Can i use XP Mode as a sandbox to test software ?

[seulater]

I am wondering if i have a questionable peice of software that may contain a virus or what not if i can use XP mode as a sandbox to test it so that if it does it will not afect my Computer.

 

[richnrockville]

I am wondering if i have a questionable peice of software that may contain a virus or what not if i can use XP mode as a sandbox to test it so that if it does it will not afect my Computer.

Welcome seulater to the windows 7 forums.

Yes, you can but it is recommended that you backup your .vhd file which is the virtual hard disk for windows xp in virtual pc.

Make a copy of the .vhd file in someplace other than it's default location and then when you have thorougly screwed up you windows xp virtual machine, you can then just copy the .vhd you had saved over the top of the regular one. One caution is that you must shut down the virtual machine and not hybernate it.

As always, It might be a good idea to have an image backup of your system just as as warm fuzzy.


Rich

 

[cyclic]

Not only can you, you absolutely should. Good thought.
I thoroughly richnrockville's backup suggestion. Make sure you have an AVP running on the VM though, any baddies might be insidious.

 

[jimbo45]

I am wondering if i have a questionable peice of software that may contain a virus or what not if i can use XP mode as a sandbox to test it so that if it does it will not afect my Computer.

Welcome seulater to the windows 7 forums.

Yes, you can but it is recommended that you backup your .vhd file which is the virtual hard disk for windows xp in virtual pc.

Make a copy of the .vhd file in someplace other than it's default location and then when you have thorougly screwed up you windows xp virtual machine, you can then just copy the .vhd you had saved over the top of the regular one. One caution is that you must shut down the virtual machine and not hybernate it.

As always, It might be a good idea to have an image backup of your system just as as warm fuzzy.


Rich

Hi there
for this type of testing IMO a totally separate VM is better --especially if you think the test software might contain "questionable" material.

Just install vbox or VMware player and then install XP as an OS from an OS install disk. Even if you only have an OEM disk or an image you can get 30 days before you need to activate the XP system --should be enough to test your software.

When you've finished --just delete the vm -- no danger of "contamination". XP mode tends to have rather more integration with the host OS so there is always a risk (not great but it's there) of contamination since the .vhd files are handled by the HOST OS.

With VMware or vbox the vm files are simply DATA as far as the HOST OS is concerned and all the data handling is done by the VM application.

Cheers
jimbo

 

[voiceartistusa]

Rich[/QUOTE]

Just install vbox or VMware player and then install XP as an OS from an OS install disk...
Cheers
jimbo[/QUOTE]

Just a sidenote, as I have just realized this a little while ago today before posting this.
Even if you have a 64bit Windows 7 OS on the host, your CPU needs to support VT in order for a 64bit VM to even begin the cycle of life. ( Virtualization Technology )

 

[pparks1]

^ For most testing though, you can run a 32bit VM instead. It's rare you need to support more than 4GB of RAM in a VM.