Steps to boot system

I want complete steps to backup my os x volume ,boot snow leopard DVD and repartitioning & reformat my macintosh disk.

As dice pointed out, it is not clear whether you have a 'BIOS' computer or an 'EFI' one. An SSD suggests that you have a new computer, so the odds are you have an EFI-mode booted machine, not BIOS. I further assume you have EFI.
Here's my advice:
- Start by checking the secure boot option in EFI. I don't think it is enabled if you don't have windows installed, but disable it if it's enabled.
- Have a look at other EFI settings just to familiarize yourself with them.
- During installation, mount the EFI partition on /boot --it will save you a lot of time as you will not have to set special settings for kernel updates.
- Use gummiboot, not grub -- it has very simple configuration files and is generally very easy to install and configure. As a bonus your arch linux system will even survive installing windows. At least my son's laptop survived intact a windows 7 installation alongside arch linux, which had already been there.

Similar Messages

Boot System Failed

Recently my computer has crashed, Once the laptop reset there was a message saying,
"Boot system has failed - Insert Boot Disk and press any button"
The problem is I do not know were to find a Boot disk to fix the problem, If anyone knows how to help it will be a massive help.
Thanks

yes. I tried that before any thing. System did not respond. Then I switchedoff the system. Then rebooted holding "option" button. That led the system to internet recovery. After a while recovery process stopped and exclamation mark in a triangle appeared with a caption apple.com/support, 6003F.

What do i need to do to share TB and Lightning files between W7 and Ubuntu 14.04 on a dual boot system?

I recently installed Ubuntu 14.04 alongside W7. Since I'm not comfortable dropping Windows completely yet, I want my W7 Thunderbird and my Ubuntu TB to have access to the same data file holding current messages, so I don't have to get out of one to use TB on the other. I rely on Lightning and also want my reminders to be consistent from either OS. I have a separate NTFS data partition which, I understand, can be used to house the profile directory (though I've not seen that as a solution for Lightning).
In trying to set it up, I've run into questions that I can't find a good answer for -- want sources that address the problem and are recent. I'm pretty patient, and I can stumble through a lot of things (like learningn about partitions). But I'm not a programmer, and this start-stop-sort-through-dozens-of-old-incomplete-and-irrelevant-answers process is frustrating. (Nor do I lift the hood and tune my own car engine.) I also recognize that some things I want to do aren't necessarily common, so they're not at the top of anyone's "tell the world how to do this" list.
1. My profiles directory has 6 *.default files. I assume the current one is the most recent. Do I need the older ones? How did I get them, since I've never knowingly created a new one? I'm the only user of my machine and thus the only user for TB.
2. I saw the following before setting up the dual boot system, so it's likely not related -- but if someone who knows TB well can comment I'll appreciate it: when I view All folders, I see 58(!) folders with names nstmp-##. The contents overlap with normally-named folders, but the sets of messages are not identical. Do these indicate a problem and/or should I change something? Does this have to do with compacting or archiving, neither of which I do? Never saw the need, and never saw an article saying that they're important. I just want to use mail and reminders. And BTW I've been using TB/Lightning for years and am Very happy with them, so I want to keep using them.
3. Is there a way to set up Lightning to hit the same data file(s) on my data partition? Or somewhere? Where are Lightning's files? I remember one source mentioned linking to "storage.sdb", but (1) I can't find the reference again, and (2) links to some of my files don't always work. Broken links aren't Mozilla's problem, but someone might know how to geet around the problem for the sake of Lightning. Also, storage.sdb and calendar* directories exist inside my *.default profile directory -- so why would I need to link anything? Are these not where calendar data is stored? If not, where?
I'd rather understand the reasons behind recommended procedures ("do A because Y is how Lightning/TB works" -- vs "do A, then B, then C...and it will/should(!) work."). But if you can point me to a clear procedure that will get me where I want to go, that will be enough.
Last, the following two URLs looked like they would help but don't -- so you don't need to point me to them again:
http://kb.mozillazine.org/Sharing_a_profile_between_Windows_and_Linux -- this is only 2 years old but:
(1) it only says that "settings" specify file locations, without saying which settings. Stumbling around, I found "Local directories" under Server Settings. For more detail the page refers to an article that's 10 years old. Neither source says which subdirectory under *.default should be the target. The older one references ".../mail", but when I enter that value in Local Directories under Ubuntu, nothing shows up. When I went down one more level to "/Local Folders", the folders appear and the new-message counts seem(!) ok. But I also got a couple "folder missing...will adjust filters" messages. I never got those under Windows. So am I good to go, or am I missing messages?
(2) The above page only says that Lightning is a "potential problem", with no suggestion of a solution or link to a discussion. Searching results in many hits, but I haven't found anything helpful.
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1624973 -- this looked promising, but the comments are dated 2009-2010, deal with ubuntu 10 and XP, and don't seem to address my problem -- unless I'm not savvy enough to recognize it, which is entirely possible.
Thanks for any insights.

