Running Windows on a MacBook Pro 17\"
 

I just ordered my MacBook Pro 17" and it is supposed to come today in like 2 hours. I plan on immediately running both Mac OSX, and Windows XP on it for poker. I went to the Mac Bootcamp site and they said I need a Windows XP install disc with service pack 2 on it. My computer is pretty old and when i got XP, the disc has service pack 1 on it. Do i need to buy windows XP all over again, or can i use a friends disc with service pack 2 on it for my machine too? I have a purchased copy of windows XP but i am totally clueless as to how the cd keys or duplicate security works. Is there anyone with any knowledge on this here?

Thanks.

Re: Running Windows on a MacBook Pro 17\"
 

Talk to Tron.

Re: Running Windows on a MacBook Pro 17\"
 

Just download SP2 from Microsoft.

Re: Running Windows on a MacBook Pro 17\"
 

[ QUOTE ]
Talk to Tron.

[/ QUOTE ]

I wish I could help but I have no idea about registration keys or Service Packs. [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]

Re: Running Windows on a MacBook Pro 17\"
 

[censored] will a mod please move this to the computer help forum?

Re: Running Windows on a MacBook Pro 17\"
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Talk to Tron.

[/ QUOTE ]

I wish I could help but I have no idea about registration keys or Service Packs. [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ]

well do you think it would be a problem to use someone elses cd to put windows on my computer?
does microsoft even check that?
and if they do, do you think i could just put in my info on my windows purchase and do it?
i dont care if you cant give factual answers, i just need some assumptions to go off of so i dont frantically go buy windows before it gets here or something dumb like that.

Re: Running Windows on a MacBook Pro 17\"
 

[ QUOTE ]
well do you think it would be a problem to use someone elses cd to put windows on my computer?

[/ QUOTE ]

I would guess si.

Re: Running Windows on a MacBook Pro 17\"
 

Well I just did some digging on the Boot Camp site and it specifically says that you CAN NOT use an earlier version of XP and upgrade it to SP2 after you install it... I would give your friend's CD a try, but I really have no idea if you are allowed to use the same key twice. Surely someone else can answer that question, though.

Re: Running Windows on a MacBook Pro 17\"
 

There is something called slipstreaming where you can basically copy over the SP2 files to a normal XP CD to create an XP SP2 install CD.

Last ditch effort, you could also try just downloading an XP SP2 install CD, but I have a feeling your CD key wouldn't work (corporate version doesn't take normal cd keys I don't think?).

Re: Running Windows on a MacBook Pro 17\"
 

I don't know about your problem, but you should consider not using Bootcamp. There is software called Parallels that will allow you to run XP simultaneously with OSX, not requiring a reboot to switch systems.

http://www.parallels.com/en/products/desktop/

Re: Running Windows on a MacBook Pro 17\"
 

[ QUOTE ]
[censored] will a mod please move this to the computer help forum?

[/ QUOTE ]

I hit the http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/images/notifymod.gif for you.

Re: Running Windows on a MacBook Pro 17\"
 

whats the resolution on the mac workbook pro? is the new best poker laptop? is it a pain switiching from XP to apples OS?

and ive heard that apples are alot safer from viruses and stuff but does this till apply when using XP on it?

sorry for the hijack

Re: Running Windows on a MacBook Pro 17\"
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Talk to Tron.

[/ QUOTE ]

I wish I could help but I have no idea about registration keys or Service Packs. [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ]

well do you think it would be a problem to use someone elses cd to put windows on my computer?
does microsoft even check that?
and if they do, do you think i could just put in my info on my windows purchase and do it?
i dont care if you cant give factual answers, i just need some assumptions to go off of so i dont frantically go buy windows before it gets here or something dumb like that.

[/ QUOTE ]

You have a license to run windows XP. Assuming they are the same version (retail vs. OEM vs. MSDN vs educational vs. DELL OEM) then it shouldn't be a problem.

You can probably call up microsoft if you still have your license and get a new disk with SP2.

Otherwise you can copy your CD to your computer in a new folder and slipstream XPSP2 to make a new CD. There are probably instructions on the internet. Google "windows XP SP2 slipstream" without the quotes

Re: Running Windows on a MacBook Pro 17\"
 

[ QUOTE ]
whats the resolution on the mac workbook pro? is the new best poker laptop? is it a pain switiching from XP to apples OS?

and ive heard that apples are alot safer from viruses and stuff but does this till apply when using XP on it?

sorry for the hijack

[/ QUOTE ]

Mac OSX is safer from viruses, because fewer virus writers have attacked it. The vulnerability of WinXP is not dependent on what hardware it is running on. So a Mac running Windows is just as vulnerable as any other Windows system.

