Microsoft Virtual PC 2007 released today

[Beach]

And it is still free. 32 and 64bit versions:

Download Link

[PB]

Thanks!

But I noticed the installation wanted me to quit Firefox, and then my Ethernet
ADSL2+ modem was tampered with temporarily (disconnected and connected).
Totally stopped a big download that was in progress. I wish Microsoft would
STOP messing around with people's systems!

I notice that the 32-bit installer for 2007 is now 30 MB, but 2004 was 18 MB.
Obviously I wanted to know what the extra 12 MB of data was all about, and
according to their site, the differences between the 2 versions are:

Code: Select all

* Support for Windows Vista as a host
* Support for Windows Vista as a guest
* Support for Windows Vista 64-bit as a host
* Improved performance compared to Virtual PC 2004

The first 3 don't interest me at all, and quite frankly, the speed of 2004 is
fast enough for my needs (I'd say 90% of a real PC, based on "feeling").
So, for me, I don't know whether the download was worth it after all.

[Beach]

I hear you. I was able to install it but I had to manually stop the previous virtual server. That seemed odd to me, I would assume it could be stopped via code.

[Edwin Knoppert]

I will try later but my experiance with 2004 was the poor support for exchanging data between desktops (or HD).

Might be my lack of understanding.

I just wanted to dump a linux app into the linux boot.

[PB]

> exchanging data between desktops (or HD)

It's easy to exchange data. Either put in a CD with the data on it, and then
access that CD from Virtual PC to copy it to the virtual desktop, or install
the "Additions" (done from the menu) which will then add extra functionality,
one of which lets you specify "shared" folders, so that your virtual system
can access folders of real physical systems, a bit like the "subst" command.

[Beach]

I always setup a Windows share so my Linux VMs can access the host machine or a common server. Most new Linux window managers will let you access the share from the file manager like so: smb://server/share

[Edwin Knoppert]

I tried to download the add. stuff but i could not for some reason.
I use XP home and i guess it's simply not supported fully.

Tips (like the share) are welcome.

Swapping the CD was also a problem, forgot what exactly though.
Will soon try 2007 instead.
It's funny to see the bios in a window

[PB]

> I tried to download the add. stuff but i could not for some reason

You don't download them, they're part of the package and installed INSIDE
the virtual machine, with the virtual machine requiring a reboot when done.

To do it: when a virtual machine is running, click the "Action" menu of the
app itself, and select "Install or update virtual machine additions". You'll
then see a prompt like the below image, so click "Continue" and it'll install
them. Then you'll be prompted to reboot your virtual machine, and when
it's done, you can then select the "Edit" menu and select "Settings" for that
virtual machine, and then at the bottom you can modify the "Shared folders"
to point to a real-world physical drive that the virtual machine can read/write.

[techjunkie]

And it is still free. 32 and 64bit versions:

Download Link

Thanks!

BUT... how can they call it "setup.exe"?!? That is soooo lame!! *lol*

[Tipperton]

But I noticed the installation wanted me to quit Firefox, and then my Ethernet ADSL2+ modem was tampered with temporarily (disconnected and connected).

That's so that network drivers could be installed so your virtual machines can have network access through the host's network connection.

No surprise there....

[PB]

@Tipperton: Fair enough, but no installer should just disconnect something
without asking the user first. But Microsoft can do what the hell they want.

[merihevonen]

Loooll..... Get VirtualBox
http://www.virtualbox.org/

[Edwin Knoppert]

Vista under Linux??

http://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Screenshots

Sure?

[merihevonen]

Vista under Linux??

http://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Screenshots

Sure?

I tried it myself with Vista Home Premium.. worked harmlessly
The emulation is a little faster than that of QEMU's, but it still is very promising.

[Tipperton]

@Tipperton: Fair enough, but no installer should just disconnect something without asking the user first. But Microsoft can do what the hell they want.

True, they could have at least warned you that the installation would do that, then ask if you want to continue...