is it possible to build a hybrid Windows/Hackintosh by swapping HDD?

[Chrushev]

I prefer Apple's video editing software, and thus usually use my MacBook to edit videos. I have a gaming PC (with spec that is one of recommended hackintosh builds). I also have a few extra hard drives.

I was wondering if its possible to have a build where it can be my windows (gaming) PC, but when I need to edit some videos i can shut it down, swap the SATA cable and boot into Mac?

Ive never built a hackintosh before, but have read a couple of guides... this one here seems to be pretty straight forward. http://lifehacker.com/5841604/the-always-up+to+date-guide-to-building-a-hackintosh

And from the sounds of it, after the MacOS is installed I should be able to just swap the drives between windows/MacOS?

Any feedback?

Thanks!

 

[gpse]

yes you can, I did this before, just swapped the drives.
check tonymacx86 for guides\help\post questions.

 

[dma0991]

You don't have to swap the SATA cables. All that you need to keep in mind is that you install each OS in separate HDDs. The first HDD in the boot priority will be the one that boots up. The boot priority of each HDD can easily be changed in the BIOS setup and no physical disconnections necessary.

I've never actually tried it out as my Hackintosh project has been put on hold for quite a long time. That being said, I'm still pretty confident that the method I've mentioned above will work.

 

[LucJoe]

You don't have to swap the SATA cables. All that you need to keep in mind is that you install each OS in separate HDDs. The first HDD in the boot priority will be the one that boots up. The boot priority of each HDD can easily be changed in the BIOS setup and no physical disconnections necessary.

I've never actually tried it out as my Hackintosh project has been put on hold for quite a long time. That being said, I'm still pretty confident that the method I've mentioned above will work.

Can't you do it on a single HDD with multiple partitions and some sort of bootloader? That's how I always did linux/windows installs

 

[dma0991]

Can't you do it on a single HDD with multiple partitions and some sort of bootloader? That's how I always did linux/windows installs

You definitely could. I was only referring to the crude method based on the early stages of understanding multiple boots. It was only much later after trial and error where I used GRUB to handle my multiple boots of Linux, XP and 7. Based on my past findings, this is also possible with OSX bootloader but if uncertain, it can potentially cause a huge mess.

Had bad experiences messing up my Windows bootloader a lot of times but eventually finding ways to workaround the problem. I would prefer to experiment on a test machine to see how each bootloader reacts to multiple OSes before actually implementing it on my main machine.

 

[Chrushev]

Thanks for feedback.

And yeah, id rather keep them on separate drives since i dont want bootloaders messing up, and if one gets messed up the other will still be golden.

Also I actually prefer swapping the sata cable as opposed to just booting from drive C or D since it would save power

 

[dma0991]

The power saved from physically removing the SATA cable is negligible since it only consumes very little power, even less when it is in idle. Some would even power down automatically when not in use for an extended period of time. It is far more convenient to swap it through the BIOS.