Installing Windows WITHOUT Boot Camp

Upgraded my MB to a 250Gb HDD and now have the room to run Windows. I'd use Boot Camp, but I have the HDD partitioned in two and BC requires a single partition. Since I prefer the separate partitions, can I do the following?
1. Backup everything
2. Erase second partition and divide remaining space into two new partitions (resulting in 3) one of which is for Windows
If so, how would I install Windows on the third partition? Can I just boot of the Windows CD and be very careful to install Windows on the 3rd partition?
And yes, I have the Mac driver CD ready.
Thanks for your help

As it turns out, you don't. I simply backed my drive up, partitioned it into three, restored Tiger to Partition 1, my photos to partition 2 basically just a data drive) then installed Windows on partition 3. I can boot to it by holding Option on bootup and I can also run it in a VM using VMWare Fusion. Looks like Boot Camp is just a way to do it for those unfamiliar with partitioning, etc. I'm guessing decades running PC's told me it was doable. May also have given me somehow know-how that I applied without really thinking about it. Dunno.
Bottom line: Boot Camp is NOT required to run Windows natively on a Mac. Nevertheless, I thank you both for your comments
PS rEFIt was not necessary either

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Another BC Question (Installing Windows WITHOUT Boot Camp)

Is it possible (and/or even advisable) to install Windows on my second internal without Boot Camp? (i.e. reformatting the entire drive as one Master Boot Record Partition, then boot and install from Windows disc directly)?
If so, are there instructions for doing this anywhere? or would i just do it the same way i would install a new Mac OS from cd (more or less).
After that, would I insert Leopard CD and install drivers as usual?
If done this way, would there still be a way to boot back to Mac OS from windows? or would i have to do the option key at start up process each time?
No other reason than that I'd like them each on their own drive.
I will likely install Vista, but might wait to buy 7, if that matters. Primarily for games.
Thanks again.

I'm interested in this as well and tried it out on my mid-2009 macbook pro using the following instructions:
http://derekhat.com/install-vista-on-a-macbook-without-bootcamp/
I haven't gotten the drivers to work out nicely (eject, function keys, delete, trackpad scrolling/rt-click) don't work yet but things work for the most part. I tried to find the drivers by navigating through the Max OSX disk (Windows couldn't find all the drivers even though I guided it through all the available folders) and also by running Boot Camp (errors didn't let me install it).
I'm interested in learning more if anyone has gotten further.

I made a mistake. i installed windows using boot camp without os x lion dvd. what should i do? help pls

i made a mistake. i installed windows using boot camp without os x lion dvd. what should i do? help pls
Re: can i install windows for pc on my mac or do i need the windows for mac?

There is no Lion DVD. Start Boot Camp Assistant and select the menu item to download the Windows Support Software.
Read and follow the Boot Camp Installation Guide. http://manuals.info.apple.com/en_US/boot_camp_install-setup_10.7.pdf

Boot Camp Question .... I just bought a 2013 late model Mac Book Pro Retina and am wondering if it is worth installing windows through boot camp. If I install the windows component in order to run an exe file and its component "Declans Korean Flash Cards"

I just bought a 2013 late model Mac Book Pro Retina and am wondering if it is worth installing windows through boot camp.
If I install the windows component in order to run an exe file and its component "Declans Korean Flash Cards"... will it make my mac suseptible to viruses overall due to having a windows component? also will it make my mac slower as well

If you are only going to use one or two window only programs then I wouldn't waste the space. Try WinonX it allows you to install exe. Files on Mac without installing windows.

I just bought a 15" macbook pro, do the cds that come with the mac have the drivers i need to update windows after installing windows using boot camp?

I just bought a 15" macbook pro, do the cds that come with the mac have the drivers i need to update windows after installing windows using boot camp?

What DVDs are this ?
If it is OSX Snow Leopard Installation DVD then yes this disc contains the BootCamp Drivers version 3.x and is needed after the installation of Windows to install the BootCamp Drivers.
With OSX Lion BootCamp is at version 4.x and the BootCamp Drivers have to be downloaded during use of the BootCamp Assistant in OSX.
Boot Camp 3.0, Mac OS X 10.6 FAQ
Frequently asked questions about Lion and Boot Camp 4.0
Stefan

Windows without Boot Camp or virtualizers on external HD?

