Installing windows 7 upgrade over XP

Hi, I have an early 2008 MacBookPro on which I have successfully installed XP Pro on BootCamp partition and am able to use it with Parallels 6. How ever, the drivers updated with Snow leopard on windows partition fail to provide correct display drivers. I am only able to get some generic display driver that gives 4 bit color. Parallels, however, provides its own and when i use parallels, the XP looks perfect. Anyone had this issue? Also, the BootCamp update on windows partition was at 3.0 but when i boot up windows through Parallels, the BootCamp control center has fewer options to control.
I want to install Win 7 on the same bootcamp partition and from what I read, I cannot use upgrade installer without losing files. I am willing to lose all files on the XP partition as I have just installed it. Is this possible? I already formatted my windows partition as NTFS.

You are asking for trouble going from XP to Windows 7 without the normal Windows clean install.
If it was me and business, I'm not even sure I would use a Mac Mini for Windows 7; or having only one computer.
You might want to look into dual boot XP and 7, but that means either wiping out Mac OS which I assume you actually don't need or use or if you do, could be booted from external.
And backup. Backup data. Clone XP to another drive and then do the swap/exchange.
Excessive downtime always depends on trial and error, experience, and whether someone has done something and had some practice.
Windows 7 Pro has XP Mode too.
I almost always have had backup computers, systems, and able to run two in parallel fashion as a test.
Which brings up an idea. What about running Windows 7 or XP in a VM?

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Can i install windows 8.1 over xp in bootcamp

Can I install windows 8.1 over xp in bootcamp?

Is it on the system drive? on its own drive or is it large enough?
Windows 8.1 will run even without Apple's drivers just fine except for a couple items.
Boot Camp forum probably is best place.
Boot Camp is software (and a forum) as in drivers and Boot Camp Assistant.
You have to do a "custom" clean install, you can't upgrade from within XP, you should of course be using 64-bit and Pro for supporting two cpus.

Unable to install Windows 8 upgrade on Lenovo G580 i5 (64-bit)

I purchased a Windows 8 upgrade online but have not been able to install it and Microsoft Support has not been able to help me though they have tried over several weeks now.
I've uninstalled Avast Anti-Virus and removed almost all start-up background applications. When I run the Windows 8 setup file, the first error that pops-up is "Setup is unable to initialise the start-up folder".
On clicking OK, the next error pops up, "Setup is unable to launch Install.exe. The system cannot find the file specified [Error = 0x800700002]".
And now, whenever I boot-up I'm asked (in a DOS screen) to select either "Windows Setup" or "Windows 7" but selecting the former says "File:\$WINDOWS.~BT\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\winload.exe is missing or corrupt [Status:0xC000000f]".
Microsoft Support asked me to boot-up into Safe Mode and run an Avast app that removes all traces of the anti-virus (aswclear.exe) program but I'm not able to get into Safe Mode due to the above boot issue so am at my wits end.
Microsoft Support says the next step would be to try a re-install of Windows 7, meaning wiping everything out from the laptop, and then trying the upgrade to Windows 8. I would like to avoid doing that but failing to get assistance from this forum, it's what I shall be forced to do.
Thank you,
Derick 'tearing his hair out' Goh.

Hi:
You have to boot from the 64 bit installation media and do a clean (custom) install.
It will not run from a 32 bit Windows desktop.
No 64 bit operating system will.
In other words, you can't upgrade from a 32 bit to a 64 bit operating system, and retain your programs and files.
So back up any files you don't want to lose.

Can I install Windows 7 upgrade (from XP) to BootCamp?

I currently use Snow Leopard and have a Boot Camp partition running Windows XP Professional. It was a pain to install, because I had the upgrade version, and you can't eject CDs from the optical drive during the installation process to put the old CD in to prove you already own a copy of Windows. Let's just say I found a way around that and was able to install XP which currently works fine.
I am now considering trying out Windows 7. If I get it, it will be the upgrade version as well. Will it be possible to install that to Boot Camp from XP? I know there are issues upgrading from XP to Windows 7, in that it has to be a custom install. I don't care about losing Windows settings and files; in fact, I would much prefer to do a clean install. Does anyone know if that is possible using an upgrade CD or will I have the same problem of not being able to eject the CD to put an old one in during the installation process?