Lightning is a problem for you because it hooks into Thunderbird at a low level and you need a version compiled for the platform Thunderbird is running on. So you can't do the preferred solution, which is to put your whole profile in a shared folder and have both instances of Thunderbird reference the same profile. (Ditto for Enigmail). Lightning may become an integral part of Thunderbird in an upcoming release, at which point this limitation due to Lightning should disappear.
And if you can't use a shared profile, you can't set your Lightning, or your Address Book, to share a common set of files. Put another way, the linkage from Thunderbird to its address book files and calendar data is hard-coded, and not exposed where we can adjust it. :-(
The halfway house is to place your mail stores in a shared place, and use the Local Directory setting in each account's settings to connect to it. They don't need to be in the profile; what's more important in your case is that they are in a folder accessible to both operating systems.
Look in your profile; everything under Mail and ImapMail needs to be moved out to a shared folder. Note the entries in Thunderbird under Local Directory before you do this, and reconstruct those pathnames in Thunderbird, but adjusted to suit their new locations.
(You can see here that you need to make many adjustments, one per account, in each instance of Thunderbird, so it's a high-maintenance solution and this is why we don't recommend it when the alternative, moving the whole profile, is possible.)
I share address books and calendars between Thunderbirds on various computers (and my phone and tablet) by syncing to something in the cloud; Google Contacts and Google Calendar are my choices, using gContactSync and CalDav.
Having made the break myself some years ago, I'd recommend you break away from Windows. ;-)

I have a macbook and it is a dual boot system, I would like to be able to see the mac side of the system on a larger monitor. I can hook to a hdmi cable and see the pc side, but not the mac side, any suggestions?

I have a macbook that I bought second hand. The mac has a dual boot system with bootcamp on one side and snow leopard on the other. I would like to be able to hook to a larger hdmi monitor so that in both systems I could see better since on the leopard side the computer has PS4. I have purchased the dvi to HDMI accessory and purchased the HDMI to DVI cable, and can see fine on the bootcamp side, but nothing on the leopard side. Could somebody help me with configuring things so that it will see both side?
Also on a minor note, I need to purchase a new battery for this item and don't know which one to purchase. Any help would be greatly appreciated, especially with the display/monitor issue.
Thanks Sue
ps sorry but the operating system is OS X

When you try to use the Mac side on your external monitor do you get a blank screen or do you see the aurora background?
It would help to know which one of the 9 different models of MacBook you have. To see which model you have go to the Apple in the upper left corner and select About This Mac, then click on More Info. When System Profiler comes up check the Model Identifier and post it back here.

Dual Core Center working in Vista but not XP on a dual boot system?

Hi All.
My system specs are:
Dual Boot Windows XP Pro SP2 and Windows Vista Ultimate
Temps for CPU in Vista averaging at 43 - 45 degrees in XP averaging at 38 to 42 degrees. It never seems to go much higher than 53 on Load.
Thermaltake Soprano tower
MSI K9N Diamond Motherboard
Hiper 580watt Modular PSU
4GB OCZ Gold 6400
AMD X2 6000+
2 X 300gb diamond maxtor 10 HDD
MSI Geforce 7800gt
DVD Rom
LG Dual Layer DVDRW+/-
I am running a dual boot system with Windows XP Pro SP2 on one partition and Windows Vista Ultimate on the other. Both operating systems seem to be operating properly except for an odd situation with Dual Core Center. In Windows XP Dual Core Center only indicates the Mainboard properties - No VGA, whereas on Windows Vista Ultimate Dual Core Center indicates both VGA & Motherboard properties. I have installed MSI Nvidia drivers for the Graphics card & also tried straight Nvidia drivers for the card but it has made no difference VGA will not show up in XP. Yet on installing Dual Core Center on the Vista partition VGA showed up immediately. Can anyone help.
If anyone can come up with an answer to this it would be a real help.
Many Thanks in advance.

