[TXCiclista]

I'm not looking for a how-to just yet. Simply curious if I can do this without too much effort.

I installed Mac OS X (Snow Leopard) on my Mini, but before doing so, I created two partitions. Is it possible to install WinXP on the second patition and set up a dual boot configuration without starting from scratch? I know dual boots are possible, but I'm more interested in whether this would be a difficult process or not (hence the "beginner" question, because if it's not easy, I ain't gonna begin ).

[holmes4]

Yes, it is possible. Visit the Dual Boot section of the forum and look at the Dual Booting Guides.

The primary issue will be that installing XP will make OS X unbootable. One way to fix that is to download and install EasyBCD and set it up to allow selection of the OS X or XP partition.

[ahandlen003]

True what holmes4 said but if you only have 1 partiton with osx on it i believe you have to repartition then reinstall osx then install windows on the second partition.

[rrfranczak3]

Originally Posted by TXCiclista

I installed Mac OS X (Snow Leopard) on my Mini, but before doing so, I created two partitions.

correct but, he said he DID create 2 partitions

[ahandlen003]

Oh haha i must have over looked that thanks for correcting me. SO it is entirely possible.

[afinley92]

I have a question regarding this topic, when I first installed Snow Leopard, I only created one partition. I go into disk utility and select my HD and there is an arrow in the bottom right corner you can drag to resize. if i resize my Startup disk, and format the partition sans SnowLeo,
1. Will it erase my Snow Leopard completely?
2. Could I Install Win7 to the unpartitioned space?
These questions apply if this is even possible.

In other words is there a way to install Win7, on a HD with SnowLeo, without losing everything, with a single partition?

[in00b]

Originally Posted by afinley92

I have a question regarding this topic, when I first installed Snow Leopard, I only created one partition. I go into disk utility and select my HD and there is an arrow in the bottom right corner you can drag to resize. if i resize my Startup disk, and format the partition sans SnowLeo,
1. Will it erase my Snow Leopard completely?
2. Could I Install Win7 to the unpartitioned space?
These questions apply if this is even possible.

In other words is there a way to install Win7, on a HD with SnowLeo, without losing everything, with a single partition?

funny i had the same question

[afinley92]

I was thinking that i could make a time machine backup to my external HD, and then 'start over' and follow a guide on here. but I still don't want to risk losing all my files and data. And plus i've never used time machine, so i have no clue how long it would take to backup 60Gb of Applications and Docs.

[ahandlen003]

As for the one partiton people, as far as i know if you have LEO or SNOW LEO with 1 part. you cannot just create another and install another OS. Now if you were running windows or linux i know for a fact that yes thats entirely possible (you can also search google). As for the start over it depends whether or not ur goin off wifi, LAN, or direct usb. 20gb on wifi usually takes about 2 hours for me so = 6 hours. as for lan its much quicker and usb would be the quickest.

[Side.Step.Society]

Yes, you can just add another partition to your disk via Disk Utility. Heck, you could probably use Boot Camp if you wanted.

I used Disk Utility to create a second partition for Windows 7 on my OS X install, worked brilliant.