If you thought what I was saying was off-base, perhaps you still don't understand my question, since none of your answers has addressed it.
I don't want to do the "upgrade" process. I was very familiar, even before you posted several links saying the same thing over and over, that you can't do that from XP to Win 7 anyway, but even if you could you wouldn't want to. I get the difference of upgrade v. migrate, etc., etc. Please don't link to it again. That is not my question.
All I want to know is this: If you are using an upgrade CD to install Windows 7 (as opposed to a full install CD, and not to be confused with the "upgrade" process), will there be an issue with switching it out during installation and not being able to get it out of the optical drive?
When I clean-installed XP to Boot Camp using an upgrade XP CD, you couldn't do that, because it needed proof of a prior copy of Windows during the installation process and there was no way to switch out the discs. This was a weird glitch of needing to eject from the optical drive during the installation process but having no way to do so at that particular point in the installation. It had nothing to do with anything about Windows licenses, upgrade pathways, etc. It was a technical oddity because of the hardware.
From Apple support site re. XP and Vista with Boot Camp:
"Important: _You must use a single full-install Windows installation disc._ Service pack 2 is required for Windows XP installations. Do not install an earlier version of Windows XP and attempt to update it later to service pack 2. Use only 32-bit versions of Windows."
You don't need to answer this. BlueDevilKurz somehow understood exactly what I was asking and responded several posts ago as well as anyone can until Windows 7 is actually released and we know for sure. But if you want to, it's a Yes or No question, with a second bonus Yes or No question.
1. Can I use an upgrade Windows 7 CD/DVD (rather than full install media) to install Windows 7 on a Boot Camp partition that currently has XP?
2. Can I use an upgrade Windows 7 CD/DVD (rather than full install media) to install Windows 7 on a Boot Camp partition that is currently empty (no XP installed)?

Installing Windows 7 Upgrade Edition on a new Macbook Pro

Hi all,
I am a recent convert to Apple after becoming more and more disillusioned with Windows for the past 10 or so years. I have ordered a shiny new 15" 2011 MBP and can't wait for it to arrive!
My issue is that I am going to need to install Windows for occassional use with certain software as well as occassional gaming. I have a legitimate copy of Windows XP (as well as ME and 98) which I am perfectly happy with - However I understand that the new Macbooks will no longer support WinXP via Bootcamp?
I am a student and have recently purchased a copy of the Windows 7 upgrade edition to rectify this, but I have now read that you cannot perform a "clean" install from the upgrade edition?
I'm afraid I am finding this all very confusing. I do own a legitimate copy of WinXP, and am eligable for the Win7 upgrade, so any help getting this installed on my new Macbook? I would hate to have to keep my ancient desktop around just for Windows, as this would defeat the object of my new purchase.
I have found the following guide;
http://www.winsupersite.com/article/windows-7/clean-install-windows-7-with-upgra de-media.aspx
Does anyone know if this will work in my case or has anyone tried on a brand new MBP?
Thanks in advace for any advice and guidance you can offer.

