Question from a Mac user…
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I had this game years ago on PC, but now have a newer Mac (OS X 10.11.4). I can’t get the Mac version of this game (will not work). I was thinking about going the Bootcamp route for Mac, but wanted to know if that will work, and if it does, what needs to be done? I worked on the F-16 while in the Air Force, and LOVED this game. Any help would be appreciated!
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What are your specs?
And do you have your hard drive/ssd splitted to linux/mac software and windows? if not, try that… maybe it helps
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iMac 21.5-inch (late 2012)
Processor: 2.7 GHz Intel Core i5
Memory: 8GB 1600 MHz DDR3
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GT 640M 512MBWhen you say, “do you have your hard drive/ssd splitted to linux/mac software and windows?” - I have no idea what you mean by this.
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If you have only linux or whatever OS mac is using or if you have 2 OS, like Windows and mac OS on your computer
But if you don’t know what i mean then i assume you don’t have it
You can try it one and maybe it works, but don’t ask me how to do it…
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I know what you’re talking about now. Currently I only have the OS X for Mac, and have the ability to purchase a Windows 7 license. I just don’t want to waste the money of purchasing a Windows license and the game if it will not work.
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razo probably is, helpfully, asking if you have your Macintosh HD partitioned with a Mac OS X partition and a Windows partition? Basically, just dividing up the hard drive using Bootcamp or Drive Utility so you have a Mac part and a Windows part. You buy a Windows disk and install Windows on the Windows part. One basic way to switch between them is to restart the computer, hold the Option key down, choose Mac or Windows, and the computer starts up using that operating system. Make sense?
No guarantees, but you likely will have a lot of BMS fun using OX X 10.11.4 Bootcamp to install Windows 10. I am currently playing (once every 2-3 weeks) in Windows 10 with no issues on a 2015 iMac/i5 processor/2GB graphics. I am unable to run BMS with full graphic eye-candy and get an acceptable framerate though. Still, I have a lot of fun thanks to the BMS team.
My 2008 iMac ran Falcon 4/BMS great in Windows XP for a long time, but XP is not recommended anymore.
Many of the simmers here recommend Windows 7 for compatibility with BMS. Theoretically, you could partition the hard drive yourself, install Windows 7, and download the Apple drivers for Windows 7 (for special keys on the keyboard, webcam, Bluetooth, graphics card etc.). I had to do this myself with XP when Microsoft and Apple stopped supporting XP directly.
I am not very technical Windows-wise but like it, and I used to be technically proficient with the Mac. Be careful with what a few Windows techs (I do NOT mean razo) may say as they are unaware of the Mac’s true capabilities and limitations. Take any advice – including mine – with a grain of salt and good sense.
Cheers!
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Huge thanks! My thought was to do exactly what you are describing. Since you are operating out of Windows 10, could I even install the original Falcon 4.0 using Win10 or should I purchase Win7, which is what I have read many times in my research. Again, I cannot thank you enough for your help.
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I was able to install Falcon 4, PC version, in Windows 10. I think I just tried it in the latest version of Windows 10 and it worked. But I might have tried Win 10 “Compatibility Mode” OR booted into Safe Mode and installed it, sorry don’t remember. Falcon 4, Mac version, will not work in Windows as far as I know.
I took awhile to decide between Win 10 or Win 7, especially because of the respect I have for many of the simmers that recommend Windows 7. I decided to chance it in my situation because I had somewhat newer hardware and betting that Microsoft would eventually get 10 out of beta. ; ) I did have troubles with crash to desktop and video issues at first. I called Microsoft to register my issues. Eventually there were two updates that solved my problems (so far). But I am still working the training TEs and dogfights and the start of a campaign to learn a new HOTAS. So it is not fully tested in single player and, unfortunately, in my situation I won’t be doing multiplayer. So there is still a lot to test to say that BMS and Win 10 get along. For me though it’s working and I am having a lot of fun.
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BMS won’t run on native mac. You indeed need a copy of original F4.exe (not AF version).
I ran BMS succesfully for 6 months in VMWare Fusion on my Mac, but the graphics were at a lower setting and FPS never got above 25. VMware Fusion on Win7 64 bit, extra monitor, Saitek hotas, TIR & MFD’s. See https://www.benchmarksims.org/forum/showthread.php?7663-Home-Made-Cockpits-Post-Yours!&p=187805&viewfull=1#post187805 for iMac specs and setup picture.
