I have been thinking about testing that out. How do you like it? Did you also try boot camp? Since my XP partition is already there, can I just install Parallels and run it? So many questions, how about USB devices via XP in Parallels? Time for a speed test.
Upon further review, the screen's just fine. Wouldn't mine seeing what it looks like in matte instead of glossy, but they don't offer it.
I'm not a huge fan of the new glossy screens either. Sure, they look great in perfect light, but my light is rarely perfect. I much prefered the matte screens of yester-year. Sadly all the big laptop makers, Dell, HP, etc etc all seem to be going this way, not just Apple.
I'm not a huge fan of the new glossy screens either. Sure, they look great in perfect light, but my light is rarely perfect. I much prefered the matte screens of yester-year. Sadly all the big laptop makers, Dell, HP, etc etc all seem to be going this way, not just Apple.
I could see choosing a glossy if I knew I was going to be in a controlled environment, but on a laptop? Nu-uh.
Thanks Gus, I just put 4 gigs memory into my dell 8300. I got it from Crucial.co.uk (thanks for the link gubbs). The 'puter is flying now.
Shay.
Truth to tell, this is the first thing I'm going to do. On Saturday, I'm going to buy a matching 1GB memory strip to go with the one that crashed my machine, remove my current memory and snap in the two new modules.
On Sunday, you may see me on my knees at the Apple store.
I have been thinking about testing that out. How do you like it? Did you also try boot camp? Since my XP partition is already there, can I just install Parallels and run it? So many questions, how about USB devices via XP in Parallels? Time for a speed test.
i just installed parallels today (hence the IE screenshot). my first impressions are that it is really fast. if i'm in full screen mode i dont notice any difference from sitting down at my pc. granted i dont have anything running on it besides IE at this point, but it's a promising start. a co-worker of mine uses parallels on his iMac when he works from home with no complaints...we're a microsoft shop.
it found the dvd, usb, sound and network no problem.
i was never able to get bootcamp working on my MBP...it didnt like the slipstreamed SP2 cd that i have so i just gave up on it.
The NYT Does Macbook
With the introduction of its new, 13-inch, low-cost laptop,
the MacBook, Apple has officially eliminated its iBook and
PowerBook families. Apple's laptop line is all MacBook, all
the time.
Inside, both the Pro and non-Pro laptops have the same
blazing-fast, blazing hot Intel Core Duo chip that rips
through software tasks--as long as you're running so-called
Universal programs (those that have been adapted for the
Intel chip). If you're running un-adapted programs, like
Microsoft Office and Adobe anything, expect noticeable
sluggishness.
All Mac laptops now have a built-in camera with surprisingly
good video quality, even in low light. All come with a remote
control and Front Row, the software that lets you control
playback of your photos, music, videos and DVD's from across
the room. All have widescreen displays and a clever magnetic
power-cord attachment that detaches when struck, rather than
dragging the whole machine to the floor.
But none of them have a built-in modem. If you stay
exclusively at hotels with wireless Internet--and an employer
that will reimburse you for using it--great. But if you ever
find yourself at a bed-and-breakfast or friend's house, you
won't be able to get online at all unless you've bought, and
remembered to pack, Apple's $50 external USB modem.
That's not to say that there are no differences at all. Take,
for example:
* Size. The new laptops have 13.3-inch screens, so they're
more compact than the Pro models (which come in 15 or 17
inches).
Sadly, they're nowhere near as small as the deliciously small
12-inch PowerBook that they replace. In fact, the MacBook is
two full inches wider, despite adding only one inch to the
diagonal screen size.
In fact, the MacBook is only about an inch narrower than the
15-inch MacBook Pro. What's up with that?
* Case. MacBooks come in matte black or iBook white. The
material is polycarbonate, a.k.a. bulletproof plastic (vs.
the unpainted aluminum cases of the Pro models). As a result,
MacBooks's Wi-Fi antennas get much better wireless reception
than the Pro models--fantastic reception, in fact.
The black model--the BlackBook--is unbelievably cool-looking.
Every element, from the tiny screws to the fuzzy lining of
the slot-loading DVD burner, is jet black. On the other hand,
all the accessories are white (power adapter, external modem,
and so on), which looks a little odd. The BlackBook's
trackpad gets greasy and fingerprinty after very little time.
Finally, this is expensive paint indeed; you'll pay $150 more
for the black model than for an identically configured white
one.
(You may recall that the black iPod cost more than the white
one. It sold just fine, and so will the BlackBook; looks
sell, if you hadn't noticed.)