I have read in an issue of Mac Format about installing Windows in VirtualBox? I'm not really sure how this differs from using BootCamp and what the advantages/disadvantages are...
Virtualization through Virtualbox (or Parallels or Fusion,) allows you to create a "virtual machine." In this virtual machine, you install Windows or Linux or whatever OS, just like you would a physical machine. But the "machine" is just some software and you view the machine as window within OSX. Think of it like a word processing program like Microsoft Word. You run Word to create documents. You can have multiple documents, but the documents can only be "run" within Word. And you can have multiple documents open at the same time and you can switch back and forth between documents without having to reboot OSX. So it is with virtualization. You can create multiple virtual machines (if you have enough hard drive space, just like Word.) You can run multiple virtual machines (if you have enough RAM, just like Word.) It's just that the "documents" are now operating systems rather than word processing or spreadsheets. The big advantage is that you don't have to reboot out of OSX in order to use Windows.
...i'm looking to mostly use windows for gaming, would this method be suitable for that as i see I would not have to restart the system.
And then we come to the disadvantage. A virtual machine has "virtual hardware". The "guest" operating system doesn't actually "see" the physical hardware directly. Instead a virtual motherboard, virtual hard drive, virtual keyboard, etc, are "presented" to the guest OS. The virtualization software must "interpret" the requests from the guest OS into things the physical hardware must do. As with any interpretation, there is a delay. Think of it like if you spoke only French and you talk through an interpreter to someone who only spoke Swahili. It works, but is slower than if you were able to speak Swahili. For most things, this is fine. The weak link is the virtual video card. A simple game like solitaire doesn't need much graphics power so the "slowness" is not an issue. But a FPS game like Call Of Duty or Crysis, where graphics performance is critical, a virtual machine often chokes. So the use of virtualization in gaming really depends on the game.
BTW, there is another technology called emulation that is similar to virtualization, but in general is slower than virtualization. Emulation is used when the CPU required for the guest OS is different than what the physical host has. For example, if you wanted to run Windows on a PowerPC Mac. This is why the Mac changing to Intel CPUs was so exciting because it allowed the use of the faster virtualization technology for Macs to run Windows.
So the decision to use Boot Camp or virtualization depends on your needs. Me personally, I work with virtual machines daily due to my work with testing servers and such. With virtualization I am able to run several virtual machines simultaneously and so can simulate a whole network all within my Macbook. My work doesn't involve much graphics tasks with games, Photoshop, video, etc, so virtualization is fine. If your game is a FPS, then you probably wouldn't find virtualization acceptable. But "simple" games it may be fine. Virtualbox is free, but Parallels and Fusion sometimes do better with certain games. Parallels and Fusion have trial versions so you may want to try them as well. If you do, when you create the virtual machines, do NOT activate Windows until you're sure you're going to purchase. The various products do NOT use the same file format so converting a virtual machine to another format is tricky. If you do activate Windows, then decide to use a different product but are unable to convert the virtual machine, it's not a big deal to call Microsoft for the reactivation, but it is inconvenient, so better to avoid activation until you're sure.

Can I install Windows 7 upgrade version with Bootcamp on my MAC Book Pro?

I currently don't have Windows on my Mac book Pro. I am trying to avoid the high cost of the full version. My friend said they knew someone who was able to use the upgradable version to install it on their PC using bootcamp.
Also is Parallell really worth the extra cost? I will be primary working on my OS OPsystem and only need windows for a few specific things.

Csound1 wrote:
Have you actually tried to install an upgrade version of Windows 7 without a previous version of Windows installed ?
FYI: Google "Windows 7 upgrade double install". This was primarily to do clean installs of Windows Vista using the upgrade product keys, but it still works with Windows 7. I use this technique for cases where the owner upgraded to Win7, but didn't make the recovery disks of XP when they originally got the computer (and the computer didn't come with recovery disks,) then the HD fails and so we have to install Windows 7 from scratch to a new HD using the upgrade product keys without any previous copy of Windows.

