Ok so I have the Windows XP "back-up" disc that came with my Dell. Does anyone know if it is possible to install windows xp on an intel mbp through this disc. It says that in order to complete installation you have to type in your computer serial number which I have. I just want to know if the disc would be custom made for just that Dell or if as long as I have the serial number it could be installed on a mbp. Thanks in advance.
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XP installation through bootcamp
- Thread starter freestyleguy128
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Yes, the disk is custom-made for the Dell. To install the software on anything other than the computer that it shipped with would be software piracy, which you cannot discuss on this forum. You need to pony-up your $299 for a full-installation of Windows XP.
Oh...definately don't want to do anything illegal...I just want to play Battlefield 2. OK, thanks for the heads-up.
MisterMe said:
Whoaa calm down there MS police. If he is transferring the license to the Mac it may not be illegal, depending on when the MS EULA changed to indicate that windows XP is bound to the mobo.
To OP, its been my experience that those Dell CD's will start an install and then give an error saying its not the same system the disc was designed for. And if you want another copy of XP I suggest going with an OEM copy which can be had for $90 for home or $140 for pro over at newegg, not MisterMe's outrageous $299 figure.
The price for a full non-OEM copy of XP Pro is $299, $199 for XP Home. The full version is transferable.
You can indeed get the OEM version of XP Home can indeed for less than $100, but remember, the license is usually non-transferable (I say usually although I've never heard of a case where an OEM license is transferable), i.e. it's for one machine only and if you install it on one Mac you can't remove it and install it on another machine.
There are ways around this if you're willing to lie to MS (e.g. phone up and tell them you upgraded your machine, they may believe you and give you a new activation code), but that's what the OEM license says.
The Dell backup disks are highly likely to be OEM, and specific to the machine they came with, and hence are not transferable.
Edit: btw, CompUSA are offering non-OEM XP Home for $149 ($199 with $50 rebate)
You can indeed get the OEM version of XP Home can indeed for less than $100, but remember, the license is usually non-transferable (I say usually although I've never heard of a case where an OEM license is transferable), i.e. it's for one machine only and if you install it on one Mac you can't remove it and install it on another machine.
There are ways around this if you're willing to lie to MS (e.g. phone up and tell them you upgraded your machine, they may believe you and give you a new activation code), but that's what the OEM license says.
The Dell backup disks are highly likely to be OEM, and specific to the machine they came with, and hence are not transferable.
Edit: btw, CompUSA are offering non-OEM XP Home for $149 ($199 with $50 rebate)
plinden said:
Yes, they are OEM, it says so.
I had to call up Microsoft while transferring the XP Pro full version to my MBP (I've since deleted Microsoft Windows along wtih everything on it....which wasn't anything).