Upgrading From XP to Windows 7 does not require XP Product Key?!?!

After using Windows 7 Ultimate RC for almost half a year, it was about time to install the production version. I had received the Windows7 Professional Upgrade package from BestBuy from my pre-ordered in July. I got it for about $129CND, which is a 50% off promotion.

Since this was an upgrade, I expected Windows 7 installation would require me to install Windows XP or at least has the Windows XP CD installation disk ready.

After using BootCamp to recreate a new partition, I restarted my Mac and began install Windows 7. By the way, I had to clean up the Mac partition, so that BootCamp could split the partition.

Here was the problem I encountered, when I tried to type in my Product Key for Windows 7, it failed to validate it.  After retyping it a couple of times, I gave up and google for solution.

Fortunately, the first entry of my search results gave me the solution, which was to install Windows 7 without the typing in the product key.

http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/w7install/thread/a7a018fa-17b8-4a27-9657-52ba4d178e87

So, that what I did. I installed it without the product key. Once I am in the desktop, I used Windows Search and open the Windows Activation screen.

I typed in the product key again, and it passed.

Hmm… strange, why it didn’t ask for my Windows XP Key???

After I did a search, it turned out that I may have by pass the procedure of installing Windows XP. Legally speaking, you still need a legit copy of Windows XP, however, with the by pass, it looks like you may not really need your Windows XP or Vista installation disk.

Just a side note, some local computer stores in Calgary or Edmonton are selling Windows 7 Professional OEM 64bit for about $149, which is reasonably inexpensive. If you are a student, you can get the Windows 7 Home edition for $40CND.

Installed XP on my MacBook Using Boot Camp Assistance and Fails to Boot (hal.dll is missing)

Ok, so recently I got a new machine:Apple MacBook Pro. Its aluminium body felt very solid and I really like its design. Another reason I brought a Mac is because I want to open my eyes to other OS design.

Anyhow, I am not going to pass any judgement on which OS is better until I get use to Mac OS X Leopard (I am waiting for Snow Leopard's OpenCL). Instead, I would like to share my experience on install XP using BootCamp.

RTFM!

Yes, I was being naïve. I didn't read the manual or the guideline before I install XP using Boot Camp. I end up having a hal.dll is missing when trying to boot XP. In fact, I didn't even know how to get into the boot menu to book Mac OS X.

Missing hal.dll Reason

According to this website, it explains why XP failed to boot due to missing hal.dll. However the main reason is that:

After Boot Camp created a FAT32 Partition and start installing XP. I manually deleted the FAT32 partition and broke it down into two partition. I was hoping to have a NTFS for Windows and a small FAT32 for write sharing.

Bad Idea!!! It turns out that Boot Camp doesn't support more than one Windows Partition. I am sure it is possible to do so, but I am not going to spend time investigate how. There are many blogs and websites explains how they are able to create multi-partition for booting more than just XP and Mac OS X.

Solution

Remember these first:

Restart the MacBook - holds the power button for 8 sec.

Eject the CD - holds the "Eject" key that locates on the top right concern of your MacBook before the white boot screen

Boot from CD - hold the "C" key before the white boot screen

Boot menu - hold the "Option (alt)" key before the white boot screen

The way that I fixed the problem is to go to the boot menu and startup Mac OS X. Once you are back Mac OS X, run Boot Camp.  Once it starts, read the Boot Camp Guideline first. It explains exactly what you should or should not do. Anyhow, when you hit continue, you You will have to option to restore the harddrive in one partition, it is a nice feature.

Once you get your partition restore, now you can do the reinstallation. However, this time, don't create or delete any partition.