Windows Vista Ultimate 64 and Virtual PC 2007?

[1Wolf]

Greets All,

I am currently running Windows Vista Ultimate 64-bit on a machine that I use primarily for PC gaming, but that I also have to use for work (sad, but true ;) ).

The software that I need to run in order to log into my work resources at the office MUST be run in Windows XP (It simply won't run in 64 bit Vista...not even a little).

So, currently, I've got this machine setup as dual boot with my main OS being Vista 64...and the option of booting into XP. This has served me pretty well for a while now.

The upside is that, in addition to doing work, the XP partition gives me a place to install software that I wouldn't want to run on my 'gaming' Vista 64 partition and gum up the works. The downside is that rebooting to bounce back and forth between OS's is a pain.

I've been reading about this Microsoft Virtual PC 2007. It says its a free download and it seems to be just the ticket for me.

However....alot of times...I've found that handy-dandy software often installs a ton of services and startup items that really can gum up a machine. Sometimes you can disable some of them and start them manually or what not...but sometimes you can't.

I was wondering if anyone could offer me any advice about Virtual PC 2007? I don't want to 'gum up' my Vista 64 installation with services and startup-items that I can't disable and what not....and I don't want to slow down my system for gaming.

Also, as a completely unrelated sidenote. What's the difference in Vista 64 between running 64-bit Internet Explorer and 32-bit Internet Explorer? It seems that I have a choice of either of them and I'm not sure which I should be using.

Thanks guys and gals!!!

[Sabrewulf165]

VPC 2007 doesn't "gum up" installs, I use it at work so I can do my XP stuff without rebooting much as you're seeking to do. VMWare on the other hand installs a lot of services and I don't care for it for that reason (not that I think it really matters on any decent machine, I'm just picky) but it offers more functionality. However if all you need is basic functionality then VPC works just great.

[Met-AL]

VPC 2007 doesn't "gum up" installs, I use it at work so I can do my XP stuff without rebooting much as you're seeking to do. VMWare on the other hand installs a lot of services and I don't care for it for that reason (not that I think it really matters on any decent machine, I'm just picky) but it offers more functionality. However if all you need is basic functionality then VPC works just great.

+1. I like VPC 2007 over the VMWare products for the same reasons. Also, VMWare installs a bunch of network devices too.

[heatlesssun]

As for the IE question, in a word Flash or just about any browser add in. No body seems to be worried about making them for x64 right now.

[1Wolf]

Thanks for the responses Sabrewulf165, Met-Al, and heatlesssun and thanks for the advice :)

Well....by what you guys say....seems like it won't cause me a mess or anything so perhaps I'll give VPC 2007 a try.

One further question...

I'm running 64-bit vista, and the OS that I'd like to run in VPC 2007 is XP Professional 32-bit. So which VPC 2007 should I download? The instructions at Microsoft simply say:

"Choose the correct architecture (32-bit or 64-bit) for your computer and download the appropriate setup.exe file."

[Met-AL]

Run the 64 bit version. It will say something about only supporting Vista Bus during install, bu it still installs fine and runs ok.

[DeaconFrost]

Virtual PC works very well, but I prefer VirtualBox, which is also free. Either one will accomplish the same thing.

I'm not sure what you mean by "gumming up the works", because none of the VM applications install or run anything at startup. You run it like you would any other program, and when it isn't in use, nothing is going on in the background. It is an excellent alternative to dual-booting, and doesn't affect your primary OS. For someone so concerned with not "guming up the works", I'm amazed you would choose a dual boot over a VM.

[1Wolf]

Thanks again Met-Al for the help and thanks for the advice DeaconFrost,

Well...I've DL'd it and installed it and so far I'm really liking it. I'm amazed how simple it was to get working. Thanks so much guys!

Only question that remains is....

Do I install drivers? This whole 'virtualization' thing is a bit goofy to get my mind wrapped around at times. heh...I'm running a PC in a PC. I'm trying :) I tried to follow the same procedure I would installing Windows XP on another box and attempted to install the nForce motherboard drivers for my 680i board....the install routine STARTS to run and then closes and just stops. I started wondering if maybe I don't need to install nvidia chipset drivers, nvidia video card drivers, creative drivers for the soundblaster, mouse drivers for the logitech mouse, keyboard drivers for the logitech G15 keyboard...that sorta thing?

[Met-AL]

Open the device manager on your Virtual machine's Windows XP. You will find it's running on an Intel 440BX chipset. Those drivers are included in Windows XP.

You can install the virtual tools though so you can move between the host and the virtual PC without right alting in and out. Boot to WIndows XP on your VPC go up to the tools menu on the VPC window and in there is something about intalling the tools. It emulates putting a CD in and the installer starts on your XP and you go from there.

[criccio]

You don't need to install drivers for the physical hardware in your machine. If you did, uninstall it. I am more familiar with VMware Workstation and VirtualBox where once the install of the OS is complete (XP in your case) you are given the option to install an "Extras" pack of sorts. It installs drivers for the virtual machine.

I'm not sure how VPC07 handles this, hopefully someone else can chime in. But remember what I said above, don't install any drivers for your physical hardware, XP doesn't seem them and isn't using them.

EDIT - Met-Al answered it.