Don't try bootcamp if you don't want to risk your total mac!

[willybNL]

Just as a warning I want you to consider this problem:

After installing bootcamp for XP (that runs perfect) you can not return to OS X. Your OS-X DVD will not restore OS-X and Apple will not help you...

Read more on: http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=432603

The apple store where i'm shopping already advises: use parallels, not bootcamp (to many bugs still that can end your macbook os-x life).



p.s. And yes: we all just followed the manual!

p.p.s. Changed the title on request

 

[erikamsterdam]

Well, you just got burned by the dual boot nightmare.
Years ago I had a system with dual boot Linux/Window$. Found out pretty quickly that it was a nightmare. Reinstalling Window$ always leads to a nightmare cos it's so aggressive. Also the rebooting thing is annoying.
The system quickly became Linux only

I'd say: if you want to play games, get yourself a game PC. PC's are not that expensive anyway. And if you just want to run some Window$ software, get Parallels or something similar.

 

[willybNL]

Well, you just got burned by the dual boot nightmare.
Years ago I had a system with dual boot Linux/Window$. Found out pretty quickly that it was a nightmare. Reinstalling Window$ always leads to a nightmare cos it's so aggressive. Also the rebooting thing is annoying.
The system quickly became Linux only

I'd say: if you want to play games, get yourself a game PC. PC's are not that expensive anyway. And if you just want to run some Window$ software, get Parallels or something similar.

Please not it's not Windows messing up things, it's bootcamp messing up things this time. You already get a Kernel Panic before even having the windows CD in the neighbourhood of you Mac.... but if you don't know this is a kernel panic (as i did) you just follow up it's instructions and are able to install windows.

Note: Also without windows on the system bootcamp is able to distroy your mac (not only os x) thus!

 

[Nermal]

Your OS-X DVD will not restore OS-X

I completely hosed my system by trying to install Vista. The OS X installer wouldn't let me reinstall, even after deleting all the partitions and recreating one big one, "You cannot install Mac OS X on this volume because you cannot start up from this volume."

The solution was to use the Erase tab in Disk Utility instead of the Partition tab, it's all working fine now. I made a full backup before fiddling with Boot Camp, so I didn't lose anything.

I didn't read through the entire linked thread, but I wonder whether it was the same sort of problem.

 

[Bern]

I'm not sure what you guys mean. I have XP using Bootcamp and have been able to reformat OS X only. I've also been able to reformat XP only as well. Did I miss something here? I've done it a couple of times already since I got my MacBook.

 

[truz]

I also see no problem with bootcamp. I been using it since released on my imac and it works flawless. I play counter strike source on a daily basis when I'm at home. I have also reloaded macosx as well.

 

[willybNL]

The solution was to use the Erase tab in Disk Utility instead of the Partition tab, it's all working fine now. I made a full backup before fiddling with Boot Camp, so I didn't lose anything.

So i see you were able to boot with the Mac OS-DVD... but i wasn't... The DVD did not boot (i did before bootcamp).
My solution was boot via external drive, but if apple doesn't help and you do not have such a drive: you have lost your mac!

It's just a big warning for those thinking: ow... beta from apple should be ok (as regular beta's from other programs like skype are).

 

[Electro Funk]

i have bootcamp running on an iMac & a MacBook...

not a problem with either one of them...

 

[AVR2]

After installing bootcamp for XP (that runs perfect) you can not return to OS X. Your OS-X DVD will not restore OS-X...

I read the discussion in the link you provided, and plenty of people are saying that they were able to reinstall OS X from their original install DVD. So where are you getting "Your OS-X DVD will not restore OS-X" from?

 

[benthewraith]

Just as a warning I want you to consider this problem:

After installing bootcamp for XP (that runs perfect) you can not return to OS X. Your OS-X DVD will not restore OS-X and Apple will not help you...

Read more on: http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=432603

The apple store where i'm shopping already advises: use parallels, not bootcamp (to many bugs still that can end your macbook os-x life).



p.s. And yes: we all just followed the manual!

Out of curiosity, did you format it NTFS?

OSX won't format NTFS because it can't write to it, Microsoft won't allow it. You would need it to be at least FAT32.

 

[gadgetgirl85]

Making me think twice about doing this! I dont want to screw my computer up

 

[topgunn]

Making me think twice about doing this! I dont want to screw my computer up

Don't worry about it. The percentage of people who screw up their computers are a very very small group but they are apparently very vocal. Follow the instructions to the T and come here first if you have any problems and you will be OK.

And their computers are not lost forever. They just don't know enough how to fix it. If they come here, we can get it fixed. I hosed my setup after installing Vista (wiped the disk clean after installing Vista and then couldn't reinstall Mac OS X) but with a little research it was back up as good as new sans Vista.

People need to complain less and work more.

 

[jeremy.king]

Darwinism at its finest

1. It's a beta
2. Apple clearly states they won't support it in the manual
3. It's a beta
4. Apple clearly states that a backup should be made before installation in the manual
5. It's a beta.

So you really read the manual?

Just in case you don't know what beta means....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Development_stage#Beta

Moral of the story - the risks are clearly identified in both the manual and the BETA designation of bootcamp.

 

[gadgetgirl85]

As long as if something happens I dont have to throw my computer away that freaks me out! I'm not exactly a computer guru

 

[willybNL]

I read the discussion in the link you provided, and plenty of people are saying that they were able to reinstall OS X from their original install DVD. So where are you getting "Your OS-X DVD will not restore OS-X" from?

My own macbook!!!
The DVD did load, but fails before you can do anything (and yes, this dvd did work perfect before bootcamp).

