XP Pro upgrade

john-boro · 9 Sep 2006 at 08:54

Hi.

On this computer I currently have Windows XP Pro SP2 installed. I'm soon going to be getting a MacBook Pro and would like to dual boot Windows XP with OSX. Now, to do so I need a full CD of SP2, but to buy the upgrade version would be cheaper.

It sounds fishy perhaps, but it's not. I want to install XP on my mac, and if I get the upgrade version the only way to do so would seem to be be installing Win 98SE first. This is impossible since 98 cannot be installed on a mac. Is it possible then to use the XP Pro CD for this computer, and use the license from the upgrade version to install it on the mac?

The annoying thing is I have at least two CDs of Win 98SE, but I can't use them on the mac!

cheers
john

ns400r · 9 Sep 2006 at 11:43

The upgrade copy of Windows XP should ask you to put a copy of a qualifying operating system (Win98se) into the CD drive during setup to continue. It shouldn't need to be installed first. So long as the Mac bit doesn't get in the way!

Memphis · 9 Sep 2006 at 12:00

ns400r said:
The upgrade copy of Windows XP should ask you to put a copy of a qualifying operating system (Win98se) into the CD drive during setup to continue. It shouldn't need to be installed first. So long as the Mac bit doesn't get in the way!

Just want to confirm that. The Mac should read the 9X CD fine, as all it does is confirm that you at least have access to an older copy of the OS.

oddjob62 · 9 Sep 2006 at 12:08

If you're using Bootcamp, then i'm pretty sure you need a full version disk. I've only ever tried it will the full version. Your better off asking in the "Linux, OS X & Open Source" section really mate.

john-boro · 9 Sep 2006 at 17:29

cheers for the replies fellas. If all it involves is temporarily placing a 98SE CD in the drive I can't see that it wouldn't work. The only problem would be if the mac didn't allow me to eject the CD during install, but it's just a PC so it should work like any other...

I'm assuming here that an 'upgrade' still means you can clean-install windows. ie, you wouldn't have to have 98 installed and then upgrade the existing install.

Finally.....

I can get an OEM copy of XP Home SP2 for the same price. Since the windows installation will only be used for games and the occasional bit of WP and networking, this would fit my needs so should I get this instead?

cheers
john

EDIT: Sorry, you were right. Upgrade CDs can't be used by bootcamp, and additionally the eject button on the keyboard won't work during installation. I think I'll go for the home version.

For anyone that's interested in doing it all the same:
However, if you install bootcamp and then choose to boot from the CD, apparently it does work. Then the problem of ejecting the CD :-

You can copy the \WIN9X and \DRIVERS folders to a location XPCD that contains the upgrade CD's contents. Burn this to a CD, and although bootcamp won't recognise it at first, you will be able to boot from it and install - even if the Win9X and DRIVERS folders are empty, their presence will make it think there's a 98 CD there.