Random questions to which you seek an answer

[Giles]

Technical People.

I bought a new PC today, to run our shipping applications (they don't run under MacOS hence needing a PC).

We got an HP with Windows 8, which only runs IE10.  Yes, guess what, one of the shipping applications we use only runs on IE9 or earlier (no Chrome, no FireFox).

I am contemplating doing a dual boot set up so we can choose Windows 7 or Windows 8.

Anyone tried this, is it easy?

Help please, otherwise my bollocks will be history (Mme B is pacing up and down the room with shears in her hand)

[tigerpac]

Have heard it was easy to do, but haven't personally done it!

[injunjack]

G, can't help with your Q, but if it's of any relief, our boys, (doggies) just got rid of their bollocks…they are takin it mighty fine sofar, so... :-\

[Giles]

Thanks IJ, that make me feel sooooooooooooo much better…..

[emceeQ]

I've always run multiple (2-5) os's on my laptop at a time. It can be a bit of a pain, but it's doable.

I've always used different distros of linux and osx, but this guide seems to explain it fairly well for your situation…
http://winsupersite.com/article/windows8/windows-8-tip-dualboot-windows-7-144111

You need to install windows 7 first and go from there though…

Alternatively have you thought about setting up a virtual machine to run windows 7?  It would let you run windows 7 in a window without the need to restart and switch operating systems

If you have windows 8 pro or enterprise, it comes with the software to set this up, as seen in the last section of this article...
http://www.pcworld.com/article/2018309/six-awesome-built-in-windows-utilities-no-one-knows-about.html

You'll need a relatively fast computer to virtualize though…

[emceeQ]

Also, if you can get away with using Internet Explorer 8 or below, just follow this to get xp up and running and do it from there…

Much easier than the other two options I gave...

http://lifehacker.com/5965889/how-to-run-windows-xp-for-free-in-windows-8

Hope that helps G…

[emceeQ]

one last solution, in case none of the above work would be to dual boot one of your macs.  I know it's not ideal as you probably got the HP for this purpose but it would work.  The bootcamp utility is super easy to use…

http://lifehacker.com/5887081/how-to-run-windows-and-all-your-favorite-windows-programs-on-killer-mac-hardware

and I'm done

If you need anything else or any help just shoot me a pm G…

[Giles]

I will look tomorrow.  Thanks Mike

[scroogen]

Dual boot is easy enough to do, but why not just download IE9 from the microshaft website?

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/internet-explorer/downloads/ie-9/worldwide-languages

• guess it doesn't work so easily… annoying

http://www.howtogeek.com/128738/how-can-i-run-legacy-versions-of-internet-explorer-on-windows-8/
this link will show you how to do it though…. but maybe dual boot is the best option for you

[Chris]

Windows 8 only runs IE10?

@scroogen:

• guess it doesn't work so easily… annoying

You didn't really think Microsoft would let Giles out with something that simple, did you?:)

[Giles]

So I am told

[emceeQ]

Yep, there is something that prevents older versions of explorer from being installed

[Giles]

@scroogen:

Dual boot is easy enough to do, but why not just download IE9 from the microshaft website?

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/internet-explorer/downloads/ie-9/worldwide-languages

Because when I try, it fails because it see's another instance of IE

[scroogen]

looks like I'll be avoiding windows 8

[hectic]

Giles, have you tried Opera with the shipping application?

Or you could consider dual boot with something like Linux Mint,

[Giles]

I will try opera - thx

[Snowy]

Without asking for a hit, you can run Windows 8 on your Mac. I've been doing it @ Work/Home for years.

http://www.vmware.com/support/fusion5/doc/fusion-50-release-notes.html#8Opt

1)Install VMware Fusion
2)File>New (in VMware Fusion)
3)Insert Windows 8 CD
4)click through windows installer

5. You've now got Win8 running inside of OSX.

Like emceeQ I'm currently running 5 VM's inside of OSX, and 2 of those OS's contain 2-5 VM's inside each of those (ESXi and SmartOS). All on my little MacBook Pro, which I posted a photo on yesterday.

If you're able to, take back the PC

[Captain]

Somebody in the US can proxy me a sweater? Reward given

[Giles]

@Snowy:

Without asking for a hit, you can run Windows 8 on your Mac. I've been doing it @ Work/Home for years.

I dont want to run Windows 8, I need to run windows 7 or earlier.  Which I do on my mac, but the shipping companies will not load their software onto my mac period…

[Snowy]

@Giles:

@Snowy:

Without asking for a hit, you can run Windows 8 on your Mac. I've been doing it @ Work/Home for years.

I dont want to run Windows 8, I need to run windows 7 or earlier.  Which I do on my mac, but the shipping companies will not load their software onto my mac period…

Win7, XP, 2K, any OS can be installed as a VM….It's almost impossible for the companies to determine it's running on a mac if they only have access from inside the VM. *I've worked with many vendors that won't/don't support virtualization, certain aspects of Oracle software fit in that boat.... Fair point if they're that pushy and won't support even when it makes nil(ish) difference.

Dual boot sounds like the least complicated option. *I'd still run as a Windows7 VM inside OSX, but then again I push for virtualization for a living :).

In Summary; Yuck!