[sue.words]

I have a new iMac and have installed VirtualBox on it so that I can use some Windows programmes. I have now gone a stage further and created (I think) a virtual machine I have labelled 'Windows XP'. The screen showing at the moment says 'Windows XP (Powered Off)'. To get to the point - I have very cold feet. I'm terrified of doing something wrong!

As you will realize, I want to install Windows XP on this virtual machine. This sounds like an unbelievably stupid question - I suppose I just want reassurance - when do I actually install Windows XP? (I wish I had a list of instructions to work my way through instead of just getting a new screen every time I click OK or Continue.)

When I have (as I presume I will do) used my Windows XP installation disk (which includes Service Pack 2) to install windows XP via an external CD drive, I will be able in the same way to install some of Office 2003, will I? (I only want two programs: Outlook and Outlook Express, so that I can still access my old emails). I also want to be able to install Publisher 2010. (I know of someone who is successfully running Publisher 2010 in all the same circumstances as mine.)

I think this all sounds very silly, but I have really said it all when I say I have cold feet!

(I'm typing this on my old PC!)

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This is not a reply but a continuation of my post.

I sort of answered my own question and decided to be brave and proceed (can't remember if it was OK or Continue) but I was asked to put a disk in. I connected my Samsung USB DVD drive and inserted the Windows XP installation disk. For a long time nothing happened - maybe as long as 5 minutes. The box on the screen that I was waiting for 'Windows XP' or something like it to appear in kept saying 'Empty' but then an icon of a disk appeared on the desktop, labelled 'vrmhoem_en'. I googled this and confirmed that it certainly looked as if it was the XP installation disk.

I don't think VirtualBox was involved with the operation whenthe installation disk was showing on the screen. I clicked on its icon and what appeared to be the contents of a folder showed. I then right-clicked on one of these and Finder messages came up saying it didn't know how to open the file. (I'm not being very articulate - partly because I can't remember exactly what happened - but I think perhaps the general impression is clear?)

I feel as if I'm floundering and don't know what to do. Any suggestions, please?

[sue.words]

This is not a reply but a continuation of my post.

I sort of answered my own question and decided to be brave and proceed (can't remember if it was OK or Continue) but I was asked to put a disk in. I connected my Samsung USB DVD drive and inserted the Windows XP installation disk. For a long time nothing happened - maybe as long as 5 minutes. The box on the screen that I was waiting for 'Windows XP' or something like it to appear in kept saying 'Empty' but then an icon of a disk appeared on the desktop, labelled 'vrmhoem_en'. I googled this and confirmed that it certainly looked as if it was the XP installation disk.

I don't think VirtualBox was involved with the operation whenthe installation disk was showing on the screen. I clicked on its icon and what appeared to be the contents of a folder showed. I then right-clicked on one of these and Finder messages came up saying it didn't know how to open the file. (I'm not being very articulate - partly because I can't remember exactly what happened - but I think perhaps the general impression is clear?)

I feel as if I'm floundering and don't know what to do. Any suggestions, please?

[SleepyDude]

Hi,

Try to follow this tutorial VirtualBox: Installing Windows XP on MAC OS X

Edit: Another one Running Windows on Your Mac With VirtualBox this one includes some post install steps you should do.

Edited by SleepyDude, 30 September 2013 - 09:22 AM.

[sue.words]

I am very grateful, SleepyDude (love the kitten!) for both these links. I have not got time to follow either of them up at the moment but definitely will do so - perhaps in about ten days' time Life keeps getting more and more complicated and I now think I'm going to be wanting to add Windows 7 as well as XP when I do get round to getting on with this! I presume the advice regarding XP will apply pretty much to 7 as well?

[SleepyDude]

I am very grateful, SleepyDude (love the kitten!) for both these links. I have not got time to follow either of them up at the moment but definitely will do so - perhaps in about ten days' time Life keeps getting more and more complicated and I now think I'm going to be wanting to add Windows 7 as well as XP when I do get round to getting on with this! I presume the advice regarding XP will apply pretty much to 7 as well?

Hi,

Yes it's the same for Windows 7, but when you setup the Virtual machine adjust the memory size to 1.5 GB at least.

[sue.words]

Thanks so much - very reassuring. I'll let you know how it all goes.

[SleepyDude]

Thanks so much - very reassuring. I'll let you know how it all goes.

When you have time try and if you have questions post I will do my best to help, although I am not a Mac user.

[sue.words]

Thanks, SleepyDude
sue

[sue.words]

I'm sorry, I forgot to report back that I did eventually succeed in what I was trying to do, which was to install MS Publisher on my iMac via Windows XP and VirtualBox.

I am even more sorry that I can't remember now how I overcame the problems, but I expect I followed the advice Sleepydude gave me.

I haven't yet done anything with Windows 7 and I haven't actually done much with Publisher, but I did a few test manoeuvres and satisfied myself that the program will work in its new situation as well as it did on my old PC.

[SleepyDude]

I'm sorry, I forgot to report back that I did eventually succeed in what I was trying to do, which was to install MS Publisher on my iMac via Windows XP and VirtualBox.

I am even more sorry that I can't remember now how I overcame the problems, but I expect I followed the advice Sleepydude gave me.

I haven't yet done anything with Windows 7 and I haven't actually done much with Publisher, but I did a few test manoeuvres and satisfied myself that the program will work in its new situation as well as it did on my old PC.

Good. For Windows 7 it's basically the same thing.

[dkochmann]

Hi, i installed xp on a i mac os 10.7 using VirtualBox. Does anybody know if you can get malware or virus on your mac? Also can you get malware or a virus on xp virtual box?

[SleepyDude]

Hi,

 

Hi, i installed xp on a i mac os 10.7 using VirtualBox. Does anybody know if you can get malware or virus on your mac? Also can you get malware or a virus on xp virtual box?

 

Yes it's possible. Something to read... And yes XP will get infected on a VM if you use it to access the internet like a real machine does.