How to Play Windows Games on a Mac Using Boot Camp

If you have an Intel based Mac, you have it all. Not only do you have a top-of-the-line computer, you also have the ability to play PC games on your Mac. It's a dream come true for Mac-loyal gamers everywhere. So go ahead and recycle your game-only PC--you don't need it anymore.

Things You'll Need

• Intel-based iMac or MacBook Pro
• Boot Camp
• Windows XP
• Blank CD

Instructions

1. Purchase Mac OS X 10.5 (see Resources below). Boot Camp is included.

2. Install Mac OS X 10.5 with Boot Camp. To install the new OS, insert the DVD into the combo drive on your Mac. Click "Install." This may take over an hour.

3. Open Boot Camp. It will prompt you to "Burn a Macintosh Drivers CD." If you don't already have one, burn one by putting a blank CD into your Mac's combo drive and clicking "Burn."

4. Partition your hard drive. Boot Camp will ask you how much space you want on your hard drive for Mac OS and how much space you want for Windows. It essentially splits your hard drive into two. To do this, slide the divider to change the size of each hard drive. Remember the amount of space you give Windows XP is proportional to what you want to use it for. After partitioning is done Boot Camp is ready to install Windows.

5. Install Windows XP. Insert the Windows XP disk into your Mac's combo drive and click "Start Installation." A blue setup screen will appear. Press "Return" on your keyboard to setup Windows XP and agree to Windows XP terms and conditions.

6. Partition your hard drive again. Be sure to choose the correct partition for Windows XP; it should match the size you set aside in Boot Camp. However, in Boot Camp the size was in GB and in Windows it will be in MB. This is simple to figure out: 10 GB is equal to about 1000 MB. Choose the "Full FAT" formatting option.

7. Verify your version of Windows XP with your product key.

8. Install the "Drivers for Macintosh" CD. Insert the CD into your Mac's combo drive and double click on it. When an installation window appears, click "Next." If Windows warns you that something is incompatible, ignore the message and click "Continue Anyway." Click "Finish" when it is done.

9. Restart your Mac with Windows XP. Click "Reboot Now." While rebooting hold down the "Option" key on your keyboard. It will give you the choice between Mac OS and Windows XP. Use the arrow keys to highlight "Windows XP" and click "Return." You are now running Windows, and can install any Windows software onto your Mac.

10. Install a PC game, and play it as normal.

Tips & Warnings

• Remember, in order for the PC game to be playable on your Mac, you must be running your Windows OS.

Resources

• Visit the Apple Store to get Boot Camp on your Mac.