Still unclear about Windows OS on a MBP

[Gav Mack]

Mac's run Windows great, but they do require a bit of tweaking to get the absolute best out of them running bootcamp. I use Windows/OSX 60/40%.

If you are a student and your Windows 7 activation key fails, ring the automated line and provide the codes using the phone. It will either ask you if it is on one computer and provide the confirmation codes automatically, else you will speak to someone and say your motherboard broke then they will usually give you the codes to activate Windows. Yes I've done this rather a lot

 

[takeshi74]

I figure I'd post here if I have more inquiries about Windows on Mac since I created this thread for that. Or should I create separate threads?

Keeping it in one thread is probably best as long as the topics are related. Also, don't overlook the Windows, Linux & Others on the Mac subforum:
https://forums.macrumors.com/forums/86/

Parallels/VMWare or Linux is not gonna happen for me right now. Maybe in the future.

You can always use Parallels/Fusion to run your Boot Camp partition down the road and then use either approach as desired. If I'm gaming I Boot Camp. If I have lighter requirements for Windows I'll use Fusion.

But, is Windows running all the time when computer is powered on or only when I decide to use it?

With Parallels and Fusion it's running when you have the VM running. With Boot Camp it's running when you Boot Camp.

 

[ano0oj]

I might be using Windows primarily on my MBP

then why buy mac in the first place?

 

[Barney63]

Windows will only run when you run it (in the virtual machine/parallels)

Barney

 

[simon48]

If you have a boot camp partition, creating a third one will destroy the boot camp partition. It happened to me.

If you don't have a boot camp partition, you can even octa-boot without modding the EFI.

You can (could?) easily install Windows without using boot camp assistant. Than I believe you can have more partitions. I've had Windows, OSX, an old version of OSX and I think Linux installed at the same time.

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So, if I have 500 GB of space, I assign for Windows let say 100 GB. Thus, for OS X remains 400 GB. Am I right?

But, is Windows running all the time when computer is powered on or only when I decide to use it?

If you're using Parallels the VM will be the size used by Windows, not how much you allocated to it. The VM changes size on the fly.

It's only running when you start the VM in Parallels.

 

[juantoothree4]

AFAIK, all version of Windows link themselves to their particlar hardware configuration at the time they're activated.
Putting your old Win7 on your new MBP would require entering your old Product Key into the MBP and activating it all over again which would likely result in an error and the need to actually pick up the phone and call Microsoft and explain the hardware change.
If you plan to stop using your old PC then Microsoft should accept the change.
If you're going to continue using the old PC then you're violating the license by using Win7 on two computers simultaneously but the old PC will continue to work -- it's not going to shut down or anything.
Or the new Win7 might activate on the MBP without problem because many computers come pre-activated with an OEM Product Key without the Key on the outside of the old PC ever being used or activated.
In this case you're saved the phone call but you are still violating the license.

Ok. So if it okay, I'd like to install my old Win7 software to my MBP BEFORE erasing everything from my old desktop PC. So that would mean I'd be using the Win7 that I have on my MBP AND the desktop. Can I do that?

I would be violating the license if I do that right? But what will be the cause if I violate the license, will my software be destroyed or something, or my data files in my MBP and desktop?

I'm also planning to sell my old desktop eventually, but it would have no OS. I'm just wondering what is my alternative?

Mac's run Windows great, but they do require a bit of tweaking to get the absolute best out of them running bootcamp. I use Windows/OSX 60/40%.

If you are a student and your Windows 7 activation key fails, ring the automated line and provide the codes using the phone. It will either ask you if it is on one computer and provide the confirmation codes automatically, else you will speak to someone and say your motherboard broke then they will usually give you the codes to activate Windows. Yes I've done this rather a lot

So they gave you a brand new product key basically? I don't believe this lol.

Thanks

 

[Gav Mack]

Ok. So if it okay, I'd like to install my old Win7 software to my MBP BEFORE erasing everything from my old desktop PC. So that would mean I'd be using the Win7 that I have on my MBP AND the desktop. Can I do that?

I would be violating the license if I do that right? But what will be the cause if I violate the license, will my software be destroyed or something, or my data files in my MBP and desktop?

I'm also planning to sell my old desktop eventually, but it would have no OS. I'm just wondering what is my alternative?



So they gave you a brand new product key basically? I don't believe this lol.

Thanks

No of course not it's still your key, but hit the telephone activation they give you a free phone number for your region and an installation key to touch in on the phone, a group of six digit numbers in boxes. If successful they give you another set to type in another load of boxes to activate!