Installing Windows XP Home over XP OEM in Bootcamp

I installed Windows XP OEM edition in Bootcamp and have been running Sage in this without problems for some time. Recently updated to 10.5 and latest Bootcamp and all ok.
My problem is that there is now a need to run in Parallels as well and as I discovered initially, the OEM version of Windows cannot be activated in Parallels after doing so in Bootcamp. What I want to do is replace the OEM version in Bootcamp with the Full Home edition so that I can run it in Parallels as well.
I am not very experienced with installing Windows but I understand that I can just install over the top of the OEM version.What I need to know is will this replace the OEM version completely (what I want) and allow me to set up new activations? Is there likely to be any need for reinstalling Sage or other programs or repeating set-ups? Is there a better way of doing this, eg is it possible to just purchase a new license key or use the one that comes with the full version of XP and reactivate?
Thanks for any advice

1. Call Microsoft and insist that your version of Windows is on the same computer however you would like to install it on another partition as a virtual machine. They should be able to help there and issue another product key.
2. The other thing is that parallels can use the boot camp partition with windows on it so you don't hae to install windows again. That information is available [HERE|http://www.parallels.com/en/products/desktop/bootcamp>.
I would try Option 1 first and then if does not work then go with Option 2.
Axel F.

Re-installing windows after upgrading hard drive?

Hi,
Ive been searching through Google and on this site but I keep finding info on how to upgrade the hard drive or how to upgrade windows but I cannot find the answer to my specific question.
How do I install windows on my Satellite A305-S6905 after upgrading the hard drive? will the software be in the recovery discs that I made of the laptop? Do I have to contact toshiba for the discs? Will I need to enter a software KEY?

Satellite A305-S6905
How do I install windows on my Satellite A305-S6905 after upgrading the hard drive? will the software be in the recovery discs that I made of the laptop? Do I have to contact toshiba for the discs? Will I need to enter a software KEY?
You don't install anything. You restore the hard disk by laying down all the bytes it needs - one at a time.
The recovery discs that you created will restore the hard drive to its original factory-new contents. No product key is necessary because that installation is preactivated.
See the section Hard Disk Drive Recovery using the Recovery media, starting on p. 66 in the User's Guide.
Satellite A300 Series User’s Guide
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Would it work to install ENG CS6 upgrade over non-ENG CS5.5?

Would it work to install/use ENG CS6 upgrade over non-ENG CS5.5?
Mainly to get the final CS6 programs in english.

Hello
Thanks for yuor replay, here is more details.
Right now I have BOXed version of Adobe CS5.5 Master Collection 5.5 Mac PL
and plan to buy digital download upgrade WIN/Mac ENG.
I wonder if I'm eligible to buy this version of upgrade or if I can only buy/use the PL upgrade version.
As the upgrade is seperate instalation, the new CS6 should be all ok and in english, but is allowed / legal
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Installing Windows Pro upgrade

I read that to install windows in boot camp you need a FULL version. My Home addition doe not have SP2 so I can't install that and then upgrade. When I put the upgrade disk in it asked for the Home addition disk. Once it recognized it, it continued with the Windows Pro install. However, things did not work right. Should I try it again or just bite the bullet and purchase an full version of Windows Pro?
Thanks
Phil

Twin Daddy:
I am assuming that you have the full version of the Home Edition without SP2. If that is the case then you may be in luck. There is a way to "Slipstream" your home edition and the service pack 2 on a single bootable CD. Once this is done then you can install windows XP home edition and then use your upgrade CD to upgrade it to PRO.
Read the forums on "Slipstreaming" and the procedure is listed [HERE|http://www.helpwithwindows.com/WindowsXP/winxp-sp2-bootcd.html].
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Axel F.

Installing windows 8 upgrade via parallel 8 on MBP 13" retina

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Boot Camp is a method of booting Windows and using the entire machine hardware as essentially a Windows PC.
Parallels provides a way of running Windows as a virtual machine concurrently with OS X.
Boot Camp provides a slightly faster Windows than Parallels, whereas Parallels offers more flexibility and the ability to run other operating systems such as Linux.

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I gave up on windows 7 upgrade. Venders for some devices have not even supplied drivers for some things yet. Very untimely and too much of a rush to windows upgrade always a problem. "If not broken don't mess with it." Someone said that awhile back and that is the best advise.

Installing Windows 7 "Upgrade" using Boot Camp 4?

