Newb question on the very very basics.

I'm contemplating running OSX on my personal, daily-use work machine. I don't really have the budget to buy a new machine, or to purchase expensive parts upfront. Before I decide to invest my time, and potentially my money, I'd like to have a general overview.

1. Am I able to make my machine multi-boot? Imagine that I have an OSX, Windows and Linux disk. Is there a way of selecting which one at boot up other than via the bios?

2. Is there a program written that would scan my machine and just tell me outright whether my machine can run OSX or not? To tell me of any incompatibilities?

3. If I understand the process, it is basically this: IF I have compatible hardware all around, and the install doesn't work perfectly, the biggest part of my job will be, essentially, fiddling with settings or editing config files here or there. Is that about right?

FrankRoy said:

I'm contemplating running OSX on my personal, daily-use work machine. I don't really have the budget to buy a new machine, or to purchase expensive parts upfront. Before I decide to invest my time, and potentially my money, I'd like to have a general overview.

1. Am I able to make my machine multi-boot? Imagine that I have an OSX, Windows and Linux disk. Is there a way of selecting which one at boot up other than via the bios?

Click to expand...

Yes

FrankRoy said:

2. Is there a program written that would scan my machine and just tell me outright whether my machine can run OSX or not? To tell me of any incompatibilities?

Click to expand...

No

FrankRoy said:

3. If I understand the process, it is basically this: IF I have compatible hardware all around, and the install doesn't work perfectly, the biggest part of my job will be, essentially, fiddling with settings or editing config files here or there. Is that about right?

Click to expand...

Yes

Those were very concise answers.

Thank you.

I have just done my first build, my top tip: work out what board you have, then search for it, chances are someone else has done the work for you!

Next tip, start without the Video card in, use the inbuilt graphics to get you off the blocks. Once you get it working, then try and mess around with the Video card.