Use Bootcamp XP install or create new VM ?

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You can convert your bootcamp partition to a parallels vm (external) if you want to avoid doing a reinstall. Parallels Transporter should be able to help you accomplish that.

 

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This is only the opinion of one, so take it for what it's worth.

I don't have experience with XP and Bootcamp with Parallels - only Vista. I can tell you that the activation problems with Vista/Parallels have left my Vista/Bootcamp installation totally useless now on two separate occasions, so I won't be using Parallels with it any further. XP may be a different story. However, I have several XP VMs that I use for my consulting business with various clients, and the standalone VM seems to be pretty reliable. I've used Transporter to convert machines at client sites to VMs several times with few problems as you do have to manage the removal/change of drivers and some applications that are specific to the original device (Dell and IBM are notorious, but I don't know about the Apple drivers for Bootcamp) once the VM is converted.

From a usage standpoint, from what I've learned since purchasing a Mac and using Bootcamp - I can't see a reason to have Bootcamp at all unless you use XP/Vista to run games (for performance) or unless you live significantly more in the Microsoft world (for applications) than Mac OS X world.

As soon as I'm able to find a method for recovering my Bootcamp partition data, I plan to eliminate it altogether and only use VMs for Microsoft OSs (except 64 bit versions for which I've had to purchase VMWare.)

YMMV.

 

64 bit edition OSes will be supported in version 4, but I do not have ETA, when PD4 will be available

 

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Clean installation is always preferable , after you create new VM, you can start Boot Camp Assistant and restore Mac partititon

 

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