Question for you "Computer Techies" out there

[JoyD.]

I'm trying to find a low-priced "Windows XP" installation disc to buy. . . . I have a Mac and purchased "VMware Fusion 2" (sent my Parallels back) in order to be able to use EncoreViewer Software requiring Windows XP or Vista.

I found this site offering a Windows XP Professional Branded CD and License for $89. Here is the description: You are buying (1) Genuine Dell XP Professional SP2 Reinstallation CD and (1) Genuine Hologram COA (Certificate of Authenticity)*
http://www.bmem.net/c=F2lEc23LgK9BdYYav ... cense.html

Is this what I want . . . or is a "reinstallation disc" something else that requires Windows already on your computer, etc.

Can anyone advise me with this who is computer tech oriented?

TIA, Joy

[Paul56]

The OEM version is about the cheapest legal route you can go.

Just make sure it is not an UPGRADE version. Those versions require an existing copy of Windows be on the hard drive before installing the new version. In my opinion, you are actually better off to start clean with a freshly formated hard drive rather than reinstall over another copy.

If you are not certain what the vendor is offering... call them to explain what you are looking for and they will confirm the product you are interested in will fit your needs.

[N6CRV]

I'm trying to find a low-priced "Windows XP" installation disc to buy. . . . I have a Mac and purchased "VMware Fusion 2" (sent my Parallels back) in order to be able to use EncoreViewer Software requiring Windows XP or Vista.

I found this site offering a Windows XP Professional Branded CD and License for $89. Here is the description: You are buying (1) Genuine Dell XP Professional SP2 Reinstallation CD and (1) Genuine Hologram COA (Certificate of Authenticity)*
http://www.bmem.net/c=F2lEc23LgK9BdYYav ... cense.html

Is this what I want . . . or is a "reinstallation disc" something else that requires Windows already on your computer, etc.

Can anyone advise me with this who is computer tech oriented?

TIA, Joy

No that is not want you want. That is a reinstall disk for a Dell. It will check during install to be sure it is the correct disk for the model of Dell. You can get just the XP upgrade software if you have a old copy of 98 or newer. Even thought it saids upgrade it will work on a clean install. It will ask for a copy of a 98 or newer disk to be inserted but then will carry on.
Don

[GumbyCT]

That looks like JUST SP2 to me. SP2 is only part of XP.

If I were you, I would check CL in your area for computers or laptop with XP Pro already installed so you can see it working. Then ask whoever you are buying from to install Encore for you. Use this computer just for you Encore needs. Well unless you want to convert.

http://www.craigslist.org/about/sites

[Debjax]

Based on the description of the item, it is a fresh install and will erase any existing data. I'm not sure if the Dell reinstall is good on other brands or not, but suspect it has already been activated even if it is....a reinstall means that it got installed on a pc first.

You might try one of these links:

http://www.oemtogo.com/106_OEM-Windows- ... rsion.html (89 dollars and change)
http://www.oscostdown.com/product_info. ... swodeXu3mA (86.00)

I don't know anything about these vendors, found them on a webs search...the second one discusses Intel-Mac.....

[lynx]

Like the above poster said, the XP Profession OEM version is the cheapest. Reinstall sounds like an illegitimate copy to me, if you're going to end up with one of those, just get one for free somewhere. If you want a legal copy, OEM just means "no fancy box" it's really meant for computer installers, you'll need a disc and a key (really long string of letters and numbers) to install it. I tried to locate you a low priced single install, normally I can find them cheaper, but this is the best I could do:

http://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-Windows ... 672&sr=8-2

A used copy is fine, it's up to them to uninstall their copy if they sell it to you.

Also, I don't know how much VMWare cost you, but VirtualBox is free. It takes a little more manual work to get running (that's what you get for free) but if you're tight on cash and flush with time, you can give it a shot, all you can lose is time.

http://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Downloads

[JoyD.]

Thanks to you ALL for your input!

I ended up finding a great site for purchasing brand name software at greatly discounted prices. I found my Windows XP Professional, Academic Edition Full Version for only $69 plus shipping. Here is the online store in case they may have great prices for other things you may be looking for: https://www.bluesurfsoftware.com/Search ... ofessional

I have my EncoreViewer software, Reader arrived today, VMware Fusion and Windows XP Pro on their way to arrive by Thursday! I'm almost there to use CPAP Software ON MY MAC!

Joy

[Woody3]

You wouldn't have been able to use the Dell cd. I have this cd and tried it on other computers it simply will not
work on any other computer than a dell. I seem to recall it looks at what brand computer you have and when it finds
it isn't a dell it tells you this cd is not for your computer and then stops. So I am glad you didn't buy it.

[yardbird]

WindowsXP CDs will be inexpensive as it's no longer current.

And for the record, anyone using a Mac and wanting to install Windows, the upgrade CD work. It seems Microsoft considers the Apple OS to be "upgradeable"

....... which I find comical.

[dsm]

Joy

Great to see a 'boomer' tackling what is no mean feat of install & setup.

I am keen to see how you go - my wife has a powerBook + an intel based iMac & dual boot (Boot Camp) doesn't work for her on the iMac (she wants both at the same time + shared disk). I wondered about parallels but I gather you didn't like it ?

VMWare is something I'm more familiar with but I imagine it must be a MAC version ? - allows you to run a virtual PC while OSX is active ?

Cheers & good luck

DSM

[yardbird]

At least 3 options for running a windows operating system on a mac:

Boot Camp (dual boot... you choose one or the other windows or mac OS)
Parallels (start Mac's OS and run windows as a virtual machine)
VMWare's Fusion (windows as a virtual machine after starting the mac's OS)

Boot camp is better for machines that don't have a lot of memory since you're only running one OS at a time.

The virtual machine solutions run better if you have more memory

[lynx]

At least 3 options for running a windows operating system on a mac:

Boot Camp (dual boot... you choose one or the other windows or mac OS)
Parallels (start Mac's OS and run windows as a virtual machine)
VMWare's Fusion (windows as a virtual machine after starting the mac's OS)

Boot camp is better for machines that don't have a lot of memory since you're only running one OS at a time.

The virtual machine solutions run better if you have more memory

There's another alternative, VirtualBox and it's free. Link: http://www.virtualbox.org, enjoy.

[dsm]

At least 3 options for running a windows operating system on a mac:

Boot Camp (dual boot... you choose one or the other windows or mac OS)
Parallels (start Mac's OS and run windows as a virtual machine)
VMWare's Fusion (windows as a virtual machine after starting the mac's OS)

Boot camp is better for machines that don't have a lot of memory since you're only running one OS at a time.

The virtual machine solutions run better if you have more memory

There's another alternative, VirtualBox and it's free. Link: http://www.virtualbox.org, enjoy.

Has anyone tried this software ? - anyone able to comment on how it interacts with OSX ?

Cheers DSM

[JoyD.]

Here's an interesting blog by someone who had experience with both Parallels and Fusion (the reason I returned by Parallels and bought Fusiion):
http://frickingenius.blogspot.com/2008/ ... -good.html

Joy

[dsm]

Here's an interesting blog by someone who had experience with both Parallels and Fusion (the reason I returned by Parallels and bought Fusiion):
http://frickingenius.blogspot.com/2008/ ... -good.html

Joy

Joy

Of course - silly me - I read that when you PMed it to me & forgot he ditched parallels for Fusion. Must remember to remember

Thanks

DSM