have you try to update/install the dual core driver from amd?

How to install PS CS4 64bit in a Dual Boot system

Hi,
I have just created a dual boot system.
Dell XPS 600 3 gig of ram (soon to be 6 gig
Windows XP Pro 32 bit
Windows Vista Home Premium 64 bit
The windows OS can not see above 2 gig (and that is a long story but believe me I have had it confirmed - even though a 32 bit system should be able to see up to 3.5 gig). That is why I created the dual boot (into Vista 64) OS.
The Vista 64 bit OS CAN see the current 3 gig (soon to be 6 gig).
Each has its own partition and I dual boot via a 3rd party BootIt NG
Question:
1. What is the proper way (if I even can do it) install PS CS4 on to the Vista 64 bit (in another partition) to take advantage of PS CS4 64?
2. Do I have to delete the XP 32 bit version and reactivate?
3. I do not use Bridge (or do I have to in order to get the 64 bit)? I have seen some threads here about using Bridge so I was wondering about that.
4. I also have IL CS4, ID CS4 and plan to do the same. Is that possible?
5. I know there is an issue with plugins so I will address that matter as it comes up. Hopefully, though the downloaded brushes will work ok in both the 32 and 64 bit envrionments.
Thanks in advance,
Bob

Thanks for the responses. Perhaps more of an explanation as to what I have done is in order.
I purchased this Dell XPS 600 XP Pro system some time ago. It was a "boomer" (powerful) system in its' day.
I subsequently increased the Ram to 2gb. I also have a internal 160gb 10K (rpm) Raptor and and another internal WD 250bg (7500 rpm) HD. I drive 3 monitors with a Nvidia 6800 and a Nvidia Dual port 7800 Gt.
So, all in all, the system is still (by today's standards) fairly robust.
BUT, with PS CS4, I tried to up the Ram from my installed Windows XP Pro 2gb system to 3 gb (given that every spec in the world says a 32bit system can see a max of 3 to 3.5 gb).
On my system. Wrong. It (the Windows XP My Computer Properties system would not see over 2 gb (even though BIOS said there was 3gb!) Additionally, BIOS said my board was capable of 64 bit processing.
After hours with DELL tech support (what a waste), I just concluded I should make a Dual boot with Vista Home Premium 64 bit.
I did, and Vista 64 does see the current 3gb in the system. I should add, I am going to make it an 8gb system and my memory will arrive from crucial.com tomorrow.
So Bob, to address your comment. I started (2 years ago?) with Windows XP Pro 32 bit. I have a ton of applications (32 bitters) on the C drive now. But I want the extra addressing (AKA speed potential) capability of a 64bit system. In short, that is the reason for the Dual Boot.
I just cannot burn the 32 bit bridge due to the number of 32 bit apps on it, but I can now utilize a 64 bit architecture for PS CS4, (and as I now am reading ID, and IL CS4 flavors)
Hope I cleared things up.
And as always, thanks
Bob

Making a Windows 7 Toshiba laptop a dual boot system (w/ XP)

