Pintmaster

forum.onmac.net

The official forum for The Contest is now up and running!

Suggestions on how to boot Windows XP on the Intel Mac

Here is a condensed list of suggestions received from users during the day. None of these qualify as "the solution" but they may help the community get closer

• Boris Writes: Gateway's Media Center computers utilize EFI and have a special modified version of Windows Media Center 2005 that allows it to boot. If someone could get their hands on the modified version of MCE, I think applying the same fix to XP would be only a matter of hours.
  
• Mailinux Writes: i found another way to run windows and lillo(i was surfing and i found this...
  http://linuxbios.org/index.php/ADLO
  this may require some work... but seems easyer than writing anefi extention(seen this in a famous article on running windows on mac) but mabe doing this is possible: boot from efi->boot linux-bios kernel->adlo->windows or lillo
• Here are some references that I found:
  

• http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/device/storage/GPT-64bit.mspx
• Implementing EFI on 32-bit systems [ppt]

• Thomas S. sugggested: A nice french guy was able to compile the free emulator bochs as a universal binary... a nice step between
• Computer Guru posted on his blog, a step by step potential solution. Problem is, he has no mac to try it on
  
I will add more links & ideas to this as and when people send them to me!
Filed under: General 4 Comments

How is the winxponmac contest going so far?

Thank you for all the support the mac community has shown so far. I spent 5 hours last night after work trying my best to make the update as accurate as possible. Unfortunately I missed a couple of people and for that, I apologize. If I missed you, please send me a nice message asking me to make sure to put you in on the next one!

The contest is going great and it is getting wide coverage around the net. I have had interest expressed by several parties saying they are working on a solution, but no solutions as of yet. If you are working on a solution, please let me know so I can keep track of how many people / teams are working on it.

Best of luck to all trying, there are a lot of us counting on you!

Also, on another note, one donor suggested that we set a minimum of $10 to add a link to your website on the page. I dont want to discourage people from donating smaller amounts, however it seems that there are some out there using the site to post junk websites, and links to "get me a free ipod" etc... I dont have the time to check the links, but figure a spammer will be less willing to spend $10 to get their spam link on the site, and a real supporter wont mind not having a link for less than a $10 contribution. This is a learning process, so for everyone who posted a link for $1, dont worry! It will remain on the site. Otherwise, new links cost $10.

Thanks again for everyone's support and sorry to raise the rates on links. I need to keep my sanity! I cant spend 5 hrs a night updating links at $1 a pop.

Why does the contest specifiy Dual Boot

A bunch of people have been asking "Why Dual Boot?". The answer is pretty simple. When I came up with the contest, I wanted to have a goal that even the enthusiast could achieve. Most of the other alternatives prior to the intel mac- VMWare, Virtual PC are all using Virtualization. There has been a lot of talk about the Duo Core being able to do Virtualization at near native speed. I think it is unrealistic for an individual to write this software. I agree that running Windows XP virtually in Mac OS X at near native speed is the ideal way to accomplish the task of working on both operating systems. So given that virtualization is out and with the early success of people getting into the EFI bios, I thought I would focus the contest on incentivizing these people to expand their work. Furthermore my understanding of the functionality of GRUB 2.0 and ELILO was that it should be possible to get those to load as the boot manager on the Intel Mac.
I hope this clears up the confusion about why this solution was chosen. If you still have trouble understanding, think of it like the Ansari X-Prize which intended to kick-start commercial space flight. They didnt start sending tourists into space, but Spaceship One's successes got Virgin Galactic going. I want to kickstart the Windows on Intel Mac community. Even if this is not the exact method that people will use next year, it is a start to achieving our goals.

Why I’m not using Fundable.org at winxponmac.com

I was checking out fundable.org as an alternative to using paypal on winxponmac.com. This site was recommended by several people during the day today. I wont use Fundable.org for several reasons.

• They take 10% if your goal is met. (average so far with paypal is 4.4%)
• You have to set goals and limited time frames - it isnt possible to have an open ended fundraiser and I dont want to shoot too low for the prize in this contest. The time frames were 25 days or 15 days. I expect the contest may last longer
• Pain of switching - I thought about adding fundable as an alternative, but that 10% commission didnt sound very good to me.

Hope this explains why I decided to stick with paypal even though it is administrative hell! I spent 2 hours updating the website tonight with people who have donated. There are over 120 donors and counting!

Why run OS X and Windows XP on an Intel Mac

There have been a lot of speculators on the net as to why you would need to dual boot / run both Windows XP and OS X on an Intel Mac. Aside from my personal preference for OS X and Unix based systems, Here are my lists why I need each one for work:

Reasons I need OS X:

1. Presentations - Keynote is miles ahead of powerpoint. I can copy and paste from illustrator, drop in pdfs and the transitions are gorgeous. We have received many WOWs from customers when using Keynote
2. PDFs - I generate reports where I have Excel files embedded in Word Documents. In windows, the colors in the embedded excel file dont print. In my Mac in Office 2004... no problem!
3. Unix - I sometimes administer the company Debian web server. Running xwindows on Mac OS X, I am able to load up xemacs on the server or other x based programs. I doesnt work as easily using free software for windows.

