Can't Install Integration Components - W2k on W7 VPC

I'm running W7 RC1 x64 on my new i7 machine. I have successfully installed and run XP Mode without problems. Today I decided to install W2k in VPC. All went well, with the installation completing normally, but then I clicked on Install Integration Components and nothing happened. As per the dialog box which advises you to open the CD in the VM and run Setup if nothing happens, I did just that. But I get an error message to the effect that setup is not a valid win32 executable, and I can't find a way around it. In other respects the VM appears ok - I have internet access, and I d/l and installed SP4, etc.

So, a couple of questions:

1. Should I be able to Install Integration Components on a W2k VM?

2. If yes, does anyone have a suggestion?

Roger

Hi there
you can't do that in XP mode.

If you want to add / install other guest OS's (including a SECOND version of XP) then you have to run Virtual PC as a separate application -- just like vmware or vbox etc.

XP mode is a specialized limited method designed for running one or two legacy apps from a W7 desktop -- not for running extra guest OS's themselves.

On virtual PC switch off the Desktop Integration and install your guest W2K system - better still run Virtual Box (free) or vmware workstation.

If your system is man enough for the job you can run both XPmode and Vmware / virtual box but if you need seperate guest OS'es I wouldn't bother with XP Mode at all.

Cheers
jimbo

Hi Jimbo,

Yeah, I ran VPC, created a vhd, and installed W2k from my CD. It all worked exactly like doing a normal W2k installation on a 'real' machine, but the mouse performance is really poor. And this is on an i7, Gigabyte MB, heaps of memory, etc. Anyway, the Tools drop-box has 'Install Integration Components' as an active (selectable) item, so I was hoping that it would do something for me. But it seems not...

I'll give VPC2007 and/or Virtual Box a go.

Thanks,

Roger

Hi there
unless you need the XP integration feature VPC is a very poor performer.

Use a separate VM application such as vmware workstation / virtual box etc.

With these types of applications you also generally need to install a product called someting like vmware tools / extensions etc etc. on the GUEST OS whne its up and running.

This will improve mouse / graphics performance usually quite considerably.

Cheers
jimbo

I recommend VMware server (free). It is what I use and is very productive. I havent the slightest problem of out it.

Thanks guys, I set up VBox last night, installed W2k, and man, What a Difference! VPC had always sufficed in the past for non-graphics use, but VBox kills it. It's just like running the app on my native W2k machine.

It did, however, screw up my network a little. The W7 host now does not show up in 'My Network Places' on my other machines, although they (the other systems) show up on the W7 system. However, on the other systems I can simply Search For Computer and it will instantly find the W7 machine and my shares on it. Odd. Also, the W7 had an IP address of 192.168.56.1, whereas my Linksys router hands out addresses from 192.168.1.100 upwards, so I don't know where the xxx.56.1 came from. Any way, after resetting the W7 and getting a 'normal' address, I still have the same problem of not seeing it (in My Network Places) from the other systems.

I have totally removed power from everything (cable modem, router, computers) and brought it all up again, but the problem persists. If I can't sort it tonight I will look for some help on the VBox forum.

Regards, Roger