Installing Win7 as Dual Boot on Mac OSx

.ak · 12-10-2011 10:50am #1

Apologies if this has already been covered, but I did a quick search on the forum and couldn't find anything specifically related.

I own a Macbook Pro (early 2011 i7), and I'm interested in getting Windows 7 and setting it up as a Dual Boot system (mostly just to play the odd game).

My issue is however I am very new to Mac OS, and I have no experience whatsoever on how to do this. I was wondering does anyone know of any decent resource guides, websites, tutorials etc., etc. in regards to this?

Appreciate any help at all really! Thanks in advance.

jujumushu · 12-10-2011 11:31am

Before you do this I would recommend doing a clean install of OS X. Numerous issues occur if you don't. So back your stuff up and erase the disk using disk utility then boot with the installation disk you got with the mac.
Do you have a genuine copy of windows 7?

.ak · 12-10-2011 11:39am

laura-can wrote: »

Before you do this I would recommend doing a clean install of OS X. Numerous issues occur if you don't. So back your stuff up and erase the disk using disk utility then boot with the installation disk you got with the mac.
Do you have a genuine copy of windows 7?

Yep have a gen copy of win7.

Does it make any odds if I just recently bought the mac? Or is it a case of backing up the files just to be safe?

jujumushu · 12-10-2011 11:44am

Well if it's fairly new having a fresh install is less important but when you're doing something like this there is always a chance you'll lose all your work.
Just finding a tutorial for the rest now

Odaise Gaelach · 12-10-2011 11:48am

The software used to dual-boot between OS X and Windows on a Mac is called Boot Camp.

Apple have lots of tutorials and FAQs on their website. It's quite easy to do. Since the process involves resizing partitions I would recommend backing up your data beforehand (but of course you already make regular backups, don't you?)

Good luck with it.

jujumushu · 12-10-2011 11:49am

http://www.simplehelp.net/2009/01/15/using-boot-camp-to-install-windows-7-on-your-mac-the-complete-walkthrough/

This one worked for me

.ak · 12-10-2011 12:09pm

Cheers lads really appreciate the help! Will give them a read over now.

.ak · 12-10-2011 12:48pm

Just one last thing. The tutorial says I need a OsX installation DVD... But I got my mac from the apple refurb store, and I don't recall it coming with a DVD. I could be wrong though... But if I'm not, will this be a problem?

Tallon · 12-10-2011 12:53pm

You deffo should have got a disc, especially from a refurb shop

If not, go back and ask

jujumushu · 12-10-2011 1:19pm

As far as I'm aware the disk is unique to your machine so yeah it's really important

if it's missing ring Apple

.ak · 12-10-2011 2:05pm

Cool, hopefully I just over looked it in the packaging.

Installing Win7 as Dual Boot on Mac OSx

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