[Snagtooth]

Is this a bad idea?

Here's my problem - I have my Mini 9 setup running the Hackintosh and it works fine. Got my iTunes on there with my music, movies, etc and some other Mac exclusive apps that I enjoy using. However, I would really like to use my Mini to control my Meade ETX-125PE telescope using Meade Autostar software or an equivalent. Problem is, a lot of the astronomy stuff is Windows specific, including Autostar. Since I had hoped to keep my OSX stuff, I had thought about trying to install a working copy of XP or Win7 to a 16gb Patriot XT usb stick, boot from it and run the astro specific stuff from it as needed. I think I tried installing Starry Night for OSX, but if I recall it failed due to requiring 1024x768 resolution.

However, after lots of googling and reading - I see conflicting reports on whether this is possible or even advisable. In fact, one post claimed this would kill the flash drive after so many writes by the operating system. The whole thing has me questioning if it is time to wipe the drive and install Windows to it or try to figure out if a Mac compatible astronomy app would work on the mini and also control the scope like Autostar would. My over goal here is making things easy in the longterm (overall use of netbook with telescope, internet use, etc.) If that means OSX needs to go, I guess I may have to swallow that and figure out how to migrate my iTunes library over to the desktop PC and live without the few apps I enjoyed.

Ack!! Help un-confuse this boggled head of mine!

[lauriem04]

How big is your SSD? Do you have enough space to dual boot?

Edit: NM - just saw 64 GB RunCore in your signature.

[Snagtooth]

Yeah, I've toyed with dual-boot, but to do that now would amount to about the same amount of effort going full win7 which gives me the most flexibility on the astronomy software side.

I found a few Mac Astro Apps that might work, just need to confirm if the resolution is going to be a pain in the butt. It would be ideal if one of these just works and then I can control the scope via bluetooth and keep the mini as it is now. Decisions, decisions...

[gordon.jackson]

I'm in the same boat,
Just bought a Runcore 64Gb and spent all weekend trying to sort dual booting.

Up until now I have had Windows on the 16GB SSD and installed OSX to a portable hard drive.
I now want it the other way and have installed OSX onto the new SSD and fancy the idea of Windows running of a USB Stick or something.
I'm sure it's possible as I've achieved it the other way round!
Just wondered how you ended up??

Gordon

[Bern.Von.Hudg]

yea im stuck right now trying to figure out how to create a windows xp .img file to write to my usb. i have a xp iso just not sure how to convert it. I'm using UNR right now and its the only OS on my hd. i want to take it off completely and install xp via usb