Windows on iMac

[Bruce Wutzke]

I went to a Mac about 3 years ago. I would like to use my old recording software that is PC only. IF I used Boot Camp and installed Windows 7 for the sole purpose of using this software, would I need the AV protection that I used to have?
The only time I would go online would be to download the software, no browsing after that.
Thanks

[Wiz Feinberg]

I went to a Mac about 3 years ago. I would like to use my old recording software that is PC only. IF I used Boot Camp and installed Windows 7 for the sole purpose of using this software, would I need the AV protection that I used to have?
The only time I would go online would be to download the software, no browsing after that.
Thanks

Yes, because a lot of Windows exploits can happen via TCP/IP and UDP connections alone, or through third party software, or by means of hidden redirection scripts in hacked web pages. Many commercial and software maker's websites are hacked every day. Scripts are added to the existing pages to cause a visitor's browser to relocate to a hostile location where malware is served via multiple avenues of exploit attacks. If any software on the attacked PC is vulnerable to one or more of the exploits, it may fall victim to the attack and become Botnetted, or otherwise infected. This is a typical means of obtaining new recruits for criminal Botnets, and for distributing fake security products.

[John Cipriano]

You should check if the software is supported by CrossOver.
http://www.codeweavers.com/compatibility/
If so, then you can avoid buying a Windows license.

There's a 30-day trial period as well, so you can just see if it works. It's pretty straightforward, you install CrossOver, then use it to open the installation program or CD.

If you do decide to use Boot Camp, you could always just shut off the network adapter.

But be aware that you have a few options for running Windows software: Boot Camp, CrossOver, Wine (the open source project that CrossOver is based on), and virtualization software like Parallels, VMware Fusion, or VirtualBox (which is free).

I personally use VMware Fusion for one program that needed drivers, and for a couple of other small ones I use CrossOver. I'd use Wine, and have in the past, but they were giving away CrossOver copies for some promotion and CO is simpler to set up.

[Allan Munro]

I have been using VM Ware on my Mac for some time now. I find it is a pain when it comes to audio software. I have contacted Apple and VM Ware as well as posting on a number of forums and still find the problem only partly solved. The consensus seems to be that the Mac uses the hardware in a way that Windows just does not support. High level stuff is fine, but recording stuff that uses low level control for speed, (necessary for multi-tracking for example) just does not transfer.
As an aside, I used to have a free-ware recorder on my older windows machine. When I couldn't get it to work through VM on the Mac. I contacted the writer just for comment. I got more help, information and support from that guy than from all of the big guys put together.
Good luck with making it work and please report any success you may have. I am still looking to get some things working.

Regards, Allan.....

[Bruce Wutzke]

I got a reply from the software writer. He said I should have no trouble with Boot Camp and Windows. His confidence tapered off on the other possibilities.
All I gotta do now is make the jump! We'll see.

[John Cipriano]

Allan is right. Multitrack audio demands low latency and you're probably not going to get that in a VM (at least not in the specific case of running Windows on top of OS X and using the Mac built-in sound card). It's just the nature of it.