04-17-2006, 10:53 AM

Hello,
I'm considering purchasing a MBP and I have a couple questions that I don't think have been answered here yet. Unfortunately I can't make a 100% switch to OSX, which is why I'm considering the MBP setup with a dual boot with XP.

1. When installing XP can you format the drive so that you only have a small partition for the OS itself and then have other "data" partitions where applications are installed and data is stored? Or do you have to estimate the total amount of drive space you'll ever need for that OS and all related programs and files?

2. Can you cross access files? I will be using this machine primarily for web development and I'm curious to know if I'd be able to access files that are cross-OS compatible like .html, .php and image files such as .ai and .psd from either OS in the appropriate programs. When you are in XP can you see the Apple partition and vice-versa?

3. Do all of the networking features work in XP currently? Ie: wired and wireless.

Thanks,
Jay

04-17-2006, 11:37 AM

I have not tried Boot Camp on the MBP as I am running Parallels workstation http://www.parallels.com/, primarily as I must have access to Microsoft Project on my laptop.

Parallels runs WinXP and Project fine so you might also be able to use this rather than installing boot camp if it is only a couple of apps that you need.

04-17-2006, 11:43 AM

1. no you do not need to format if you use the boot camp assistant
if i were doing it like you were, i would install windows on a 10 gb partition then get an external irewire dirve for programs.
2.i do web stuff and im able to share and email php and psd files from windows to mac and they open fine.

3. I am 99 % sure that all the networking works on windows, but i'm not 100% sure..

Hope this helps..
EDIT-X

04-17-2006, 12:17 PM

from os x you can see the windows HD and store data in it etc.. but from xp you cannot see the mac hd. I used fat32 for the xp partition.

04-17-2006, 12:20 PM

true because windows xp can not read os x extended partitions. did you plan on working on your web design stuff from windows or mac?

04-17-2006, 01:59 PM

Originally Posted by EDIT-XTREEM

true because windows xp can not read os x extended partitions. did you plan on working on your web design stuff from windows or mac?

Ok, that makes sense then. I don't know where I'll wind up working more. I'm hoping to eventually phase out the windows requirement totally but somehow I don't see it happening in the near future.

Since OSX can see the windows partition it would make sense to create a data only partition with the XP cd and make it fat32.

Can that be done?

Thanks,
Jay