If you're going to use Parallels, take a look at its Transporter feature. I've got VPC on my G5, and when I get a Macbook I intend to use it to migrate the PC from my G5 to the Macbook. It seems like it will be much easier than installing Windows.

The Boot Camp Assistant from Apple will walk you through the install, it is a breeze. Make sure you've got a few blank CDs handy, you'll need to make a "Mac Windows Drivers CD" prior to partitioning and installing Windows.

Well, I finally got a bootable CD that did not sourly shut down with complaints about a hosed file, by snagging the file "QL12160.sys" from the original (pre-SP2) CD. The modification date on the CD was identical to the date on the apparently corrupted copy that got output from the slipstreaming process.

Unfortunately, it hangs rather late in the installation process and on reboot XP, although it does come up, complains of not being able to load run32.dll or some such thing... doesn't sound good...

I am starting to remember why I just don't do PCs. Why I've never owned a Windows PC, etc. Yeesh.

Is there anywhere on this planet where I can wave my copy of XP Pro (pre-SP 2) and show the proof of purchase thingie from the box it came in and the installation code and obtain a copy of Windows XP Pro SP 2 on installation CD without effectively rebuying what happens to be a fairly expensive operating system?