I am looking to probably get a Toshiba laptop here in the next month. Most likely it will be one that will include WIndows 7. While I have another desktop with Windows 7 installed on it and like it for the most part, there are a few pieces of hardware I have that aren't running correctly right now under W7 due to drivers not being availble for it. Therefore, I made this custom desktop a dual boot system with XP & W7 on it.This way I have XP on it for when I might have to use these pieces of hardware.
I would like to possibly do the same thing for this new Toshiba laptop as well. Have XP on it in case I need it for incompatible hardware & compatibility issues that may arise. Can I easily put XP on a Toshiba laptop with W7 already installed? I would have to create a separate partition to possibly put XP on as this is the way I prefer to have it when making a dual boot system. However, I have several concerns if trying to do this. They include the following:
If I create/add another hard drive partition for XP, will I essentially make the recovery partition/software useless?
When I have made dual boot systems in the past, I usually have to start with the older OS. Then add the newer OS and it will do it automatically. Take care of everything for the dual boot menu. I have experienced problems when going backwards (like this) though. Will that happen as well & I'll then have problems getting back into W7?
If this is the case for both, do most Toshiba Laptops come with recovery software on CDs? This way I can maybe wipe the drive out, install XP and then install W7 (w/ the CDs) in order to make a correct dual boot system. Or does the recovery software/CDs need to be speically ordered directly from Toshiba & that is generally why they just put it on a recovery partition instead?
Solved!
Go to Solution.

Wise of you to investigate in advance.
Your best bet by far nowadays is to get a laptop with hardware virtualization and either the Professional or Ultimate versions of Windows 7 installed. That way, you can use XP Mode.
Windows XP Mode (Toshiba)
Windows XP Mode (Microsoft)
You can even open an XP program directly from a shortcut in Windows 7.
For current models suitable to run XP Mode, I suggest you call ToshibaDirect at 888-520-3926.
-Jerry

Troubles in dual boot system after BIOS update

Hello:
PC: Thinkpad T500
1. I had for one year Linux Fedora 10 and Vista Ultimate working in dual boot with Grub, no problems at all.
Three days ago Lenovo support recommended I update my BIOS from 2.07 to 3.12, as I had some intermitent Sleep problems in Vista. Then my problems started.
2. First, after updating the BIOS from Vista (dowloaded the exe, double clicked it, gone through the whole sequence with no errors), upon the first restart, the screen was black and I couldn't get in BIOS with F1 and the same happened during other power-off/power on sequences.
3. Now, I've discovered that the best I can do is wait for 10 min after restart in order to get a prompt from ThinkVantage, then Grub boots only the Linux system which works OK.
4. I can't get the dual boot message from Grub, and I can't get any Windows DVD to be taken at boot (I've got full backups from both Control Panel and from ThinkAdvantage backup facility) in order to ru Windows repair.
5. I can go during the ThinkAdvantage to BIOS, the new version seems there (not sure if completely operational), but whey can't I see it with F1?
Is the presence of ThinkAdvantage something special in dual-boot systems or wrt to the BIOS install? Should I do something special about it? I just don't know.
Any ideas?

Strange. I don't have a clue, but I have seen posts here that recoverd from strangeness after a BIOS update by unplugging from the AC mains, removing the battery, and then pressing the power button several times. The last time, hold the button for 10 seconds or so.
That is really a total WAG, but maybe worth a try.
Out of curiousity, what do you see when grub finally loads. I take it that it isn't your original boot menu. Do you have grub installed in the MBR, the boot sector of the Linux partition, or both? Is the Linux partition (or Linux boot partition if you have boot + root) the 1st one on the drive, or _after_ the vista partition.
[edit] You didn't ask, but IMNSHO multibooting a modern laptop isn't really the easiest way to run multiple OSs. I run Linux, Solaris, and OS X in VMs under Win 7 on my T400. They run well, and that approach avoids issues like you are having. The Lenovo ThinkVantage boot-time stuff and R&R are rather fragile. Changes in partitioning and MBR configuration can break them. BIOS and other updates, and Windows repairs can break the multi-boot setup.
There are several ways to set up VMs, but VMWare Player is what I use. The latest version is free and quite usable.
Z.
The large print: please read the Community Participation Rules before posting. Include as much information as possible: model, machine type, operating system, and a descriptive subject line. Do not include personal information: serial number, telephone number, email address, etc. The fine print: I do not work for, nor do I speak for Lenovo. Unsolicited private messages will be ignored. ... GeezBlog
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Help cant boot system kt6delta

Always the same cant leave things alone! why i dont know. I changed some advanced chipset features now i can not boot system and get back into the bios it goes as far as the logo screen you can press the tab into the option screen but when you press setup (delete key) it just crashes
Would appreciate any help on this matter how to get into bios
Cheers mick

power down PC, remove power cord from the PSU and Clear CMOS Guide

Setting up a dual boot system with OS 9 and OS 10

I am currently running OS 9.2 on the G4 and want to run OS 10.4 as a dual boot system. Can I go as far as 10.4 with dual boot? Is there any more to it than partitioning the system drive in two and installing the two OS's on the two partitions?