What's the make model of your old desktop?

 

[saturnotaku]

Can I do that?

Unless you purchased a retail copy of Windows, you must have a separate license for each computer running it.

 

[juantoothree4]

My desktop is custom built. I'm not exactly sure what you are asking, nor the motherboard of my desktop. I think it is an ASUS. It hold GTX260, 4GB RAM, 2.7GHz Dual Core Intel. Why?

Unless you purchased a retail copy of Windows, you must have a separate license for each computer running it.

So if my Windows 7 is a retail version, I can do it? Sorry hehe I can't understand.

 

[Ledgem]

VirtualBox is actually pretty good for lightweight stuff. As long as the OP isn't doing GPU intensive stuff it would be a really good option.

I've never used VirtualBox before, but on the topic of using virtualization as "training wheels" for switching from one operating system to another, Parallels and VMWare have a very nice accessory function that isn't trumped up much. They are able to clone another computer into a virtual machine, retaining all of the files, installed programs, and customizations. It obviously takes more disk space than simply creating a fresh virtual machine and then installing the programs that you need, but it's nice to be able to "open your old computer from within your new computer" when needed.

Whether you clone your old system or not, virtualizing Windows is a fantastic option when transitioning to OS X. It allows you to work in the familiar environment with your familiar programs. Thus, you can still use your computer to work as efficiently as before when needed, and you can learn OS X and find replacement programs on your own time and at your own pace.

 

[IlikeMacsSoMuch]

How much space does Linux take?

Out of curiosity, is it possible to bootcamp two OS?

It doesn't take much place at all and it a great os. Possible to bootcamp two OS, do you mean OSX plus windows and another or just OSX and Windows as it was meant to do?

There are ways to have 3 OS each on its own partition, my mbp is set that way but it a little (not much but still) more complicated.

Enjoy your mac!

 

[Gjwilly]

So if my Windows 7 is a retail version, I can do it? Sorry hehe I can't understand.

No, he was saying you'd have to have a separate version of Windows 7 for your MBP.
If you truly intend to decommission your PC after transitioning to the MBP then I'd say that, while you are violating the letter of the license agreement, you are complying with the spirit of the agreement.
Each Windows license is for one computer ONLY so as long as the PC and the MBP are both using the same license your are in violation but if you're doing it only to transition.......... Well, that's between you, your conscience, and Microsoft's lawyers.
Why not pull the hard drive out of the PC and put it in an external enclosure and then you can copy the files to your new MBP at your leisure?
Then you only have one computer running Windows at a time.
Once you're done, format the drive, put it back in the PC, and sell it without an OS.
Or just bite the bullet and buy a separate version of Windows for your MBP.

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So they gave you a brand new product key basically? I don't believe this lol.

Thanks

No, they don't give you a new product key.
They give you a code to enter in to the new computer that tells Windows it's ok to bypass the failed activation attempt.
The license for the new computer gets activated but the product key stays the same.
And speaking of activation -- Windows gives you three days before you have to activate so if you're truly sincere about only wanting to transition you do have three days leeway to do just that before having to enter a product key.

 

[glenthompson]

So, if I have 500 GB of space, I assign for Windows let say 100 GB. Thus, for OS X remains 400 GB. Am I right?

But, is Windows running all the time when computer is powered on or only when I decide to use it?

With bootcamp you have to boot either OS X or Windows. Can't run both at the same time. With Parallels or VMWare you run them when you want and they run concurrently with OS X.

 

[Gav Mack]

My desktop is custom built. I'm not exactly sure what you are asking, nor the motherboard of my desktop. I think it is an ASUS. It hold GTX260, 4GB RAM, 2.7GHz Dual Core Intel. Why?



So if my Windows 7 is a retail version, I can do it? Sorry hehe I can't understand.

Because some branded systems like Dell, toshiba, acer etc you don't need a windows 7 licence key at all cos it's programmed into the bios itself, a type called 'slic 2.1'. If you google that along with your motherboard model you might find something interesting

 

[tmoerel]

That's funny lol. I wanna use the OSX because I paid big amount for it. But I'm really good with Windows. I wish I knew more about Linux. How much space does Linux take?

Out of curiosity, is it possible to bootcamp two OS?

Actually...do you want to play with Linux or will any other Unix do? Because OS X is based on BSD Unix. Start your terminal and hello.....we are in Unix world.
Most things you can do in Linux you can do on OS X too.

You can install something like MacPorts and have access to many unix/linux tools. Then you can also install X Server under OS X and most GUI linux/unix applications can then work under OS X too!