How to Turn My Windows XP 64 Bit Edition Into a Mac
As much as Microsoft would hate to admit this, there are some things you just can't do in Windows. For instance, some of the most advanced digital studio applications (like Final Cut Pro and Logic Studio) only work on a Mac. For those who can't justify the expense of purchasing a Mac, however, there is an alternative. Since OS X now runs on Intel-based architecture, it is possible to utilize the operating system on non-Apple hardware.
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Things You'll Need
- Intel-based PC running WIndows XP or later.
- Blank CD/R
- USB drive
- Retail OS/X Version 10.5.6 Installation DVD
- Boot-132 Generic ISO (see Resources)
- Chameleon for Hard Disk software on a USB Drive (see Resources)
- ISORecorder (see Resources)
Instructions
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Prepare the Boot CD
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1
Download the ISORecorder application and install it on the Windows XP computer. Download the Chameleon bootloader application and move it to the USB Drive.
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2
Download the Boot-132 Generic ISO file.
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3
Open Windows Explorer and navigate to the folder containing the Boot-132 Genric ISO. Right click the Boot-132 ISO file and select "Record to CD" to open the ISORecorder application.
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4
Click "Burn" and place the blank CD/R in the disc drive to begin burning the ISO file. ISORecorder will eject the disk when the burn process is complete. The Boot-132 boot CD is now ready for use.
Boot Into OS/X
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5
Shut down the computer. Place the Boot-132 boot CD in the disc drive and boot up the machine again.
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Press the "Enter" key at the first boot prompt to proceed.
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Eject the Boot-132 CD immediately and replace it with the Leopard Retail Installation DVD. Do not enter anything when prompted for a hexadecimal value until the Leopard Installation DVD is safely in the drive.
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8
Press the "Enter" key once the Leopard Installation DVD is safely in the drive. The computer will now be able to boot from the Leopard DVD and begin the OS/X installation process.
Install OS/X
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9
Select "Disk Utility" from the "Utilities" menu at the welcome screen.
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10
Select the computer's hard drive from the list. Choose the "Format" option, selecting "Mac OS Extended (Journaled)" from the pull down menu.
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Select "Quit Disk Utility" from the "Disk Utility" menu when the format is complete.
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Click the "Continue" button to proceed. Click the "Agree" button at the licensing agreement screen.
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Select the Mac OS formatted drive and click "Continue" to begin the installation. This process may take some time to complete.
Reboot Using Boot CD
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14
Remove the Leopard Installation DVD and insert the Boot-132 Generic Boot CD once the OS/X installation is complete. Reboot the computer.
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15
Press "Enter" at the initial boot prompt as in the previous boot. Type "80" (without quotes) at the second boot prompt and press the "Enter" key to proceed.
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16
Choose the OS/X hard disk and press the "Enter" key to complete the reboot process. You will now be running Leopard.
Install Chameleon Bootloader
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17
Insert the USB drive containing the Chameleon bootloader once Leopard has finished booting up.
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18
Navigate to the USB drive in Finder. Open the Chameleon bootloader disk image to begin the installation.
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Follow all the on-screen prompts to install the Chameleon bootloader. Leopard will now be able to boot without the Boot-132 Generic Boot CD.
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Tips & Warnings
Having access to a computer with Internet access when attempting this installation is highly recommended. Consult relevant forum communities (see Resources) to obtain information and/or help concerning your specific hardware configuration before installing Leopard.
Though unlikely, it is possible that some hardware and/or software may not function properly in the resulting operating system without the use of third party kernel extensions. Consequently, you undertake this endeavor at your own risk.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit keyboard and mouse. image by red2000 from Fotolia.com