Hi, Matt -
Is there any more to it than partitioning the system drive in two and installing the two OS's on the two partitions?
No.
As Dave Hamilton said, if using OSX's Disk Utility to do the partitioning, be sure you select the option to install OS 9 drivers. If that option is not selected, then OS 9 will not be able to mount the volume(s), nor use one for booting.
Reminder - partitioning a drive requires that it be re-initialized. This will erase everything on the drive, so be sure you have backed up anything you do not want to lose.
And, be sure to select Mac OS Extended as the format for all partitions. That is the only format which can be used by both OS 9 and OSX for booting.
<hr>
Although many folk do partition a drive (or use two separate drives - your DA model is pre-equipped to accept a second internal drive), you do not need to do that in order to install OSX.
OSX should install smoothly onto the same drive where OS 9 is located. There is no conflict between the two - machines which originally came with both OS 9 and OSX pre-installed had both installed on an unpartitioned drive.
However, there are distinct advantages to having OS 9 and OSX on separate volumes or drives -
• Maintenance and/or repair of each OS and its files is easier
• Re-installation of either OS, should that ever be necessary, is easier
• Startup Manager can be used

Sapinstallation error in second step Install common system File.

Hi,
I am installing the SOLMAN on Linux RHEL5 and i am facing the error in second step Install common system File .
sapinst.log ERROR Logs ;
Output of /tmp/sapinst_instdir/SOLMAN/SYSTEM/ORA/CENTRAL/AS/installsapinit.sh is written to the logfile installsapinit.sh.log.
WARNING 2011-08-15 09:56:21.770
Execution of the command "/tmp/sapinst_instdir/SOLMAN/SYSTEM/ORA/CENTRAL/AS/installsapinit.sh" finished with return code 3. Output:
/tmp/sapinst_instdir/SOLMAN/SYSTEM/ORA/CENTRAL/AS/installsapinit.sh: line 48: uname: command not found
ERROR 2011-08-15 09:56:21.774
MUT-03011 Execution of the command "/tmp/sapinst_instdir/SOLMAN/SYSTEM/ORA/CENTRAL/AS/installsapinit.sh" finished with return code 3. Output:
/tmp/sapinst_instdir/SOLMAN/SYSTEM/ORA/CENTRAL/AS/installsapinit.sh: line 48: uname: command not found
ERROR 2011-08-15 09:56:21.913
FCO-00011 The step installSAPInit with step key |NW_Onehost|ind|ind|ind|ind|0|0|NW_Onehost_System|ind|ind|ind|ind|onehost|0|NW_System|ind|ind|ind|ind|system|0|installSAPInit was executed with status ERROR ( Last error reported by the step: Execution of the command "/tmp/sapinst_instdir/SOLMAN/SYSTEM/ORA/CENTRAL/AS/installsapinit.sh" finished with return code 3. Output:
/tmp/sapinst_instdir/SOLMAN/SYSTEM/ORA/CENTRAL/AS/installsapinit.sh: line 48: uname: command not found).
Can any one please help me on this...

Hello,
the "uname" command is part of the coreutils package on RHEL. Please check if the coreutils package is installed:
rpm -qa | grep -i coreutils
If the coreutils package is not installed you can install it with
yum install coreutils
Regards,
Frank

I have a dual boot system. Windows xp and Windows 7. Photoshop elements 7 would not run on Windows 7, so I purchased Elements 13. Slow as christmas. Not worth using at the speed it takes to do work on photos

I have a dual boot system, xp pro and 7 pro. Photoshop elements 7 runs fine on xp, but would not run on windows 7. Bought elements 13, Very, Very slow. To slow to work on photographs. I have bought new ram and done every other optimize ideas I have found online.
Any ideas. Asus anthlon 64 x 2, 4g ram, m2n e motherboard, NVidia video card, 2+ g processor

