I'd like to remove Mac OS and install Windows 7

[rightlyso]

Since you asked...

I'll tell you why I'm in this situation.

I'm a Windows user, but a couple of years ago when my brother, who knows less than zero about computers, asked for a recommendation, I bought into the hype and advised him to get a Macbook. I figured that way he wouldn't have to ask me about everything since it's so user friendly.

Turns out he still had a lot of questions, and I couldn't answer them because I don't know anything about Mac OS. What's more, the program he needed most for his business didn't work properly (it requires some kind of terminal emulation).

So this summer I got around to installing a pre-release version of Windows 7 as a virtual OS using Sun Virtual Box. It cost him $0, his terminal emulation program worked, and what's more he stopped asking me questions because he found Windows 7 intuitive.

The pre-release version of Windows 7 will expire some time next year, and it seems to make sense at this point to install Windows using Bootcamp, either as a dual boot or a single boot. Since the Apple hard drive is so small at 120GB, and since he never uses Mac OS, I figured I would try to blow it out of the computer and just install Windows.

I do like the idea of having the option to boot into Mac OS from a USB, but that seems to be of limited usefulness since Mac OS won't be able to access the NTFS hard drive partition. But I guess it would be useful for BIOS updates.

If anyone can point me to (i) a Bootcamp tutorial that shows how to partition the disk as NTFS and (ii) information on installing Mac OS on a USB flash drive, I would be very grateful. I believe he is running whatever came out before Snow Leopard (was it regular Leopard?).

 

[balamw]

It's really not hard to upgrade the HDD in any Macbook/MacBook Pro. You can get a 500 GB drive for $85, add $5 for a Torx T8 screwdriver and $10 for a USB to SATA adapter.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148371
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812816112
http://www.ifixit.com/Tools/T8-Torx-Screwdriver/IF145-003

Of course smaller 250 GB or 320 GB drives would be even cheaper.

Consult the iFixit guides http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Browse/Mac#Section_Mac_Laptops for your particular model.

It's also still not a bad idea to just sell the Mac to someone who wants to run OS X and buy a cheap Windows box with the proceeds. The near Macbook Dell Inspiron 14z is only $699 today, usually $850. http://www.cheapstingybargains.com/...duo-su9400-14ghz-and-high-definition-tl-wled/

If anyone can point me to (i) a Bootcamp tutorial that shows how to partition the disk as NTFS and (ii) information on installing Mac OS on a USB flash drive, I would be very grateful. I believe he is running whatever came out before Snow Leopard (was it regular Leopard?).

(i) Use the Windows 7 install DVD to repartition your drive if you are going all out Windows. Just boot with the Windows CD in the drive, hold down option and boot from the CD. Look at the following section of a Windows 7 guide. During the w7 install delete all partitions and create a new single partition for W7. (The rest of the guide is pretty good too).

http://pcsupport.about.com/od/operatingsystems/ss/windows-7-clean-install-part-1_11.htm

(ii) To install Mac OS on an external USB drive, you'll need to boot from your Mac OS install DVD and select the external USB HDD/flash drive as the target of the install. Links to some guides for 10.4 are below.

http://osxdaily.com/2007/02/26/create-a-portable-mac-os-x-install-on-a-usb-flash-drive/

NOTE: Even with Windows 7 alone you should pick up Snow Leopard for $29 in order to get the Boot Camp 3.x drivers that will "officially" support Windows 7 and your hardware. You're asking for even more trouble in Windows 7 by sicking with the Boot Camp 2.x drivers, especially if you intend to use a 64 bit version of W7.

Do I need to install drivers for Windows too or BootCamp (the third part) will take care of everything?

All you will need is the Windows install DVD and the Mac OS X Snow Leopard install DVD.

The third part of Boot Camp is a Windows installer that contains a package with all of the drivers for Apple hardware. It also comes with Apple Software Update, a program that will periodically look for new drivers as well as iTunes, Quicktime and Safari updates.

Check out the guide: http://manuals.info.apple.com/en/boot_camp_install-setup.pdf especially step 3, page 13.

B

 

[rightlyso]

Thank you, this is just the information I needed but I am confused about one thing. You said:

NOTE: Even with Windows 7 alone you should pick up Snow Leopard for $29 in order to get the Boot Camp 3.x drivers that will "officially" support Windows 7 and your hardware. You're asking for even more trouble in Windows 7 by sicking with the Boot Camp 2.x drivers, especially if you intend to use a 64 bit version of W7. VirtualBox won't require any drivers, but in Boot Camp ou will need them.

B

But if I go with Windows 7 alone, am I using Bootcamp at all or just booting directly from Windows DVD as if it's a Windows machine?

Btw, selling the Macbook (probably to me) would be Plan B.

 

[rightlyso]

One last thing

Would advise 32bit or 64bit version of Windows 7? I was leaning towards 32bit in order to avoid driver hassles, and because the maximum RAM on the machine is 4GB anyhow.

 

[thejadedmonkey]

Would advise 32bit or 64bit version of Windows 7? I was leaning towards 32bit in order to avoid driver hassles, and because the maximum RAM on the machine is 4GB anyhow.

32bit can't use more then 3.3 gigs or RAM (or something like that). Also, the driver issues are mostly gone. Go 64 bit.

 

[balamw]

But if I go with Windows 7 alone, am I using Bootcamp at all or just booting directly from Windows DVD as if it's a Windows machine?