If I install Windows on an external HD, can I boot up in Windows by simply choosing the external HD (or its Windows system) as the starup disk (not talking about dual booting) without Boot Camp or other software?
I'm aware of and considering virtualizing software like Parallels as well; just considering options for infrequent Windows use.
I have a feeling it's not that simple but thought I'd ask.
Message was edited by: bcoppola1

Robbie:
You do some of the most interesting things LOL.
Your 2 icons in the system tray are probably linked to each of the boot camp folders on Drive C as you noted.
Try the following:
1. Rename each boot camp folder ONE AT A TIME and do not delete yet.
2. Reboot after renaming one of the them (boot camp old or something).
3. See how it affects Windows
4. Rename the other one as old and previous one to what it was
5. See how that works on windows
6. After the above steps you should know which Boot Camp folder affects the operation of Windows and should be able to decide which one to delete.
Also, you could easily disable one of the instances of loading by disabling one of the them in the startup section of windows. How do you get there?
1. Go to START and choose RUN
2. Type MSCONFIG and hit ENTER
3. From the window that opens up choose the STARTUP tab
4. You will see a list of items with check marks besides them which are being loaded at startup.
5. You will see several boot camp related instances.
6. Uncheck items that you don't want to load at startup
7. Reboot and see how it affects windows.
Robbie, a lot of trial and error to determine which are the right files but worth the time.
Axel F.

Please help! Need to re-install windows under boot camp

Hi,
My windows (in boot camp) is not booting but I have many software licenses on there and cannot afford to wipe windows off.
I am hoping I can re install windows over the top of the current windows without losing my applications/licenses with boot camp but am not confident enough that a: re-installing windows wont mess up the mac osx and b: I cannot even see an option in the boot camp assistant which offer me the option.
Has anybody esle ever had to re-install windows over an existing installation and managed to do so without losing applications etc?
Thanks for any help on this.
Spencer

*In addition:*
IMPORTANT: Make sure you select "preserve user preferences and data" when you performed the A&I?

Installing Windows in Boot Camp - ISO image?!

Hi all,
So I've got some Sage accounting software which only works with Windows....I've downloaded Boot Camp and it's asking for the ISO image - what the **** is this?! I haven't yet bought Windows, I don't want to pay for it until I know I'm buying the right thing. When I bought Office for my Mac, I downloaded the software and bought the key code to activate it. If I buy the windows thing below, I won't get an actual disk will I? Can I still install this via Boot Camp? I'm so confused and rubbish with computers!
http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msuk/en_GB/pdp/Windows-8.1-Pro-Student/produ ctID.288533400

I've just read the reviews and found this -
No .iso file
There is no downloadable .iso file and i do not own a computer that runs Windows so i am unable to create a bootable iso myself. I am now left with a £50 OS that is completely useless
Can anyone direct me to what I should buy? All I need is the most basic windows so I can install the Sage software :-(

I can not use my mouse or keyboard when I am trying to install windows via boot camp

Please can you help!
I can not use my mouse or keyboard when I am trying to install windows via boot camp

Starting a couple of days ago my mouse and keyboard stopped working suddenly.
How are they connected? In my case they are wireless and their receiver is plugged into my USB hub. After an update I found the OS inexplicably not recognizing my USB hub and hence any devices which were plugged into it. My fix was to
plug the receiver into a different USB port (so I could use the mouse and keyboard; otherwise I would have had to use the OSK via Touch or pen.) Once I had normal access into my machine again I used Device Manager to remove all USB controller and
hubs (including hidden ones) and I then shut down, disconnected all USB devices and powered back up, this time using only Touch to get going. Once the OS had settled down I started plugging stuff back in the way that I wanted it to be recognized.
If I didn't have Touch I would have had to have left the wireless receiver plugged in both places which I assume would be OK. I have no idea why updates have such a catastrophic effect for USB devices.
Robert Aldwinckle

HT4818 What is the best Partition size for a windows 7 Home Premium. I'm trying to install Windows using Boot camp

What is the best Partition size for a windows 7 Home Premium. I'm trying to install Windows using Boot camp

Go into your system preferences and click the startup disk icon then select your Mac HD.

