I tried to load Windows XP on Bootcamp, but there was an error and now I can't get on my Mac!! What can I do?

Question

I just upgraded my Mac to OSX Leopard and I got a Windows XP Pro disk from a friend who isn't using it anymore. I put in the disk and went into Bootcamp and it started to install. The blue screen comes up and loads up everything, and then it says it's starting Windows, but then it stops and says that it is stopping so that there is no damage done to the computer and it stays like that.. Any buttons that I push on the keyboard to nothing. My only option is to turn off the computer, but when I turn it back on, it automatically goes back to loading Windows until I get the same error. The disk is still in the computer. How do I get the disk out and get back to Leopard?? I'm afraid to call tech support incase it's doing this because now I'm thinking it could have been an illegal disk. PLEASE HELP ME.

Answer 1

No, it's not a big deal. I'm just afraid you might have lost your mac partition. I don't know what exactly you did.

There are plenty of sites to show you how to install XP on boot camp:

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1656

And this is the main boot camp support page:

http://www.apple.com/support/bootcamp/

Just read through I'm pretty sure you'll find what you need.

Answer 2

Nowhere did I insult you.

Obviously your WinXP didn't work because you didn't change the file system. XP does not support the MAC filing system, and vice versa.

Your "illegal" disk was NOT the problem, like I said a "legal disc" still would be illegal to use to install an "unlicensed copy".

You obviously don't know much about this either or you wouldn't be asking. (this is not an insult, its a fact)

Anyway, I am glad you got your stuff back. The only reason XP didn't work is because you didn't format the file system to one supported by windows.

If you check out my answers you will find that I help a lot of people. I am not here to insult anyone. I apologise for offending you in any way.