[jbleisure]

Successfully installed XP Pro on a bootcamp partition last week. I can't believe how difficuly windows is to get around, customise the interface and generally get anything done!! However, I'll shortly be installing AVID on this partition and it will live without being connected to the internet, before that occurs though I'd like to do two things online:

1. Register/suthenticate XP so it doesn't freeze on me in 30 days and 2. Install the latest updates.

What is the general opinion do I need antivirus software installed before I do these two things ( remember after that it is not going to have an inbternet connection so no possibility of getting internet bourne viruses.

I will be swapping AVID video files with a colleague so I suppose I could pick up a virus that way.

I need some advice.

[seanc]

Hook it up to the internet and activate it, or call Microsoft, very easy process whatever way you do it.

I would definitely install Antivirus software, just in case. I personally swear by AVG Free Edition by Grisoft.

[ghporter]

ANY Windows installation NEEDS an antivirus program, no matter what platform it's running on. There are a lot of free and inexpensive packages around, and Panda has a pretty good rep for such things. But do go ahead and activate once you have everything running (and wait to make sure you don't have to reinstall and start over). It should handle that for you after it asks you if you want to "register" your copy, as long as you have an Internet connection, but I'd wait until all the potential glitches (loading drivers, updates, etc.) have been taken care of.