Is it worth creating XP mode in windows 7

[hummer7]

In order to run virtual XP, I bought Windows 7 pro (64 bit) and installed today.
Before buying windows XP, I would like to ask you a simple question: How well XP mode runs under windows 7? Is it worth running XP mode?

My purpose is to use some programs which run only under XP,not under windows 7.
Your comment would be appreciated.

 

[seavixen32]

1. It depends how much RAM you can allocate to the virtual machine.

2. You will take a performance hit when you are in XP Mode, particularly when launching and shutting it down.

3. Bearing in mind it's a freebie from Microsoft, it is a cost effective way of running legacy programs that won't run under Windows 7.

4. Having used it myself, I'd recommend it as long as you don't expect Windows XP performance.

5. Having bought Windows 7 Pro, it would be a shame not to use XP Mode.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/8247-windows-xp-mode-install-setup.html

 

[hummer7]

When I bought the win 7 computer, it came with 8GB RAM. Is that enough to run XP mode smoothly?

 

[seavixen32]

Yes, with 8GB available, you can give XP Mode up to 3.25GB.

However, I must stress, you'll get reasonable performance, but it won't be as quick as a native install of Windows XP SP3.

But as I said, you've paid for Windows 7 Professional so it defeats the object if you don't then give XP Mode a go.

If you decide you don't like it, just uninstall it.

However, there is an alternative and that's VMware Player: VMware Player: Run Windows 7, Chrome OS - Free Download for a Virtual PC

 

[profdlp]

One thing to keep in mind (and I do like XP Mode) is that it "fakes" the hardware environment. This works fine for most XP programs, not at all for others. My housemate is a college professor and I tried to use it to get a Powerpoint plugin to work properly (good old Adobe apparently can't be troubled to write an effective update for their http://www.adobe.com/products/presenter/ $500+ software) and it refused to do the audio recording. (Which for that program is kind of the point...)

It never hurts to try, though. For many programs it can save you from the hassles of a dual-boot system.

 

[hummer7]

Yes, with 8GB available, you can give XP Mode up to 3.25GB.

However, I must stress, you'll get reasonable performance, but it won't be as quick as a native install of Windows XP SP3.

But as I said, you've paid for Windows 7 Professional so it defeats the object if you don't then give XP Mode a go.

If you decide you don't like it, just uninstall it.

However, there is an alternative and that's VMware Player: VMware Player: Run Windows 7, Chrome OS - Free Download for a Virtual PC

In fact, I installed VMware player this afternoon. I realized that I got to have a new xp oem to complete XP mode (b/c I don't have a non-activated xp cd) My question is which one would you like to recommend between VMware player and Microsoft Virtual PC (sic).

 

[seavixen32]

It's a matter of personal choice really.

I've tried both and I do prefer VMware player if only for the aesthetics, but prefer XP Mode on cost grounds.

You don't need an XP disc, just download XP Mode (it's a freebie from Microsoft) from the Virtual PC site and install it.

You will need an XP disc if you use VMware player.

One important thing I forgot to mention and that is whichever virtual machine you use you'll need to go into the BIOS and enable hardware virtualization under the Power settings otherwise your virtual PC won't work.

 

[hummer7]

One important thing I forgot to mention and that is whichever virtual machine you use you'll need to go into the BIOS and enable hardware virtualization under the Power settings otherwise your virtual PC won't work.

Good to know about the BIOS issue. I want to take a look at BIOS tomorrow morning. I might ask you if I was not able to find a check box for HW Virtualization. My office desktop computer is Dell XPS.

 

[seavixen32]

You will find it in the Dell BIOS.

I've just checked the BIOS in my computer (HP Pavilion) and it is listed as Virtualization Technology.

The default setting is Disabled so you'll need to highlight the setting then choose Enable.

Save the change before you exit the BIOS and you should be good to go.

 

[Kari]

Can be I am misunderstanding something here, but to be sure I would like to remind you that XP Mode does not need any XP licence or product key. It is a fully working XP Pro SP3 virtual machine, free to install and use on Windows 7 Pro, Ultimate and Enterprise editions on Microsoft Virtual PC.

