Using an iMac as display for a Mac Mini running XP?
Discussion
I have 2 computers set up in the study - a 2011 iMac 27" and a Mac Mini that just runs Windows XP. Having two completely separate computers takes up a lot of desk space, so I'm wondering if I can somehow lose the separate display, and possibly a keyboard too.
The only way that I can think of is to use Remote Desktop, but that is a bit sluggish. I use it to manage my headless media and CCTV servers from the iMac.
The Mini only really gets used for ripping CDs and DVDs, as it's a lot quicker to do on Windows than OSX, so it's only switched on for a few days a month. I need both machines on at the same time, so dual-booting the iMac isn't really an option.
The only way that I can think of is to use Remote Desktop, but that is a bit sluggish. I use it to manage my headless media and CCTV servers from the iMac.
The Mini only really gets used for ripping CDs and DVDs, as it's a lot quicker to do on Windows than OSX, so it's only switched on for a few days a month. I need both machines on at the same time, so dual-booting the iMac isn't really an option.
. mmm-five said:
In what way is that different than having to have a monitor switched on to work too? 
Simples, to work on the Mac mini you need to have the iMac booted. I've got an unrepaireable 27" imac in the closet here, I'm pretty sure the display is fine, but I can't use it. That's the way it is with most AiO machines though, but still frustrating.
I finally got round to trying remote desktop, but I couldn't get it to work with the XP machine. It works fine on my iMac with two microservers running WHS2011. A bit of googling, and it seems XP Home doesn't have RDP.
I found a "how to" guide to get RDP to work on XP Home, but it wasn't successful. The RDP options don't show up in system/remote. More googling, and it looks like Microsoft have plugged this free upgrade hack.
So, my options are either to use a different remote access app, or upgrade from XP. I had a look at realVNC, but it looks like a paid for app. I'm sure it was free the last time I used it.
Is there a free version out there?
What other versions of Windows (that have RDP) will work on a Mac Mini, preferably as a straight upgrade from XP Home?
I found a "how to" guide to get RDP to work on XP Home, but it wasn't successful. The RDP options don't show up in system/remote. More googling, and it looks like Microsoft have plugged this free upgrade hack.
So, my options are either to use a different remote access app, or upgrade from XP. I had a look at realVNC, but it looks like a paid for app. I'm sure it was free the last time I used it.
Is there a free version out there?
What other versions of Windows (that have RDP) will work on a Mac Mini, preferably as a straight upgrade from XP Home?
I've tried installing RealVNC. Bit of a nightmare, as Safari and IE don't want to talk to the VNC website.
I've managed to sign up and verify a RealVNC Home account, using Chrome.
I can't install the current version of VNC Connect on the XP machine, as XP isn't supported! There is a list of earlier versions that support XP, but there are quite a few, and the website isn't at all helpful about which one to choose. It also says that these earlier versions are only available if I have a valid (purchased) licence key.
I seem to remember that the last time I used VNC, it was just a simple, free, server and viewer that was easily installed, and ran in the background. I used it to manage my XP HTPC from another XP computer. Looks like they've made it a lot more complicated now, and created some compatibility issues.
Any other suggestions?
I've managed to sign up and verify a RealVNC Home account, using Chrome.
I can't install the current version of VNC Connect on the XP machine, as XP isn't supported! There is a list of earlier versions that support XP, but there are quite a few, and the website isn't at all helpful about which one to choose. It also says that these earlier versions are only available if I have a valid (purchased) licence key.
I seem to remember that the last time I used VNC, it was just a simple, free, server and viewer that was easily installed, and ran in the background. I used it to manage my XP HTPC from another XP computer. Looks like they've made it a lot more complicated now, and created some compatibility issues.
Any other suggestions?
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