The last part of Boot Camp is all the specialized (and admittedly sometimes crappy) drivers to support the Apple hardware. You don't need them, as the box will be mostly functional without them, but you won't get multitouch on the touchpad, backlight on the keyboard, all the special keys mapped for brightness, media keys etc... without the drivers Boot Camp 3.x (i.e. Snow Leopard) provides.

B

 

[chrono1081]

Windows will boot fine from a USB device with no issue. Use google and you can find out how, instead of posting something you obviously have no clue about.

I have to disagree with that. Did you ever try it? Not only does it not work on every system but to get it to work is a nightmare and involves ways not built in to the OS.

 

[spinedoc77]

Bravo! It's amazing how the immature "mac fanboi's" come out of the woodwork when someone asks a legitimate windows on a mac question.

So "why" did I buy a macbook just to run Win7 on it? I just love the Mac hardware, had a macbook previously and now have a Macbook Air. But I don't like OSx, that's just my opinion, it's not a derogatory statement towards Apple or their OSx, I just personally don't like it.

Honestly I don't know why people take this so personally. We are talking about inanimate tools we use in our work and play, what is there to take personally?

Anyways back to the OP's topic. I have had absolutely zero problems with any driver, I'm quite happy with every single aspect of running Win7 on my Macbook Air.

I can't help but get amused at topics like this and see the replies from some people. Yes, this is an Apple web site talking about Windows but it always gets posts from some that have no idea about the FACTS and just want to post fanboy statements.

Why I say this is because my computer is a tool, a very useful one at that, which does specific tasks I want to achieve. I actually TRIPLE boot my Mac Pro on dedicated drives for the OS I want/need to work in: Apple, Windows and Linux. ALL three have uses and have matured to the point where there is little not to like about any of them. If anyone is old enough to remember the good ole days when working with Unix, DOS and early Apple OS knows what I mean.

We all have likes and dislikes about some OS, but it is mainly cosmetic or not a certain way someone likes to do a task. Windows 7 is a heck of an OS and the dock I find actually more useful than Snow Leopard. It reminds me a lot of the Apple dock with some real useful features. Also, both systems are now 64bit and when you get right down to the nitty gritty there is not much difference now. Windows has come a long way and so has Apple. So it really is not a major issue as to what someone uses anymore as most are not significant enough to really matter.

One last point too is if someone has bought and paid for their items, then they can do with it as they please. But making claims that one OS is vastly superior to the other simply is no longer true with current releases. It's simply a matter of personal choice and what the user want/needs to use.

 

[JoshBoy]

I say leave OSX on there but remove everything else off. As stated you can still get firmware updates through apple plus you have the option of both with only sacrificing a few gig of space (give or take)

I bootcamp windows 7 (i never use just have it there just in case for what ever reason but i really dont like it so basically i do the opposite of what I have recommended to you)

You just never know if apple will come out with something you may want or love, by removing the entire operating system you close those option and have to go through a whole world of hurt if you want it back on. You can set it up so it automatically boots into Windows every time and you won't even notice OSX on there unless you need it.

I use to do the same thing with linux on my PC ages ago before moving over to Macs.

Good luck with your decision dude.

 

[Stridder44]

32bit can't use more then 3.3 gigs or RAM (or something like that). Also, the driver issues are mostly gone. Go 64 bit.

+1

64-bit is the way to go. 32-bit is dead. OK, maybe not quite dead (yet) but dying at an extremely fast rate.

 

[rightlyso]

No audio

I can't get the audio (internal speakers) to work. If anyone knows about this issue please let me know.

 

[Thunderbird]

What does it matter. Perhaps he's sick of Safari and Flash,

I thought they fixed that.

 

[ildondeigiocchi]

I can't get the audio (internal speakers) to work. If anyone knows about this issue please let me know.

Did you install the drivers from the SL disk. If you did and they don't work, uninstall them and go online and download the most recent version of the Realtek Audio Driver.

 

[rightlyso]

Did you install the drivers from the SL disk. If you did and they don't work, uninstall them and go online and download the most recent version of the Realtek Audio Driver.

I installed the drivers from Leopard install disk. I do not have snow leopard. How do I identify whether the audio chip is Realtek rather than Sigma or something else? Can I get working drivers off the Leopard install disk (Realtek website does not appear to be working for me)?

 

[ildondeigiocchi]

I installed the drivers from Leopard install disk. I do not have snow leopard. How do I identify whether the audio chip is Realtek rather than Sigma or something else? Can I get working drivers off the Leopard install disk (Realtek website does not appear to be working for me)?

Check in your Control Panel. You'll see either of two.

 

[roadbloc]

Yes it's possible. But here is the kicker, why would you do that? (or want to)

To browse the web in Internet Explorer.

 

[rightlyso]

Check in your Control Panel. You'll see either of two.

Are you referring to the Leopard Control Panel? All I see under System Preferences--Hardware--Sound are three tabs: Sound Effects, Output and Input. No where does it say anything about the sound chip, as far as I know.

 

[ildondeigiocchi]

Are you referring to the Leopard Control Panel? All I see under System Preferences--Hardware--Sound are three tabs: Sound Effects, Output and Input. No where does it say anything about the sound chip, as far as I know.

Nope in your Windows 7 Control Panel. You will see it there.