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It is possible to install Windows using Boot Camp using Image instead of install disc

L

Libertine Lush

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Nov 23, 2009
682
2
Hi everyone,

I'm asking as a new Apple convert using Snow Leopard 10.06.2.

I have an iMac running Snow Lep and a laptop running Windows 7. The laptop did not come with a separate disc of the Windows OS. In the absence of the OS disc, is there any way to install Windows in it's own partition using Boot Camp, such as by copying an image of the laptop onto the iMac?

Thanks!
 
You will need a separate license of Windows for your Mac.

The license on your laptop is a pre-installed OEM version that is non-transferrable.

You can download an ISO of Windows 7 direct from Microsoft, and install and use that for 30 days (extendable to 120 days) without a key, but ultimately you will need a license.

B
 
balamw said:
You can download an ISO of Windows 7 direct from Microsoft, and install and use that for 30 days (extendable to 120 days) without a key, but ultimately you will need a license.
Click to expand...

When you say downloading an ISO does that mean the $199.99 download option on the Microsoft site? Thanks.
 
Libertine Lush said:
Hi everyone,

I'm asking as a new Apple convert using Snow Leopard 10.06.2.

I have an iMac running Snow Lep and a laptop running Windows 7. The laptop did not come with a separate disc of the Windows OS. In the absence of the OS disc, is there any way to install Windows in it's own partition using Boot Camp, such as by copying an image of the laptop onto the iMac?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

You can use fusions migration function which will p2v you windows laptop so that the new virtual machine is an exact replica of the original.

Cheers,
 
panzer06 said:
You can use fusions migration function which will p2v you windows laptop so that the new virtual machine is an exact replica of the original.
Click to expand...

Could you dumb it down for me a bit: what's "fusion" and "p2v"? Thanks, panzer.
 
Libertine Lush said:
Could you dumb it down for me a bit: what's "fusion" and "p2v"? Thanks, panzer.
Click to expand...

VMWare Fusion let's you run virtual machines under OSX. It is great for the occasional access to Windows apps but not so good with games that want full access to hardware. P2V = Physical to Virtual. We use it all the time at work.

Cheers,
 
Ah! Had a mind lapse. I have VMWare Fusion. Came free with this Mac, but haven't tried it yet. From what little I know though, don't you still need the Windows OS disc in order to run it in Fusion or Parallels?
 
Libertine Lush said:
Ah! Had a mind lapse. I have VMWare Fusion. Came free with this Mac, but haven't tried it yet. From what little I know though, don't you still need the Windows OS disc in order to run it in Fusion or Parallels?
Click to expand...

Not if you migrate. It pulls the full install from the laptop including any domain access, etc. It runs as if it's the laptop. Of course once it's successfully running on the mac you must manually uninstall any hardware specific programs that came with the laptop (Dell, HP, Toshiba, etc tools like fingerprint recognition or hardware monitoring utilities).

Cheers,
 
panzer06 said:
P2V = Physical to Virtual. We use it all the time at work.
Click to expand...
At work is a key point to remember here. Just a note that if you do a P2V on a non-volume license (retail, OEM) you may run into activation issues when the activation servers detect the same Windows license on two separate machines. Just remember that retail and OEM licenses are only for one machine (though physical and virtual is OK per the license.).

B
 
Libertine Lush said:
What does "non-volume" mean? Does that mean a digital purchase?
Click to expand...

Volume licenses don't have activation. These are for large corporate users. Once we migrate the Windows license to Fusion we put the PC in a drawer and don't use it. This only applies to Mac users who don't want to use their company issued PC but still need access to some Windows-based applications.

The main point I was making to you is that you can get Windows working on your Mac w/o installing Windows from scratch. There can be issues like applications that no longer work because the hardware they need doesn't exist. Additionally, activation issues can arise upon starting the VM the first time.

Cheers,
 
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