How to Add Mac OS X to Bootloader

Adding Mac OS X to a bootloader is relatively simple.

The bootloader is a computer program that is executed before the operating system starts. It is responsible for testing the hardware and starting the operating system on personal computers, laptops, smart phones and other similar systems. A bootloader typically boots a single operating system. However, if you want to boot Mac OS X together with another operating system, you need to modify the bootloader using a chain0 file.

Instructions

Add Mac OS X to XP Bootloader

1. Start your computer and extract the "chain0.rar" archive somewhere on your hard disk drive. Copy the resulting "chain0" file to "C:\."

2. Start Windows Explorer, go to "Tools" and select "Folder Options." Go to the "View" tab and check the "Show hidden files and folders" option. Deselect "Hide protected operating system files" in the same tab.

3. Use Windows Explorer to go to "C:\" and you will see a file named "boot.ini." Right-click on this file and select "Properties." Uncheck the "Read Only" option.

4. Double-click the "boot.ini" file to open it. Because it is a text file, it opens in Notepad by default.

5. Add this line under the last line of the file:

   C:\chain0="OSx86"

   This adds Mac OS X to the Windows XP bootloader. Restart your computer. You can now select which operating system to boot, Mac OS X or XP.

Add Mac OS X to Vista Bootloader

1. Start your computer and extract the "chain0.rar" archive anywhere on your hard disk drive. Copy the resulting "chain0" file to "C:\."

2. Go to "Start," type "cmd" in the Run box, right-click on "cmd.exe" and select "Run as Administrator." The command prompt opens.

3. Type these commands in the command prompt and press "Enter" after each one:

   bcdedit /copy {current} /d “Mac OS X”
   bcdedit /enum active

   The second command displays a list. Copy the alphanumeric GUID you see under "MAC OS X." Replace "enter_GUID" in the following command with the alphanumeric GUID you just copied:

   bcdedit /set enter_GUID PATH \chain0

4. Close the command prompt and restart your computer. Before Vista boots, you'll see a screen that allows you to select which operating system to run, Mac OS X or Vista.

References

• OSx86 Project: Install On A Partition Simple And Accurate

Resources

• Riccardo.raneri.it: Chain0
• Apple: OS X Lion
• Microsoft Support: How to Edit the Boot.ini File in Windows XP