Initiating Virtual XP, I get a blank screen. Clicking on Tools and the Enable Integration Features caused the hard drive to run and I get a dialog box that says Integration Features disabled. The only file in my Virtual Machine folder is Windows XP Mode.vcmx. I have checked the Show hidden folders and unchecked the Hide extensions. How may I get XP to run correctly or, alternatively, recover the files in the XP hard disk?
Hi Benef, welcome to the Seven Forums.
Please check folder C:\Users\Your_Username\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows Virtual PC\Virtual Machines. If the file Windows XP Mode.vsv exists, delete it and try to launch XP Mode again.
Kari
Kari -
Many thanks for your advice.
In spite of checking show hidden files and unchecking hide extensions only Windows XP Mode.vmcx appears in my Virtual Machines folder. Is there another action I can take to use XP? Alternatively, is there a way to access the files on the XP Hard Disk 1?
Benef
Benef, sorry but it looks like you checked from a wrong place.
The Windows XP Mode.vmcx file only contains some virtual machine description and registration settings. Its default location is:
C:\Users\Your_Username\Virtual Machines. You are telling me your Virtual Machines folder only contains this .vmcx file so for me it looks you are only checking this folder, and not the folder I asked you to check:
C:\Users\Your_Username\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows Virtual PC\Virtual Machines.
If the latter folder contains nothing then you have lost your virtual hard drive.
InformationBy default, XP Mode virtual machine consists of five files when installed and run first time, plus two additional files if XP Mode is hibernated or the Undo Disk feature is enabled. The file names, extensions and default locations are:
- Windows XP Mode.vmcx
- Virtual Machine description and registration settings
- default location C:\Users\Your_Username\Virtual Machines
- Windows XP Mode.vhd
- Virtual Machine virtual hard drive image
- default location C:\Users\Your_Username\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows Virtual PC\Virtual Machines
- Windows XP Mode.vmc
- Virtual Machine settings file
- default location C:\Users\Your_Username\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows Virtual PC\Virtual Machines
- Windows XP Mode.vsv
- Virtual Machine saved state file (hibernation data)
- default location C:\Users\Your_Username\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows Virtual PC\Virtual Machines
- This file exists only when XP Mode is hibernated or is running. It is deleted automatically every time XP Mode is shut down
- Windows XP Mode.vmc.vpcbackup
- Virtual Machine settings backup
- default location C:\Users\Your_Username\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows Virtual PC\Virtual Machines
- VirtualPCUndo_Windows XP Mode_X_Y_ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ.vud
- Virtual machine Undo-disk (X, Y & Z in the file name are replaced with digits)
- default location C:\Users\Your_Username\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows Virtual PC\Virtual Machines
- This file exists only if so called Undo Disk is enabled in XP Mode settings
- Windows XP Mode base.vhd
- XP Mode base disk
- default location C:\Program Files\Windows XP Mode
Notice that AppData is a hidden folder so you need to enable showing hidden files and folders.
Kari
Kari -
Again, thanks much.
OK, so I can't read. I accessed the Virtual Machine folder you told me to and deleted the file. I got to the screen asking for my user name and password which I had not intentionally set. Clicking on OK resulted in a dialog box that one or borh are incorrect. Can I work around this?
Benef
The default username for XP Mode is XPMUser (notice: 4 first letters capital). The password I do not know; when you set up XP Mode it asked you to set a password. Try to remember what was the initial password you set up, then log in using username XPMUser and that password.
Kari
Kari -
You do good work.
My recollection is that when I set up XP I did not use a password. I have been using XP for several months without entering either name or password. I would get this box for a few seconds during launch but it went away with no action on my point. Can I return to this mode? Is there a way to change/eliminate the password?
Benef
Sorry but XP Mode does not let you to set it up without password. This window comes up during setup and does not let you advance without password (notice the grayed out NEXT button when no initial password given):
By default the Remember Credentials option is selected so most probably you have set a password and forgotten it because you never have had to type it.
Kari
Kari -
I was skeptical and still don't remember setting up a password but I took a guess and, imagine that!, you were correct. I guessed right and am back in business with XP.
I greatly appreciate your help as all my client files were in jeopardy. Your expertise was an answer to prayer.
I am very greatful for your help and patience.
Benef
OK, so now you have two things to do:
- Re-enable integration features
- Enable XP Mode built-in Administrator account
By enabling the built-in Administrator account you make it possible to use it whenever you get problems in logging in or management of your default user profile. Instructions: Windows XP Mode - Enable Built-in Administrator Account, do as told in Option Two of that tutorial.
Kari
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