Re: Running Windows on a MacBook Pro 17\"
 

k i talked to someone about my previous question and got it answered, now i just need a single disc install of windows XP with sp2 already on it, no update CD or earlier version allowed.

Does ANYONE know what you have to buy to get this CD?
Because i have a ton of friends getting college laptops and they all seem to not get the actual windows xp install disc with it somehow. Is purchasing windows XP at a store the only way to get the disc, or should at least someone i know have it who recently purchased a new computer?

Re: Running Windows on a MacBook Pro 17\"
 

You have an install disc with XP/SP1. Download SP2 from Microsoft. Then follow the build instructions here:

http://www.helpwithwindows.com/Windo...p2-bootcd.html

FWIW, I have a 15" MacBook Pro with a Windows partition (created via Boot Camp, as I was not aware of the Parallels VM-ware when I did my setup), and I *love* this machine. Yes, you have to reboot to run Windows, but when you do, it runs just as you would expect it to. Also, the process where Boot Camp creates the correct Windows drivers for you and saves them to a CD could not be easier.

Enjoy your new computer.

Re: Running Windows on a MacBook Pro 17\"
 

[ QUOTE ]
You have an install disc with XP/SP1. Download SP2 from Microsoft. Then follow the build instructions here:

http://www.helpwithwindows.com/Windo...p2-bootcd.html

FWIW, I have a 15" MacBook Pro with a Windows partition (created via Boot Camp, as I was not aware of the Parallels VM-ware when I did my setup), and I *love* this machine. Yes, you have to reboot to run Windows, but when you do, it runs just as you would expect it to. Also, the process where Boot Camp creates the correct Windows drivers for you and saves them to a CD could not be easier.

Enjoy your new computer.

[/ QUOTE ]

I have a 2 week old 15" mb pro and I LOVE IT

it was 3k but worth every single penny. it runs windows and partypoker/pt/pahud flawlessly. you will get a couple of kinks in the first couple days you run windows because the driver package the apple designed isnt quite 100% perfect. for example, under the initial setup if you plug headphones into the jack it wont stop sound from coming through the speakers, so you cant run it in a quiet environment. i solved this by searching some messageboards and finding the right drivers. i also had trouble setting up my fp2001 on it, the desktop was showing up horizontally for some reason, but I was able to fix that.

other than one or two things like that, it is great. the actual laptop is very thin and light, and the screen is excellent. the book runs totally quiet, there is no fan noise.

basically, if you heard about the new intel line and thought "wow that might be the perfect setup for me, i wonder if it can legitimately run windows for real, is the bootcamp system a viable alternative?", the answer is yes. its great, i love this computer.

Re: Running Windows on a MacBook Pro 17\"
 

wats the resolution on the 17'? and i curious if u guys are just web browsing and dont plan on playing poker do you use apples software or just use windows?
sorry i suck at computers

Re: Running Windows on a MacBook Pro 17\"
 

[ QUOTE ]
wats the resolution on the 17'? and i curious if u guys are just web browsing and dont plan on playing poker do you use apples software or just use windows?
sorry i suck at computers

[/ QUOTE ]

The whole point of buying a Mac is to stop using windows completely. That's the beauty of parallels - use windows for poker only, OSX for everything else.

Damn, I want a new computer.

Re: Running Windows on a MacBook Pro 17\"
 

so is OSX that much better than windows? so buying a mac noteboook just to play poker prolly isnt worth it?

Re: Running Windows on a MacBook Pro 17\"
 

Buying a mac notebook solely to play poker is a total waste of money.

Re: Running Windows on a MacBook Pro 17\"
 

I was looking at the Mac Mini's for a desktop. They only start at $599.

Re: Running Windows on a MacBook Pro 17\"
 

[ QUOTE ]
The whole point of buying a Mac is to stop using windows completely.

[/ QUOTE ]

Well, that is the main one, but there are other very good reasons to get a macbook instead of a dell/toshiba/etc laptop.

Just place a 15in mb pro on top of a dell laptop and you will see the difference. It's simply a thinner, lighter and better made machine, and if you travel a lot it is definitely worth it. Apple's support record is also much better than average.

The downside to buying a macbook is that they are much more expensive. They will cost you a lot of money. Mine ended up being 3k or so, but given the way I use it is worth every single penny. It blows away clunky dells and toshibas, there are very good reasons that people are going apeshit and love them.

The other thing is that Apple are super duper secretive about new technology release, so its always possible that Apple will release their new technology a week after you buy your book. I don't think that is a big deal because there are a lot of downsides to buying a new line of laptops in their first production run. It's definitely not a reason to avoid macs.

Now that macs can truly run windows as well if you need it, bootcamp is a legitimate and working option. It's not some crappy slow emulator like before.

The complaints about overheating are extremely exagerrated, that's all I have to say. I could explain more but I have to run.