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The Mac Pro First Generation is an Intel Xeon-based workstation computer manufactured by Apple Inc. The first generation model includes the machines from 2006 through 2008.

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Can I run 2 hard drives, each with different operating system?

Hi iFixit community,

I currently have a Mac Pro and was hoping I could run 2 hard drives in series. ie. when I start my computer I'm asked which hard drive do I want to boot from. Ideally I would like one hard drive to be running OSX and the other to be running WinXP. Is this at all possible? Or is what I'm thinking of a pipe dream?

Regards,

William

EDIT: So I have a Quad Core Intel Xeon processor. So I take it, its indeed possible then? I also appreciate all of your input and the time you have contributed in providing me with insight and a direction for my issue.

Answered! View the answer I have this problem too

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You will be able to do this if you have an Intel processor Mac Pro. Please give us the last three figures of your serial number so we can determine your exact machine type. You also cannot directly install Windows, you will need something like BootCamp first or Parallels or VMfusion:

http://www.parallels.com/products/deskto...

http://www.vmware.com/products/fusion/ov...

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I also rec. refit. It's an open source boot manager designed for use with Ubuntu.. works the balls.

here is a link to the Apple boot camp setup page:

http://manuals.info.apple.com/en/boot_ca...

here is a link to find refit and some info:

http://refit.sourceforge.net/

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+ nice advanced answer for a power user, if they have an intel machine

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No problem. You should Google "Dual Boot" and you may want to install Refit.

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How this is done is awkward

First,install both drives one at a time

Here is a good configuration a friend of mine did after which I did the install of the drives and format for him.

He had the drive with OSX in it only,then I installed drive 2 and named it DATA and then drive 3 named WINDOWS

The jumpers have to be removed, then in Boot Camp I formatted the WINDOWS drive and installed XP(i recently switched him over to 7)

I charged him 65$ vs. 80$ for friends in my community(i was told in order to work out of your community,you have to be certified or you will be arrested but i do not believe that,but i will get my certifcation to get out of my community),how i do this is i get supplier discounts because i go back to him for parts a lot

The 7 upgrade was 20$ for the install+ my supplier's cost of it and the obvious profit scheme too(we skipped Vista together,we both hate it and i bought a used Vista laptop used,we skipped for a reason and i see how bad it was)

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William will be eternally grateful.
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