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Boot Camp Mac gets HFS+ 8 for Windows

June 11th, 2010

Ever since Apple started using Intel processors, the line between Macs and PCs has been blurred as Mac users have the option to combine the Mac OS X and Microsoft Windows in one machine with help from Apple’s Boot Camp. Version 3 of Boot Camp, which comes with Snow Leopard, makes it even better by offering Windows the ability to read a Mac partition, which is formatted in HFS+ or HFSX file system.

Boot Camp, by the way, is a bundle of software drivers and utilities that allow you to install the Windows operating system on an Intel-based Mac. You then have the option of booting the computer in either Mac OS or Windows. You can also install and use only Windows on the Mac hardware.

However, if you want the ability to have full read-write access to a Mac partition from Windows, you’d need another utility, such as HFS+ for Windows from Paragon.

Paragon announced Thursday the latest version of this software, called Paragon HFS+ for Windows 8. The company claims that this version is the industry’s fastest two-way solution, capable of transferring files between Windows and Mac OS X at a rate higher than native HFS file-system performance.

Paragon also says this is currently the only solution on the market that provides full read-write access to HFS+/HFSX partitions on any type of disk configurations, inducing APM, GPT and MBR, and for the largest selection of Windows revisions, including both the 32-bit and 64-bit editions of Windows XP, Vista, 2003 or 2008 Server, and Windows 7. The software is also designed to work with all types of hard-drive connections, including USB, FireWire, eSATA, SATA, and IDE. It also adds modern hard-drive support to older Windows, including the ability to mount HFS+ volumes from GPT disks under Windows XP.

I tried the new software out on my MacBook Pro that runs both Mac OS 10.6 and Windows 7 and it worked much like Paragon claims. The software is actually just a driver; once it’s installed, there’s nothing else for you to do. Windows 7 is now able to write on the Mac partition of the hard drive. This means you can open, edit, and create files and folders, and even use this partition to host software for Windows. The copying speeds from between the two partitions, in my anecdotal tests, seem the same as those within the Windows partition.

Note that you might need to restart the computer a few times after the installation. In my case, after the first restart, the mouse didn’t work on Windows 7 32-bit and I ran into a blue screen of death with Windows 7 64-bit when trying to make a new folder within the Mac partition. After the second restart, however, everything worked fine.

All in all, this is a must-have piece of software for those who want to use Windows on Mac hardware. It is especial helpful for those who want to install Windows on their Mac using Boot Camp.

In order to install Windows on a Mac, you’ll first need to use the Boot Camp assistant from within OS X to create a partition for Windows. It’s always hard to pick the size for this partition as you can’t change it afterward without having to reinstall Windows from the beginning. Now with Windows being able to read and write to the partition used by OS X, it doesn’t really mater how big you want the Windows partition to be, as long as it’s big enough to contain Windows itself.

The Paragon HFS+ for Windows 8 software is available now and cost around $40. If you have been running Windows on a Mac or are plan on doing so, it’s totally worth it.

Source:http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-31012_7-20007473-10355804.html

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Tags: boot MAC Windows

How to fix windows 7 when it fails to boot

April 7th, 2010

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Whether caused by a virus, a new operating system or by simple mistake, being faced with an “Operating System not found” orsimilar error during your computer system’s boot up can be a nerve rattling experience. Assuming you have Microsoft’s Window 7installed however, do not fear, such a boot error can often be resolved in just a few simple steps.

First, check your BIOS and hardware

In many cases, having Windows 7 fail to boot may be as simple as having your BIOS set with an incorrect boot order sequence. Itcan be quite common if you have more than one hard drive installed in your computer and your BIOS gets reset. Usually you canaccess your BIOS seconds after your computer turns on by pressing the Delete button or by pressing a specific function key. Oncein the BIOS, check to see that your system drive is listed appropriately in the boot order sequence; you may need to refer to your

motherboard manual for help.

Another possible reason for Windows not being detected upon start up is a hardware issue. If your BIOS is unable to detect yoursystem drive, check to make sure all the cables are plugged in properly. If your hard drive is making an odd noise, such as aclicking sound, your hard drive may be broken. Finally, it is possible that the hard drive is having data corruption issues, which hasdamaged important system data, such as the Master Boot Record (MBR). If you suspect a faulty hard drive, it may be a good idea tobackup and scan your hard drive for errors from another computer and possibly consider buying a replacement. Trying to repair aboot problem on a damaged drive can possibly lead to even more data loss, so backup your data before attempting anything.

The MBR and other important boot data can also be damaged by trying to install an earlier version of Windows, such as WindowsXP, alongside Windows 7 and by third-party programs, such as viruses. In the case of a virus, it is recommended that you run avirus scan of the drive before attempting any repairs as otherwise it could lead to more data loss. It is further possible to achieve

The appearance of damaged boot data by having the wrong drive partition set to active, which can be the outcome of an overlycurious Windows user with administrative permissions.Fixing the MBR and other start up problems in Windows 7 is most quickly accomplished by using the Windows 7 Installation DVD.If you do not have a Windows 7 Installation DVD however, you can alternatively use a Windows 7 System Recovery Disc, which wewill show you how to create further down in this article. If you do not yet have either a Windows 7 Installation DVD or a recoverydisc, do yourself a big favor and make a recovery disc right away to avoid any unnecessary headaches down the road.

Fixing the Master Boot Record (MBR)

Step one: Turn your computer on, booting from either your Windows 7 Installation DVD or Windows 7 System Recovery Disc.Remember, you may need to change the boot order inside your BIOS to have the your DVD drive boot first.

Step two: After the installation or recovery disc loads, if prompted, select your language settings and then continue. If you areusing the installation DVD, when prompted by the following screen select Repair your computer.