Newbie needs advice on installation please

Hi There

I have a friend who has just got a Mac and wants to transfer his PC based Quickbooks accounts package to it.

We understand we need Parallels and I gather I can download the trial. What I am confused about is where we get the Windows package from. Do we go out and purchase a full version on disk or can it somehow be imported from his existing PC?

If we import it, does it import the entire hard drive of the PC or just the OS? I guess if there are any issues with his PC it will import them as well?

If we can import the Windows OS from his PC whats the best way to do this. Networked or USB Hard Drive?

Sorry if this has been covered loads of times. I did have a look but couldnt find any answers.

Thanks

 

Wow. That was quick thanks.

So you cant import the OS from a PC then? I wouldnt have though so as surely this is copying copywrited software.

Thanks

 

Not true. In Parallels 7, you can migrate a Windows installation from an actual PC with a cable from Parallels, over a network, or if you connect the PC's hard drive to the Mac.

Steve

 

Ah. so if he has his hard drive from his old PC he could plug it into the mac and install from there is that correct?

My only issue with this solution is that presumably if there were any issues with his old PC they will simply be transfered but I think it was a power supply issue.

If not, if I buy an OEM XP Pro Service pack 2 or 3 CD off ebay will that work? I heard there were some issues with certain XP CD's and an answer file with Parallels?

 

Not sure why you want to stick with XP instead of Win 7 if you're going to start from scratch, but yes, any disk would work.

Steve

 

I Think the main reason is the client wants to run his Quickbooks 2005 version on the Mac. It wont run on Win 7. Suppose he could upgrade that as well but its up to him.

Thanks again