Reasons I need Windows:

1. Microsoft Access - I use it as a front end for SQL Server 2000. I havent found a good alternative where I can easily copy and paste data into excel
2. Microsoft Outlook - the mac email client (corrected: Microsoft Entourage) doesnt cut it when talking to Exchange server 2003
3. Windows File Sharing - There are a bunch of great websites like macwindows that tell you how to connect your mac to a windows domain. It seems like every update from apple breaks the connection. Not to mention if you are on wireless and it drops! The samba / windows file sharing support in Windows is a lot more resilient. P.s. I am on a Windows Server 2003 domain which seems to have more trouble than earlier versions

Im sure I can find a bunch more if I think about it, but these are the ones that are in the forefront of my mind every time I try to totally switch to one or the other.

Contest to dual-boot Windows XP and OS X on a new Intel Mac

I started a contest to boot Windows XP on an Intel iMac or Macbook. The contest address is: winxponmac.com but please Digg my post so the cause can get more support.

Coverage of the contest:

• Ars Technica
  
• Mac Slash
• Macwindows
• Red Herring
• TechWeb

Mesothelioma is worth a lot of money

According to Cyberwyre, mesothelioma is the highest paying search term on Google Adsense! Wow. I never knew a disease could be so profitable. If you see it on my website, please, please click on it. I bet you probably have mesothelioma, or at least need a lawyer to help you out on your case. You probably have poisoning from asbestos if you live in a really old house that hasnt had the insulation redone.

The City of Houston is Useless

Here is my ongoing transcript of my correspondence with the City of Houston. They wont let me pay my water bill. That is really smart for their accounts receivable. I've escalated it to the Mayor. Lets see if that works!

Update: They fixed it and set me up on a direct debit on my new bank account! Thank you City of Houston for realizing that sometimes rules should be bent when they are silly!

-----Original Message-----
From: Colin Nederkoorn
Sent: Tuesday, December 13, 2005 6:48 PM
To: customer.service@cityofhouston.net
Subject: Delinquent Account #43277xxxxxx

I was advised to send a statement from my bank saying that my account had been closed when the automatic transfer was scheduled to go through.
Where should I send this statement?

Also, I have asked 3 times to have a fax sent to me with the information required to change the automatic payment - but it has not been sent.
Please send this document to: 713-979-xxxx in case it does not go through to the previous fax number.

Thank You,
Colin Nederkoorn

-----Original Message-----
From: PWE Water Customer Service
[mailto:Customer.Service@cityofhouston.net]
Sent: Wednesday, December 14, 2005 11:11 AM
To: Colin Nederkoorn
Subject: RE: Delinquent Account #432770xxxxx

Dear Colin Nederkoorn,

Thank you for your recent inquiry. The fax number to send the bank letter is 713-371-xxxx. I apologize that you have not received the bank draft application I will send you another copy via fax today.

Tayonna Hudnall
Utility Customer Service

-----Original Message-----
From: Colin Nederkoorn
Sent: Tuesday, January 03, 2006 9:38 PM
To: PWE Water Customer Service
Subject: RE: Delinquent Account #432770xxxx

Good Day,

I have sent the statement from my bank on December 15th. Please advise the status of removing the lock on my account so that I can pay my bill.

Thank You,

Colin Nederkoorn

-----Original Message-----
From: PWE Water Customer Service
[mailto:Customer.Service@cityofhouston.net]
Sent: Wednesday, January 04, 2006 3:04 PM
To: Colin Nederkoorn
Subject: RE: Delinquent Account #43277xxxxx

Dear Colin Nederkoorn,

Thank you for your inquiry. In order to have the returned check fee and stauts removed from your account, a letter from your bank advising the payment was returned due to a bank error must be submitted. To date we have received only a transaction history, which is not sufficient to lift the check restriction.

Sincerly,

Tayonna Hudnall
Utility Customer Service

-----Original Message-----
From: Colin Nederkoorn
Sent: Wednesday, January 04, 2006 3:19 PM
To: PWE Water Customer Service
Subject: RE: Delinquent Account #4327xxxxx

The payment was returned because the account was closed, not due to a bank error. The "Transaction History" is what the bank provided to me, signed and stamped to verify the authenticity of the information. This CLEARLY shows that the payment was rejected because the account was closed on 09/30/2005. This is enough information for your purposes. If
you need further confirmation that this account was indeed closed, please contact Leticia Guerrero whose information was also attached to my fax - 713-850-xxxx.

Please remove this block on my account without further delay.

Best Regards,

Colin Nederkoorn

-----Original Message-----
From: PWE Water Customer Service [mailto:Customer.Service@cityofhouston.net]
Sent: Wednesday, January 04, 2006 4:09 PM
To: Colin Nederkoorn
Subject: RE: Delinquent Account #432770xxxxx

Dear Colin Nederkoorn,

The fact that the account was closed is not in dispute and is not sufficient reason to remove the returned check fee and status. It is the responsibility of the customer to notify the City when a bank account is closed or changed when he or she has set up an automatic bank draft. You agreed to this when you set up recurring payments on the website on 9/20/05:

Terms and Conditions:

I authorize the City of Houston to deduct my monthly water bill payments from my account at the bank or credit union shown above. I also understand that the City of Houston or my financial institution may terminate the Recurring Payment plan (Automatic Payment Plan) at any time.

