Noobish Question on getting started with boot camp

[Dr Kaotica]

Forgive the basic question, I haven't had much experience with boot camp.

I would love to get it set up, and have been reading on what you need to do to install windows...

I have a old laptop running windows XP, and I have the product ID key or whatever for windows (sticker on the laptop itself), but it didn't come with a Windows XP CD. But don't I still own that copy of Windows? Is there a way I can download it from MS's website or something so I can use boot camp and install windows on my mac? I don't care if the old laptop never runs again so Im not worried about that.

Any help here would be appreciated.

-Matt

 

[Gex]

Hmmm

As far as I know, you won't be able to use that same Product Key, since it has already been used and therefore "linked" to that computer.

If you install Windows with that code, your Windows will notice that your Mac is an entirely different computer than the one it was previously installed, so it will "expire" in 30 days after install. This is because the Windows that comes pre-installed on PCs in the stores are only licensed by Microsoft to be used on that specific computer.

So I think you will have to find a new key first

 

[Blackjack07]

Welcome to my life.
I had pretty much the same thing a while ago, my pc crashed (what a surprise), but acer doesnt give you a recovery CD. So I had to cheat (which i dont like to do) and asked my friend for a 'clone'.

You can try and call Windows, but with the current economy they rather have you pay, instead of giving you one in the old day.

In each case, good luck.

B07

 

[JediMeister]

You must have a valid retail copy of Windows XP Service Pack 2 or later, Vista vanilla or Service Pack 1. Home/Professional for XP, Home, Home Basic, Home Premium, Business, or Ultimate for Vista. Using any other disc or version of the OS increases the risk that the install will overwrite the Mac OS X partition or the entire drive rather than just the partition that's been set aside for Windows. Download a copy of the install guide and it'll tell you the system requirements and hold your hand in getting it set up correctly the first time. Do not skip any steps, make sure you read it carefully and don't jump ahead.