Windows 7: Old program doesn't run at same speed

Am using an old program (ProEngineer) that doesn't perform at the same speed in Widows 7 Pro XP mode as it did on old XP machine. Don't know why.

Because it is running in a virtual machine. A computer running inside of a computer.

After more searching have determined the problem is with the video. It takes forever to repaint the screen. Why is the windows system video not used in the virtual pc mode? Can it be changed? Windows system uses nvidia Geforce and the virtual pc mode uses S3-trio.

Virtual machines are always slower than a real one, it's normal. Programs with video effects are mostly affected, particularly games, but any serious program that makes intensive use of the GPU will run sluggish on virtual machines in comparison with the real one. Question is, why not run it directly on the real machine under Windows 7?

Program won't run in Windows 7. It is a high end commercial cad program from 2001. I am retired now and no longer have access to maintenance help for this CAD program. It starts with a batch program and I don't know how to fix it for Windows 7 or even if its possible. When I check the device manager in Windows 7 and Virtual PC the video card description is not the same. Why? Can it be made the same? The program runs fine with small parts but with a large assembly the repaint time is worse than my old 2001 PC, 800Mhz, 512 MB memory. I'm thinking my only solution is dual boot for Windows XP

Hi John, welcome to the Seven Forums.

First, read this post about emulated S3 Trio GPU which Virtual PC and XP Mode use: Fix video problems in Win7 32bit virtual machine

Could you please post the batch file you mentioned, the one needed to run your CAD program here so we could take a look and see if there's something you could try to get your program running on Windows 7. Instructions on how to attach a file to your post: Screenshots and Files - Upload and Post in Seven Forums

Kari

proe2001-stu.batThere is a directory c:\Proe\bin with 25 batch files including the one listed in the desktop icon to start the application. I hope the attachment procedure worked. I am comming to the conclusion that I will have to install Windows XP in a dual boot enviroment.

OK, John, the batch file shows your application is from pre-XP era, meant to be run on Win95 and NT environments. As such I believe there's no way to set it up so it could be run on Windows 7 or make it run faster and better on XP Mode.

You could try to install XP on VirtualBox instead of using XP Mode. Some older legacy applications run better on VirtualBox virtual machines than on same OS (XP) on Virtual PC. Free VirtualBox download here, you also need an XP install media, CD or ISO.

However, I think the dual boot idea would be the best thing to do.

Let us know what you decide, if the application finally works for you as you wanted.

Kari

I'm going with the dual boot method. I already started by shrinking the HD and adding new partition D, changed CD drive to E. Have not completed total transition. Need to use virtual PC, but now won't recognize CD drive. Went in and changed drive letter in virtual mode but no difference. Only thing I know to do is go back to Win 7 and change CD back to D and new partition to E.

Open XP Mode Settings:

• Browse to folder C:\Users\Your_Username\Virtual Machines (default location)
• Select Windows XP Mode, right click it and select Settings

When Settings dialog opens:

• Select DVD Drive on the left pane
• Select Access a physical drive on the right pane
• Select the new drive letter of your CD/DVD drive from the drop down menu
• Click OK to save settings

This tells XP Mode that you have changed the host system CD/DVD drive letter, no reason to go back disabling changes you have already made.

Kari