Boot Camp + Parallels Question from new switcher

[jbg232]

I'm sure this has been asked a lot but I'm going to be a new mac user was wondering this:

If I have a copy of windows xp pro OEM full edition can I install it in both a bootcamp version and a parallels version? Will they be the same or completely independent? Do I have to call Microsoft to allow me to activate both of them or will that just work out on its own?

The main thing that MUST work flawlessly on windows machines when I switch is my powerpoint presentations. I was going to run those in parallels (because it's faster than rebooting every time to make a change) to see how they would look (they would be accurate and have all the errors regular windows machines would have, correct?). But I also wanted to run a bootcamp version for games in my spare time running natively.

Thanks mac community!

 

[72930]

You install Windows on Boot Camp first, then install Parallels, and there is an option in the setup to boot from a Boot Camp partition

 

[balamw]

You install Windows on Boot Camp first, then install Parallels, and there is an option in the setup to boot from a Boot Camp partition

FWIW In some cases you may have to reactivate Windows when you first boot it using Parallels.

B

 

[raysmd]

your powerpoint presentations will be fine.

you can activate over the internet without calling microsoft 3 times. after that then you'll have to give them a call.