Windows 7: Virtual XP Machine - Copy

Hi Kari,

Thank you very much for your tutorial on running multiple virtual machines. For my work, I am trying to utilize as many VMs as possible (hoping to upgrade by existing computer from 8GB to 24GB).

I have two VMs currently running at the moment. I shut down my original Windows XP Mode (my Windows XP Mode - Copy was still running). I copied by original Windows XP Mode vhd, vmc, and vmcx files to try to create a third VM. However, after changing the file paths and hexadecimal I get the following message:

"Could not register the virtual machine. The virtual machine could not be registered because the configuration file does not exist. You should create a new configuration file for the virtual machine."

Is this because I need to shut down both VMs first before copying the VM or do I need to do some additional steps?

Your help is greatly appreciated.

Kindest Regards,

DNAPL

Hi DNAPL, welcome to the Seven Forums.

I believe you are right; if you have not merged the default fixed size XP Mode base vhd and dynamic XP Mode user vhd (read more), the base vhd is still in use if one or more copies of XP Mode is running. A new copy can't register itself because the base vhd in use has "locked" itself, flagged as being used at the moment.



Additional read:
Backup XP Mode?
Some Advice is Needed Please.

Kari

Hi Kari,

Thank you for your response. Once my models have stopped running on both VMs, I will shut down both and then try to make more multiple copies of XP Mode.

Sorry for bugging you again, but in your experience with Windows XP Mode, what is the most efficient number of VMs that can be run at the same time (4? 6? 8? 10?)? With two VMs running on a 8GB RAM computer, I have allocated 2GB to each VM and I am getting good run times for my models. If I am able to upgrade to 24GB RAM, how many VMs could I efficiently run? As well, should I allocate more than 2GB RAM for even better model run times? My models are in FORTRAN language and I am using a COMPAQ FORTRAN compliler.

Your help is greatly appreciated.

Kindest Regards,

DNAPL

A question I do not know the answer. I have never run more than 4 Virtual PC vms at the same time, my both XP Modes plus Vista and 7. At least those run well enough with only 1 GB of RAM each, on an 8 GB desktop.

Main thing is to leave enough RAM for the host. Also, check the CPU usage. If CPU runs all the time close to 100% you have too many vms open.

Kari

Hi Kari,

I recently upgraded my main modelling computer to 24GB RAM. I am planning to allocate 2GB of RAM per Virtual Machine; hoping to run 10 virtual machines at a time. If my CPU usage does not reach 100%, do you think this is a feasible option? Should I allocate less RAM to the virtual machines (i.e. 1.5GB RAM per VM)?

Could you please help me fix this problem?

I get the following message after copying the third virtual machine:

"Could not register the virtual machine. The virtual machine could not be registered because the configuration file does not exist. You should create a new configuration file for the virtual machine."

Your help is greatly appreciated.

Kindest Regards,

DNAPL