Then changed to Bootcamp with Win7 having major improvement on FPS at higher graphics settings.
Important notes:
1/ For some reason Windows doesn’t regulate your iMac fans! I fried my GPU because of it. Install a freeware programme that lets you set the fans (I set mine to full power before gaming) to get things cooled.
2/ Mic input is the mic build into my Mac because the iMac doesn’t support mic line in via the headset. So for multplayer expect complaints by your fellow vpilots that you sound far way and with an echo.That was 4.32, don’t know what it would give with 4.33. In the end I saved up and bought a pc just for BMS
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Just found this from a reliable source if you want to install Falcon 4 into Windows 10.
https://www.benchmarksims.org/forum/entry.php?3436-How-to-install-Falcon4-0-on-Windows10
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[QUOTE=
Important notes:
1/ For some reason Windows doesn’t regulate your iMac fans! I fried my GPU because of it. Install a freeware programme that lets you set the fans (I set mine to full power before gaming) to get things cooled.
2/ Mic input is the mic build into my Mac because the iMac doesn’t support mic line in via the headset. So for multplayer expect complaints by your fellow vpilots that you sound far way and with an echo.Do you have a suggestion for the freeware program to regulate the fans for Mac? Thanks so much for your help!
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This post is deleted! -
Vapor,
Many thanks, sir! Hopefully I can start the process soon. If I encounter questions along the way, may I contact you? -
Do you have a suggestion for the freeware program to regulate the fans for Mac? Thanks so much for your help!
http://www.crystalidea.com/macs-fan-control
or http://www.almico.com/speedfan.php
or http://openhardwaremonitor.org -
I had this game years ago on PC, but now have a newer Mac (OS X 10.11.4). I can’t get the Mac version of this game (will not work). I was thinking about going the Bootcamp route for Mac, but wanted to know if that will work, and if it does, what needs to be done? I worked on the F-16 while in the Air Force, and LOVED this game. Any help would be appreciated!
I run Win 7 installs on two Mac Minis and have BMS running on both. I always native boot into Windows (boot directly into Win 7 at startup) and that seems to work pretty well. I also have the recent OS X version of Falcon Allied Force running under SnoLep and Mavericks and it runs very well…not sure you can get it anymore, though (was available through the Mac App Store, but I think they pulled it…might want to check GoG). I use an app called ControllerMate to make a HOTAS Cougar work with Mac OS X, and that also works so well I wish there was a PC version of it.
You didn’t say which version of Mac you have, but BMS runs better on one that has a discrete graphics GPU.
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Thanks for the info. What exactly do you mean by a “discrete graphics GPU”? I am by no means a computer guru, but the specs for the Mac I have are:
iMac 21.5-in, Late 2012
Processor: 2.7GHz Intel Core i5
Memory: 8GB 1600MHz DDR3
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GT 640M 512MB -
Thanks for the info. What exactly do you mean by a “discrete graphics GPU”? I am by no means a computer guru, but the specs for the Mac I have are:
iMac 21.5-in, Late 2012
Processor: 2.7GHz Intel Core i5
Memory: 8GB 1600MHz DDR3
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GT 640M 512MBThe two Mac Minis I have are 2011 and 2012 models. The 2011 model has a separate (discrete) Radeon graphics GPU, while the 2012 model has Intel on-CPU graphics. BMS runs better and more smoothly on my 2011 Mini, even though it’s running from a spinning HD and my 2012 hosts Win 7 and BMS on an SSD. I also face the limitations of having a fixed (and less than optimal) amount of video RAM on each of them.
IMO, the ideal Mac for running BMS on is a 2012 Mac Pro; depending on if you are building a cockpit project, something greater than four cores, six at a minimum. Now that Hollywood is casting off the last-gen Mac Pros for the latest, these can be had on E-bay for about 1/3 the price of building a comparably spec’d PC (I’ve seen four core ones for around $700). Using a last-gen Mac Pro to host BMS gives you some flexibility that something like a Mini or an iMac doesn’t - starting with some choice in graphics cards and number of them, and hideous amounts of RAM capacity for use as RAM drive if you’d like to go that route. And you can add a USB 3 PCI card if you’d like that capability.
Something to consider, depending on how you’re invested and what you’d like to do. Or get around to doing.
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Vapor,
You mentioned you have a 2GB graphics card. Could you tell me exactly what you have? I’m not sure I have the same card as you. Thanks. -
I will PM you the info, since it won’t contribute anything useful to the conversation here.