I have a laptop that I'd like to Transport to Parallels. I am worried that if transportation fails then I will have no working PCs. I worry it could fail for example because it is an Athlon PC from HP/Compaq and maybe the XP is an OEM version (I have no way of knowing). Or because of some low level config change I have made (and since forgotten about). Also, ideally, afterwards I would like the laptop to still function under XP as a backup and occasional-use portable option. When activating XP under Parallels, I guess I will need to telephone Microsoft and they will direct me to deactivate the laptop first. In that case, is there any way to simply pay for the extra activation and thereby avoid the hassles of reinstalling? Or is it easy to "un-transport" (deactivate the virtual PC and reactivate the laptop) if things don't work out or if the portability of the laptop is once again required? If installing a fresh XP to Parallels, I understand that I need a Retail (as opposed to OEM, which might now or later lead to activation issues) version of XP that has a single image of XP with SP2 on it, as opposed to a 2-disk XP and SP2 separately. I don't know why that is required but several websites state it is the case. Maybe it is a security issue since XP without SP2 gets infected over DSL typically within 4 minutes (I have read). Are such things still purchasable? If not, what's the next-best thing to do? Maybe install fresh to a new PC then transport that fresh installation to the Parallels virtual PC? Also, is there anywhere in the UK that still sells whatever version of XP+SP2 that is appropriate? I know of NewEgg in the US and would use them but for my several experiences of ordering DVDs etc from the US is that they get lost or it takes months or customs charge excessive amounts of money which take excessive amounts of time and effort to resolve. I guess a further alternative is to replace the laptop's operating system with a linux e.g. Ubuntu and use WINE/CrossOver etc but I know that setting up linux for printers, wifi etc can eat many whole evenings. Really want to keep the laptop unchanged as much as possible. Any advice welcome!
Do you have a CD for Windows OS installed, if it is boxed version, than OK, if CD doesn't appear as normal boxed version or have HP logo on it, it is OEm Start with clarifying this
John, many thanks for helping. The XP CD came with the PC, pre-installed, not boxed. Most likely an OEM version then. Since posting the question, as time is pressing, I have now ordered (from an Irish seller through Amazon UK) a retail version of XP Pro with SP2 as separate disk. I suspect this is the least-hassle route, and that is what matters most. Besides, the laptop had XP Home not Pro. I understand that having separate disks can be a problem to Parallels which insists on a single disk. However (from another forum) I now understand it is possible to "slipstream" the two disks into a single disk, and install that to a Parallels virtual PC. David