* Price. The white MacBook starts at $1,100 (512 megs of
memory, 1.83 gigahertz processor, CD burner-DVD player); $200
more gets you a slightly faster chip and a DVD burner. If you
order from the Apple Web site, you can (and should) pay $100
more to double the memory.
So what's the difference between the MacBook and the Pro
version, which costs at least $900 more?
Not much, really; it's mostly about the screen size. The Pro
models also have dedicated memory for graphics, which Apple
says makes them much faster on high-end games (Doom 3) and
high-end pro apps like Aperture, Final Cut and Motion. And
the Pro models have a card slot (ExpressCard), although
there's not much you can put into it yet.
* Screen coating. The MacBook has a glossy screen surface,
also popular on Windows laptops, that makes blacks blacker
and colors richer. There's been much hue and cry online about
the potential for reflections and glare, but in practice,
it's really not much of a problem.
* Keyboard. The MacBook has a new keyboard design. Instead of
cutting a hole in the top "deck" of the laptop and lowering a
full modular keyboard into it, only the stalks of the keys
protrude through individual holes in the deck. Apple says
that the keys are therefore less likely to pop off, and my
guess is that gook and gunk is less likely to get inside. The
completely flat, non-sculpted key tops take some time to get
used to, however.
(The MacBook's rubber feet are also secured from within the
case. They, too, will be far less likely to pop off--another
common PowerBook complaint.)
* Trackpad. All Apple laptops let you scroll (a Web page, for
example) just by dragging two fingers, not one, across the
trackpad. It's a trick that quickly becomes second nature.
The MacBook adds something new: if you touch the pad with two
fingers and then click the clicker, you produce what, on a
Windows machine, would be a right-click of the mouse. Cool.
* Latch. Speaking of little details that make a difference:
there's no lid latch, no button to press. Instead, a strong
magnet holds the clamshell shut. A gentle push of your thumb
opens the lid. It works great.
So how does the new MacBook stack up? Depends on where you're
coming from. If you're a longtime Mac fan, you'll like the
thin design, superbright screen, the convenient built-in
camera and the speed. But you may be acutely aware of all
you're giving up: a built-in modem, for example, and the easy
one-handability of the old 12-inch model.
If you're coming from the Windows world, or if you've never
owned a laptop, the MacBook is a different story; you'll
probably be bowled over by its beauty and power. (Why is it
that the underside of Windows laptops are patchworks of
stickers, logos, raised bumps and ugly panels, rather than
the sleek and unbroken surface of Mac laptops? As an Apple
executive puts it, "The bottoms of our laptops are better-
looking than the TOPS of Windows notebooks!")
You'll also enjoy the way a Mac laptop is instantly powered
up and ready to go when you open its lid--no 40-second wake-
up sequence is required. And, of course, there's the freedom
from the constant worry about viruses and spyware, not to
mention the nagginess of Windows itself.
And so, as always, Apple giveth, and Apple taketh away. On
balance, though, the MacBook is a very sweet laptop that's
gained more than it's lost.
The MacBook adds something new: if you touch the pad with two
fingers and then click the clicker, you produce what, on a
Windows machine, would be a right-click of the mouse. Cool.
Nice write-up, but this is something that the MacBook Pros do, too.
Nice write-up, but this is something that the MacBook Pros do, too.
I'd never heard of this, nor of 2-finger scrolling. I must admit, with my laptop, I prefer to use a USB mouse instead of the trackpad. Patch laughs at me, but I sometimes also pack a USB keyboard.
I'd never heard of this, nor of 2-finger scrolling. I must admit, with my laptop, I prefer to use a USB mouse instead of the trackpad. Patch laughs at me, but I sometimes also pack a USB keyboard.
2-finger scrolling is great, and it scrolls horizontal, too
So, one thing I like about Windows is that the time is always displayed onscreen.
Can a Mac do that?
And can I have my shortcut icons always on the desktop, like Windows, instead of having to cursor over to find them?
, upper right. Digital OR analog, your choice. Yes, you can have any number of shortcut icons on your desktop, and you also have the dock, which has your frequently-accessed programs - also fully customizable.
, upper right. Digital OR analog, your choice. Yes, you can have any number of shortcut icons on your desktop, and you also have the dock, which has your frequently-accessed programs - also fully customizable.
