Boot Camp (#6): Using a Windows XP upgrade CD; More on slipstreaming a Windows XP SP2 disc; Use of Control-Alt-Delete; more

Using a Windows XP upgrade CD The Boot Camp installation instructions claim that a valid full Windows XP SP2 disc is required and that upgrade discs cannot be used. However, some users have had success using a Windows XP SP2 upgrade disc by attaching an external optical drive and placing the old (Windows 2000, NT, or other) disc in it.

MacFixIt reader Ovaz writes:

"According to the installation instructions for boot camp you need a full version of Win XP SP2, upgrade version not working because no way to eject the install CD and insert the 'old upgradable' disc for checking.

"This works if you add an external CD-drive via USB and put the 'old upgradable' version of Win 2000, NT, etc. in there. the win installer will recognize this disc and continue with the installation without having to swap the discs."

More on slipstreaming a Windows XP SP2 disc Yesterday we noted a method for slipstreaming the Windows XP SP2 upgrade to a normal Window XP (grafting the update to the original disc to create a full Windows XP SP2 installation).

Today Jorge Padilla offers an easier solution.

"For years now I've used a Windows program called Nlite to slipstream service packs to my original Windows XP installation disc. It also allows you to create unattended setups of computers (quite handy) and also lets incorporate drivers and patches. I haven't tested incorporating the apple drivers, but it should be possible."

Problems when using a non-SP2 disc If you do not use a Windows XP SP2 disc (slipstreamed or regular), you will run into issues after booting into Windows XP, including an inability to install the Apple-provided drivers.

MacFixIt reader William writes:

"I just tried it on the MacBook Pro using a 2002 XP installation disc. I believe it came without SP2.

"Windows runs fine and smoothly. Faced a little problem install the Mac Driver on it -- some files failed and cannot install. Overall I am still able to get the graphic card to work. Resolution is back to 1440 by 900."

Use of Control-Alt-Delete Some Windows XP network setups require use of the Control-Alt-Delete command to login. However, this keyboard combination does not work natively on Apple keyboards because the "Delete" key is mapped to the "Backspace" function. Attaching an external USB keyboard with appropriate keys (separate "backspace" and "delete" keys) should allow the command to work properly.

MacFixit reader Ed Coye  writes:

"I have installed Windows XP without a glitch.  However, when I set it up to connect to our network domain and rebooted, I was presented with the CTRL-ALT-Delete security screen.  Problem is, I can't type CTRL-ALT-Delete. Workaround, use an external keyboard."

UPDATE: You can also use the keyboard combination Control Shift Escape as a substitute for Control Alt Delete on Mac keyboards under Windows XP.

Getting AirPort-connected printers to work We previously reported some issues getting AirPort-connected USB printers to be recognized under Windows XP running via Boot Camp.

MacFixit reader Scott Dingle offers a solution:

"In response to Gerard Lucas' comment about not seeing his printer. You need to go to...Start Menu, Control Panel, Printers. Add new printer, select 'automatically detect..." and uncheck the box. Hit continue. Select a new port called 'TCP/IP', and hit next. For the name, punch in your AirPort's IP address. Hit next. Select your printer's driver (make you sure you already downloaded that) and hit next. Select your printer."

More benchmarks MacFixIt reader Dirk has posted some Cinebench and 3DMark '06 benchmarks, adding to our series of benchmarks from yesterday's report.

Dirk writes:

"I made the two benchmarks on my iMac 20" / 2 GB / 256 MB VRAM. See results for Cinebench and 3DMark06.

"Here is a screenshot of the 3DMark06 results."

Reader reports MacFixIt reader Joe offers a synopsis of his experience with Boot Camp:

"Boot Camp Assistant initially refused to partition my hard drive. I had plenty of space, but I went through and weeded out some unneeded stuff and used Disk Utility to verify the disk (it was fine) and tried again. I don't know why, but it worked the second time and the disk was partitioned.

"My MacBook booted off of my Windows XP Pro OEM disc just fine, it began the installation process...after the painful amount of time it takes for the installer to get all of the items it needs off of the disc and launch Windows Setup - the installer quit and I got the 'Session 3 - Initialization Failed 0x0000006F, etc' blue screen.

"I force quit the computer and started over - it did the same thing twice more (argh, this takes forever, and it hasn't even gotten to the actually installation part yet.) Finally, I read online that some people were having trouble with the computers reading their XP discs and had to use copies. So, I went to my Power Mac, fired up Toast and made a duplicate of my XP disc. Sure enough, it installed like a charm without a single glitch from the clone. So strange.

"Apple's magic driver installation disc worked wonderfully as well. Obviously they need to continue writing drivers for the missing components - but, having had to manually install new hardware into Windows machines before, I was amazed that it went off without a hitch.

"The best part is that XP runs faster on my MacBook than on my design PC at work. Of course, there are no third party products installed yet - but the operating system just plain zippy compared to all other experiences I've had.

"Not having a right-click fallback is just silly - the right-click is very important in Windows. However, thanks to the wonderful person that made the 'Apple Mouse Utility' -- it's a non-issue and control clicking invokes a right click as if the trackpad were a mouse. Why Apple didn't program that in, I don't know."

Feedback? Late-breakers@macfixit.com.

Previous coverage:

• Boot Camp: Questions and Answers; Troubleshooting issues; Benchmarks; more
• Drivers included on the Boot Camp Mac Windows XP drivers CD
• What will not work in Windows XP on an Intel-based Mac
• mac.column.ted: Apple's April Surprise: XP on a Mac!
• Firmware update (required for installing Boot Camp) will not install if previous Windows XP hack was attempted
• Apple announces Boot Camp: Enables Intel-based Macs to Run Windows XP

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