Virtual PC - Windows XP and Vista

Be sure to use Virtual PC 2007 SP1 if you are installing on Vista SP1, read the fourth FAQ

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/virtualpc/support.mspx

You will need plenty of memory to run a virtual machine.

Never done it myself, so I can't say what issues will arise.

Have fun, let us know how it goes.

Thanks for that.. will do

However, I was interested to see if there would be activation problems or licence issues etc

Also, how would I run the installation of XP without it formatting the HD as this would format the whole PC...wouldn't it?

"However, I was interested to see if there would be activation problems or licence issues etc"

Not sure, I have never used it.

"Also, how would I run the installation of XP without it formatting the HD as this would format the whole PC...wouldn't it?"

No , virtual PC takes care of everything.

 Yes, there will.  Your Dell XP Reinstallation CD is tied to a Dell BIOS.  A virtual machine does not have a Dell BIOS.  While the CD will in fact install, you will never be able to activate it, so it will cease functioning in 30 days.  Note that Microsoft will not activate oem licenses, so you can't get around this with a phone call to Redmond.

As far as the disk formatting issue, I think you're misunderstanding the concept.  Take a look at my webpage at www.goodells.net/virtualpc and see if that helps bring things into focus.

Dan Goodell

Hey Dan G, good to hear from you.

I just clicked a direct google link to www.goodells.net/dellrestore/ , it redirected to a malicious site and tried to load a virus to the internet temp file folder. I checked the properties on the link google provided and it was correct.

redirected to 85.255.118.252

I use open dns, so it probably is not dns poisoning, thought you should know.

"I just clicked a direct google link to www.goodells.net/dellrestore/ , it redirected to a malicious site and tried to load a virus to the internet temp file folder."

Hmm, interesting.  I've checked via two different isps here (SBC and Astound Broadband), and there are no problems here.

I don't know what's happening, but yours is the third report I've received in the past two weeks mentioning the same symptom, so something seems to be going on.  I've noted that in each case the user was following a google link.  In at least one case, the user's computer was found to be virus infected.

At any rate, I can't replicate a problem; it all works fine from here.  Do you still get the problem if you manually type the url into the address bar?

Dan, thank-you for your web site. Yes, I was confused by the reformatting. But if I understand it now- that part of the installation is only reformatting the new virtual disk.

So, with my OEM XP it seems that "Microsoft strings" strikes again!

However, if I buy a full version of Vista (not OEM) I should be able to create a virtual PC on the XP and install the Vista there - do it the opposite way round. And as the licence is not OEM, should I decide to reinstall the Vista as the only SW on the PC there wont be a problem.

I suppose I could always do a dual boot - but quite liked the idea of seeing how a virtual PC worked.

(I don't suppose Google and Apple want to offer an alternative to Microsoft & Windows which is customer focused?? I feel constantly bullied by Microsoft's position - you shouldn't have to get a licence for an OS on a virtual PC - its virtual - "pretend" - the physical PC is still the same. It's just plain wrong how Microsoft treats its users!)

Maybe Dell should sell full licenes and not OEM, I think users would thank them for the flexibility in the long run.

@Dan

"At any rate, I can't replicate a problem; it all works fine from here.  Do you still get the problem if you manually type the url into the address bar?"

No It only did it once, and it was the google link, I cannot replicate it, but thought you should know.

" In at least one case, the user's computer was found to be virus infected."

Not my case, I assure you.

I reported it to open dns, just in case it is on their end.

Have a great day Dan.