That NYtimes writeup made me want an MB, but it also made me feel pretty happy that my super slim but still pretty powerful will remain the lightweight champion. It's surprising that the new case grew so much, referring to the author's quoting the screen as growing by only 1 inch but the case by a full 2" in width.
Someday (probably sooner rather than later), MrsIt will completely takeover the 12" and I'll have to buy a second lappy, but it'll be nice to keep that little bugger in the family.
Can someone tell me more about this "Parallels" thing, or give the slow kid a linkie?
I am still working on figuring this out myself, but Boot Camp is working for me and PW cannot use the XP boot camp partition from what I have read.
The new screen is also a widescreen. I wonder how the size increase is vs the old ibook? The Powerbooks were always a little thinner on the edges. I think the Ti PB was the champ in that category, but it gave up wifi range which I am happy to carry a little extra plastic to gain wifi range.
I am still working on figuring this out myself, but Boot Camp is working for me and PW cannot use the XP boot camp partition from what I have read.
The new screen is also a widescreen. I wonder how the size increase is vs the old ibook? The Powerbooks were always a little thinner on the edges. I think the Ti PB was the champ in that category, but it gave up wifi range which I am happy to carry a little extra plastic to gain wifi range.
you dont need PW and bootcamp, so i'm confused why parallels not being able to use the xp partition is an issue for you?
you dont need PW and bootcamp, so i'm confused why parallels not being able to use the xp partition is an issue for you?
so if I'm reading this correctly, Parallels is like VPC, but better because it is geared for processors (hardware) that can read the "Pentium II instruction set". I don't know what that really means, but its obvious its now a new alternative to VPC because of the new Intel chip. Right?
(Darn, I was yet again hoping something came along that would let me run my Garmin software on my G4 :cry)
so if I'm reading this correctly, Parallels is like VPC, but better because it is geared for processors (hardware) that can read the "Pentium II instruction set". I don't know what that really means, but its obvious its now a new alternative to VPC because of the new Intel chip. Right?
(Darn, I was yet again hoping something came along that would let me run my Garmin software on my G4 :cry)
yeah, it's a software virtualization environment. i'm guessing it's gonna be more gooder than VPC because it's intel instructions -> intel instead of intel -> powerPC. i have no idea about the guts of that kind of thing but it makes logical sense.
you dont need PW and bootcamp, so i'm confused why parallels not being able to use the xp partition is an issue for you?
I already have XP on a partition that I made with bootcamp, as per the discussion in this thread, I don't think I can just install parallels workstation. I would have to install XP for PW? I also mainly installed XP to work with Mapsource and my GPS which several users report problems via PW with the USB connection, where XP via BC has worked well for me so far. I am sure they will get it worked out, but at the moment Boot Camp works for me, but I would like to be able to boot XP from OSX when I just want to work with Mapsource, of course by that time Garmin will release an OSX version of Mapsource and I won't need XP anymore. :uhoh
I already have XP on a partition that I made with bootcamp, as per the discussion in this thread, I don't think I can just install parallels workstation. I would have to install XP for PW? I also mainly installed XP to work with Mapsource and my GPS which several users report problems via PW with the USB connection, where XP via BC has worked well for me so far. I am sure they will get it worked out, but at the moment Boot Camp works for me, but I would like to be able to boot XP from OSX when I just want to work with Mapsource, of course by that time Garmin will release an OSX version of Mapsource and I won't need XP anymore. :uhoh
i see, you dont want to reinstall windows. gotcha.
the way parallels works is that you create a virtual workstation and specify what type of OS it will be, then you start that workstation and load it up just like it was an empty box.
i created a new windowsXP workstation, started it up, put in my XP cd and installed windows. now whenever i want to do something in windows, i just fire up parallels and start the xp workstation and it's just like booting up a pc. the cool thing is you can also put the workstation into suspend mode instead of shutting it down, so the next time you start the workstation, it resumes where you left off instead of restarting.
i dont know about the garmin problems, but my usb mouse worked fine.
i see, you dont want to reinstall windows. gotcha.
Right. Space is at a premium on my HD at the moment. I am looking for a larger HD to replace the one that came in my Macbook. Anyone have any recommendations? I was thinking either 100 or 120gb. I cannot figure out the right specs. I think it should be a 2.5" SATA 5400 rpm 9.5mm drive, but 100 or 150 SATA? I have read different specs and don't know which are correct. I have seen shots of drives being pulled out, but so far I cannot find any threads with a new model # that was installed.
I would prefer to run Parallels, so if it worked with the GPS I would dump the partition and install it, but since it does not look like it is working yet. I will wait.
