[joshejb]

Hi guys,
I bought my macbook pro running the latest software recently. It was working fine until I decided to install windows. after partitioning my hardrive, I inserted the CD and ran all of the installation perfectly, then I clicked the default option (can't remember what it was) and then my mac restarted. When it booted back on, It said Press any key to boot from CD. I pressed a key and then Disk error came up followed by Press any key to restart. I pressed several keys but nothing happened, I tried shutting down my mac by holding down the power button but when it turned on, there was a black screen. Restarted again and when it turned on, I saw the Disk error message. Can someone please help me resolve this problem as I am flying off tommorow and I urgently need my mac book to work. Your help would be very much appreciated.

[kilowattradio]

Originally Posted by joshejb 

Hi guys,
I bought my macbook pro running the latest software recently. It was working fine until I decided to install windows. after partitioning my hardrive, I inserted the CD and ran all of the installation perfectly, then I clicked the default option (can't remember what it was) and then my mac restarted. When it booted back on, It said Press any key to boot from CD. I pressed a key and then Disk error came up followed by Press any key to restart. I pressed several keys but nothing happened, I tried shutting down my mac by holding down the power button but when it turned on, there was a black screen. Restarted again and when it turned on, I saw the Disk error message. Can someone please help me resolve this problem as I am flying off tommorow and I urgently need my mac book to work. Your help would be very much appreciated.

I hope you made a backup of your mac data with Time machine before you installed windows. Reinstall Mac OS X completely then use time machine to restore Mac OS X. If you did not make a backup go to an apple store or retailer to get help there.
The mistake you made was booting directly from the CD/DVD, next time do not press a key when prompted by the Windows XP install CD/DVD.
If none of the data on your Mac is critical then just reinstall Mac OS X. If you reinstall XP just make sure when prompted to press a key to boot from the CD don't do anything.

HTH.

[ghporter]

Welcome to our forums!

First off, there are some pretty specific directions you need to follow when using Boot Camp. The most important is to only try to install Windows on the "C" drive (which Boot Camp creates). Selecting any other partition WILL break OS X. Secondly, Microsoft is woefully bad at explaining to users that the SECOND time they see "press any key to boot from CD" that they should NOT TOUCH ANYTHING. That only restarts the installer. You need to let it boot by itself to complete the installation.

Finally, you MUST use a version of XP that has AT LEAST SP2. It will not work with SP1 or no service pack, and you cannot upgrade after installation-it's gotta start out with SP2 or better on the installation CD. We have a good post for how to use your "pre-SP2" install disc to create a new disc with the latest service pack integrated into it-look for the "Slipstreaming" post.

Unfortunately I believe kilowattradio (welcome to you, too!) is right-you've hosed your OS X installation. If you have a backup, restore it onto the MBP and you should be at least back to the beginning. If not, sorry but you're stuck-you have to reinstall OS X to get back to the start.

Again, welcome (to both of you!) and I hope you can get this sorted before you have to head to the airport.

[ChrisF]

Most likely the Mac data is fine. Shut down your computer and turn it on holding the "Option" key. You should then see your startup disk as an option to start from. Click on it and then click the up arrow on the screen. Then, make sure to set the Mac partition as your startup disk in the "Startup Disk" system preference.