Use old Windows XP PC hard drive as an external hard drive.

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Use old Windows XP PC hard drive as an external hard drive.

Hello, I'm planning to buy a Mac Mini as XP is no longer supported. My thought is to use the old SATA 3.5 inch drive as an external drive in a USB 3.0 case to give access to what files and programs. There are a couple of Windows specific programs on there, so can I boot the Mini into Windows and readily use the external drive as if it was all part of a PC instead of a Mac? I'll get a new external drive for Time Machine backups.

Does booting into Windows come as normal or do you have to buy Office for Mac? Was planning to wait for the latest version of that before buying. But in the meantime would I effectively be able to boot into Windows and use the old drive and all the Office Pro Plus 2010 thereon? Have two machines: an old Windows XP PC and a new Mac all in one?

Thanks for any help and advice you can give (I'll be new to using a Mac, but have an iPad 3 and old iPod)

Posted on May 29, 2014 4:19 AM

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Answer 1

lllaass

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May 29, 2014 4:30 AM in response to gfhug

You need to purchase the Windows program. You can install Windows two ways:

- By using the Apple supplied BootCamp

http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1461

- Or by using Windows in a virtual machine in OSX via the free VirtualBox or paid Parallels or VMWare.

If you want programs like MS Office yo have to purchase those in addition to the Windows program.

I use Parallels

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Answer 2

gfhug Author

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May 29, 2014 5:02 AM in response to lllaass

Thank you Illaas

So despite all the MS Office programs already being on the old drive, are you saying they won't run and I'll have to buy them all again?

I can buy 'Parallels Desktop for Mac' much cheaper than a full version of Office for Mac, but does it still not access the old programs? (I have the backup disk for Office Pro Plus, having bought and downloaded from the internet, but took the option of having a backup disk)

Thanks

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Answer 3

lllaass

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May 29, 2014 5:22 AM in response to gfhug

Do you have the install disks for MS office? If so you should be able to install them on your new installation of Windows and then use that.

To install Windows you need ither install DVDs or install IOS files. Your old windows HD will not boot into Windows on a Mac.

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Answer 4

gfhug Author

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May 29, 2014 6:56 AM in response to lllaass

No, not the install disks. The disk is labelled 'Backup disc Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2010'. I have the product keys. Would that work, and onto a Mac?

When I bought MS Office, the easiest was to download through the internet, but paid extra for the delivered backup disk (or disc, whichever you prefer).

Seems a shame not to be able to continue using something I've paid for. Grrr! Especially as there is probably a new version of Office for Mac coming soon so will wait to buy that not an old one.

Will the other, none Microsoft programs (but designed for MS not Mac) be accessible and hence run? Do I still need to buy a version of Windows or parallel system? (I thought that boot camp gives the ability to boot into Windows and comes with a Mac, not bought as an extra. And it works with XP as well as later versions).

Thanks

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Answer 5

lllaass

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210,513 points

May 29, 2014 7:04 AM in response to gfhug

You can likely install Office from that disk since once you install Windows the Windows installation really acts like a PC. The only problem would be if the Office installation was locked to the original computer.

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Answer 6

gfhug Author

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May 29, 2014 8:45 AM in response to lllaass

Illaass

Many thanks for your answers and advice.

Hope to get the Mini next week, so may well be back asking for further help, but in the meantime it's good to know of the help I can get. It is appreciated.

Regards

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