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    2nd HD (Optibay) and Bootcamp Win7 questions...

    Discussion in 'Apple and Mac OS X' started by midiman, Feb 24, 2011.

  1. midiman

    midiman Notebook Guru

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    I'm considering the shiny new 13" macbook and will be making my first switch from the world of windows. Because of that, I want to make sure Bootcamp works as expected.

    Firstly, I want to leave the installed mac drive alone and put in my own for windows. The $99 MCE Optibay looks perfect and I'll throw either an SSD or 500gb in there.

    Then on that second HD, I'll install Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit. For quite some time, I'll probably boot to only it.

    First question - is bootcamp included with OSX or do I have to buy it separately?

    Second - will I be able to read anything in OSX from the 2nd Hard Drive if I install Bootcamp/Win7 on it? I'm assuming I won't be able to read anything from the OSX drive while in Windows, but that's OK. Ideally, that second HD will be split into two partitions, one with the system OS and the other with documents, apps, media, etc, so I'll want to be able to read/write to that while in OSX.

    Thanks! Wonder how long it'll take Best Buy to get these, cause I have $400 in rewardzone!
     
    midiman, Feb 24, 2011
    #1
  2. SP Forsythe

    SP Forsythe Notebook Evangelist

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    Question 1: It is included.

    Question 2: There is software available that permits Windows to access the Mac formatted drive, but I would strongly caution against it. The fact that there is no native support within Windows to read the Mac's drive keeps the Mac installation completely safe from a potential Windows malware attack that manipulates data/erases files. I would not want to give Windows the ability to access my Mac OS drive, native or not.

    On the other hand, you can have the Mac OS read/write the NTFS formatted Windows drive, if need be, for reasonably safe ability to transfer files (at no cost). Free download for "NTFS 3G" is available on Apple's support site.
     
    SP Forsythe, Feb 24, 2011
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  3. ajreynol

    ajreynol Notebook Virtuoso

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    there is software you can buy to use the Mac-formatted drives in Windows 7.

    Google "MacDrive" for a paid option. Not sure about free options. MacDrive has worked all year for me without fail or fault.
     
    ajreynol, Feb 24, 2011
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  4. HLdan

    HLdan Notebook Virtuoso

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    I'm sure you may not find my post helpful but if you go back and read what I highlighted and then read the rest of your post you'll understand my point. I'm sure you have Windows apps or games you want to run but based on your thread it doesn't sound like you're "switching from the world of Windows". Your entire post is about making sure you'll have a seamless Windows experience on your Mac. ;)
     
    HLdan, Feb 24, 2011
    #4