Lots of questions

[iGuy]

Hello everyone,

20" iMac 2.66GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
2 GB Ram
Mac OS 10.5.4 (Leopard)

Recently I installed Windows XP and Parallels on my iMac.  My wife has a Windows only application, this has worked well.

Now, I enjoy gaming and would like to play a game that they no longer make for the Mac.  Haven't since the first version and have come out with many since.  The game is called Stronghold.  

Anyway, I realize that PC games will play much better using BootCamp since Windows XP will then run natively instead of virtually when using Parallels.  The Stronghold 2 Demo runs like crap in Parallels.

First question: Since I already have Parallels and Window XP installed on my computer, can I use the Boot Camp Assistant or will I run into problems?

Second question: I am wanting to backup my system using Time Machine before doing all this.  I have an external Hard Drive that connects by firewire.  I believe it has Panther loaded on it.  I would like to use that Hard Drive, but will I need to wipe it clean and install Leopard onto it to use Time Machine?

[iGuy]

I have been reading different things on this subject after doing more research.  The subject I am referring to is installing Boot Camp after having Parallels and Windows XP already installed.  Below is something I came across.

QUOTE

Just use Boot Camp Assistant to create a partition and install Windows as instructed. After Windows installation, you boot back into OS/X, run Parallels, and create a VM pointing to the Boot Camp partition.

If I do this, will I have two copies of Windows XP on my iMac since I have already installed it for Parallels?  If so, can I delete the first install?

Ryan

[iGuy]

TS is slow these days.  Guess everyone is out enjoying this beautiful weather.

Well, after doing more reading, I understand that Time Machine works with a clean external drive.  After making sure I got everything off the external drive that I needed, I am currently erasing the drive.  Afterwards I am going to fire up Time Machine and see what happens.

[tacit]

If you already have Boot Camp installed, then Parallels can use the copy of windows on the Boot Camp partition, and you will have only one, not two, copies of Windows on your computer.

However, it does not wok the other way. Parallels can use a Boot Camp Windows install, but Boot Camp can not use a Parallels Windows install. If you already are using Parallels and wish to do a new Boot Camp install, you will need to install Windows again.