If you instead of free XP Mode want to install XP from your own install media, then you need a licence. However, there's nothing to gain regarding performance, so there's simply no reason not to use completely free, licenced XP Mode.

Kari

 

[vrosa]

If you instead of free XP Mode want to install XP from your own install media, then you need a licence. However, there's nothing to gain regarding performance, so there's simply no reason not to use completely free, licenced XP Mode.

 

[pparks1]

You want to use the free licensed copy of XP mode that you get from buying your Windows 7 pro license.

I use virtual machines and XP mode all of the time. For the most part, they perform great. Not really any slower than my physical machine for 95% of tasks that I perform. You aren't going to really game on them, but most everything else works fine.

Now, if you want to use VMWare Player instead of Microsoft's product (and I would heavily recommend the use of VMWare Player), you can actually convert the activated XP Mode for free. Here is the process.
1). Download and install XP Mode
2). Download and install VMWare Player (I would suggest the 3.x version of the product as it will natively convert the XP Mode).
3). From within VMWare Player, choose File, Import XP mode and it will convert it and it will remain activated.

If you want to use VMWare Player 4.x, you will have to add a couple of extra steps. There is currently an issue with 4.0 and it won't import XP Mode natively at present time. Instead, you also have to download the VMWare Converter 5.0 standalone product (also free), and perform the client/server (Advanced) install, and then you will be able to go into VMWare Player and convert that XP mode.

Note: I've been having problems with VMWare Player 4.0.2 not being able to get updates and download the latest version of VMWare Tools. This seems to be a known issue with 4.0.2. So, if you are going to use the VMWare Player 4.x product, I'd likely suggestion 4.0.1. Or just use 3.5.x, as this one seems stable and has fewer problems.

 

[seavixen32]

Thanks for that Kari, I was fairly certain I was correct when I pointed out earlier that the OP wouldn't need to by Windows XP, but it does no harm to convert an assumption into fact.

 

[hummer7]

Yes, with 8GB available, you can give XP Mode up to 3.25GB.

I just finished installing XP mode. It seems XP mode is working but with a minor problem which I am going to post.

Could you please advise me how to allocate 3.25 GB for XP mode? I have no slightest idea how to do it. I owuld very much appreciate it if you could tell me step-by-step. TIA.

 

[hummer7]

You want to use the free licensed copy of XP mode that you get from buying your Windows 7 pro license.

My comuter is Dell XPS 8000 which win 7 Home Premium was pre-installed. I tried to create XP mode using a Dell XP Pro (came wth three of my Dell XP computers). For Dell computers, installation of WinXP with Dell WinXP disk does not need to type in product key. When I tried to use the Dell XP Pro disk for Dell XPS computer, it required products key. So the attemp to create XP mode was aborted.

Then, as seavixen32 suggested, I downloaded XP mode and virtual PC from microsoft website. Installation went any hitch. One problem is that it requires to instal KB898461. I could not make it. The error was "Not enough storage is avaiable to process this command". I have enogh space in C-partition (69GB free space). There are more space in a separate D-drive.

However, when I clicked Windows XP mode after rebooting the computer, it shows a nice Windows XP screen box. I will try to install XP-compatible software next week to use XP mode.

Now, my intended question is how I can install KB898461.

 

[hummer7]

You want to use the free licensed copy of XP mode that you get from buying your Windows 7 pro license.

My comuter is Dell XPS 8000 which win 7 Home Premium was pre-installed. I tried to create XP mode using a Dell XP Pro (came wth three of my Dell XP computers). For Dell computers, installation of WinXP with Dell WinXP disk does not need to type in product key. When I tried to use the Dell XP Pro disk for Dell XPS computer, it required products key. So the attemp to create XP mode was aborted.

Then, as seavixen32 suggested, I downloaded XP mode and virtual PC from microsoft website. Installation went any hitch. One problem is that it requires to instal KB898461. I could not make it. The error was "Not enough storage is avaiable to process this command". I have enogh space in C-partition (69GB free space). There are more space in a separate D-drive.

