FAQs

Can I install Windows XP on my Intel Macintosh? Currently, you can install BootCamp but you will be doing so at your own risk. Leopard includes it as part of the Apple operating system.

ITCS has a site license for Windows XP and can install it onto your Intel Mac (no PowerPCs). The Windows XP install will include all the normal software installations that are put on a regular Windows XP installation on a PC. However, once this part is completed, at this time, ITCS will do its best to support it.

How do I select which side to use at startup? Hold down the Option key at startup, or use the BootCamp control panel on the Windows side, or on the Mac side, go to Apple menu>System Preferences>Startup Disk.

How do I set which system starts up by default? In OS X, go to Apple menu>System Preferences>Startup Disk and select the system. In Windows XP, click the Boot Camp system tray item and choose the Boot Camp Control panel. Select the startup disk there. Holding down the Option key should not change the default startup disk.

Will my one button mouse work? Yes, but its recommended you use a mighty mouse or any 2-button USB for better compatibility with Windows.

Do I have to reboot each time? Can't I run the systems side-by-side? No. You are running what's called a "dual-boot system". Basically two machines in one.

Do I need to run the Windows updates? I run them on the Mac side. No. Windows is managed by ITCS. You must log into the network with your PirateID/password via an ethernet cord at least once a month. Group policies will update your machine for you.

I use the trackpad on my laptop. How do I right-click? Using a trackpad, place two fingers on the trackpad and click the trackpad button.

My laptop doesn't have a CTRL key? How do I log in? Mac laptops have a combined keyboard. Use fn+control+alt. Other keyboards should have a control and apple key. Use those in combination with the delete key.

How do I use Windows keys on an Apple Keyboard? Apple explains here.

I have an Apple keyboard. What's the difference between it and a Windows keyboard? Apple explains that here.

I'm on the Mac side and I can go through the Windows files. Why is that? This is a result of formatting. Please be advised that any information you save on the Windows partition is visible and accessible by anyone logging into your machine. ITCS recommends that you do NOT save any data on the Windows partition.

Can I get a virus? Will it affect the Mac side? Running Windows XP on your Mac will subject your Mac to the same attacks that plague the Windows world. Be aware of how to detect viruses, malware and spy ware before installing XP. And, yes, if you get a virus that destroys data, the Mac side can be affected.

Does it matter what hard drive format I use on the Windows side? Yes! Mac OS X can read and write to FAT volumes, but only read NTFS volumes. If the partition is 32GB or smaller, you can use either format but if its larger, or you're installing VISTA, then it has to be NTFS. The Windows side cannot see any Mac files. To transfer files, we recommend using your PirateDrive which is accessible by both sides.

I'm not used to the Windows side. What if I mess something up? If you suspect you might have trouble with Windows XP, you can use System Restore in Windows XP. It takes a snapshot of your system’s configuration at regular intervals. Go to Start>All Programs>Accessories>System Tools>System Restore and follow it’s directions. Do this BEFORE you start working in Windows.

I use iTunes on my Mac side. Do they transfer to the Windows side? No. iTunes must be authorized on the Windows side. iTunes sees the Mac partition and the Windows partition as two different machines.

How do I eject a CD or DVD on the Windows side? You can press and hold the Eject key on the keyboard until the symbol appears on the screen. However, this only works after you've installed the Boot Camp drivers. You must also be logged in to Windows to use the Eject key. If your keyboard doesn't have an Eject key, you can use Windows Explorer. Just select the disc and click Eject.

I don't like Windows. How do I delete it? This depends on whether you installed it on the same disk as your Mac or on a separate internal disk. Start up in OS X, quit all applications and launch /Applications/Utilities/Boot Camp Assistant. Select "Create or remove a Windows partition" and click "Continue". If Windows is on the same disk, click "Restore". If its on an internal disk, select "Restore to a single Mac OS partition" and click Continue.

Can I install Boot Camp on my external drive and use that instead? No. Windows XP requires its own partition on your computer's internal startup disk.