'Virtual' program re Windows Systems - your opinion, please.

[Mara]

Apparently this software/program allows one to ...

 

 

"Run Vista and XP simultaneously without needing to go through the complex process of dual-booting your computer.

 

Rather, you can create a virtual machine on your existing computer. Then, you can install a different operating system on the computer.

 

A virtual machine has many benefits. You won't need to restart your machine to run the second operating system. You can switch between them with a few mouse clicks. That's handy.

Virtual machines also make it easy to share data between operating systems. File sharing is easy. And, you can share the Windows Clipboard between the operating systems.

Of course, you'll need special software to create a virtual machine. Fortunately, Microsoft's Virtual PC will help—and it's free! However, you'll need to purchase any additional operating systems you intend to install".

(Source: Kim Komando)

Download details: Virtual PC 2007

 

 

Because I know no computer lasts forever (sob!), my biggest concern with moving up to Vista is loss of my ability to use so many of my software programs. Has anyone used the above - or just general opinions would be appreciated.

 

 

Thanks once again.

[Guest Wolfeymole]

How do you know you will lose the ability to use those programs if you install Vista Mara?

[mike]

Mara,

 

As Wolfey said, you should check all the software you use on a day-to-day basis to see if they are compatible with Vista. You can usually find out on the manufactures website.

 

In regards to Virtual Machines, I do find them handy in certain cases, but I wouldn't recommend using the Virtual Machine as a substitute to fully installing Vista. Using Virtual Machines in the past has proven to be 'sluggish' if your machine isn't up to it, especially when you go full screen with them. Also from my experiences they are not quite as stable as a Full installation would be.

By all means, use the Virtual Machine to test out Vista and get your head around it before performing a full install.

 

Hope this helps,

Mike

[Plastic Nev]

I think what Mara is getting at here is the fact that a lot of software makers upgrade each year, so a program made in say 2006, which will be a very useful bit of kit on XP just won't run on Vista, so you need to buy the upgrade, usually expensive, I have several music based programs that are exactly like that, but the upgrades are such that I don't need the extra bells and whistles they have put on, much less can I afford the price of the upgrade.

[Tootech]

Hi Mara,

 

If you do go Virtual, try Virtual Box, it's a bit more sprightly than the Microsoft offering.

 

VirtualBox homepage

 

Are you thinking of installing Vista on your PC, then running XP as a virtual PC to run your older software?

 

It will run fine on Vista as long as you have a decent setup - minimum 2GB memory, better with 3 or 4GB. As Mike points out, it can be a little slow, perhaps moreso with anything that is graphics intensive.

 

Another option might be to use Compatibilty Mode in Vista - it can help older programs designed for XP or earlier to run on Vista.

 

Info is here Make older programs run in this version of Windows - Windows Vista Help

 

 

Tootech.

[Guest Saxon]

I use god knows how many VM's on a daily basis, I am setting Kubuntu 8.04 up on my macbook now using virtual box.

All Virtualised OS's unless there very old (ie windows 95) will take a performance hit you wont realy be able to install some programs or if you can they will take a real nose dive in performance. One prime example of this is GIMP on my solaris VM when I get home i will post a screen shot of it with a picture in an then a screen shot of gimp with the same image on my host OS's.

[Dalo Harkin]

I personally try and avoid 'virtual' programs - my experience with VPN's put me off enough to leave the rest WELL alone.

[iwillbekingin2030]

Virtual PC 2007

 

i haven't used Virtual PC but the fact that it's free got my attention...if i had a second OS i'd use Virtual PC rather than Dual Boot.

 

if ur concerned with program compatibiltiy for Vista...vista has a thing called compatibility wizard which helps a bit, also u can find out which programs will run on vista by searching here:

Windows Vista Compatibility Center