Non-technical re: installing XP for dualboot, which disk to purcha

[Guest]

I recently purchased a new PC that came preloaded with Vista. There is an
application that will not run properly, and I've exhausted every option
available in trying to get it to work properly on Vista (driver updates,
disabling user authorization, DEP, running in admin mode, compatibility
modes, you name it). The only remedy I can see at this point is to install
XP as a dual-boot option. I'd had XP on my prior computer that came
preloaded along with one of those all-in-one install disks that included a
slew of other software and device drivers for that PC. This being the case,
if I want to install XP, I'll need to purchase an XP disk I assume.

My question is, can I purchase the "upgrade" disk, or will I need to
purchase the full XP version. Spending an additional 400 bucks for the full
version of an OS that I already owned just because Vista fails isn't that
appealing. Spending 100 bucks for the upgrade version disk isn't that
appealing either, actually, but it's necessary since my application crashes
on Vista.

Anyone had a similar situation?

Thanks in advance for any advice or suggestions.

 

[Shenan Stanley]

I recently purchased a new PC that came preloaded with Vista.
There is an application that will not run properly, and I've
exhausted every option available in trying to get it to work
properly on Vista (driver updates, disabling user authorization,
DEP, running in admin mode, compatibility modes, you name it). The
only remedy I can see at this point is to install XP as a dual-boot
option. I'd had XP on my prior computer that came preloaded along
with one of those all-in-one install disks that included a slew of
other software and device drivers for that PC. This being the
case, if I want to install XP, I'll need to purchase an XP disk I
assume.

My question is, can I purchase the "upgrade" disk, or will I need to
purchase the full XP version. Spending an additional 400 bucks for
the full version of an OS that I already owned just because Vista
fails isn't that appealing. Spending 100 bucks for the upgrade
version disk isn't that appealing either, actually, but it's
necessary since my application crashes on Vista.

Anyone had a similar situation?

Thanks in advance for any advice or suggestions.

First off - purchasing the full Windows XP should not cost you $400...
That assumes you need to get Windows XP Professional (and that is doubtful
unless you need to join a domain or encrypt files) and it assumes you *have*
to buy a retail version (you could get OEM - but know it is
non-transferrable.)

Secondly - why dual-boot? Why not create a virtual machine? In your case,
something like VirtualBox (free - http://www.virtualbox.org/) would probably
work fine. Then you can install it, install Windows XP in it and never have
to do anything too complicated or convoluted.

Last - no you cannot use that other CD - the license for Windows XP that you
describe (came with it preloaded, etc) says, "OEM" and that means "tied to
that computer by the EULA". It is non-transferrable.

 

[Timothy Daniels]

"Brad Autry" asked:

My question is, can I purchase the "upgrade" disk, or will I need to
purchase the full XP version. Spending an additional 400 bucks for
the full version of an OS that I already owned just because Vista fails
isn't that appealing....

Do you know any teachers or students? I bought my academic
version of Windows XP Pro SP2 and SQL Server together for
$15 from my local university when I took a course there. But...
horrors!... the CDs didn't come in a retail box with a booklet.

*TimDaniels*

 

[S. A. Gnezdov]

Secondly - why dual-boot? Why not create a virtual machine? In your
case, something like VirtualBox (free - http://www.virtualbox.org/) would
probably work fine. Then you can install it, install Windows XP in it and
never have to do anything too complicated or convoluted.

Microsoft Virtual PC 2007 is free if you decided to take Virtual Machine
solution. Virtual PC 2007 is fully supported on Vista.