However, when I clicked Windows XP mode after rebooting the computer, it shows a nice Windows XP screen box. I will try to install XP-compatible software next week to use XP mode.

Now, my intended question is how I can install KB898461.

Please ignore this post. I was confused between Win 7 and XP mode screens. I downloaded KB898461 within XP mode. Then, I was able to instal it successfully inside XP mode.

I am slowly learning what XP mode is.

 

[pparks1]

My comuter is Dell XPS 8000 which win 7 Home Premium was pre-installed. I tried to create XP mode using a Dell XP Pro (came wth three of my Dell XP computers). For Dell computers, installation of WinXP with Dell WinXP disk does not need to type in product key. When I tried to use the Dell XP Pro disk for Dell XPS computer, it required products key. So the attemp to create XP mode was aborted.

You weren't trying to use XP Mode...(which is a specially activated and licensed copy of Windows XP)..you were instead trying to create a run of the mill Windows XP virtual machine.

The Dell software is tied specifically to the Dell computer and is a pre-activated copy of the OS. It won't work in a VM, because the hardware presented will be different that the physical Dell computer. If you went to NewEgg and bought a bunch of computer parts and assembled a computer, this copy of XP would not work here either.

 

[seavixen32]

Yes, with 8GB available, you can give XP Mode up to 3.25GB.

I just finished installing XP mode. It seems XP mode is working but with a minor problem which I am going to post.

Could you please advise me how to allocate 3.25 GB for XP mode? I have no slightest idea how to do it. I owuld very much appreciate it if you could tell me step-by-step. TIA.

I'm trying to remember from when I last used XP Mode, but I think it's on the lines of launching the Virtual PC, highlighting the XP Mode operating system and editing the RAM settings from there.

Better still, have a look at this tutorial.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorial...hange-virtual-machine-settings.html#post86171

 

[hummer7]

You want to use the free licensed copy of XP mode that you get from buying your Windows 7 pro license.

I use virtual machines and XP mode all of the time. For the most part, they perform great. Not really any slower than my physical machine for 95% of tasks that I perform. You aren't going to really game on them, but most everything else works fine.

Now, if you want to use VMWare Player instead of Microsoft's product (and I would heavily recommend the use of VMWare Player), you can actually convert the activated XP Mode for free. Here is the process.
1). Download and install XP Mode
2). Download and install VMWare Player (I would suggest the 3.x version of the product as it will natively convert the XP Mode).
3). From within VMWare Player, choose File, Import XP mode and it will convert it and it will remain activated.

If you want to use VMWare Player 4.x, you will have to add a couple of extra steps. There is currently an issue with 4.0 and it won't import XP Mode natively at present time. Instead, you also have to download the VMWare Converter 5.0 standalone product (also free), and perform the client/server (Advanced) install, and then you will be able to go into VMWare Player and convert that XP mode.

Note: I've been having problems with VMWare Player 4.0.2 not being able to get updates and download the latest version of VMWare Tools. This seems to be a known issue with 4.0.2. So, if you are going to use the VMWare Player 4.x product, I'd likely suggestion 4.0.1. Or just use 3.5.x, as this one seems stable and has fewer problems.

pparks1, your post is very instructive. I plant to create xp mode with VMwarekplayer. As I posted earlier, when I opened up VMPlayer, it prompted to type in product number for XP cd (after inserting XP cd). From your post, it seems that I do not need to buy a new XP CD but download and instal Microsoft XP Mode file. That is great. Then, how to suppress the command to type in product # of XP CD?

Secondly, I have VMWare player 3.1.1 and 4.02 files. You recommended to install 3.5.x version. I was not successful to locate the v. 3.5.x version. Do you know where to download from?

Thanks for your comment.

 

[hummer7]

I tried to locate VMWare playier version 3.5. x this morning. None. What I found out was that an earlier version of 4.0 was 3.1.5. Am I missing ?