Running Virtual PC 2007

Question

Hello, Last night I installed Virtual PC 2007 in my computer.  Even though my Vista is not supported (I have the Home Premium version), it installed and I installed XP pro on a virtual hard disk. The idea of Virtual PC is great because you can run old applications not supported by Vista and your transition between to the new OS Vista wouldn't be a smooth one.  The problem I have is that my XP is running very slow and clunky (specially the mouse pointer) and the sound is terrible.  I can't run my old applications efficiently under this circunstances.  Itried assigning more memory from the recommended 512 MB to 1 GB but it improved a little.   Any advice on this matter?? Thanks, Gio

gwarr · Answer

You don't need 1 GB of memory for it, 512 MB is fine.  How much RAM do you have on your computer in total?   If you choose File>Options>Performance, Is prioritize active window and run virtual pc at at maximum speed enabled?   If you are on a notebook, changing from balanced to max performance will make quite a difference in speed.   Also since you're using an XP VM, once you're running install the VM additions from the file menu.

gwarr · Answer

When you first open Virtual PC Console without loading any images yet, you have File, Action and Help at the top.

Click File then from that select Options. Then you should see an item called Performance in this new window, make sure that "Allocate more CPU time to the virtual machine in the active window" and "Run Virtual PC at maximum speed" are selected.

Then, in Vista at the system tray, at the bottom right corner you might see a little battery icon. Click it once and select High Performance. NOTE: This part is if you have a notebook computer.

And finally, start up your Windows XP Virtual Machine, once the desktop has loaded, in this new active window, click on "Action" and from this menu select "Install or Update Virtual Machine Additions". If a setup program hasn't loaded within your XP environment, then goto "My Computer" (from within XP Environment) and double-click on the CD Drive icon to start the setup program.

Hope this helps

Message Edited by gwarr on 03-01-2007 08:55 AM

Giodiep · Answer

I have 2 Gb of Memory in my machine. Where is the menu you'retalking about File>options>Performance?   Thanks Gio.

Giodiep · Answer

Hello, Thanks for all your help, it did help a lot. I followed all your instructions. As soon as I installed the Additions and restart the performance was improved a 100%. I test my application (Vectorworks v9) and runs normal.  I couldn't find the battery icon in Vist to select high performance though.   Thanks

dlamberson1 · Answer

How did you get XP to install? I am trying to use my original System CD to install it and can't get it to go in. Machine shipped with Windows XP Pro SP2 in December upgraded to Vista Business Edition last night.

Message Edited by sgme9 on 03-15-2007 08:02 PM

Giodiep · Answer

Hello, I just downloaded the Virtual Pc from the microsoft page and after installed it I just followed the wizard of the program. I used my Xp Pro original Cd. It installed booting from the Cd in the Virtual Machine.   Gio.

dlamberson1 · Answer

Does your system have a built in wireless card?  I can't get it to recognize that.

TomXPS · Answer

How did you get XP to install?  I am trying to use my original System CD to install it and can't get it to go in.  Machine shipped with Windows XP Pro SP2 in December upgraded to Vista Business Edition last night.   ***************************************** If your trying to install XP that came with your DELL it will not work since the version that OEM ship only works with their hardware.   Some how the BIOS is checked and will not allow it to run, and of course the BIOS in the virtual machine is not Dells.   I have installed XP on my Virtual PC with no problem but regular XP none OEM version.

davejohn · Answer

Make sure you install the Virtual Machine Additions after installing XP.  It helps with the vitual OS performance.   Dave

dlamberson1 · Answer

You can't do it with an OEM copy of Windows.  Dell links their OS to the machine.

melchad · Answer

How did you fix the sound problem running Virtual PC in Vista Home Basic?

Hydralisk00222 · Answer

Install Virtual Machine Additions but to be honest, sound is hit-and-miss with VPC. Sometimes it works sometimes it doesn't.

MoneyGuyBK · Answer

I use VMworkstation.... and the sound is choppy at times and perfect other times. I did not know that M$' VM has the same issue!     Peace

melchad · Answer

Ok, thanks. One more question - I called and Dell told me that I could uninstall Vista and install XP and my computer would work just fine. Can you tell me how to do this?

Hydralisk00222 · Answer

I use onboard audio so if there is heavy CPU usage, audio is going to take a hit.

Windows General

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