Holding option doesn't show previous XOM XP install

[bohrhead]

I had XOM working and then followed the instructions to install the firmware (backing up and restoring the partition table). But when I hold down option, I only see my OS X partition, not XP. I still have to use XOM (by re-blessing) to use XP.

How do I get XP to show up when I press option?

[compufix]

You dont have that option...if YOU want to use XOM, then you need to bless the xom.efi and use the bootloader to select your booting...if you are using BOOTCAMP *THEN* you can use the option key to select....not both.


-Compufix

[bohrhead]

That's what I mean. I don't WANT to use XOM but since pressing option didn't work I had to re-bless my xom and use it instead of Boot Camp. Do I need to start again from scratch to actually use Boot Camp?

Thanks.

[rxcited]

I wanted to reuse my XP partition that I had setup under XOM. I had done something funny to my partition layout originally so I was not able to install the firmware update. So I used Disk Utility to save an image of my OS X volume and my XP FAT32 volume to an external drive. Then I wiped my internal HD and blew the OS X volume back onto it. This restored the necessary GPT partitioning scheme and allowed me to run the firmware update.

I had heard that you needed to allow Boot Camp to do the partitioning if you wanted to use XP. So I ran boot camp which allowed me to conveniently repartition my OS X volume on the fly. I selected an XP volume size of 20 Gb, but you should be okay as long as it is <= 32 Gb for FAT32 support. It prompts you to insert your XP install disk before you get started, then after repartitioning (which is VERY quick by the way), it reboots you into the XP setup (think I had to hold C down, but can't recall). I ran the XP setup selecting the correct partition (this is important, don't choose the wrong one), and let it format it as FAT32. Then I held down the power button to shut the machine down before XP spent too much time copying crap onto the new partition.

At this point if you power up, it tries to boot in your aborted XP installation attempt which of course won't work. So hold down the option key while booting and select OS X. Once you're up and running, run Disk Utility and blow the XP image back onto your new XP Volume. Finally use Startup Disk to select OS X as your default boot volume and that's it.

Next time you reboot, it should boot into OS X by default. Or if you hold down option, it will allow you to choose the XP volume instead. I recommend uninstalling any drivers you might have configured under XOM and rebooting again before installing the Apple XP driver set.

P.S. There was one other little issue I had which I don't think most people will have. The boot.ini file on my XP partition was set to use partition "0" to boot under XOM. This was because of my odd partition arrangement. Under boot camp, it expects partition "3". So if you go through all this and your XP won't boot, then boot in OS X and modify the boot.ini file on the XP volume so that it looks something like this:
[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(3)\WINDOW S
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(3)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /noexecute=optin /fastdetect

[rxcited]

In your case, since you were able to run the firmware update (right?), I assume this means you have the GPT partitioning scheme? I don't know how you are able to boot XOM with GPT, but you can't install the firmware update without it. Anyway, assuming you have GPT, you could try blessing boot.efi (the Apple loader), restart OS X, then try Startup Disk. Maybe this will "bless" the XP volume? If not then the boot camp paritioning must do something special which is required. If so, then the save/restore image technique I outlined above might be required for you too.

[ekellener]

I selected an XP volume size of 20 Gb, but you should be okay as long as it is <= 32 Gb for FAT32 support. It prompts you to insert your XP install disk before you get started, then after repartitioning (which is VERY quick by the way), it reboots you into the XP setup (think I had to hold C down, but can't recall). I ran the XP setup selecting the correct partition (this is important, don't choose the wrong one), and let it format it as FAT32. Then I held down the power button to shut the machine down before XP spent too much time copying crap onto the new partition.


there's no reason this procedure will not work for an NTFS partition?