Before I install Windows 7 RC1 on my MBP...

[tombarnes]

Hi all,

I am currently downloading the Windows 7 release candidate 64 bit for installation on my Unibody MBP. But I have a few questions:

1. Is it actually easily possible install windows 7 using bootcamp? I have found a site that says it is. It it as straightforward as say installing XP on bootcamp?

2. I am only doing this out of curiosity, so will I be able to easily delete windows and return my Hard drive to a single partition without having to format (like normally happens when partitioning drives) and reinstall OSX? Or is it quite straightforward to return my mac to where it is today? (I have a full backup made anyhow!)

3. I am a bit of a perfectionist. Will I be able to put a winodws icon on my windows partition disk as it appears in OSX? Does it need to be NTFS or FAT32 for that? Or does it not matter?

I just like to be sure!

Thanks for any replies!

Tom

 

[Stridder44]

Hi all,

I am currently downloading the Windows 7 release candidate 64 bit for installation on my Unibody MBP. But I have a few questions:

1. Is it actually easily possible install windows 7 using bootcamp? I have found a site that says it is. It it as straightforward as say installing XP on bootcamp?

2. I am only doing this out of curiosity, so will I be able to easily delete windows and return my Hard drive to a single partition without having to format (like normally happens when partitioning drives) and reinstall OSX? Or is it quite straightforward to return my mac to where it is today? (I have a full backup made anyhow!)

3. I am a bit of a perfectionist. Will I be able to put a winodws icon on my windows partition disk as it appears in OSX? Does it need to be NTFS or FAT32 for that? Or does it not matter?

I just like to be sure!

Thanks for any replies!

Tom

1.) Yes
2.) Yes, it's as easy as re-opening the Boot Camp Assistant (in OS X) and selecting the "remove a Windows installation" option, which leaves your OS X installation untouched.
3.) NTFS. FAT32 was dropped starting with Vista (thank God too). But never fear, the Windows 7 disc will let you format the partition to NTFS. And yes, you can change your Windows drive icon in OS X, but it takes a few extra steps which can be found here.

 

[Apple Ink]

Never forget that you will only be able to read NTFS side of the partition from Mac OS and not write to it.

For writing purposes you'll need 3rd Party Softwares like Paragon or NTFS-3G.

Another clumsy but effective solution is to get a VM like Parallels or VMWare and set it to use your BC partition.... though I'm unsure as to which versions of Win both support. DO your research before!

Hope it helps!

 

[ditzy]

The most difficult part was burning the disk.

 

[nocoast]

The most difficult part was burning the disk.

QFT...about as easy as an OS gets to install...and it was beta

 

[tombarnes]

Well, you were all correct. It really is very easy! I would recommend it to any nosey nerd like me.

But, I still think Mac OSX rules!