April 14, 2006 11:24 AM PDT

Boot Camp Special Report: Installing from pre-SP2 Windows XP discs

by CNET staff

If you do not use a Windows XP SP2 disc (slipstreamed or regular), you will run into issues after booting into Windows XP, including an inability to install the Apple-provided drivers.

MacFixIt reader William writes:

"I just tried it on the MacBook Pro using a 2002 XP installation disc. I believe it came without SP2.

"Windows runs fine and smoothly. Faced a little problem install the Mac Driver on it -- some files failed and cannot install. Overall I am still able to get the graphic card to work. Resolution is back to 1440 by 900."

Users also report that they can also use a Windows XP SP0 or SP1 disc for initial installation then apply the SP2 update from a previously burned disc. It is not possible to download the SP2 update from the Intel-based Mac running Windows XP SP0 or SP1 because the Macintosh drivers will not install, disallowing Internet access. Hence, the SP2 update disc must be burned on a separate system.

MacFixIt reader Kelly Davies writes:

"It is be possible to install Windows XP SP0 or SP1 and then apply the SP2 update after the fact. SP2 is about a 300 MB download from Microsoft. So, if you download it on another machine and burn it to CD, you should be able to install SP2 and then apply the Macintosh drivers normally. I tried running Windows XP without the Mac drivers on a Core Solo Mac Mini and I still had basic functionality (of course, there was no network, eject key, and other wonderful things that the drivers provide) that would allow a SP2 CD to be inserted and SP2 installed."

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