Is there a 'preferred' version of Windows to use with Parallels?

[James Bond 007]

Thanks but weren't pre-XP versions of WINDOWS -- WIN2000 included -- much more vulnerable to security problems?

Also, are you doing any Internet browsing while using WIN2000? Aside from the specific security issues there, does WIN2000 support the most recent versions of Internet Explorer, or are you browsing under an old version of IE? If the latter, doesn't that limit your ability to use the latest features of the various services provided by Google, Yahoo!, etc.?

I'd be interested to know what security (anti-virus, spam protection, and firewall) software you're using with WIN2000.

IE 7 does not run on Windows 2000. The latest version of IE to run on Windows 2000 is IE 6. But if you are like me, you can use Firefox to surf the internet in Windows 2000 (running on Parallels 1970 on my Macbook) instead. I have not used IE myself since the release of Firefox except to access Windows Update.

I use AVG AntiVirus Free on Windows 2000 and Windows XP.

 

[Steven Ray]

IE 7 does not run on Windows 2000. The latest version of IE to run on Windows 2000 is IE 6. But if you are like me, you can use Firefox to surf the internet in Windows 2000 (running on Parallels 1970 on my Macbook) instead. I have not used IE myself since the release of Firefox except to access Windows Update.

I use AVG AntiVirus Free on Windows 2000 and Windows XP.

Actually, isn't XP required if you want to run Boot Camp -- which you might want or need to do in circumstances where Parallels hasn't worked out certain bugs (e.g., I recall reading about problems using some USB devices under Parallels)?

Also, the Boot Camp functionality that will be built into Leopard will, as far as I know, not support any pre-XP versions of Windows.

 

[spacejockeys]

Is my WinXP Home setup freeze related to this discussion?

I've just purchased Parallels for a core duo macbook pro, and am trying to install WinXP Home. Keeps freezing when it gets to the devices. Any way around this, or must I buy *another* version/copy of WinXP? (I'm not too excited about Vista so prefer to avoid it.)

 

[Purplish]

Spacejockeys....probably not related.
Check to make sure that you have Parallels version 3188. If not, download it from the Parallels web site.
If that doesn't help, try posting your problem as a new topic in this same forum.

 

[Al_Q]

As far as I know there are no significant security differences between Home and Pro. The main advantage of Pro is in a business network situation where you want to access file servers printers etc using Active Directory.

I have XP Home SP2 (OEM) and it works just fine. The disadvantage of OEM is that it is licensed for use on only one computer. Once it's registered that's the only place you can legally use it. If you later move to another computer Microsoft won't reactivate it. On the other hand, it typically costs half as much or less, so unless you plan to migrate to new hardware frequently it is the economical solution.

 

[John Howard]

Thanks, though actually my question wasn't about RAM requirements for running WINDOWS, but about buying an OEM version of WIN XP to run on a MAC -- as well as whether the HOME (rather than the PRO) version of WIN would be adequate.

I also was specifically hoping for feedback about apparent security loopholes in the HOME edition that might favor buying the PRO edition, or whether they are not really an issue.

I bought an OEM version of WinXP Pro off of Amazon.com and it works well in my VM. Security was a concern which is why I went with XP Pro.

Also, once you log in to your VM you can inprove performance (speed, stability) by going to control panel/system/advanced/performance settings and then selecting "adjust for best performance".

This will turn off all the basically useless but resource-hungry XP visual styles and graphics and revert the system to "classic" (Win 2000 and earlier) video settings.

I have a 2 gig RAM iMac and this has improved things significantly.

 

[PrinceZordar]

Isn't there an SP2 release of XP HOME as well as XP PRO? What specifically don't you like about XP HOME?

The Service Packs apply to both, so yes Home also is currently at SP2. There are a lot of differences between the two versions, most of which revolve around the networking features. Basically, if all you want to do is connect to the Internet, Home Edition is fine. If you need to access Domain resources, then you should go for XP Pro.

Also important to some is that XP Home only supports one processor. while Pro supports two. If Parallels eventually does support multiple cores/processors, XP Pro will support it. There is also no 64-bit version of XP Home, if that matters.

Home Edition does not include Remote Desktop (although you can download that from MS's site) or Automatic System Recovery. Home Edition does not have the Encrypted File System option.

-Z

 

[PrinceZordar]

As far as I know there are no significant security differences between Home and Pro.

There are a few, such as the Encrypted File System and access to file level access control, but for most people this isn't an issue. There's also the matter of XP Pro having C2 certification, but that falls under the category of "if you don't know what that is then you probably don't need it."

-Z