Installed Windows using boot camp but lost my mac disc mid setup!

I am on a Macbook Pro running Snow Leopard and used Boot Camp 3.0.4 to try and get Windows 7 on it. I partitioned the hard drive and successfully installed Windows 7 on my comp using my Windows 7 CD. However, being the overeager moron that I am, I did so without ensuring that I have a Snow Leopard CD. So now I am stuck in Windows. Anybody got any solutions for a dumb man?

you are not stuck.
the default OS is set to the Windows volume
hold down x on startup
or hold down option key after the chime sound and wait for the startup selector
when you get to OS X then go to Startup Disk control in system preferences

Can I partition my external hard drive so that one partition is for Time Machine and the other is to install Windows with Boot Camp?

I have a Seagate FreeAgent GoFlex 1TB USB 3.0 external hard drive that I currently use just for Time Machine backups. Is it possible for me to go into Disk Utility and create a new partition on the drive so that I may install Windows 7 via Boot Camp? Or since I am already using it for Time Machine do I have to keep it only for Time Machine?

You must install Boot Camp in your internal drive because Windows can't be installed in an external disk and Boot Camp can't do that

I can't Install windows via Boot Camp Assistant please Help!

My superdrive damaged so i use external dvd-rw. Boot camp assistant shows only two options and it recognise my ext dvd-rw then i partition for boot camp partition but after the partition that restarts automatically then blank screen displayed infinitely give me solution.

Also, If you have a Mac which is a UEFI model, and not in the list as shown by the BC Info.plist file, then a direct UEFI install of Windows 8 (not Windows 7) is possible and works very well.

Can't Install Windows in Boot Camp - Windows Driver Issue

Before update to Mavericks, I had an installation of WIndows 7 running in Bootcamp. I had updated this to Windows 8.
Just prior to Mavericks release, the hard drive in my MacBook Pro started to fail. I had a full backup of the OS X partitiion, but did not have one of Windows.
After the drive was replaced, I did a fresh install of Mavericks and I'm planning on doing new installs of my apps over the coming days. (It's an opportunity to clear-out remains of old apps/OS's.) I have hit a wall with Boot Camp, though:
I used the Boot Camp Assistant to download the driver sets ("Windows support software") to a USB stick and partition the HD. However, although the Mac then boots off the Windows 8 (64-bit) installer DVD I can only get as far as choosing the installation language before I get stuck on the next step where it's looking for missing drivers. At first, I thought this was some reference to the ones downloaded from Apple, but I am now pretty certain that these just get installed after [in] Windows to allow access to the Apple hardware.
I have tried installing Windows 7 and get hung-up at the same point (which did not happen on 10.8).
Does anyone have any insight into what's happening and how I can get around the problem please?

Just chiming in - having the same issue as Bernard and Ian here myself, but with Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit. Trying to install on MBP Late 2013, Mavericks, using USB. I get through the bootcamp phase to the language selection in Windows and then get the drivers error message.
Called apple tech support and they indicated that OEMs can sometimes be lightweight versions of the DVD installers (i.e. they leave out certain drivers because they assume a certain set of hardware components will be present, typically hardware that perhaps only PCs have and Macs don't) - so they suggested trying to get my hands on a retail version of the ISO file that might have all of the drivers necessary. I tried downloading every feasible iteration of the windows trial ISOs here but every one of them gave me the same error message in Windows setup. My next step is to call microsoft to ask them for a "complete" ISO - I'm hoping they can cooperate since I do have a valid, un-used authentication code for my Windows product. I'll let you know if this works.
In the meantime - has anyone found an easier fix?

I've installed windows in boot camp, how do i start windows

I've Installed windows xp prof. with boot camp and now I'm not sure how to start windows.

A successfully install should have booted directly to windows. If not restart and hold down the option key and select the windows partition to boot from that.
Also make sure to insert your leopard disc to install all the drivers as well as the bootcamp utility to switch from one OS to the other.

Installing Windows WITHOUT Boot Camp

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