Booting to Windows from an ISO image?

[coolio2654]

Hey guys, I've decided Parallels isn't good enough so I'll try using Bootcamp to run Windows on my system. I tried booting from my old Dell Windows XP installation disc. All I got was a black screen and I had to use Windows commands to boot into my mac os again. Maybe the disc was bad so I'm going to try it with an iso image. One question, , , how would I make an iso image of my current Windows to begin with (just the central programs with all the updates)? And after doing that, how could I boot from that image using Bootcamp?
Free muffins to all who answer

[#1 Rhapsody]

What was wrong with Windows in Parallels? I think you need a retail Windows install disk to use Boot Camp.

[ElDiabloConCaca]

You cannot use an ISO image of Windows with Boot Camp. You must use a CD or DVD of Windows.

Boot Camp and Parallels have almost nothing in common in terms of how they operate, so just because you can use an ISO image to install Windows under Parallels means exactly zilch when it comes to Boot Camp.

You also cannot use your Dell Windows installation CD to load Windows via Boot Camp, because your Dell CD/DVD is specific to Dell-branded computers.

The short and skinny of it is that you need a retail version of Windows XP with Service Pack 2 (either slipstreamed or other) on a CD or DVD to install Windows via Boot Camp.

[icemanjc]

Originally Posted by ElDiabloConCaca

You also cannot use your Dell Windows installation CD to load Windows via Boot Camp, because your Dell CD/DVD is specific to Dell-branded computers.

I just have to mention that I got an HP laptop branded CD with XP to install on my MacBook, but the HP desktop branded CD failed to do so. So maybe some check and some don't?

[coolio2654]

The only reason I need (or rather just want) Windows is for gaming #1 Raphsody, I've heard on this site and through experience that Parallels gets glitchy with the more hardware intense games that my comp normally should've played no sweat.
ElDiablo, I still own a Windows computer, therefore, is there any way I could claim a XP iso from Microsoft because of my legit ownership? Or if I can't, how could I "slipstream" my current Windows unto a bootable iso, which I could then burn unto a disc? Could you point me to a guide on it?

[ElDiabloConCaca]

If you still own a computer running Windows that you installed from the Dell CD, then you cannot use that disk to install Windows on your Mac -- that disk contains one Windows license, allowing you to install Windows on one computer at a time.

You would have to uninstall Windows (use Ubuntu or something in its place) from your PC, then use the Windows CD to install Windows on your Mac. You can't use that disk to install Windows on more than one machine at a time, though.

But I digress -- the CD you have is Dell-specific, and it will only install (more than likely) on Dell-branded computers. I do not know of a way of "de-Dell-ifying" that CD so that it will install on other brands of computers.

While it may be technically possible to "clone" your current Windows installation to your Mac (I don't know one way or another if this is possible), it would be, again, against the EULA of Windows, and thusly, against forum rules to discuss that type of thing.

If you do manage to get ahold (read: purchase) a Windows XP installation CD or DVD that does not contain Service Pack 2 (Boot Camp requires SP2), you can create a new, bootable CD from that installation CD by slipstreaming SP2 onto it. There are numerous guides out there to do this:

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=windows+xp+slipstream+sp2

I think your best bet at this point is to go out and purchase a retail version of Windows XP with SP2 and use that disk to install Windows via Boot Camp. The current Windows install ISO/CD/DVD/whatever that you have will not work, and even if it can be made to work, is beyond the scope of my experience.

[coolio2654]

I'll try that slipstream thing. One more thing, what if I get a hold of a SP3 windows installation CD and used it with bootcamp? What would happen?
Oh, and I love the link you've sent me XD

[ElDiabloConCaca]

Yes, SP3 will work. Boot Camp just requires a minimum of SP2.