[tinoproductions]

ok, heard about bootcamp so was real exited...
did the software update...
then the firmware update...
installed bootcamp...
gave 10gb of partition for xp
asked me if i had xp CD with me to install now or later,
i said later...
then rebooted....
it reboots, grey screen with grey apple and spinning thing...for about 5 mins
then to blue screen with spinnign thing..and it stays there....
WHAT TO DO!
PANIC!
if i boot while holding option it only gives me osx as option....
PLEASE HELP!

[Nai no Kami]

Originally Posted by tinoproductions

ok, heard about bootcamp so was real exited...

And exited you are. From the world of dual booting (or even booting).

I'm sure you took the precautions to back up all your data (or, at least, the most important) before you started to mess around with BootCamp.

I would suggest you to reinstall Mac OS X from your install discs. If I'm not mistaken, the only boot option is Mac OS X and this gives you the neverending blue screen.

You could also try to reset the PRAM (Command+Option+P+R held at startup) just for the sake of it. Also a safe boot may help, achieved by holding shift at startup. This may (or may not) give access to Mac OS X but I'm not sure how much you will be able to undo the mess.

Finally, I'm confident you read the Installation and Setup Guide thoroughly and followed every single step carefully.

[harrisjamieh]

As Nai no Kami said, you DID back up your data didn't you? After all, you are given at least 1/2 a dozon warning to do so before it is potentially too late....

Ye, try a reinstall of Mac OS X. See if the installer will let you do an archive and install, which will save your data. There might be a problem with the system that needs to re-format the drive, and in that case, your information will be lost.

Just another idea, if you hold down the 'T' key whilst restarting (and keep it held), do you get into firewire target disk mode (will be a blue screen with a firewire symbol on it - you will not see the grey apple screen or any of the booting up process)? - if you can, then do you have another Mac/PC? Because if your data is essential, this could be a way of backing it up - use your iMac as an external HD, and back up your important info to another computer.

[jwoods]

I agree, reinstall OS X.

If you didn't back up your data, chalk it up as a lesson learned. Most times, it is always better to finish these kind of tasks in one go, instead of waiting to install something else (say windows) later.

Also note.....bootcamp is a BETA. It may have a few gotchas in it.

[mduell]

Do an Archive and Install with OSX if you don't want to delete all your data and apps.

[tooki]

Please use the existing discussions going on in the OS X forum.

tooki