Windows XP SP2

[SAnd]

I want to do the whole Bootcamp process, but the only copy of Windows XP I own is an older version before SP2. XP SP2 at the local retail store costs nearly $200. Is there a way to get a cheap version of Windows XP SP2 on CD?

[bdj21ya]

Well, I don't know how easy it is to find all the threads where this solution has been discussed, but I'll assume you looked for those first. Anyway, It's really easy to create a XP SP2 CD if you just have a Windows PC with a CD burner. Just download SP2 from Microsoft, download a free-to-use program called AutoStreamer. Then follow the directions in that program to slipstream in SP2 into an image of your new XP SP2 CD. Finally, use a program like Nero to burn the image onto a new CD.

If you have a CD that came for installation only on a specific PC (the CD will say the name of a company like Dell or HP, rather than just "Windows XP Installation Disk") then you will have to call MS and tell them you installed new hardware in order to be able to activate Windows after you install it. A word of advice, don't download the WGA Verification Spyware that Microsoft will offer you as a free update.