Boot Camp, Parallels, Windows (?) questions, your help please...

1. I've been using Windows XP SP2 Professional with no problems at all, though any version with SP2 should be fine.

2. Boot Camp does require a restart while Parallels will run it in a window (or you can set it so it's more integrated with OS X or you can run it full screen and switch between the two with a simple key command).

3. The best thing, in my opinion, is to install it with Boot Camp so you always have the option to restart into Windows if you need to. Then install Parallels and it'll run Windows off the Boot Camp partition without requiring the restart Boot Camp does. They share, it's nice.

1) I've only ever run Windows XP Professional on my Macs with Boot Camp. Vista will work just fine, but ... it's Vista. 😉 The web developers where I work use Parallels on their iMacs and it really delivers a performance hit on the Mac OS. Parallels and VMware are great for quick switching between OS X and Windows, when you're doing a lot of cross-platform testing, etc.

If you only plan to use Windows sparingly and with limited apps, I'd go ahead use Boot Camp to partition part of your hard drive and install Windows that way.

2) Parallels has become (in my experience) more troublesome as time goes on. With Boot Camp, yes, you'll have to restart whenever you want to run Windows, but it will run natively rather than in emulation like Parallels or VMware. You'll essentially be working on a Windows computer until you restart back into OS X.

3) See RetroBot's post 🙂

Message was edited by: Dana Evans

I have just noted some general advice on Boot Camp, with a Windows XP partition, which I highly recommend.

First, you should read the Boot Camp manual carefully and follow it in detail.

http://manuals.info.apple.com/enUS/Boot_CampInstall-Setup.pdf

Second, you should format your Windows partition using the NTFS format. Fat 32 will not support files larger than 3.5 GB.

By having your partition formatted as NTFS, you will be able to upgrade to Windows 7 easily in the future should you wish to do so. I would recommend a minimum partition size of 40 GB.

To access your Mac hard drive from Windows, you would want to check out MacDrive 7, which is really good.

http://www.mediafour.com

Under NTFS, you will be able to read your Windows drive from your Mac drive.

However, if you want to write to it, you will need the following software from Paragon.

http://www.paragon-software.com/home/ntfs-mac/

If you go with XP, and to save money, look for Microsoft OEM versions of Windows XP. These are the same as retail versions of Windows, but you will pay far less, i.e. $129 vs. $399.

However, do not go for manufacturer OEM copies of Windows, like from Dell or HP, as they will not work properly.

You can find the proper versions at CDW or Amazon.

http://www.cdw.com

Good luck, and let us know!

another option for windows xp pro. If you have an old cd around but no key for it, Micro$oft will sell you a new product key for $10-$20 depending on version.

If you format the Windows partition as NTFS (and I recommend that too), you'll be able to see the Windows partition in OS X, and copy from it, but you won't be able to write files to it. The software Luke linked to will allow you do do that.

Thank you, Dillbuch!

As Dana has said, when using Windows, you may want to access and edit files that are on your Mac OS partition. In that case, use Mac Drive.

When in Mac OS, you may want to access and edit files that are on your Windows OS partition. In that case, use Paragon.

I keep all of my files on my Mac partition. However, I often need them in Windows. The software that I have mentioned, Mac Drive specifically, allows me to access and edit those files without having to copy them over to my Windows partition.

No problem, Dillbuch.

I have set my Windows partition at 40 GB NTFS. Therefore, I do not have a lot of extra space, so I have all of my files, music tracks, and videos on my Mac partition, and I use the space on my Windows partition for programs.

With Mac Drive 7, my programs, like Word or Photoshop, can access and edit the files on my Mac partition.

The only personal file that I keep on my Windows partition is my Outlook PST file, which should stay on the Windows partition.

I hope that this helps!

Raidrunner wrote:
another option for windows xp pro. If you have an old cd around but no key for it, Micro$oft will sell you a new product key for $10-$20 depending on version.

Raidrunner,

Please tell us how we can get a Windows XP Pro key for $10 to $20 directly from Microsoft.

You would save me a fortune.

I would really appreciate it!

Thank you!

Thank you, dillbuch!

I really appreciate the kind words that you have written.

All the best,
LukeD

Ask and yee shall receive. I just REPLACED a product key for windows xp pro retail CD I had, just to confirm pricing and make sure it still works. I am talking Micro$oft policy here so terminology is very important especially while on the phone with them. First off a clarification. The only way to "purchase" a product key is to get it with a new product cd. Micro$oft does however have a policy for "replacement" product keys for a CD you already legally own but have lost YOUR product key.

This is how the process works.
First off you need the part number of the version of windows you are trying to get a REPLACEMENT key for. You can get this part number from your original CD, it is printed on the inner ring and starts with an X something like X1 -**** or a quick google search if your cd is damaged and unreadable in this location should return the MS part number for your product. Remember the Part number on the inner ring is different the the one on the CD label printed below the MS logo. You need the ring code.

Do not use these instructions to break the law and obtain a product key for a CD YOU did not buy legally at retail price.

Next call Micro$oft @ (800) MICROSOFT (642-7676), remember you should be REPLACING a code right? so you are not doing anything wrong simply follow the prompts to purchase a product (i just say random ******** things into the phone until the system get's confused and gives me a live OP). When you get an operator explain to them that you need to purchase a REPLACEMENT product key for your copy of windows XP Pro. Explain that you still have the CD that you purchased but cannot find the Product key that came with it.

Next get out your credit card, pay MS $10 and get a pen.

Again i did not post this for people to rape MS, they are a company like any other and are looking to make money. It is illegal to obtain product keys for products you do not own.

p.s. Is there any way to contact another user from the forums privately without posting my email up here? Some forums have a PM feature but i haven't found it if it's here.

Raidrunner,

I thank you very much for your information.

I really appreciate it!

Thank you!

All the best,
LukeD

PS

Apple Discussion does not have a PM feature.