XP Mode vs VMware

So I dual boot a vista/7 laptop. I run VMware on my vista OS for some programs I use for work that dont play well with anything newer than XP. Now the "XP Mode" available for 7 is not an option for me because my 4mth old laptop does not support virtualization! WTF

anyway whats the deal with 7 and XP mode? why can I run a program like VMware but 7 wont allow me to do the same thing without this virtualization?

I think it's because your processor does not support the type of virtualization XP mode uses.

I am asking why I can install a program like VMware and run a virtual XP machine. What makes win 7's virtual machine different? better? worse? why not use the same type of architecture that other virtual machine software uses?

XP Mode is basically Microsoft Virtual PC. If you want to use it with some features missing just download it. I presume it will work unless MS decided to block it's install.

To use MS's VM for XP your computer needs to have the "V" chip install and turned on before you can use MS's VM.

Now are you also saying that you are unable to run VM Ware's VM because you do not have the Virtual Chip on your laptop? If this is so and you still are looking to run XP on seven then try Virtual Box (Google, or Bing Virtual Box). Virtual Box is a good alternative.

Hi

I think you may mean something that is happening to me. Basically most other Virtualization software will run WITHOUT virtualisation either being turned on in the bios or supported by the CPU (as did the old VPC2007). You are asking why the new version needs to have this support when it hasn;t in the past and others (such as VMware) can run without virtualisation (although they can also benefit from it if present). I have to admit, I don't have the answer (unless it;s just microsoft just being evil or lazy this time around?).
I have a similar problem, and you may want to check this out too. My processor on my laptop (the T9400) DOES support virtualisation, however my bios (the evil Insyde rev 3.5) does not have to option to turn virtualisation on (Acer are slightly evil). Their bios update does not supply an option either. However, I am in constant hope that eventually they will, especially when Windows 7 comes out. This may also be your problem, do a google search for your processor number and look at the specs, which will tell you if it is supported by the CPU.

• If it is and it's an intel and your bios does not have the option, look for a bios update on the laptops website to see if the option appears once the update is applied (don't download modded bios's, as you are just asking for trouble then).
• If it is and your CPU is AMD, then you maybe in luck, as AMD virtualisation works slightly differently and is usually turned on by default and not controlled by the bios. If your laptop manufacturer has turned it off, as it can;t be controlled by the bios, there may be a tool out there which is able to turn it on. Or purchase the same processor and replace the one on your motherboard, which may get round the manufactures lock (unless it is motherboard based).
• If it isn't, you are out of luck I'm afraid, unless you try a processor upgrade.

There are a lot of tools that are supposed to turn on virtualisation for Intel with pheonix bios, but I;d use these at your own risk also.

Hope this in someway helps.