Multi-Booting OSes: Anyway to Get Vista, Linux, WinXP & Mac OS 10.x All On 1 PC?

[bigsilly]

Hi! I'd like to have them all as options on one computer. Is this possible? Can you link me to a guide? Are Mac OS and Vista comaptible with the same hardware now?

Thank you!!!

 

[ShaidarHaran]

Only if you buy a Mac. 4 partitions is doable on a single drive though.

 

[hoho]

He'll probably need more than four partitions. Linux likes to have at least two (/ and swap) but three (additional /boot) or four (/home) would be even better. Luckily you can put all of them to extended partitions leaving you with three primary partitions for other OS'es.

Unfortunately I have no idea what partitions OSX needs. If it needs >1 and cannot use extended partitions you are pretty much screwed with only one HDD, unless Vista is able to work on extended partition. I know that XP couldn't.

 

[Kurt]

There is also this new-fangled thing called virtualization Probably the easiest route to go, depending on what you are planning on doing application-wise with the OS.

 

[hoho]

For anything 3D related virtualization won't work. That includes all the eyecandy UIs in OSX, Vista and Linux. XP should work fine enough though.

 

[bigsilly]

Hello! Thanks for your input! Good to know!

Since apparently I cannot run on Mac OS on "normal" PC hardware, this project must be delayed until my next upgrade.

I do worry a bit about the upgradeability of Mac hardware, though... Maybe it would be smarter to run Linux and the Windows on a new PC, and for the Mac OS, just buy a cheap older Mac.

 

[hoho]

That would probably be the best option if you do not need to have powerful HW for Mac and PC.

 

[Davros]

you could buy a asus mboard they have one with linux in rom or flash ram
http://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=article&item=869&num=1

 

[Simon F]

Only if you buy a Mac. 4 partitions is doable on a single drive though.

Perhaps a caddy drive which could be swapped?