show all devices it thinks it can boot from, if you have one drive with OSX on and a second partitioned drive with a boot camp partition and a windows install then it will show up as three drives.

 

[IanC_UK]

thinking about it, im wondering if because the boot camp install didnt finish, thats why fusion is complaining about the time not being set ,as there is no operating system installed and working, clutching at straws a bit but ? having the other bootable windows hard drive in there may be causing issues too.

 

[kfridge]

if you are still struggling getting it working this video may help :shrug:

 

[erding]

thinking about it, im wondering if because the boot camp install didnt finish, thats why fusion is complaining about the time not being set ,as there is no operating system installed and working, clutching at straws a bit but ? having the other bootable windows hard drive in there may be causing issues too.

I go with Ian's thinking here.

To have an issue installing Bootcamp and then an issue with vmFusion and now with Parallels suggests something is fundamentally wrong.

I would be inclined to disconnect the power and data cable from the Windows hard drive - it is not connected to your system - and then remove the 2 bootcamp partions. Then reboot the mac and install vmFusion from new.

 

[fraggle101]

yep, i think im going to remove the drive that contains my old windows info, and see what happens.. if that don't work im thinking about removing the Boocamp partition and starting fresh.. im getting fed up with installing, sorting, updating windows only to have to format it again!! lol..

Thaks for all the help guys..