[CTeditor]

Damn I thought I had it there for second. I'm probably making all sorts of noob mistakes here. I realised the Windows partition was not formatted as MS DOS Fat 32, or whatever, so I did that and renamed it BOOTCAMP (it was Windows XP Pro before) which must be why bootcamp wouldn't do anything cos this time it started working
But of course came to that same place saying Partition1 unkown.
SO, I'm starting over Again and try out the tutorial that Ben found, we'll see how this one goes

[Pelle-Plutt]

@CTeditor:
If you choose to erase and re-install OSX, I would suggest that you partion your drive into two partions (one for OSX and the other for BootCamp) before you install OSX.
Next, when you start up BootCamp Assistant you will get the option to install Win XP and bypass the need to re-partion your drive.

I installed Win XP this way not long ago because BootCamp Assistant couldn't partion my drive (something about not being able to move some files). It worked great.

I forgot to mention that the BootCamp drive must be formatted as FAT32 when you partion your drive. Did you do this?

[CTeditor]

I don't think so, can you tell me the exact steps to take when partitioning before installing OS X? at least that way I won't skip or miss anything

Starting from disk utility, I've got the Mac HD ready to partition and have not installed OS X yet

[CTeditor]

The tutorial that Ben put in earlier says to make 1 partition. Wouldn't that mean you can only run from 1 OS? I mean does that guy only use Windows Vista? Or am I missing something here

My understanding is you need 2 partitions, one for OS X and the other for XP or Vista

So I've been booting from the install DVD partitioning 2 drives 1: MAC HD 560GB+ and formatted as MAC OS Extended (journaled). 2: BOOTCAMP 32GB formatted as MS-DOS (FAT32)
Then I install OS X, start Bootcamp assistant and click install windows. Once again I get to the drive select with Partition1 (unknown) thankfully this time I can get back to OS X restarting and holding option

So whats wrong with that sequence?
You guys have been so helpful this far, I wouldn't have gotten anywhere without you. Please don't fail me now

[Dylstra]

Now I don't know, but maybe Bootcamp will only work if it itself is first used to create a partition. That would explain, to me at least, why the tutorial says to make one partition and why Bootcamp can only find one partition.

[CTeditor]

Yes I thought that before too. But the same thing is happening whether bootcamp created the partition or not. I used bootcamp the first time to make the partition, and when I made the partition without using bootcamp, it is still recognised as long as it is called BOOTCAMP, but the same thing happens either way

[Ben_]

CTeditor, are you using a Windows XP with SP2 installer disk? You need to have a full installer disk (not upgrade disk) with at least SP2 already included.

I'm not sure if this would cause the problem you are having but it's worth considering. I have read about people who have had major problems when they tried to use a disk that didn't have SP2. If you don't have a SP2 disk then let us know, I can give you instructions on how to slipstream service pack 2 and burn a new installer disk that includes it.

[CTeditor]

its an XP Pro disk that my friend used to put windows on his macbook

I have SP2 as well but thats in 3 discs which is what the problem was the very first time i tried a few months back

[Ben_]

Sorry, but I'm running out of ideas unfortunately. I found a big thread about the problem here but not mention of a solution. It seems like it is some random hardware quirk.

The only thing I can suggest is to give rEFIt a go. I have never used this so I have no idea how well it works or if it can help with your problem.

[CTeditor]

I really hope it isn't a hardware problem, I just had faulty Ram replaced and that took nearly 3 weeks

Coaten suggested the rEFIT as well but also said he would not be responsible for losing my entire system if I did, so I don't think I wanna trust rEFIT

Maybe I can try the original SP2 disks I have, you mentioned slipstreaming and burning?


p.s. Farout that forum you found is nuts, so many people with the exact same problem, and no solution

[CTeditor]

I concede Defeat and humility
After reading through the thread above, there is a link that shows how to tell if a windows disk actually does contain SP2
here > http://forums.macnn.com/109/alternative-os...-disc-how-tell/ (I don't know put hyperlinks in here sorry)
Turns out the disks I have despite what my friend told me... Do not

damn you Joel!

So now to slipstream, and if that works I'll say thats the solution, it seems to be the case on that thread I think

[Ben_]

OK, now we're getting somewhere!

Slipstreaming isn't easy, and unfortunately you need to use a windows PC to do it. So if you don't have one, Joel can make up for causing you all of this grief by booting up in windows on his macbook!

The most user friendly guide I have found is here. The only problem is that it is a bit old and refers to using an old version of Nero to burn the disk with. If you don't have Nero, you can use the free program ImgBurn.

There are some other instructions here which describe slipstreaming with ImgBurn. They aren't as userfriendly but should help you when it comes to burning.

Good luck!

P.S. If you want to insert hyperlinks into your posts, just highlight the text you want to attach the link to and click the green button with the little plus symbol on it, to the right of the emoticon button and below the fonts drop down on the posting toolbar. Then paste the link into the box.

[Ben_]

Actually, forget the link for the second lot of instructions above for using ImgBurn, the ImgBurn forums have a guide on the whole slipstreaming process. I still think you should refer to the first link (Paul Thurrott's site) for the actual slipstreaming process, but there is a great tutorial which should help you burn it with ImgBurn here.

[CTeditor]

Brilliant! Thanks for all the info Ben
I'm on the family PC so I should be able to slipstream from here. I shall get to work on that and report back hopefully with some Bootcamp success

[CTeditor]

Success people Success!
I ended up using these sites
and after a few attempts I got it going following the intstructions in the Bootcamp user manual

Slipstreaming
and
Burning
You guys are legends for all the help and info, thanks a lot!

If anyone else has this problem, I'm sure they will, refer them to this link
Does your disk REALLY contain SP2?

Once again thanks

[Ben_]

Fantastic! I'm glad to hear you got it working! Have fun setting up Windows. And thanks for reporting on what worked for you, it might help someone else in the future.

By the way, the last link you refer to (does your disk contain SP2) doesn't work.

[CTeditor]

hmm I'll try again

Does your disk REALLY contain SP2

[Ben_]

hmm I'll try again

Does your disk REALLY contain SP2

That seemed to work.

Cheers.

[joanne]

Please could you tell me how you resolved my problem. I am unable to access the MAC OS after an unsuccessful Widnows XP installation and don't know what to do next.

[Ken Gracey]

Welcome to the forums joanne, when you say you cant access MaOs, do you mean you cant get it to boot into anything other than Windows, or is the actual Mac not booting up at all ?





TL