You must notify Utility Customer Service whenever your bank account changes.
Changes in your bank account require a new verification during which time you must send your payment to Utility Customer Service. Your Recurring Payment Plan will automatically be terminated if you fail to notify us when your bank account changes or if your draft returns because of insufficient funds. If your Recurring Payment plan terminates for these reasons you cannot reapply for Recurring Payment setup for six months.

A returned check fee can be removed in only one of two circumstances:

1) The City of Houston made an error in processing a check payment, or
2) The bank made an error and returned the payment by mistake.

As you have stated that there was no bank error, you did not notify the City when the bank account was closed, and as the City did not make an error, the returned check fee and status will stand.

Best Regards,

Noe Ontiveros
Utility Customer Service

-----Original Message-----
From: Colin Nederkoorn
Sent: Wednesday, January 04, 2006 4:24 PM
To: 'PWE Water Customer Service'
Subject: RE: Delinquent Account #43277xxxxx

I did notify the Customer Service through the online form and submitted my updated information for the automatic transfer. I did my part, but you guys did not update my records after I submitted the information. I do not have any record of this since I did it online in my account, but check back in your records and I am sure you will find my submission of my updated bank draft information. I then paid the next month's bill with my new account while I waited for the automatic transfer to be processed. Check and see! I made a payment that processed from that account on 10/20/05.

I submitted new info for the automatic transfer, and when my account was not locked - while I assumed it was being set up, I was using this same bank account to make payments.

You made the error by not updating my information after I submitted it. I have been trying to express this since I first called a month ago! I was told that the only way to get the lock removed was to submit something from my bank showing the old bank account was closed. I DID!

You are now very rudely accusing me of not informing the City when my bank changed. I DID!

Please remove this block on my account without further delay.

Best Regards,

Colin Nederkoorn

-----Original Message-----
From: PWE Water Customer Service [mailto:Customer.Service@cityofhouston.net]
Sent: Wednesday, January 04, 2006 5:45 PM
To: Colin Nederkoorn
Subject: RE: Delinquent Account #432770xxxxxx

Dear Colin Nederkoorn,

It is not possible to change your automatic bank draft information online, which is why any information you may have submitted online after the original bank account information was submitted was ignored by the system.
This is why the statement informs you to contact Utility Customer Service
when your bank account changes.

The payment you made on 10/19/05 for $12.93 was a one-time payment and, could not affect the automatic bank draft information you had already entered on 9/20/05. The payment was accepted at that time because no returned check status existed on your account at that time.

Regards,

Noe Ontiveros
Utility Customer Service

-----Original Message-----
From: Colin Nederkoorn
Sent: Wednesday, January 04, 2006 9:57 PM
To: 'PWE Water Customer Service'; 'mayor@cityofhouston.net'
Subject: RE: Delinquent Account #43277094xxxx

Good Day,

Mr Mayor, if you monitor your email, I owe the city money and the bureaucrats at the Water department will not let me pay. This is really bad for the city. The rules in place at the moment extend your accounts receivable and reduce the city's cash on hand. The city is not making interest on the money of all people in my situation because simply, we cannot pay our bills - the water department wont let us! In any business, this situation would be unacceptable. It should be as easy as possible for your customers to pay you. As you strive to unblock the freeways of our great city, please also take a look at the water department. Rules such as the ones I am experiencing create a sinkhole of wasted time and wasted money for all parties involved.

Thank You,

Colin Nederkoorn

---

This is my 10th correspondence with customer service on this issue. I have been trying to pay my water bill online with a check (where funds are verified online) for over a month now. Any utility run as a business and not a bureaucracy would have made it EASY for me to pay and would be chasing me down by phone. Surely people change bank accounts! It happens all the time. Some people forget to update their automatic bank draft. I did not.

If it is not possible to change the automatic bank draft information online, then the website shouldn’t deceive your customers into thinking that if they fill in the form and submit it nothing happens? It should not be on the shoulders of the customer if your system fails to fulfill your end of the bargain. I submitted my updated information on the form provided. I fulfilled my end of the deal: "You must notify Utility Customer Service whenever your bank account changes." There was no indication given to me at the time of submission that it would not be processed. The fact that you tried to do a transfer on old information when I had provided an update - through the means provided me (online on the website) is NOT my fault.

I refuse to have to go in person to make payments for 6 months and I refuse to pay a fine when YOU failed to follow my instructions for updated bank draft information.

I submitted my updated information the very latest on 10/19/05 which was a month and a half prior to the date the direct debit was scheduled. This is ample time to correct it.

This level of customer service is ludicrous.

As always I am willing to pay my bill online. Please unblock my account and the payment will be made within 24 hours.

Best Regards,

Colin Nederkoorn