Best place to get Windows XP service pack 2???

[hodgjy]

Posting piracy threads is strictly against forum rules. See the sticky note at the top of the Windows on the Mac thread.

Funny thing about Windows. My old roommate and I both have Intel MBP. I wanted to dualboot, but was very unsure about the process, and didn't want to pay however much money. So, my roommate, who was wealthy, bought a legit copy at Circuit City or something of XP Home.

He installed it, and it worked wonderfully. I installed it and when it came time to validate the software, I decided to call it in. On the phone with the person, I originally tried lying saying I'm installing it onto a new computer since my old computer died. That wasn't allowed, so I hung up.

Now, I should mention that when you first call in, it asks you to enter in a code that is on the screen. I entered this in and it said the device was already registered or something. So I clicked on the button that said refresh (or something similar), and it gave me a new code. I entered that code in and voilà, I had a fully functioning copy of XP Home, SP2.

I guess what happened was that the original code they gave me was also for my roommate's. When I clicked on refresh (which the screen says to ONLY do if you are instructed by an operator), it gave me a completely unrelated one.

Moral of the story: if you know someone with a store-bought copy, try it out. It definitely can't hurt.

Moral of the story 2: dumb luck is a great thing.

 

[cheeseadiddle]

Get an OEM version from http://www.newegg.com

Just got one in the mail from them today. Ordered on Sat.

 

[OdduWon]

You're not dense at all! Microsoft licensing (and the HAL code that is executed because of that licensing) is tied to physical processor sockets. I'm not kidding.

Microsoft Windows XP Home: supports one physical processor socket (i.e. one CPU only, regardless of the number of cores in that one CPU)

Microsoft Windows XP Professional: supports one or two physical processor sockets (i.e. up to two CPUs, regardless of the number of cores in each CPU)

P.S. Their flavors of Windows XP get even more fun when it comes to Microsoft Windows Server 20003. There are seven different flavors. Depending on the edition, it supports up to 2-, 4-, 8-, 16-, or 32-way SMP processing, referring to the number of cores, but is then separately licensed (and enforced by the HAL driver) by physical CPU.

So XP home is suitable for all single socketed computers, regardless of core count?

From the chart above, it seems that XP Pro is the option for people wanting to use remote features and MS supported tools.

For my needs (ACAD, Revit, 3Ds Max,), is XP Home adequate? I only need windows for my one machine (MBP 2.5), though reinstalling on my other machine (POS) would be helpful, if it decides to stop working.

Is OEM the best option regarding usability, for the described programs/needs? or is a "retail" version a better choice?

 

[iFizz]

I've heard two rumors recently. Can anyone verify these:

1) Win XP SP3 is coming soon.
2) MS will stop selling Win XP in June.

 

[steveza]

Well . . .

I've heard two rumors recently. Can anyone verify these:

1) Win XP SP3 is coming soon. True
2) MS will stop selling Win XP in June.I'm not so sure - most enterprise customers aren't going to switch to Vista this year

 

[mrwizardno2]

He's right about XP EOL in June. See the MS link

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/lifecycle/default.mspx

 

[steveza]

I see what you are saying - I was thinking more along the lines of the end column. So you will still be able to buy machines with XP pre-installed but not OEM and boxed products.

 

[morespce54]

I see what you are saying - I was thinking more along the lines of the end column. So you will still be able to buy machines with XP pre-installed but not OEM and boxed products.

That's (kind of) funny. And what are they going to do with the leftovers?
Burn them or "slipstream" them to "upgrade" them into Vista versions?

 

[steveza]

That's (kind of) funny. And what are they going to do with the leftovers?
Burn them or "slipstream" them to "upgrade" them into Vista versions?

Don't you know??? BillyG has got his own eBay account and he's going to stick the spares on there

 

[Wallace86]

If I buy SP2 now, oem off of newegg, will it auto update to service pack 3 when that is released?

 

[The Flashing Fi]

If I buy SP2 now, oem off of newegg, will it auto update to service pack 3 when that is released?

Yes.

 

[iFizz]

If I buy SP2 now, oem off of newegg, will it auto update to service pack 3 when that is released?

Yes, but unless you need it right now, it would be more convenient to just wait until they are selling XP SP3. That would save you from having to download SP3 every time you re-install XP. It would all be in one place, right there on the installation disc. Just a convenience thing though...not a big deal.

 

[OdduWon]

Yes, but unless you need it right now, it would be more convenient to just wait until they are selling XP SP3. That would save you from having to download SP3 every time you re-install XP. It would all be in one place, right there on the installation disc. Just a convenience thing though...not a big deal.

Does/will BOOTCAMP support sp3 discs?

 

[steveza]

Does/will BOOTCAMP support sp3 discs?

XP SP2 is a minimum requirement for boot camp so SP3 should work.

 

[mreg376]

...Also, you can't use an upgrade version because you can't eject the CD to validate the product being upgraded...

You CAN use an upgrade version when installing Windows under VMFusion, as long as you realize that Fusion has taken control of the CD drive by then and you have to do the eject with the Windows window active. I did it and it worked just fine, once I realized that Fusion and the Mac can trade control of the hardware.

 

[Mr. Zarniwoop]

You CAN use an upgrade version when installing Windows under VMFusion

I was answering a question regarding Boot Camp.

Under VMware, you can run just about any flavor of Windows, or even DOS, you can get your hands on! I set up a Windows 3.1 VM a while back...

 

[mreg376]

I was answering a question regarding Boot Camp.

Under VMware, you can run just about any flavor of Windows, or even DOS, you can get your hands on! I set up a Windows 3.1 VM a while back...

I know. That's why I mentioned Fusion, lest there be any confusion. In fact, why do people bother with bootcamp at all with Fusion around, except for the fact that it's free/included? (Fusion costs all of about $35 at Amazon now including a rebate.)

 

[OdduWon]

Pro vs Home, OEM vs Retail

Bought XP sp2 PRO retail last night from newegg.

Why PRO over Home?

My decision to go for pro was based on two things: First, the though that of the XP family, I believe pro will have it's support dropped last, or at least after Home. Second I was going to wait till xp3, but it's newly designed activation seems like it will either cause problems or delays, or both for bootcamp users.

Why RETAIL over OEM?

Well, as often as my older windows system was down, having the assurance that you have an legit program, and employment of that program, is worth the extra price. Plus, what happens if you get you MBP mother board replaced, or a entirely new unit through Apple care? If i understand correctly, if MS wanted to enforce the OEM EULA then you cannot put your used OEM on that "new" computer, Unless you call Redmond .

I will be using this XP on my MBP 2.5 GHZ and running Autodesk REVIT (arch), 3DS max, and Acad 09.

Let the CADding begin!

XP vs Home chart