Mac 101: Using Windows via Boot Camp with Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard

Run Windows at native speed

Boot Camp supports the 32-bit releases of Microsoft Windows XP with Service Pack 2 and Windows Vista. You can run either operating system on your Mac at native speed--without the performance penalty that comes with software emulation or "virtual machines." Windows applications have full access to multiple processors and multiple cores, accelerated 3D graphics, and high-speed ports and networking such as USB, FireWire, Wi-Fi, and Gigabit Ethernet.

Boot Camp Assistant creates a partition just for Windows XP without erasing your existing Mac OS X information. Boot Camp drivers for Windows are on the Leopard DVD, which allow you to use your Mac's built-in graphics, USB, audio, Bluetooth, Ethernet, AirPort, and more. The drivers are automatically installed after installing Windows when you insert the disc into your Macintosh.

After running Boot Camp and installing Windows XP or Vista, you can switch between Windows and Mac OS X by holding the Option (Alt) key at start up. Or, use the Startup Disk control panel in Windows (installed from the Macintosh Driver CD) or Mac OS X Startup Disk preferences to set the default operating system to use each time the computer starts up.

Requirements

To use Boot Camp, you need:

1. An Intel-based Macintosh computer with a built-in or USB keyboard and a built-in trackpad or USB mouse.
2. Mac OS X 10.5 or later
3. The latest firmware updates available for your Intel-based Mac.
4. At least 10 GB of free space on your startup disk (single partition).
5. A full, single-disc version of Windows Vista, Windows XP Home Edition or Professional with Service Pack 2 or later. Boot Camp does not include Windows. You must provide your own properly licensed installation disc.
   Important: A Windows XP installation disc must include Service Pack 2 (SP2). You cannot install an earlier version of Windows and upgrade to Windows XP, nor install an earlier version of Windows XP and update it to SP2.
6. Boot Camp Assistant (find it installed in /Applications/Utilities/ on Leopard).

Before installing Boot Camp

Before you install, follow these steps:

1. Always backup important data before any software installation.
2. Print the "Boot Camp Installation & Setup Guide" PDF document.
3. Update your Intel-based Mac to the latest version of Mac OS X 10.5. Use Software Update, in the Apple menu to check for the latest software.
4. Download and install the latest firmware updates available for your Mac. Follow the onscreen instructions to complete the firmware installation.  See Firmware updates for Intel-based Macs for more information.

Installing Boot Camp

For specific installation steps, refer to the "Boot Camp Installation & Setup Guide" PDF document that you printed, starting with "Step 2: Running Boot Camp Assistant."