So, I use a Sony eReader called the PRS-505. It's a great little eBook that keeps me informed on a daily basis. On problem, I'm an OS X guy, and Sony only supports Windows. That hasn't been a problem because I use OS X/Linux based software called Calibre to manage my eBooks - most of which can be found in a compatible .lit format.
However, last night I noticed the announcment of the PRS-700 included support for DRM Adobe PDF books with reflow. This is big news, because my library supports that format, which means I can check out hundreds of library books without going to the library! For free!
Great news right? Well, in order to make it work on the PRS-505 I need a firmware update, through the Windows only Sony application.
No problem, I have some old registered copies of XP from a previous life, and Boot Camp will allow me to put it on my MacBook no problem right?
Wrong. Boot Camp created a 10 Gigabyte partition, asked for the XP CD, then rebooted. Well, when I tried to install XP, it only shows me the entire HD partition, not the 10 Gigabyte partition that Boot Camp was going to create for Windows.
I immediately cancelled the install, and when the system rebooted I was greeted with a WSOD (White Screen of Death). No amount of refreshing, rebooting, resetting PRAM etc, made it go away. Holding option down only showed me a Windows partition on boot. Screwed.
I booted into the OS X DVD, and the Disk Repair Utility didn't even recognize a single partition on the HD. Only one option, a complete re-install.
Did I backup? Well, not really. I use my iDisk for all my files, so those were safe. But lots of misc files were located throughout the system. All toast.
Long and the short, I had to take a day completely reinstall my laptop, losing a whole day of work. I'm going to try it again tomorrow with a Vista install to see if I can get it to work.
All this to get free library books, and the library is only a 5-block walk. I'm thinking it might not be worth it.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
My Apple Boot Camp White Screen of Death Experience
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1 comments:
My bootcamp experience was back in the beta in Tiger, and I remember reading about experiences like this, so I backed up first with Super Duper. Additionally, I ran Disk Utility first and repaired permissions -- the absence of this step having been pinpointed as an issue with some of the failed installs.
Mine install worked fine -- but I soon gave it up in favor of a Parallels virtual installation.
I'm a die-hard Mac guy, and give Windows folks a hard time about blue screens of death and whatnot, but I've realized more and more lately that my Mac is not immune to *some* of the same ugliness.
At any rate, good luck man. I feel your pain.
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