Cheapest Windows

[Howard Brazee]

We just bought a 24" IMac. We wanted 2G, but they only had 1G at the store, so we put that off. I installed Parallels only to discover that every one of my unused Windows XP disks is an Upgrade disk. I even have a Windows 95 and a Windows 98 upgrade disk.

What's the cheapest way to get Windows installed on her machine?

 

[Reflow]

eBay will be your best bet on the cheapest

 

[Howard Brazee]

Can I buy an older version of Windows and then upgrade? If so, how old?

 

[Reel1]

Windows XP Pro requires at least Win 2K to update. Windows Home requires Windows 98, may also work with Win 95

 

[Reflow]

Can I buy an older version of Windows and then upgrade? If so, how old?

I think you can only install XP with service pack 2 but I might be wrong. What does the parallel box say?

 

[benthewraith]

I think you can only install XP with service pack 2 but I might be wrong. What does the parallel box say?

For parallels any OS is fine, for Boot Camp, you have to run XP SP2

 

[stevento]

i reccomend downloading boot camp free then go pick up xp. its super cheap now that vista is coming out.
but if you want to run both OSX and XP at the same time, for instance to drag and drop items between the two desktops, then you need to spend an extra $70 on paralell desktop software
but the cheapest way is to get widows on the mac is to find cheap xp softare on http://www.overstock.com or http://www.amazon.com

 

[Howard Brazee]

I decided to search through my stuff for a W2K disk - and found a full version of WXP Pro from my mother's old computer, so I don't need to spend any more money.

I also found a Gateway XP full version, and wondered if I should install it then upgrade. No need now.