Windows help for a Mac

[mfinn]

I got a MacBook for x-mass and I'm absolutely lost using it.
What I thought I could do was run Boot Camp, which will allow me to run Windows on it.
What I need is a copy of Windows XP with sp2 on it.I cannot run just XP and download sp2. It doesn't work that way.
Anyone got a copy of Windows XP with sp2 they don't need and want to sell it?
I want to use the MacBook, it's a niffty little laptop, but OS X is like trying to understand a different language.
Thanks

 

[mfinn]

Anyone???/

 

[edwing206]

I recommend sticking with and learning to use Leopard (Is that what you have?) It's a really great OS and once you learn to use it you'll never look back. What kinds of things are you trying to do with the Mac? I've been using a Mac for over two years and I really love it. I am pretty good with it so I might be able to help you out.

 

[mfinn]

Just things I'm use to with windows. Little things.
Stuff like the drop down box with brower history. I know mac has a history too but it just seems different.
The main thing is I'd like to be able to use it both ways. Get use to relying on it.
I tried downloading firefox and using it. Worked fine for a week or so, but all of a sudden the icon wasn't in the dock anymore.
Just disappeared. Ended up doing a wipe and reinstall. Thank god that was easy.
I'm use to being able to create different file folders for different groups of pictures.
Tank pictures here, ppe's there, nuc greens over there etc.
Like I said just little things, a old guy got use to in windows.

 

[windwaterwaves]

Ok, slow down, with Mac things just work they don't disappear... I've been a network engineer for 22 years, started on trs 80, cpm 86, dec pdp 11's, ms-dos, and the antichrist (windows). I've been a trainer for most of that time in complex os's and routing. I've supported networks of 500+ PC's (and hated it every minute). I used to fight mac, but since OS/X have switched it all, I run windows in a window (parallels or vmware) where it belongs (viruses, crashes, b.s.).

First use firefox regardless of PC or mac, Internet Exploder is a guarantee you'll get infected with something nasty if you have a PC (the commercials are DEAD ON)

On the mac, safari or firefox are good.

On a mac, you never have to re-install, that is a windows thing, and once you get it running, plug in a usb drive and run time machine, if your machine ever crashes you have a full restore point regardless of hardware or timeframe. Just slow down and ask.

Boot camp is not the way to go, your basically running windows on an intel platform just like normal and you'll have the normal stuff. Run Mac, then VMWare or Parallels, then put windows in it's own container, if there is stuff you can't live without, then you can run windows. If it ever crashes, you copy the vm machine (a file) and restore without having to install every program, reset the registry, restore all your data.. etc etc etc, and if you want to upgrade to new hardware, there is no issue.

Let us know one step at a time, i'll help

 

[mfinn]

I found a vmware version 2 on ebay for $37.
Is that what I'm looking for?

http://cgi.ebay.com/SMITH-MICRO-VMW...|66:4|65:12|39:1|240:1318|301:1|293:1|294:200

 

[edwing206]

Sorry I cant help out with the vmware but I was curious and wanted to know if you got the white macbook or the new aluminum one?

 

[mfinn]

My wife bought me the white MacBook.
I kind of like the classic white look.

Being a pc guy.:lol:

 

[MtnDewMan]

I'm a big time mac guy here. Have a mac laptop as well as an iMac. I have windows xp installed as well. I can use either bootcamp to run it or I use Parallels 4.0 which works very well.

I love the mac, I use it most all of the time except when I HAVE to use the PC for stuff like connecting to work. If you have mac questions, feel free to ask, if I can answer I will try

 

[mfinn]

How's boot camp work for you?

 

[MtnDewMan]

bootcamp works great. Runs just like it's a windows machine. I usually use bootcamp in airports, better access to wi fi for my setup files Otherwise I just use parallels that works better because my mac stuff is all still available.

 

[mfinn]

A bunch of people have said " don't use Boot Camp", use VMware or Parallels.I'm just wondering if it's because they are die hard Mac people and don't want a full install of Windows on their Mac?
I just want to be able to use the MacBook, it's a cool little tool.
Some say "just learn to use it". Well it ain't that easy for a old timer set in his ways.
I reinstalled Firefox. I really did have a problem, which was cured with the OS X reinstalled, which was very easy and painless.
I see there is a 30 day free trial with VMware, maybe I should also try it before spending any money.

 

[Myteemouse]

good idea!
Try it befoer you buy it!

 

[MtnDewMan]

Bootcamp works great. You just don't get access to any mac functionality, it's all windows. So when they say use vmware or parallels it is because you "lose" the mac when running windows in bootcamp. I most always use parallels when running windows because I don't like losing my mac functionality for everything else when not needing windows.