Another great comic from Joyoftech

Flowers in our balcony

Install Windows Vista on an iMac

I installed Windows Vista on my iMac yesterday. There are some difficulties, but the results in the end are pretty impresive. Now let me answer the most obvious question first. Why should someone install Vista on an iMac ?. Hardcore Mac fans may not like it. I am big fan of Mac, but that doesn't mean I should keep a closed mind. As someone working in the IT field, I guess it makes sense to try out new things. More on my review of Vista later. Lets get in to the installation procedure now.

There are two solutions available. One is using 'Parallels Desktop for Mac'. I would'nt recommend this as Parelles not support Vista properly just yet. You can expect it with their next release. I choose the method using Bootcamp.

What you need : Bootcamp 1.1.2, Windows Vista installtion disc.(genuine or not , thats up to you :-))).

After u install bootcamp, start the bootcamp assistant. It will instruct you to create a driver CD for windows. You will need it later so go ahead and do it. The next step is creating a windows parition. This may bring some errors if you have some huge files (>1 GB) on your harddrive. Bootcamp may tell u the partition can't be done as it can't move some files. The solution is to remove those huge files if u don't need them or back it up on a DVD or an external harddrive. This is a bootcamp problem, so don't hate Vista for it. :-)) If u continue to get the same error, then u can also try a defragmentation using iDefrag.

I created a 25GB partition. Vista needs about 9-9.5 GB. After creating the partition, Vista will ask you to proceed with the installation. It's not a good idea to use a wireless keyboard and mouse as Bluetooth does not work out of the box. Use a USB keyboard and mouse instead. Put in the Vista installation disc, wait for it to mount and proceed. iMac will reboot and it starts the Vista Setup. If at this point, your iMac does not recognize your installation disc then reboot your Mac and press 'Alt' during the boot up process. It will read from the disc and start the installation.

I am not going to explain the vista installation process as it is really simple and straight forward. Not much user interaction is needed so you may as well go for a coffee :-). It took me about 30 minutes. Once the installation is finished, it will guide u through some settings (creating a user name and analysing your machine for performance etc). That's it!!!. You have now Vista on your iMac including Aero and networking. Here is a picture.

Most of your devices works except some. This will depend on the kind of iMac you have. But it can be solved. I am assuming you are familiar with Windows OS. These devices were marked with conflict on mine.

Apple Built in iSight.
Bluetooth.
Audio.

This is where the driver CD you created comes handy. Create a folder on your Desktop. Name it what ever you want. For eg:-"Drivers". Copy the file "Install Macintosh Drivers for Windows XP.exe" in to this directory. Now launch the command line by typing 'cmd' on to the search box on the start menu and click on the result. Do the following.

CD Desktop/Drivers
"Install Macintosh Drivers for Windows XP" /A /v

Accept the security dialog. This will extract the drivers in to the directory "Drivers". Launch the "Device Manager"by using the search box. Click on the conflicting devices and choose update driver. Navigate to the drivers directory and then to the directory "Macintosh Drivers for Windows XP 1.1.2". Remember to select the option "include sub directories". This will resolve the conflicting devices. You may have to play with Bluetooth a bit longer but eventually it works. Once it does, you can use your bluetooth keyboard and mouse. The only remaining device I had was "Performance Counters". It doesn't matter I guess. Everything else works fine. Well Done !!! You have a flying Windows Vista on your iMac now. Here are some screenshots.