Good day all,
I am not sure I fully understand this, so please be patient. I have on my Dell a pre installed version of XP as well as the CD in its own package. Can I install this on my Mac? I thought I was able to run Windows if I needed to.
I am trying to use my existing accounting program as apposed to spending another $300.00 to get up and running. Or does someone have any recommendations as to a decent basic accounting program for the Mac.
You can just keep your Dell around to use the accounting program. The Windows license for your Dell is an OEM one and therefore it is tied to the system and can not be transfered over to the iMac.
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Good day all,
I am not sure I fully understand this, so please be patient. I have on my Dell a pre installed version of XP as well as the CD in its own package. Can I install this on my Mac? I thought I was able to run Windows if I needed to.
I am trying to use my existing accounting program as apposed to spending another $300.00 to get up and running. Or does someone have any recommendations as to a decent basic accounting program for the Mac.
Thanks and have a good day.
S.B.
You are able to install Windows XP SP2 on a Mac regardless of whether it is considered legal to transfer the license. The issue here is that most likely you have only a restore disk for your Dell machine (which is an image) rather than an actual Windows installation disk. Most branded systems are like that and the older Dells I have dealt with are the same (I don't know what the current Dell situation is). Other than purchasing a new copy of Windows XP, the only option I see is to get hold of an installable copy of Windows XP SP2 and use your license key to see if you can activate it on the Mac.
You are able to install Windows XP SP2 on a Mac regardless of whether it is considered legal to transfer the license. The issue here is that most likely you have only a restore disk for your Dell machine (which is an image) rather than an actual Windows installation disk. Most branded systems are like that and the older Dells I have dealt with are the same (I don't know what the current Dell situation is). Other than purchasing a new copy of Windows XP, the only option I see is to get hold of an installable copy of Windows XP SP2 and use your license key to see if you can activate it on the Mac.
You cannot use an OEM license key with an installable copy of Windows XP...
You can run Windows on your Mac. You can run it through "Boot Camp" where you dual boot (when running Windows, your Mac OS will be shutdown). Or you can run it through virtualization software such as Parallels Desktop and VMWare Fusion. Then it runs just like another application within Mac OS X.
As for whether you can use your current license, as stated by others, you may have legal issues (I.e. OEM licenses are not supposed to be moved to another machine, although may still work if you do it) or you may have compatibility issues due to a custom version of Windows (the possible restore disk). BTW, the reason you have these restrictions is because Microsoft wants it that way. They want to force you to buy a new OS license every time you buy a new motherboard/computer.
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"Do the Right Thing. It will gratify some people and astound the rest." - Mark Twain
There is another option: CrossOver may be able to run your accounting program.
Visit Codeweavers.com and check out CrossOver Mac. They have a compatibility list there that shows what programs run well under CrossOver (which costs $60). In my experience, many Windows programs work just fine under CrossOver (but not all do).
If yours is on the list, just download the free trial, read the instructions, install your accounting software, and see if it works well. If it does, buy the full license ($60) and you're done. No more money to Bill Gates, hoorah!
You cannot use your Windows XP OEM that came with you Dell on your mac.
Nevermind the whole breaking the user agreement blah blah, OEM versions of Microsoft products require activation. Since it has already been activated, it will not activate again. The previous activation captured info on your Dell PC and can now only work on it.
You can buy a Windows XP OEM ~$100 and activate it on your Mac.
Ed
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There is another option: CrossOver may be able to run your accounting program.
Visit Codeweavers.com and check out CrossOver Mac. They have a compatibility list there that shows what programs run well under CrossOver (which costs $60). In my experience, many Windows programs work just fine under CrossOver (but not all do).
If yours is on the list, just download the free trial, read the instructions, install your accounting software, and see if it works well. If it does, buy the full license ($60) and you're done. No more money to Bill Gates, hoorah!
I bought my Windows XP on Craigs List in Vancouver for $60. A company that bought a whole slew of licences for his employees went bankrupt before the software could be installed. He sold them off for $60 a key and burnt me an install disk.
All legal, all good. You might want to follow that road and use either Boot Camp or Parallels (I use Parallels).
Nevermind the whole breaking the user agreement blah blah, OEM versions of Microsoft products require activation. Since it has already been activated, it will not activate again. The previous activation captured info on your Dell PC and can now only work on it.
MS does allow for some re-activation even with OEM versions. He could give it a try.
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"Do the Right Thing. It will gratify some people and astound the rest." - Mark Twain
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