Bought Windows XP OEM on Ebay - will this work on my new MBP?

[cpweld]

Hi all,

Sorry, I know there are other threads similar to this, I'm just confused by some of the varying answers. I need to run Windows on my new 2.2 GHz MBP and just purchased an OEM version of Windows XP from ebay (I didn't even know what OEM was at the time - my fault for not doing some more research). I had wanted to install this in Boot Camp and then run my Boot Camp partition through VMWare Fusion when I needed to run both OS's at the same time - will I be able to do this? Or will I be able to only install it in either Boot Camp or VMWare Fusion (if either)?

If I can only install it in one, which would you recommend? I currently own a copy of MS Office for Windows and was going to run that because I need Excel desperately for the business program I am in and need it to run fast (I've heard MS Office '04 for Mac is sluggish for running intense tasks in Excel).

Advice please!! Thanks!

 

[72930]

It will work...install through Boot Camp, then get VMWare and you can select to use the partition

 

[kinetik]

I ran into a "gotcha" with an OEM version of XP Pro... after failing WGA (Windows Genuine Advantage, a required check to allow you to download software updates), I did a bunch of research and communication with Microsoft only to find that there are 2 versions of "OEM."

One OEM license type is tied to a manufacturer's line of computers (Dell, HP, etc.) and the second type is a true OEM where you can install it on a home-built PC or use on a Mac.

Since I accidentally bought a manufacturer's OEM license, I returned it to the online store for a refund and bought a license from the WGA site instead (they give you an option to "legitimize" your license after it fails the check). I think it cost $149, basically half price of a standard, full retail license - and they send you a disc.

Hopefully your eBay purchase is of the 2nd type and will allow you to pass WGA!

Good luck!