Does anyone have some good info on Windows XP activation? I bought an XP home SP2 full install disk and it worked fine. I am getting the countdown days before activation is required. If I activate XP and in a month put in a new HD and have to reinstall it, when I go to reactivate will I have issues? Do I have to deactivate the one copy before I remove the old drive?
Does anyone have some good info on Windows XP activation? I bought an XP home SP2 full install disk and it worked fine. I am getting the countdown days before activation is required. If I activate XP and in a month put in a new HD and have to reinstall it, when I go to reactivate will I have issues? Do I have to deactivate the one copy before I remove the old drive?
I went through this same thing previously. If you haven't activated it too many times previously, you'll be just fine. If you have activated it too many times it'll tell you to call Microsoft. When they answer just tell them that you reinstalled it on the same computer and you'll be fine.
Note: I'm not advocating doing anything wrong here. You're allowed to do this assuming that you don't have it installed somewhere else.
You should be just fine.
Y'all don't want to hear me, you just want to dance.
I went through this same thing previously. If you haven't activated it too many times previously, you'll be just fine. If you have activated it too many times it'll tell you to call Microsoft. When they answer just tell them that you reinstalled it on the same computer and you'll be fine.
Note: I'm not advocating doing anything wrong here. You're allowed to do this assuming that you don't have it installed somewhere else.
You should be just fine.
I am not worried about installing it on more machines. I only have one computer it will run on. I just want to make sure that I don't run into any problems. Hopefully I can find a replacement hard drive soon and just clean install both OS's.
Comments
Catapultam habeo. Nisi pecuniam omnem mihi dabis, ad caput tuum saxum immane mittam
http://www.mcneel.com/users/jb/foghorn/ill_shut_up.au
Internet Explorer? Don't corrupt a perfectly good Mac with that!
I have been thinking about testing that out. How do you like it? Did you also try boot camp? Since my XP partition is already there, can I just install Parallels and run it? So many questions, how about USB devices via XP in Parallels? Time for a speed test.
I could see choosing a glossy if I knew I was going to be in a controlled environment, but on a laptop? Nu-uh.
Dgrin FAQ | Me | Workshops
Thanks Gus, I just put 4 gigs memory into my dell 8300. I got it from Crucial.co.uk (thanks for the link gubbs). The 'puter is flying now.
Shay.
On Sunday, you may see me on my knees at the Apple store.
Catapultam habeo. Nisi pecuniam omnem mihi dabis, ad caput tuum saxum immane mittam
http://www.mcneel.com/users/jb/foghorn/ill_shut_up.au
it found the dvd, usb, sound and network no problem.
i was never able to get bootcamp working on my MBP...it didnt like the slipstreamed SP2 cd that i have so i just gave up on it.
With the introduction of its new, 13-inch, low-cost laptop,
the MacBook, Apple has officially eliminated its iBook and
PowerBook families. Apple's laptop line is all MacBook, all
the time.
By Apple's own description, the MacBook is essentially the
same thing as the MacBook Pro, which I've already reviewed
(http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/02/technology/circuits/02pogue.html),
with different cosmetics.
Inside, both the Pro and non-Pro laptops have the same
blazing-fast, blazing hot Intel Core Duo chip that rips
through software tasks--as long as you're running so-called
Universal programs (those that have been adapted for the
Intel chip). If you're running un-adapted programs, like
Microsoft Office and Adobe anything, expect noticeable
sluggishness.
All Mac laptops now have a built-in camera with surprisingly
good video quality, even in low light. All come with a remote
control and Front Row, the software that lets you control
playback of your photos, music, videos and DVD's from across
the room. All have widescreen displays and a clever magnetic
power-cord attachment that detaches when struck, rather than
dragging the whole machine to the floor.
But none of them have a built-in modem. If you stay
exclusively at hotels with wireless Internet--and an employer
that will reimburse you for using it--great. But if you ever
find yourself at a bed-and-breakfast or friend's house, you
won't be able to get online at all unless you've bought, and
remembered to pack, Apple's $50 external USB modem.
That's not to say that there are no differences at all. Take,
for example:
* Size. The new laptops have 13.3-inch screens, so they're
more compact than the Pro models (which come in 15 or 17
inches).
Sadly, they're nowhere near as small as the deliciously small
12-inch PowerBook that they replace. In fact, the MacBook is
two full inches wider, despite adding only one inch to the
diagonal screen size.
