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pyrrho · Nov 24, 2006, 07:42 PM

Trying to prepare for my MacBook to arrive and keep my nerve on switching from a PC. But I will need Parallels or such like to run some Windows apps. From what I can gather, I will need to install SP2 for XP to run fully, but I have an early version of XP and SP2 on a separate CD. I just tried slipstreaming XP and SP2 together as advised elsewhere on this forum, so as to have an 'updated' XP bootable CD, but failed (my Nero wouldn't recognize the *.img file to burn the CD!

). Does anyone know if I can just update XP with the SP2 CD in Parallels?

Thanks

sray · Nov 24, 2006, 09:57 PM

Originally Posted by pyrrho

Trying to prepare for my MacBook to arrive and keep my nerve on switching from a PC. But I will need Parallels or such like to run some Windows apps. From what I can gather, I will need to install SP2 for XP to run fully, but I have an early version of XP and SP2 on a separate CD. I just tried slipstreaming XP and SP2 together as advised elsewhere on this forum, so as to have an 'updated' XP bootable CD, but failed (my Nero wouldn't recognize the *.img file to burn the CD!

). Does anyone know if I can just update XP with the SP2 CD in Parallels?

Thanks

You don't need a slipstreamed disc. Just install plain vanilla XP and then update with the SP2 CD and the download all the patches.

You will need a slipstreamed CD if you decide to bootcamp the machine. However, Parallels will accept just about any variant of Windows.

pyrrho · Nov 25, 2006, 05:18 AM

Thanks - now a bit relieved!

ghporter · Nov 25, 2006, 12:30 PM

Slipstreaming is required for an XP installation under Boot Camp because Boot Camp's drivers for the rather unique Mac hardware are ONLY compatible with SP2 or later. Parallels doesn't care at all what version you use. However, I'd download the updates to a CD before installing and then install the updates on Windows WITHOUT the computer being online. And make sure you get some sort of antivirus installed as well-it's Windows after all, and it is susceptible to viruses whatever hardware it's running on.

pyrrho · Nov 26, 2006, 07:03 AM

My intention is to have no internet connection available when I'm running Windows apps in Parallels, and only have internet access when in Mac. So apart from SP2, as most of the updates are for security reasons, will I need them? The last time I did a clean install of XP and Office, etc., I noticed how fast it all ran without all the udates, and how slow it became when I installed all the updates! Under Windows I only intend to use Word and a couple of specialist dictionaries and enclyclopedeas that are not available for Mac.

Thanks

ghporter · Nov 26, 2006, 09:56 AM

Actually there are a lot of updates that make things run better as well as closing up holes. But if you will NOT be online, you don't absolutely need anything beyond SP2.

How are you going to NOT have the computer online?

pyrrho · Nov 27, 2006, 10:46 AM

Maybe I've got something wrong. I was thinking that when I'm not using XP thro Parallels, and only in OSX, then I will not be connected on-line through Windows, therefore not so open to viruses. I was thinking that if I'm only on-line with Safari, I'm out of reach of viruses aimed at Microsoft!!! Am I mistaken?

Anyway, my MacBook arrived this morning and I've installed Parallels. I thought I'g get AVG anti-virus software for when I'm in Parallels/Windows, and downloaded the progs onto a USB stick so that I could install them in Windows, but can't get Windows to see the USB drive (it is supposed to be enabled: the latest Parallels seemed to automatically install Tools).

Thanks

ghporter · Nov 27, 2006, 11:27 AM

Any Windows installation can be infected. Since Parallels installs XP on a virtual disk, it's less of an issue, but it's still something that can ruin your day. But if you're not actively using Windows through Parallels, you are correct in thinking that Windows viruses aren't going to hurt you.

Unfortunately I can't help with your USB issue, because my trial Parallels key expired, and I don't have time to buy a new one at the moment!

sray · Nov 27, 2006, 12:24 PM

Originally Posted by pyrrho

I thought I'g get AVG anti-virus software for when I'm in Parallels/Windows, and downloaded the progs onto a USB stick so that I could install them in Windows, but can't get Windows to see the USB drive (it is supposed to be enabled:
Thanks

Parallels support for USB sticks is flaky (especially if it is a USB 2 stick. Use the Parallels shared folder (which you have to setup first in the config window) to transfer programs into windows.

pyrrho · Nov 27, 2006, 04:08 PM

Originally Posted by sray

Parallels support for USB sticks is flaky (especially if it is a USB 2 stick. Use the Parallels shared folder (which you have to setup first in the config window) to transfer programs into windows.

Yes, it's a USB2 stick. But at least my HP Laserjet 1010 works fine through the USB. I have a Shared Documents folder in My Computer. So I assume I can use the USB when in OSX and transfer stuff from it into this shared folder? But tried dragging a file from OSX side with XP open, but nothing transfered! Just trying things out - haven't read up on anything yet (isn't it supposed to be intuitive?)

Thanks