Boot camp
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Boot Camp, tentatively named, is a software assistant made available by Apple Computer that assists users in installing Microsoft Windows XP (Service Pack 2 only, both Home or Professional Edition) on Intel-based Macintosh computers. Boot Camp guides users through non-destructive re-partitioning (including resizing of existing partitions, if necessary) of their hard drives and creating a CD image with device drivers for Windows XP. In addition to device drivers for the hardware, the CD includes a Windows control panel for setting the primary operating system.
Boot Camp is not a virtualization tool, which would allow the Windows and Mac OS X operating systems to run concurrently; instead, the computer must be rebooted to use either operating system. The boot manager included with all Intel-based Macs allows for selection of operating systems.
Boot Camp requires that users upgrade the firmware on early Intel-based Macintosh computers to the latest version, which includes the boot-loader and BIOS compatibility module required to get the EFI based machines to boot legacy operating systems.
Apple does not officially support Boot Camp or Windows at this time nor does it sell copies of Windows XP at its stores. In many instances, Mac OS X can simply be reinstalled to fix issues that may arise.
The technology is currently beta but scheduled for inclusion in Mac OS X v10.5, "Leopard", set to be first unveiled at WWDC 2006. The name Boot Camp may also change by that time.
Requirements
- Mac OS X Tiger v10.4.6
- 10GB free hard disk space
- An Intel-based Mac with up-to-date firmware
- An available writable CD or DVD
- A Windows XP Service Pack 2 installation disc and unique key/license; Home or Professional (No multi-disc, upgrade or Media Center versions). It seems to be possible to install XP using a Service Pack 1 disc; however, some drivers will not install.
Unsupported devices
According to the FAQ published by Apple, the driver disk created by Boot Camp allows Windows XP hardware support for the majority of a Mac's system components, but it does not currently support the following:
- Built-in iSight cameras
- Apple's Bluetooth wireless keyboard or mouse
- Apple Remote
- Apple USB Modem
- Keyboard backlighting on MacBook Pro
- Sudden motion sensor in MacBook Pro and MacBook
References
See also
External links
- [Boot Camp]
- [3DMark Benchmarks] early 3DMark benchmarks from Macologist
- [Boot Camp Turns Your Mac Into a Reliable Windows PC] - Walter Mossberg, The Wall Street Journal
- [Summary of the Windows XP Install process and video of an iMac running Half Life 2]
- [PC World Article On Boot Camp Beta]
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