After releasing Mac OS X, Apple released a nifty tool called Boot Camp that allows Mac users to dual boot their machine and install Microsoft Windows which can run alongside the pre-existing Mac OS X. Before installing Windows, be sure to back up all your data to safeguard your computer from any likely corruption. This is because Boot Camp requires space on your hard drive so it may move files around.
After ensuring that all your software and utilities are fully updated, the very first thing you have to do is to set up Boot Camp. The Boot Camp assistant will effortlessly guide you through the entire setup procedure.
Follow these steps in order to launch the Boot Camp assistant:
- In a Finder window, click on “Applications”, then “Utilities”
- In the Utilities folder, launch “Boot Camp Assistant”
- Click “Continue” to start the installation.
After the installation is complete, the Boot Camp assistant will require you to make a partition on your hard disk and assign a certain portion of it to Windows. Your existing Mac OS X will remain untouched and some space will be created for the new Windows OS by division of the hard disk. In the assistant’s window, you can drag the divider and adjust it, depending on how much space you want to assign to each operating system.
Any space you give to Windows will be deducted from Mac OS’s share. It is important to bear in mind that you will necessarily need to allocate at least 16GB of free space for the installation of Windows 7. When you’re done, click on “Partition”. The process that will follow will require some time as at this point, the data on your hard drive will be re-arranged which is why it’s essential that you back up all your important files beforehand.
After the partitioning is done, your hard disk will be fully equipped to run Windows. All that’s left to do is to install the operating system. You will need a full copy of Windows if you want to proceed.
Follow these steps:
- On your Mac, just insert the Windows Installation disc
- To reboot your computer and begin installing Windows – Click “Start Installation”
- When prompted on whether you want a custom installation, opt for it.
- Go for BOOTCAMP when asked “Where do you want to install Windows?”
- Select the option “Drive Options (advanced)” then choose “Format”
It is important that you follow the above instructions to the last word or you may lose your Mac OS X. At this point, your Windows OS will be installed on your Mac alongside OS X.
But you still need the drivers that you downloaded in one of the steps above. This is to ensure that the hardware of your Mac can fully support the Windows’ display, sound and other features.
Eject the disc and follow these steps:
- Insert the disc or USB stick containing the Windows drivers and open it.
- Double-click on “setup.exe” in the Boot Camp folder.
- Make sure to follow the instructions and reboot your computer after the installation.
You now have both Windows and OS X installed on your Mac. You can choose which OS you want to run at startup by holding down the “Option” key.
Ryan Larkin, a freelance writer, is currently writing on behalf of telcoservicesgroup.net – a site that offers savings and current information on AT&T U Verse and Verizon Fios Deals
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