--

NTFS question: No, FAT32... but the Kernel Panic already was there before i put windows CD inside... it was directly after the partitioning and hitting the reboot button in bootcamp.

--

Just as note: I do know what i'm working with... more than 15 years of related ICT experience..
But many other users do not know, and they will also use bootcamp. Sure, after spending hours of fixing all problems can be fixed as long as the firmware is not totally messed up (and yes, my macbook (at this moment still at an apple store, did boot up using an external drive... but that is just because my shop was very nice to me [a user with a macbook just 14 days old telling it won't do anything anymore will cause reactions in a store of course ].)

And "Just in case you don't know what beta means.... "... makes me smile... NO BETA program up till now (not even from microsoft) made my computer do nothing at all. Actually.... most of the software on my PC is beta... (winVista, office2007, SkypeBeta, etc.etc.etc.).

Kingjr3: tell me... where did you read: Can distroy your mac so that you cant install OS X anymore.

And that people with problems make sounds... yeah: to warn others it can go wrong!
So it's just a moral as kingjr3 tells, only mine is: Think twice... Think 10 times, beware to lose everything and have no support from apple what so ever if something goes wrong.

BootCamp: It's like buying a car, installing a new tire and notice that the car won't open, drive or for that matter do anything anymore... and nobody that will help you fix it.

 

[5683565]

Should be relabeled 'Don't try bootcamp if you don't know what you're doing...'

Reformatting was very easy, you just have to kill the Windows partition manually before you use the OSX restore cds.

 

[JackSYi]

If you really need to restore, you have to run the Boot Camp Assistant and delete the Windows partition. Its really easy.

 

[Subiklim]

BootCamp: It's like buying a car, installing a new tire and notice that the car won't open, drive or for that matter do anything anymore... and nobody that will help you fix it.

This is an idiotic thread. I have boot camp installed on both my systems, and installed it on three other systems (brother's and a friends). I have NEVER had a problem, nor has anyone who's system I've installed it on.

One bad apple out of the thousands does not give you the right to condem boot camp. Sure, let us know about your problem, and if this seems like a common occurance, we may take it into consideration, but it's NOT a common occurance, and you do not have any ground making commments like this.

 

[jeremy.king]

This is an idiotic thread. I have boot camp installed on both my systems, and installed it on three other systems (brother's and a friends). I have NEVER had a problem, nor has anyone who's system I've installed it on.

One bad apple out of the thousands does not give you the right to condem boot camp. Sure, let us know about your problem, and if this seems like a common occurance, we may take it into consideration, but it's NOT a common occurance, and you do not have any ground making commments like this.

I agree. Another noob coming in yelling Fire! Fire!

PS. I have posted to this thread twice....from Windows...on my mac....using Boot Camp.

Too bad I can't get the 10 mins back that I wasted posting/reading this crap.

 

[willybNL]

One bad apple out of the thousands

Did you really read the link? I'm not the only one. I didn't even start the discussion of the link.

But hey... the comparrission with the tire was just for my mac ofcourse (and my feeling after trying to get some help with it), not for all 1000's with bootcamp installed.

But still: the message was just a warning for other people thinking what should i do. It's not something obligated, it's just an advise and it's the same advise all shops over here already gave: don't try bootcamp. Just wait or use parallels. If something goes wrong: you are on your own (+the forums of course).

Reformatting is nice ofcourse... if a DVD could boot. You can't assume we all have external drives etc.
For real: i did not care about data loss or so on my disc... as long as the system came up again.

 

[Mackilroy]

They aren't saying 'Don't try Boot Camp.' That's FUD. I'm typing this post from my XP partition on my MacBook - I've reinstalled XP three times just to make sure I knew exactly what I was doing, and it's worked perfectly every time. I've had no problems running Windows in any way, shape or form, except that I need to add more hard drive space to install more programs.

I'd say: try Boot Camp if you want to play games and run regular programs, try Parallels if you just want to run regular programs. Don't listen to the "boy that cried 'OS-X won't work'!"

*headdesk* I keep seeing these threads about people who have problems with their stuff and automatically assume that it's a huge, widespread problem and will affect everyone.

 

[Bern]

As long as if something happens I dont have to throw my computer away that freaks me out! I'm not exactly a computer guru

The pdf instructions that are included with Bootcamp are very clearly laid out. If you follow them then you will have no issues. Installing XP via Bootcamp has absolutely no bad effect over your Mac. What does screw things up is people assuming they know what they are doing and tweeking around with the installation or simply not following the instructions. What is most likely is these people who are screwing things up have probably used the wrong partition to install XP on. As for the DVD not working after installing XP that could not possibly be something that installing Bootcamp or XP could effect, maybe the DVD itself is just screwed.

Like I said I have XP installed and have done several reinstalls of OS X without effecting the XP partition and have done the same thing in reverse as well. I have no issues. Beta or not Bootcamp does not hose your OS X in any way.

 

[Xander562]

i've had bootcamp installed and it's never given me any problems, just dont try something if you dont know what the hell your doing.

 

[bousozoku]

Should be relabeled 'Don't try bootcamp if you don't know what you're doing...'

Reformatting was very easy, you just have to kill the Windows partition manually before you use the OSX restore cds.

This thread is specific about Bootcamp, but it's typical of beta software. How many people do we have on MacRumors who download the beta of Mac OS X and cry when it doesn't work like a finished version? I'd hate to think about anyone non-technical getting hold of an alpha version of anything.

Better luck next time. Plan, plan, and review your plan before implementing it might save you later, right?

 

[Willis]

moral of the story? dont install windows