Please post Photoshop Elements related queries over at
http://forums.adobe.com/community/photoshop_elements

Boot system flash: does not appear on 2960 running config

Dear friends,
On the 2960, i have two .bin images and i am pointing to the latest one.
However, the boot system flash: command along with the new image does not appear in the running config but it appears in the
show boot command.
t3a.sidradc.dmz.01#dir flash:
Directory of flash:/
    2 -rwx        2131   Jan 3 2010 07:30:45 +03:00 private-config.text
    4 -rwx     8040418   Mar 1 1993 05:31:51 +03:00 c2960-lanbasek9-mz.122-50.SE3.bin
    5 -rwx         676   Jan 3 2010 07:28:50 +03:00 vlan.dat
    6 drwx         128   Mar 1 1993 03:02:32 +03:00 c2960-lanbasek9-mz.122-44.SE6
546 -rwx        4120   Jan 3 2010 07:30:45 +03:00 multiple-fs
548 -rwx        9001   Jan 3 2010 07:30:45 +03:00 config.text
32514048 bytes total (21123072 bytes free)
t3a.sidradc.dmz.01(config)#boot system flash:c2960-lanbasek9-mz.122-50.SE3.bin
t3a.sidradc.dmz.01(config)#exit
t3a.sidradc.dmz.01#wr
Building configuration...
[OK]
t3a.sidradc.dmz.01#sh boot
BOOT path-list      : flash:c2960-lanbasek9-mz.122-50.SE3.bin
Config file         : flash:/config.text
Private Config file : flash:/private-config.text
Enable Break        : no
Manual Boot         : no
HELPER path-list    :
Auto upgrade        : yes
Auto upgrade path   :
NVRAM/Config file
      buffer size:   65536
Timeout for Config
          Download:    0 seconds
Config Download
       via DHCP:       disabled (next boot: disabled)
t3a.sidradc.dmz.01#sh run | inc boot
boot-start-marker
boot-end-marker
Are you aware of any reasons for this?
Thanks a lot
Gautam

and the other being the issue where IOS can return the prompt before it's done unpacking the files
Ok, now what EXACTLY is the appliance and IOS version? The only time I know of this bug is the Metro Ethernet (ME) switches and when the current appliance is upgraded FROM an IOS version 15.2(1)S.
But there is a "workaround" which Cisco doesn't want to publish (don't ask me why not): Use "archive tar /x" and, optionally, delete the old IOS sub-directory.
Personally, I wouldn't recommend anyone using the "copy the BIN file" method unless you know what you are doing or you've put extra measures in place. The "archive /x tar" and/or "archive download-sw" was developed so that it could be automated and the operator can see the result at the end. The "copy the BIN file" method doesn't give anyone a result whether or not the file was copied or not or was the file copied completely.
Regularly, I would upgrade our switches (2960/2960S, ME-3800X, 3560E/3560CG, 3750X) fleet using the "archive download-sw" method and I don't use scripts. I just copy-and-paste the command. So far, since 2009, I've "lost" only 6 switches when I upgraded the switch to upgrade the wrong file (another IOS bug on it's own) and I had to physically show up and upgrade using ROMmon. Every time I would upgrade, about 900 switches (some in a stack), it would take me about 4 days. Even though I work with three guys who's very good at almost any scripting but we've come to a unanimous conclusion NOT to use scripting.
Moving on, if "copy the BIN file" is still a preferred choice, I would like to know how do you go about verifying the file was copied completely? Whenever I resort to the "copy the BIN file", I ensure the file copied is complete by verifying the MD5 hash value against the MD5 hash value found in the Cisco website. Trust me, adding this additional "layer" of security saved me doing ROMmon upgrade so many times.