In fact, the MacBook is only about an inch narrower than the
15-inch MacBook Pro. What's up with that?
* Case. MacBooks come in matte black or iBook white. The
material is polycarbonate, a.k.a. bulletproof plastic (vs.
the unpainted aluminum cases of the Pro models). As a result,
MacBooks's Wi-Fi antennas get much better wireless reception
than the Pro models--fantastic reception, in fact.
The black model--the BlackBook--is unbelievably cool-looking.
Every element, from the tiny screws to the fuzzy lining of
the slot-loading DVD burner, is jet black. On the other hand,
all the accessories are white (power adapter, external modem,
and so on), which looks a little odd. The BlackBook's
trackpad gets greasy and fingerprinty after very little time.
Finally, this is expensive paint indeed; you'll pay $150 more
for the black model than for an identically configured white
one.
(You may recall that the black iPod cost more than the white
one. It sold just fine, and so will the BlackBook; looks
sell, if you hadn't noticed.)
* Price. The white MacBook starts at $1,100 (512 megs of
memory, 1.83 gigahertz processor, CD burner-DVD player); $200
more gets you a slightly faster chip and a DVD burner. If you
order from the Apple Web site, you can (and should) pay $100
more to double the memory.
So what's the difference between the MacBook and the Pro
version, which costs at least $900 more?
Not much, really; it's mostly about the screen size. The Pro
models also have dedicated memory for graphics, which Apple
says makes them much faster on high-end games (Doom 3) and
high-end pro apps like Aperture, Final Cut and Motion. And
the Pro models have a card slot (ExpressCard), although
there's not much you can put into it yet.
* Screen coating. The MacBook has a glossy screen surface,
also popular on Windows laptops, that makes blacks blacker
and colors richer. There's been much hue and cry online about
the potential for reflections and glare, but in practice,
it's really not much of a problem.
* Keyboard. The MacBook has a new keyboard design. Instead of
cutting a hole in the top "deck" of the laptop and lowering a
full modular keyboard into it, only the stalks of the keys
protrude through individual holes in the deck. Apple says
that the keys are therefore less likely to pop off, and my
guess is that gook and gunk is less likely to get inside. The
completely flat, non-sculpted key tops take some time to get
used to, however.
(The MacBook's rubber feet are also secured from within the
case. They, too, will be far less likely to pop off--another
common PowerBook complaint.)
* Trackpad. All Apple laptops let you scroll (a Web page, for
example) just by dragging two fingers, not one, across the
trackpad. It's a trick that quickly becomes second nature.
The MacBook adds something new: if you touch the pad with two
fingers and then click the clicker, you produce what, on a
Windows machine, would be a right-click of the mouse. Cool.
* Latch. Speaking of little details that make a difference:
there's no lid latch, no button to press. Instead, a strong
magnet holds the clamshell shut. A gentle push of your thumb
opens the lid. It works great.
So how does the new MacBook stack up? Depends on where you're
coming from. If you're a longtime Mac fan, you'll like the
thin design, superbright screen, the convenient built-in
camera and the speed. But you may be acutely aware of all
you're giving up: a built-in modem, for example, and the easy
one-handability of the old 12-inch model.
If you're coming from the Windows world, or if you've never
owned a laptop, the MacBook is a different story; you'll
probably be bowled over by its beauty and power. (Why is it
that the underside of Windows laptops are patchworks of
stickers, logos, raised bumps and ugly panels, rather than
the sleek and unbroken surface of Mac laptops? As an Apple
executive puts it, "The bottoms of our laptops are better-
looking than the TOPS of Windows notebooks!")
You'll also enjoy the way a Mac laptop is instantly powered
up and ready to go when you open its lid--no 40-second wake-
up sequence is required. And, of course, there's the freedom
from the constant worry about viruses and spyware, not to
mention the nagginess of Windows itself.
And so, as always, Apple giveth, and Apple taketh away. On
balance, though, the MacBook is a very sweet laptop that's
gained more than it's lost.
Catapultam habeo. Nisi pecuniam omnem mihi dabis, ad caput tuum saxum immane mittam
http://www.mcneel.com/users/jb/foghorn/ill_shut_up.au
Nice write-up, but this is something that the MacBook Pros do, too.
