Boot Camp won't recognize Windows install CD

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Boot Camp won't recognize Windows install CD

I am trying to install Windows XP on my MacBook Pro so I can use some software that only runs on older versions of Windows. When I insert the Windows install disk, it spins, makes some shuddering noises, and ejects the disk. The disk doesn't show up in Finder either. This seems to be the exact same problem a user had in a previous thread (https://discussions.apple.com/thread/2562503?start=0&tstart=0), but I don't know if they came up with a solution in the end (also, I'm not quite sure I even understood their suggested solutions). My disk drive has no problem with other CDs (e.g. music CDs), and it doesn't look like the install disk is at all scratched or dirty.

More details:

I am using Boot Camp Assistant version 3.0.4 of a MacBook Pro on a 2011 MacBook Pro with OS X 10.6.8. The version of Windows that I am trying to install is a 2009 CD of a full version Windows XP Pro with SP3, which the vendor (http://www.softwarespeedy.com/microsoft-windows-xp-pro-with-sp3/)

described as "a full version on all brands of systems, Macs or custom butil systems. Purchase includes disk, UPK, and certificate of authenticity license which will validate with Microsoft and activate."

Please help!

Lisa

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.6.8)

Posted on Feb 24, 2013 8:50 AM

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Answer 1

Best reply

BobTheFisherman

Level 9

79,249 points

Feb 24, 2013 9:01 AM in response to nirgendwoman

XP is not supported on some Apple computers including the 2011 Macbook Pro http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4410

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Answer 2

nirgendwoman Author

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Feb 24, 2013 12:44 PM in response to BobTheFisherman

This is not good news for me. Does this mean the problem with my computer and not Boot Camp, so I will never be able to use XP on my laptop? Thanks for link though, I don't know why I didn't find this when I spent like a whole day googling to see if XP would work with my version of Boot Camp before I bought a new Windows disk 😟

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Answer 3

Csound1

Level 9

59,973 points

Feb 24, 2013 12:52 PM in response to nirgendwoman

Install Windows XP in a VM. Virtual Box is free and works very well with XP.

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Answer 4

nirgendwoman Author

Level 1

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Mar 4, 2013 3:45 PM in response to Csound1

I just tried using Virtual Box, but I am having trouble with that too. Virtual Box seemed to install fine, but I can't figure out how to install Windows on that since my CD drive still spits out my Windows installation disk. When I click Start in Virtual Box, it looks for and doesn't find a "bootable medium." I am assuming this is supposed to be my Windows XP installation disk, but I still have the problem that my computer doesn't recognize it.

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