Mac Pro - Using 3 drives for a triple-boot system

Hello
I am purchasing an 8-core Mac Pro today, and I want to start the ball rolling early on this endeavor, as it will probably take some discussion and research on my part.
I want to take my Mac Pro and install 2 more hard drives (for a total of 3) so that I can have a triple-boot system using OS X, Windows XP Pro, and Ubuntu Linux.
All of the tutorials I am coming across discuss installing on partitions. I'd like to install onto separate hard drives. What do I have to know in order to make this work?
- Should I use a 64-bit XP OS? Why or why not? (I'll have 4 GB of RAM)
- Any major issues with drivers in XP or Linux?
- Can I make a fourth hard drive mountable across all 3 other OS installations?
- Can I mount the other OS drives in my booted os? (For instance, if I boot into Linux, can I mount the XP drive and the OS X drive, or mount the Linux Drive and XP drive in OS X?)
Thanks for your input.
----------S

I'd like to install onto separate hard drives. What do I have to know in order to make this work?
The Boot Camp Assistant will allow you to prepare an entire drive for Windows so that's simple enough. If you want to do this yourself all you need to do is to change the partition map scheme for the desired drive to Master Boot Record and then let the Windows installer do the rest. Be aware that manually doing this will mean that Parallels will not find this drive as a Boot Camp drive if that's important to you.
Sorry, don't know anything about Linux.
Should I use a 64-bit XP OS? Why or why not? (I'll have 4 GB of RAM)
You can. Although there is currently no Apple driver support for x64 versions so you'll be on your won to source drivers. Personally I'd stick to the 32-bit version for now until Apple pulls its finger out and get 64-bit driver support.
Can I make a fourth hard drive mountable across all 3 other OS installations?
The simplest solution would be the use of FAT32 however Microsoft limits this to 32GB which is a right pain. You could always install a product like MacDrive into Windows to allow you access to your Mac partitions.
Can I mount the other OS drives in my booted os?
It depends on what you're looking for. NTFS partitions are mountable under Mac OS X but are read-only. Mac partitions are avaialable under Windows but requires a product like MacDrive.

About to move from Windows to Mac. Considering purchasing retina display MBP 15" with dual boot system as I need some of my programs. How is the display in windows for photoshop?

Has anyone got any thoughts or have you yourself purchased the MBP with Retina display and added the dual boot system with windows?
I desperately need to update my gear and want a MBP.
I'm a full time photographer at my local paper and freelance photographer - use computers A LOT, and only use windows. I've experienced mac and know I prefer it, the way it runs pleases me a whole lot more and for the amount i'm processing/working I need something that will keep up.
With 12 years of photoshop gear loaded up for all my photo processing etc, I'm wanting to add Windows and have use of both. Windows would run photoshop that I had already purchased some time ago - question is, how will it run? what will the display be like running Windows on Mac with the retina display?
I use CS4 at the moment and can't afford to upgrade to CS6 just yet, plus i'd waste a lot of what I already have by starting again on Mac. I'd use Mac for everything else, need the use of Windows for portions of what I do.
About to head to Canada and want to get set up for the road. Any help is much appreciated.
Thanks heaps!

There are some drawbacks, running Windows 7 (only) on a Mac via Bootcamp yields less than stellar results, especially with the Retina display.
And of your traveling, the Mac's high power needs (especially the Retina display) and lack of removable battery are going to be a serious issue. The Retina display is glossy, not ideal for viewing on the road and in varied environments.
CS4 won't run on the OS X version that comes with a Mac, so your looking at purchasing CS6.
Support for Windows is more widespread than for Mac's, also if you ever need to redownload OS X to fix a issue, requires a fast reliable Internet connection of the broadband kind.
If your running Windows on your Mac, you can expect to be on your own and not get support as easily as if you were running it on a regular PC.
If you can't afford to keep up with CS upgrades, then you shouldn't be considering a Mac because there are more paid upgrades on that than on Windows 7, it's like a annual nightmare.
IMMO your still better off on a decent, 1920 x 1080 res, matte screen, removable battery (with extras), Win 7 Pro i7 machine (Pro+ runs XP programs) which will stay like it is and get security updates until 2020.
OS X changes every year and if you don't upgrade, + all your third party software, then about 3 years later your left behind for updates.
Also you will have to buy Win 7 to run on your Mac, the OEM disks won't work.
If your trying to budget, then a Mac is certainly not for you.

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