Dgrin FAQ | Me | Workshops
Catapultam habeo. Nisi pecuniam omnem mihi dabis, ad caput tuum saxum immane mittam
http://www.mcneel.com/users/jb/foghorn/ill_shut_up.au
2-finger scrolling is great, and it scrolls horizontal, too
Dgrin FAQ | Me | Workshops
Catapultam habeo. Nisi pecuniam omnem mihi dabis, ad caput tuum saxum immane mittam
http://www.mcneel.com/users/jb/foghorn/ill_shut_up.au
Have you seen the backlit keyboard on the MBP? Very cool, it has an ambient light sensor, so they turn on if you're in low/no light.
Dgrin FAQ | Me | Workshops
Macbook Pro + 12 months (and still employed) = Me.
Catapultam habeo. Nisi pecuniam omnem mihi dabis, ad caput tuum saxum immane mittam
http://www.mcneel.com/users/jb/foghorn/ill_shut_up.au
I'm gonna hold you to that, Mister.
Dgrin FAQ | Me | Workshops
So, one thing I like about Windows is that the time is always displayed onscreen.
Can a Mac do that?
And can I have my shortcut icons always on the desktop, like Windows, instead of having to cursor over to find them?
Catapultam habeo. Nisi pecuniam omnem mihi dabis, ad caput tuum saxum immane mittam
http://www.mcneel.com/users/jb/foghorn/ill_shut_up.au
Portfolio • Workshops • Facebook • Twitter
Catapultam habeo. Nisi pecuniam omnem mihi dabis, ad caput tuum saxum immane mittam
http://www.mcneel.com/users/jb/foghorn/ill_shut_up.au
Even better than shortcuts is Quicksilver or LaunchBar (the one I use).
Dgrin FAQ | Me | Workshops
Someday (probably sooner rather than later), MrsIt will completely takeover the 12" and I'll have to buy a second lappy, but it'll be nice to keep that little bugger in the family.
Can someone tell me more about this "Parallels" thing, or give the slow kid a linkie?
moderator of: The Flea Market [ guidelines ]
Parallels Workstation.
I am still working on figuring this out myself, but Boot Camp is working for me and PW cannot use the XP boot camp partition from what I have read.
The new screen is also a widescreen. I wonder how the size increase is vs the old ibook? The Powerbooks were always a little thinner on the edges. I think the Ti PB was the champ in that category, but it gave up wifi range which I am happy to carry a little extra plastic to gain wifi range.
(Darn, I was yet again hoping something came along that would let me run my Garmin software on my G4 :cry)
moderator of: The Flea Market [ guidelines ]
I already have XP on a partition that I made with bootcamp, as per the discussion in this thread, I don't think I can just install parallels workstation. I would have to install XP for PW?
the way parallels works is that you create a virtual workstation and specify what type of OS it will be, then you start that workstation and load it up just like it was an empty box.
i created a new windowsXP workstation, started it up, put in my XP cd and installed windows. now whenever i want to do something in windows, i just fire up parallels and start the xp workstation and it's just like booting up a pc. the cool thing is you can also put the workstation into suspend mode instead of shutting it down, so the next time you start the workstation, it resumes where you left off instead of restarting.
i dont know about the garmin problems, but my usb mouse worked fine.
Right. Space is at a premium on my HD at the moment. I am looking for a larger HD to replace the one that came in my Macbook. Anyone have any recommendations? I was thinking either 100 or 120gb. I cannot figure out the right specs. I think it should be a 2.5" SATA 5400 rpm 9.5mm drive, but 100 or 150 SATA? I have read different specs and don't know which are correct. I have seen shots of drives being pulled out, but so far I cannot find any threads with a new model # that was installed.
I would prefer to run Parallels, so if it worked with the GPS I would dump the partition and install it, but since it does not look like it is working yet. I will wait.
Does anyone have some good info on Windows XP activation? I bought an XP home SP2 full install disk and it worked fine. I am getting the countdown days before activation is required. If I activate XP and in a month put in a new HD and have to reinstall it, when I go to reactivate will I have issues? Do I have to deactivate the one copy before I remove the old drive?
I went through this same thing previously. If you haven't activated it too many times previously, you'll be just fine. If you have activated it too many times it'll tell you to call Microsoft. When they answer just tell them that you reinstalled it on the same computer and you'll be fine.
Note: I'm not advocating doing anything wrong here. You're allowed to do this assuming that you don't have it installed somewhere else.
You should be just fine.
http://photos.mikelanestudios.com/
I am not worried about installing it on more machines. I only have one computer it will run on. I just want to make sure that I don't run into any problems. Hopefully I can find a replacement hard drive soon and just clean install both OS's.