Newbie help - Boot Camp / XP / can't get into OS X

[Keirdre]

Hello, new iMac owner here.

I tried to install Boot Camp this afternoon, and I managed to install XP. But now XP starts up automatically, and doesn't give me the option to boot into OS X.

Also, the Mac drivers didn't seem to work, as my wireless keyboard is useless in XP.

I tried to use the Mac disks to reinstall the operating system (it's still fresh, all data is backed up) but XP just boots regardless.

What can I do to get OS X back?

Thanks in advance, I'm a bit new with all this stuff, and should have just left it alone and enjoyed OS X.

Cheers,
Keir

 

[adrianblaine]

Hold the "alt/option" key at boot up.

Also, in system preferences, there is an option called startup disk. choose which partition to boot from.

The Apple Bluetooth keyboard is horrible with XP. you'll have to live with it or get a wired keyboard...

 

[crazzyeddie]

You should always read directions completely before installing software, especially beta software such as Boot Camp. The Boot Camp instructions tell you that Bluetooth keyboards are not supported and also tells you that you use option to bring up the boot manager.

If you want to boot into OS X by default (boot into Windows only when holding down option) then you need to change the setting in the Windows Startup Disk control panel. Again, the instructions tell you how to do that.

 

[Keirdre]

You should always read directions completely before installing software, especially beta software such as Boot Camp. The Boot Camp instructions tell you that Bluetooth keyboards are not supported and also tells you that you use option to bring up the boot manager.

If you want to boot into OS X by default (boot into Windows only when holding down option) then you need to change the setting in the Windows Startup Disk control panel. Again, the instructions tell you how to do that.

Thanks, and you're right, I should have done. I read the first part of the instructions and stupidly assumed that the program would drip feed me the rest.

Amateur mistake, thanks for your help, much appreciated

Are there no drivers at all for the wireless keyboard?

 

[killmoms]

Dunno about the iMac's Bluetooth module, but my Wireless Apple Mouse and Keyboard seem to work fine in XP with my Mac Pro. The extra keys aren't supported though (volume/eject). I'd imagine that'll be ironed out in the final product that ships w/ Leopard.

 

[shopkeeper]

If you want to boot into OS X by default (boot into Windows only when holding down option) then you need to change the setting in the Windows Startup Disk control panel..

Could anyone please tell me how exactly to get to the 'Windows Startup Disk control panel' in XP. I am a complete newbie ,especially in Windows, and cant find where to change the boot-up options. Thanks.

 

[balamw]

Could anyone please tell me how exactly to get to the 'Windows Startup Disk control panel' in XP. I am a complete newbie ,especially in Windows, and cant find where to change the boot-up options. Thanks.

Click Start -> Control Panel (on the right hand side ~ middle) -> Startup Disk.

You might have to change your Control Panel over to "Classic View" first using the link on the left of the panel.

B

 

[shopkeeper]

Click Start -> Control Panel (on the right hand side ~ middle) -> Startup Disk.

You might have to change your Control Panel over to "Classic View" first using the link on the left of the panel.

B

Thanks for your help.

If you only have XP installed how do you completely erase it from the harddrive so I can re-install OSX. When I put the OSX install disc into the drive,it doesnt seem to first access it to begin an installation before XP begins to startup.

I would like to start completely afresh. Format the harddrive, install OSX and then Windows XP. Can someone please suggest how I would go about doing this with XP only on my mac. Thanks

 

[Golfer00ksu]

Thanks!

Hold the "alt/option" key at boot up.

Also, in system preferences, there is an option called startup disk. choose which partition to boot from.

The Apple Bluetooth keyboard is horrible with XP. you'll have to live with it or get a wired keyboard...

I really appreciate your advice on this reply. Two years later it saved me hours tonight on installing XP. Thanks for taking the time to actually respond to a thread rather than criticize everyone that comes on macrumors looking for help.

 

[applepod124]

why bump a 2-year old thread to say "thanks" ?