Installing Windows XP on a new MacBook Pro with Retina Display.

Question

Level 1

0 points

Installing Windows XP on a new MacBook Pro with Retina Display.

I just purchased a new MacBook Pro with Retina display and need to install Windows XP on it so that I may run 3 Windows programs. I have watched a few videos on the internet on how to do this through Boot Camp Assistant, and it says at one point to use the driver CD from Mac to install the drivers. I did not get any CD's with my new MacBook Pro. I also saw on some of these boards that said Boot Camp does not support Windows XP. The people at the Apple store said it can run Windows XP, so I have ordered an original version.

Question 1. Does my MacBook Pro with Retina Display running OS X version 10.8.3 able to run Windows XP?

Question 2. How do I install the drivers?

MacBook Pro with Retina display, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.3)

Posted on Apr 17, 2013 7:33 AM

Reply

Answer 1

steve359

Level 6

17,169 points

Apr 17, 2013 7:36 AM in response to JSLittle55

BootCamp in MountainLion does not support XP.

But if you install a VM package (virtual machine, such as Parallels, VirtualBox or VMWare Fusion) you can istall XP there, and drivers should not be an issue.

But VM uses more RAM becuase the hosting system (OSX) must run at the same time as Windows. So RAM will be shared.

How much RAM did you buy (as Retina systems cannot upgrade RAM after purchase)?

Reply

Answer 2

JSLittle55 Author

Level 1

0 points

Apr 17, 2013 7:40 AM in response to steve359

16 GB 1600 MHz DDR3

Reply

Answer 3

steve359

Level 6

17,169 points

Apr 17, 2013 7:43 AM in response to JSLittle55

16 is very good. Even if you dedicate a full 8 GB RAM to the VM (which may not be necessary ... you may only need to allocate 4 or 6 GB) you have many multiples of GBs for OSX.

Did you get 32-bit or 64-bit XP?

Reply

Answer 4

JSLittle55 Author

Level 1

0 points

Apr 17, 2013 8:16 AM in response to steve359

32 bit

Reply

Answer 5

steve359

Level 6

17,169 points

Apr 17, 2013 8:22 AM in response to JSLittle55

32-bit only reads 4 GB RAM (3.5 GB after some is used for video or other operations).

64 GB will see 16 GB RAM.

You may want to return it for 64-bit version.

Reply

Answer 6

JSLittle55 Author

Level 1

0 points

Apr 17, 2013 8:32 AM in response to steve359

Would this work? And also, what is the VM I need? Where do I get it?

Microsoft Windows XP Pro - The Professional Choice

Although replaced by Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows XP Pro remains the most popular and widely used operating system in the world for business computer applications. While Microsoft Windows Vista does offer some cosmetic improvements and a few new features, nothing can beat Microsoft Windows XP when is comes to performance, stability and, in the case of older computers, speed.

Windows XP Professional delivers a reliable foundation you can count on to keep your computer up and running when you need it most. Not only the operating system is more reliable, it also offers features that make it much faster and easier to recover from system problems. Windows XP Professional, the new standard in reliability and performance, is designed for businesses of all sizes, and for individuals who demand the most from their computing experience. With the ultimate communication and collaboration tools, advanced laptop support, remote access capabilities, and more, Windows XP Professional helps you be more productive. Prepare yourself for the most reliable, secure, and responsive Windows yet. Windows XP Professional gives you the freedom to focus on your business and your customers.

Package Includes:

Coa Sticker Activation Key
DVD Disk

This software is 100% genuine and will validate with Microsoft. The software is new sealed OEM.

System Requirements:

AMD Athlon 64, AMD Opteron, Intel Xeon with Intel EM64T support, Intel Pentium 4 with Intel EM64T support CPUs, Core2Duo, Core2Quad, Intel I7
256 MB of RAM
1.5 GB of available hard disk space
Super VGA (800 x 600) or higher-resolution video adapter and monitor
CD-ROM or DVD drive
Keyboard and Microsoft Mouse or compatible pointing device
64-bit Device Drivers

Package Includes: A genuine COA, genuine software cd with Dell brand logo and Product Key for activation. Although this product has the Dell brand on the CD, the software installs as a full version on any system and will activate with Microsoft. This is a Full OEM Version for a clean installation. This is the full product and will load on computers that do not currently have Windows. Or, if the computer already has Windows, this version will install over your previous version and delete all files to become a brand new clean version. This product includes the Microsoft CD and Activation Product Key with COA. Boxes and manuals are not included. The manual is on the genuine disk.

Model: ZAT-00124
Manufactured by: Microsoft

Reply

Answer 7

steve359

Level 6

17,169 points

Apr 17, 2013 8:43 AM in response to JSLittle55

Should work.

The choice of VM is tricky.

VirtualBox is free from Oracle, but does not have the same updates and support of a paid type like Parallels or VMWare fusion.

I have a VM but do not use it as often as others.

Let this post stand a bit longer for opinions to roll in.

As to backups ... your VM image is a very big file. When you change *anything* in your Windows XP the entire file is backed up. You do want it backed up, but be warned it may be backed up as a separate image-file instead of part of your routine incremental backups.

Reply

Answer 8

steve359

Level 6

17,169 points

Apr 17, 2013 10:55 AM in response to JSLittle55

If post "virtualbox" into the "Seach communities" box just under "Your Stuff", you should find several discussions previously completed on the pros/cons of VirtualBox, Parallels and VMWareFusion.

Reply

Answer 9

Csound1

Level 9

59,973 points

Apr 18, 2013 8:32 AM in response to steve359

I'll add an opinion here.

Virtual Box should be the first choice, in my experience it is as good as (if not better) than either of the paid rivals. I use VMware and VBox, I use the same Windows VM file in either/both of them. VBox is faster, more stable and does not cause my cooling fans to speed up, unlike VMWare.

So my vote goes to Virtual Box.

Reply

Answer 10

Dec 23, 2013 7:15 AM in response to JSLittle55

First of all... could you people just right if you have an answer? It makes just harder for anyone to read all &"$%&! you right until find an answer.

Ok, about XP and MPB Retina...

Give back your XP ROM, it doesn't run in MPB Retina.

Change it for an OEM of windows 7 or 8 PROFESSIONAL OR ULTIMATE. (They have a emulator with free XP mode) "Google - Win 7 or 8 and XP mode" IT IS FREE FOR PRO AND ULTIMATE.

Intall the win 7 or 8 with CAMPBOOT. (If you need more details right me back, but all explanation is already in the AP Community) Don´t use this Emulators Virtual box, Parallels etc, if it would be good apple would do the same and not give you CAMPBOOT!!!

Why should you do this way???

Because you pay the same amount of money, and you have the XP you want and a windows seven that you can play games or even install other win apps. (With Parallels and Virtual box you cannot play games, and nobody buy XP anymore, you buy a Win / 7 or 8 Ultimate or Pro with XP emulator free)

And PLEASE if you like my answer select my answer as the one that solved your problem, bacause just this way nobody will need to read all this &§R"$&// that this people wrote before me.

Enjoy your toy.

Reply