Installing XP from Dell Reinstallation CD & Best place to cheaply buy XP

[McDrunken]

I am pretty new to macs (had one for about a week or two now) and I need Windows for a few programs. I have a purple Reinstallation CD for Windows XP Home Edition from an old Dell Dimension 2100. I am wondering if it would be possible to install that with boot camp and then put in the Apple Mac CDs for the drivers. The CD does not say it includes drivers so I honestly don't know how I would install it without a mouse or a keyboard.

I am assuming this won't work, so in that case, I would like to know where I can get XP for cheap (under $60, ideally). I have seen XP Home and Pro for as cheap $25.00 on eBay, but it seems somewhat suspicious as the seller often has little or no feedback, they have sold multiple XP's, and the buyer of those WinXP's have very little feedback as well. The feedback is positive, but I can't exactly trust that it isn't some sort of decoy thing to get actual people to buy the item. The only sellers that are reputable sell XP for $80 to sometimes $300.

If anybody knows if I can install XP from the reinstallation disc, OR if I can safely buy it from eBay at a relatively inexpensive price; that would be great.

 

[Guiyon]

Nope, those CDs are usually locked to the OS/Manufacturer they were distributed with. The best place I've seen to get XP is usually NewEgg but you're still looking at around $90 for a XP Home license. Your other option, for now, is to download the Windows 7 RC and use that. It should last you until March, IIRC, before it starts "reminding" you that it's a beta.

 

[drummerlondonw3]

I will be honest about ebay I have had some steals and failures. If you buy cheap and it doesnt work out then you can put a complaint in.

However, if it does work you're quids in. I got Office 2003 Pro edition for £5 !!!! Yes £5 pounds!

 

[steve knight]

if it is more then two or so years old it should work. you may get a dell logo on startup. the newer xp discs would not work.

 

[McDrunken]

Your other option, for now, is to download the Windows 7 RC and use that. It should last you until March, IIRC, before it starts "reminding" you that it's a beta.

Maybe I'll try that first and just buy a real Windows version in a few months. Hopefully it isn't too complicated, especially on the mac side of the deal. I know my way around Windows pretty well and with instruction can edit the registry and stuff but I am totally clueless about anything beyond the simple stuff for Macs. (Hardest thing I've done is change the name of my home folder which took a lot longer than it could've if I knew anything!).

if it is more then two or so years old it should work. you may get a dell logo on startup. the newer xp discs would not work.

If that is true then it would definitely work. That computer is probably 90 going on 160 in human years (I think its about 8 in reality).

 

[OatmealRocks]

OP Check your INBOX

 

[steve knight]

you have about a year on the free windows 7. so thats what I did I was running out of xp keys. though I only have a couple copies up and running I get tired of calling ms to get it going.