Winner announced in Windows XP on Intel Mac contest
A contest aimed at developing a solution that would allow owner's of Apple Computer's new Intel-based Macs to run both Apple's Mac OS X and Mircrosoft's Windows XP operating systems natively on their computers appears to have a winner.
The winner of the contest, known only as "narf," will take home a cash prize of $13,854, which was accumulated through donations from 100 or so contest supporters and companies such as Digital Express, Delicious Monster, and Uneasy Silence.
All further donations will go into an account to sustain the open source project that will be launched alongside the winning solution, contest runners wrote on the Web site.
One of the rules of the contest was that the winning solution would have to allow for dual-booting — an installation and boot method that would allow Mac OS X and Windows XP to coexist on the same computer, prompting the user to decide which operating system to boot each time the computer is switched on.
According to an article on ArsTechnica, the solution developed by narf is "fairly complicated." The tech site notes that users will need a Windows PC to complete the process, which is likely to defeat the purpose of the hack for most people. However, anyone with a bit of computer knowledge, access to a PC and 30 minutes to spare, should be able to get the solution working.
The solution will reportedly work on Apple's new iMacs, MacBook Pros and Mac minis.
With the ability to boost Windows XP, Apple computers are now the first machines on which users can boot all three major operating systems without (potentially) violating anyone's EULA, Ars notes. However, the legal implications of modifying the Windows XP boot CD — which is part of the process — are not yet known.
112 Comments
Looks legit. Wonder if he'll post the instructions by tonight. Narf2006 says it requires heavy hacking of the NT Loader. This won't ever be an easy install (well...it'll be like OS X on PCs.)
Looks legit. Wonder if he'll post the instructions by tonight.
I'm guessing till he is assured he's getting the cash he isn't gonna say anything... As some have said maybe the contest cash was a BAD idea since so few were willing to work together (and split the cash I guess) and also it kept just about EVERYONE mum on what they were 'up to' in trying to get things to boot...
I for one was looking forward to the contest deadline since then people would be more willing to work as a team to make things work.
Now as for how I feel seeing XP booted on an Intel iMac... I'm not sure... Oh for **ME** it's great - but the unwashed masses... I dunno...
Dave
Looks good, but there are still lingering questions (like the Windows build number showing in the screenshots). Once he does a writeup we'll see what develops.
I still want a virtual machine type setup rather than dual booting, but this is a step in the right direction and will easily help switchers feel confident in the Mac purchase.
I still want a virtual machine type setup rather than dual booting, but this is a step in the right direction and will easily help switchers feel confident in the Mac purchase.
I'm with ya 100%
That would truly be the best of both worlds... and this solution would more than likely come from the fine folks at VMware and while 'they can't comment on unreleased software' - A few forum posts by VMware employees seem to give some hope to VMware being supported (to some degree) on OS X.
Dave
VM will definitely come eventually. I'd give it another year or 2 and I'm sure we'll have a few VM software to choose from.