I've run myself into a bit of a dilemma and I'm hoping there is a work around... I have a MacBook Pro that came with Lion and Boot Camp 4. I understand Boot Camp 4 does not support running anything earlier than Windows 7. After going through the whole process and installing the full version of 7 on Boot Camp I realized when I got to the part where Windows wanted a license key that my license is only for an "upgrade" and therefore said it wasn't valid. I have Windows Vista that I can upgrade from, but I apparently can't install Vista with Boot Camp 4, and I've read I cannot downgrade to BC3. I'm trying to avoid buying a new license key for a full version of 7. Does anyone know if there is a way to make this work? I hope I have explained it properly... pretty much a catch 22!

OK, here's what you do. I'm assuming that you've got the partition laid out and your drivers ready:
Insert your Win 7 Upgrade DVD and hold down the C key while restarting the Mac This boots Setup
Run through Setup once, formatting your Boot Camp volume. For this go-around, use a Custom install
You will get to a point where you are asked for your Product Key. Skip this request now!
Install the Boot Camp software
Next, go back to your Win 7 Upgrade DVD and allow the AutoRun. Click Install Now on the window that opens.
You're in Setup again. This time, do an Upgrade. You should be back at your Desktop when this runs through. If asked for the key again, skip it.
Click Start > Computer
Now click System properties
At the bottom of the System Properties window is a link, Change product key. Click this link.
Enter the Upgrade key now while you walk through activation. It should be accepted this time.
We've just tricked Windows into thinking it was upgraded, thereby fulfilling the license requirement. This method works because the installer makes no check as to what specific versions of Vista or 7 the upgrade will qualify on. In this way, it is possible to "clean install" an upgrade copy for about $100 less than a full copy.
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I can't install Windows 7 key over KMS host with WS 2012 R2

Hi
I have a KMS Host with Windows Server 2012 R2. I don't have problems installing keys for Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Office 2013, Windows Server 2012 R2. However, when I tried install keys for Windows 7, Windows 2008 R2 and Windows 2008, I have the next message:
C:\slmgr.vbs /ipk <Windows 7 key>
Error: 0xC004F050 The Software Licensing Service reported that the product key is invalid
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Gary

Hi
I have a KMS Host with Windows Server 2012 R2. I don't have problems installing keys for Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Office 2013, Windows Server 2012 R2. However, when I tried install keys for Windows 7, Windows 2008 R2 and Windows 2008, I have the next message:
C:\slmgr.vbs /ipk <Windows 7 key>
Error: 0xC004F050 The Software Licensing Service reported that the product key is invalid
I've installed the keys from the same source.
Gary
For a KMShost with the OS=WS2012R2, you cannot, and, there is no need to, install any other Windows KMShost keys. The WS2012R2 KMShost key, by itself, will activate the KMShost OS, and will also enable the issuing of activations for ALL Windows KMSclients.
Office KMS features are different, and do need to be installed for Office KMSclient activations.
The error you are experiencing is expected, and is a result of your attempt to perform an unnecessary configuration step.
Don
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This helps the community, keeps the forums tidy, and recognises useful contributions. Thanks!)

Help! My printer will not print since installing Windows 7 upgrade.

I currently have an HP4580 All in one wireless printer that will not print. Nothing goes to the queue. I have done all the HP troubleshooting, including uninstalling and reinstalling the device. Everything shows that it is working properly and is recognized on the network. I have run out of ideas. Can anybody help me?
Karen
Karen

Is this the Deskjet F4580, the Officejet J4580 or the Photosmart C4580? I would suggest going to the HP site and downloading the proper driver and updates for Windows 7. Before installing the new software uninstall the previous version.
Bob Headrick, HP Expert
I am not an employee of HP, I am a volunteer posting here on my own time.
If your problem is solved please click the "Accept as Solution" button ------------V
If my answer was helpful please click the "Thumbs Up" to say "Thank You"--V

Installing windows 7 upgrade over XP

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