computer PC question
 

I have an IBM thinkpad that is provided by my workplace. It runs XP with usual MS software on it. It does have an IT program PCVM, PC version manger, which automatically checks for required upgrades. There is an upgrade coming and they have bought us Dells. About twice as thick and clumsy looking.

Is there a way I can copy the disk image from this laptop to my mac running xp on the windows side of the machine, so I could use my mac in lieu of the upgrade?

Yes, but it requires a program such as Norton Ghost. You could create an image of your current laptop, then use that image to ghost to the new Mac partition. In theory it would work, but not sure how to get the dual boot working. Google it a bit ;).

Dave

Edit: I can see some problems with the low level drivers that are expecting laptop ABC, but is actually installed on XYZ.

What you are talking about doing is certainly possible using Virtual PC, which I believe is part of Office for Mac.

However, if your IT guys are worth their salt, they will notice your XP box on the network, and may not be to happy about supporting it long term.

Actually I can bring my mac to work and run mac os and connect to internet throught the net without a peep.

The mac can boot in either macOS or XP. It will run XP straight without virtual PC.

If you run Parallels for Mac (assuming it's an Intel Mac), it has a "transporter" that will copy XP files/config/etc to the Parallels image.

I run Mac's 95% of the time, but run XP Pro at the same time (not different boots), to do Windows Terminal Services and VPN stuff.

By far the best solution I've ever seen, and the performance is incredible...


http://www.parallels.com/en/products/desktop/


Best $80 I ever spent.


$0.02

So if I put Parrallels on my intel mac, how do I connect to thinkpad. Or is this all explained in the user guide for parallels?

It's all explained... you connect both to a network and they transfer the data across.

If you want to conserve drive space on your Mac you can pick up a Firewire enclosure and run the Parrallels image from there.

This way as the Parrallels image grows in size you don't run out of room. Plus you can use the unused space on the drive as a backup destination for your OS X partition.

The other reason I do this is I have multiple machines, each has a Parrallels installation but the drive's are all mapped to the external. Let's me move from one machine to the other without having to keep data synced.

I buy these, http://www.macally.com/EN/Product/ArticleShow.asp?ArticleID=201 can be found for as little as $20-30. Get a 7200 RPM drive to stick in it. They can be had for ~$100 for 100 GB's.

On a Mac Firewire is the only way to go with external drives. I have found that USB requires two ports to get enough juice to the drive. On Firewire I currently have 3 of these running simultaneously from one port.

I think I will be transitioning to a mac-air, no fire wire but maybe use the wireless hd.