iMac - Bootcamp needed to startup in Windows?

[ARRAYEWHY]

I just got my iMac and installed VMware Fusion running Window 7. I tried to boot up in Windows 7 by doing the hold-down-Alt-key method but it didn't happen. I can only run Windows through VMware Fusion right now.

Do I need Bootcamp to do this?

 

[Nyy8]

Yes, you need to install Bootcamp though the "Bootcamp assistant". Go To Applications>Utilities>Bootcamp assistant. Here you will "install" windows on a separate partition on the hard drive. Make sure to have your OS Install disk ready, and if you used a .ISO you can install it from a USB drive.

 

[ARRAYEWHY]

Thanks for the quick reply. Could I just install Bootcamp over the Windows 7 that I'm running with VMware Fusion instead or reinstalling? There are some programs that I'd have to redownload and install if I did.

 

[Stooby Mcdoobie]

Thanks for the quick reply. Could I just install Bootcamp over the Windows 7 that I'm running with VMware Fusion instead or reinstalling? There are some programs that I'd have to redownload and install if I did.

No; that's not possible. You might benefit from reading this, as it appears you're confused about native boot vs virtual machines. You can't natively boot into the VM you created with VMWare. You can, however, create a BC partition, install Windows, then use VMWare to virtualize the partition - this will allow you to "option boot" into Windows or access via VMWare while in OS X (which is the setup it sounds like you're trying to achieve).