[bleachbypass]

Hi-
I have Virtual PC 5 with Windows XP and I upgraded to Panther, and it doesn't work too well. That doesn't matter to me anymore because now I have a PC alongside my Mac. I would like to install XP on it. Is there any way to use the discs included with Virtual PC to install XP onto a PC? I think I know what the answer is, but I thought I'd throw it out there anyway.

thanks,
bb

[typoon]

As long as VPC came with an OEM compy of XP then you can/should be able to.

[Sven G]

The problem, rather, could be that you may need to telephone to Microsoft, in order to have Windows XP reactivated, as the "real" PC would probably have quite different hardware than the emulated one in Virtual PC...

[Art Vandelay]

The problem is that the OS included with Virtual PC is usually a preinstalled disk image. Unless things have changed, I don't think you get a Windows install CD with Virtual PC which is what you'll need for your PC.

[djohnson]

When I got VPC many years ago(free with my beige G3!!!) I received a copy of win95 and have installed it on other machines. I figure since vpc2.0 is really old it has changed since then...

[Cadaver]

While the legalities of the suggestion to follow may be somewhat uncertain, this may work:

With VPC I'm sure you at least have a valid WindowsXP activation code (even though WindowsXP came as a pre-installed PC disk image). You might be able to borrow someone's actual XP install disc and use your activation code to install it.
You might then have to phone Microsoft to allow registration on the "new hardware."

[ghporter]

One point, which Cadaver brought up, is important. Using someone else's installation disc won't work because of the way Windows Activation works. Unfortunately, not many people understand how XP activation works, so it seems mysterious. It isn't, but it is complex.

XP uses a combination of hardware signatures AND THE PRODUCT ID FROM THE DISC to generate a unique sequence of alphanumeric characters. Microsoft calls this an Installation ID number. The hardware signatures are "hashed" to produce an anonymous value that will change with any change to the hardware. Different kinds of hardware have differing degrees of impact on the signature hash, so minor hardware changes (new video card or network card) don't require reactivation, but major changes (new motherboard) are likely to. The Installation ID is basically an encrypted value that identifies the installation disc and the hardware it's being used on.

Cut to the chase: if you use your friend's installation disc, you will probably NOT be able to install XP on your computer. On the other hand, if you received an image disc, you should be able to use your license code to get Microsoft to send you (for a nominal fee) a new installation disc, since the one you have won't work with your new computer. YMMV, but it's not only legal this way, but also will get you the latest patches and fixes to XP.

[King Bob On The Cob]

You can use the same product code 3 times on different computers. (or at least that's what my friend tells me)