i have Windows XP from my Virtual PC disks. i understand this is a licensed version of XP. well, now i have a new Mac Pro and i used VPC on my old G5. can i buy an upgrade version of Vista to install on the Mac Pro using boot camp or does XP need to be installed first?<br><br>I ask because i read the directions for how to get Virtual PC installed for use with Boot Camp and i think i'd rather just buy the full priced version of Vista before i try getting VPC's windows to work. egads! TIA.<br><br>

Is there no way to buy a cheap copy of XP? I don't think the bad reviews of Vista are just by a minority of Microsoft haters. Its pretty sucky from what I hear.<br><br>

Because I had Virtual PC 7 I decided to go with VMWare. They have a free utility that converts the Virtual PC list file to a volume that VMWare works with. It was flawless! I had to re-activate the Windows install, but it went pretty smoothly. I would highly recommend going that direction if you don't really have to use Boot Camp. <br><br>The other option is to get an OEM version of Vista. But Vista runs much slower in virtualization than XP Pro. So I'm glad I'm stuck with XP Pro.<br><br>Eric<br><br>I didn't attend the funeral, but I sent a nice letter saying that I approved of it. - Mark Twain<br>

Newegg and Amazon have Vista OEM disks for under $100 if all you need is the home version.<br><br>

I moved XP from VPC to VMWare. I can't say it went entirely smoothly, but it worked in the end. Good thing, or I would have had to buy Windows!<br><br>nagr[color:red]o</font color=red>mme<br><br>I require stroyent!<br>TeamMacOSX.com | MacClan.net

I would second Trog's recommendation and stick with WinXP. I was at a meeting last week. 900 people for these talks and everything went smoothly. Except for one talk. The poor guy could not get his computer to behave with the projector. When he went out to Vista control panel to change settings there was an audible groan as we watched him fumble through the eye candy resetting things. It was really painful. Almost as painful as his talk which had the header off screen and the resolution was wrong.<br><br><br><br><br><br>

I'd second the recommendation about OEM (otherwise known as system builders). You can get the full version of Vista ultimate for less than the retail price of Vista basic, and less than the price of an upgrade.<br><br>Newegg has oem Vista home for $109, and XP for $89 I believe.<br><br>However, the major drawback is that you can't transfer the license to a different machine.<br><br>Also I wouldn't listen to the bashers, Vista's fine. Hell I'd say go all out and get the 64 bit edition.<br><br><br><br>Hey I'm an F'n Jerk!®

i don't really use Windows more than opening it up once a month or so. my rationale for Vista is that i could install it and not worry about being behind in 2 years or upgrading a year from now, etc. <br><br>i would rather use Boot Camp because i have a separate HD just for Windows and I'd like to run Windows Natively when i do use it. i have parallels on my Macbook and it doesn't really cut it.<br><br>i'll have to explore the OEM if i decide not to go with XP and the hassle.<br><br>

<blockquote><font size=1>In reply to:</font><hr><p> I don't really use Windows more than opening it up once a month or so. My rationale for Vista is that i could install it and not worry about being behind in 2 years or upgrading a year from now, etc. <p><hr></blockquote><p> That seems faulty logic to me. WinXP is a fully hammered out system. Win XP running two years from now will be very close to today's WinXP. Vista today is a nice system but it is bug ridden and driver short. You will need to upgrade it constantly to keep it on the most recent version.<br><br>Unless there is a piece in Vista that is "must have" it would be lunacy to upgrade to Vista to only use once a month. The only "must have" that I have found in Vista is the sharp stick I "must have" to poke in my eye every time I use it.<br><br>I use WinXP every day and except for getting it to print to a printer of my choosing I almost like it now. It never crashes and is quite speedy even on some pretty old boxes. In Parallels WinXP is very cooperative.<br><br><br><br><br>

my university appears to be shifting to Vista this fall, bless their souls. i just want to be current. okay, you've talked me out of it -- i'll figure out how to make my XP from Virtual PC work with Boot Camp. you win!<br><br>btw, i'll be back in Boston for a conference in early April. i think i present on April 3 and then my wife will join me on the 5th for another presentation. i believe we're in the same conference center. i'll let you know things as the date draws nearer, but i don't even know that i will be able to plan anything since the wifey has her own agenda. <br><br>