[KyleBerting]

Well I bought a new IMac yesterday and spent most of the day doing the usual upgrading and so on.

I bought Virtual PC for Mac also. I went to install it and I started at disk one and It started installing. After its finished installing it doesnt ask me for the next disks or give me the restart option like it should be. Its 'Installed completly' But it really isnt. This has gotten to be pretty frusterating. Im just wondering if anyone else has encountered this problem and how the fixed it....


Thanks

[VegasACF]

Originally Posted by KyleBerting

Well I bought a new IMac yesterday and spent most of the day doing the usual upgrading and so on.

I bought Virtual PC for Mac also. I went to install it and I started at disk one and It started installing. After its finished installing it doesnt ask me for the next disks or give me the restart option like it should be. Its 'Installed completly' But it really isnt. This has gotten to be pretty frusterating. Im just wondering if anyone else has encountered this problem and how the fixed it....

This "new" iMac... Is it an Intel-based CPU (every iMac produced since July 2006 is Intel-based, by the way)? If so you had no need for Virtual PC. Boot Camp was all you needed. Sadly, you've already opened the package, so the odds of being able to return it are slim to none.

Now, if this iMac isn't Intel-based, Virtual PC would be the only way to run Windows-based applications. But it won't be a pleasurable experience (for the most part, anyway). Also, you're aware that you'll need a copy of whatever OS you want to run from within Virtual PC, right? Installing the VPC application just installs the emulator from within which Windows runs. You still have to install the OS.

Does this sound like what you're going through?

[KyleBerting]

Awwww Crap. Yeah its brand new. Lol...
I even asked the kid if I needed that. He was like yeah to run windows.
Do I gotta go buy Parrallels instead now?

[VegasACF]

It depends upon what you want to do.

Are you content with rebooting when going between the Mac OS and Windows OS? If so, all you need to do is download Boot Camp, run the Boot Camp Assistant program, print out the instructions (just in case you need them), partition your drive as you desire, install Windows and just reboot to switch between them.

Do you want to be able to switch between the Mac OS and the Windows OS on the fly? Then you'll need Parallels. Install Boot Camp first and use the Boot Camp partition for your Parallels installation or you'll likely end up with three partitions on your drive, with two different installs of Windows.

Parallels does not access the 3D drivers used by video games. If you want to play a game in Windows on your new Mac you'll need to boot directly into Windows.

You may be able to get some money back for that purchase of Virtual PC, as you were informed by the place's salesperson (salesteenager is probably more like it). Now, don't go ballistic if you don't, as, in general, it is a violation of Copyright law to allow the return of opened software. You might be able to insist that the store call the manufacturer (Microsoft) and get them to allow for the return, since it was the fault of the store's salesman that you even purchased it. His misinformation caused you to spend money you didn't need to spend. It's up to you how hard to press on this issue. Finesse might do you more good than being angry, but switching between the two tactics might also prove useful, depending upon the reception you get.

You'll also need to purchase a copy of Windows XP to install. Be fully aware of that. Maybe that'll be the backdoor to returning the opened software: You'll be spending money on the purchase of another product from the same manufacturer.

Hope this helps.

[JackAndCoke]

If you bought it from an apple store you can return virtual pc for a 90% refund. 10% goes to a "restocking fee". If you bought it from another store then good luck.

[VegasACF]

If the Apple store allows you to return opened software please let me know. I'll be sure to let the proper authorities know, as this is a direct violation of federal copyright law, as well as Apple's own software return policy. Take your pick as to which one is more important. One springs from the other, though, just so you know.

As I mentioned previously, you may be able to convince the store from which you purchased the software to allow your return based upon your detrimental reliance on the word of your salesperson. S/he should be in the know of such things. You should not be held responsible for such knowledge--that's why they employ such persons. And s/he provided you with misinformation. At the very least, the store from which you bought it can obtain a return authorization from the manufacturer for the opened software, or could charge the cost of such to the employee who gave you this patently wrong information. There is no reason that you, as a customer, should be accountable for the misinformation of a salesteen of this establishment.

Go in, plead your case, see what they say. If they balk at the return tell them why they should allow it. Tell them they should get an RA from the manufacturer, as you were affirmatively sold a product you did not need.

If that doesn't do the trick, consider your options: Paying more than it's worth for an attorney to remedy this; Writing a letter to the management of the store, Apple and Microsoft (while also letting the store manager know you're going to be writing such a letter) regarding this misinformation and how you were led to believe you required this software, when you actually did not; or just eat the cost and move along.