Ms virtual pc only does 32 bit os?

[computergeekguy]

I was playing around with my new toy ms virtual pc.

But when i tried to put on a 64 bit os it didnt accept it. icnic:

Well i was wondering if there will be a new version of ms vpc that can run 64 bit or if i need to try a different program.

Is vm ware able to do it? and is vm ware free or do i need to pay money for it.

thanks

 

[Kari]

Microsoft Virtual PC can only run 32-bit guest operating systems. Both VMware and VirtualBox can also run 64-bit guests.

Kari

 

[fafhrd]

VMWare Player, Server and ESXi are all free, so is VirtualBox.

 

[strollin]

Virtual PC also will only allow Windows as the Guest OS which makes it less useful.

 

[Kari]

Virtual PC also will only allow Windows as the Guest OS which makes it less useful.

Simply not true.

The Virtual PC Integration features only work with Windows XP, Vista and Seven guest systems. However, there's nothing preventing user to install for instance Linux on Virtual PC. Here's an example.

Kari

 

[computergeekguy]

hey guys somthing else u should know is that i also want to have new operating systems such as the win 8 beta when it comes out and old stuf like win 98 on the virtual gest operating systems so the program needs to support both new and old OS'es thanks

 

[hjonesMCT]

If you have a Windows Server base, you can run Hyper-V, which is free. It supports Linux

Hyper-V - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[jimbo45]

Hi there
to run 64 bit Guest OS'es you will normally need to enable the VT (Intel) or equivalent AMD feature in the BIOS.

Once this is done --assuming you have a 64 bit CPU you can even run a 64 bit guest OS on a 32 bit HOST OS for example there is nothing to stop you running W7 X-64 Guest VM on an XP HOST -- although max mem both HOST and GUEST together can use on a 32 bit Host is 4GB. (Some versions of W2K3 server get round this restriction but normally 4GB is the limit for HOST 32 bit OS'es).

Vmplayer / vmworkstation and I think VBOX all support running 64 bit Guest OS'es on a 32 bit host provided the VT feature is enabled in the BIOS (most modern mobos have this enabled by default so you probably won't even see the option in the BIOS anymore).


Cheers
jimbo

 

[Kari]

Jimbo, what you say is of course true, provided the virtualization software used supports 64-bit guest. Microsoft Virtual PC does not, it only allows 32-bit guests.

Kari

 

[jimbo45]

Jimbo, what you say is of course true, provided the virtualization software used supports 64-bit guest. Microsoft Virtual PC does not, it only allows 32-bit guests.

Kari

Hi Kari

Another reason to use another system than Virtual PC --- vmplayer is free and IMO is far far superior to Virtual PC which is a bit of a cludge anyway.

It's also fairly simple for people with limited experience of Virtual Machines to get up and running with vmware player and there are a load of "ready made" Virtual appliances out there you can download and start using straight away.

I'd recommend anybody just starting with Virtualisation to use vmware's vmplayer to start with -- most things like USB pass through and sound card support are enabled which is what home users want.

Running servers is another matter of course. Most corporate servers aren't interested in attaching USB devices or getting Sound / video to work but at home people tend to want this type of stuff and why not.

VBOX also is good but it does seem a little bit more tricky to get it up and running. Vmware's vmplayer works "straight out of the box" in 99% of cases I've seen.

Cheers
jimbo

 

[strollin]

Virtual PC also will only allow Windows as the Guest OS which makes it less useful.

Simply not true.

The Virtual PC Integration features only work with Windows XP, Vista and Seven guest systems. However, there's nothing preventing user to install for instance Linux on Virtual PC. Here's an example.

Kari

OK, make that "only SUPPORTS XP, Vista and Win 7 as guest OSes." If you install any other OS, you're on your own. VMWare and VirtualBox openly support other OSes.

 

[computergeekguy]

Does that include win 2000, 98, 95?

Just wondering can vm ware or vbox support 16 bit os such as ms dos?

I know these are old but hey i have a lot of old programs that i love that they haven't converted to win 7 compatible yet lol

Thanks

 

[Kari]

When using a virtual machine, integration with host system is essential. Mouse and keyboard capture, cross OS copy & paste, networking and so on, it simply is much easier to get guest OS to work for you when integration components are installed and enabled.

Microsoft Virtual PC Integration Components only support and can be installed on XP, Vista and Seven virtual machines. In VirtualBox these components are called Guest Additions, and can be installed and enabled on Windows 2000, XP, Vista, Seven, Linux and Unix virtual machines. VMware is the best choice when using pre-Win2000 OS's, the VMware Tools support and can be installed on Windows 95 and later, Linux and Unix virtual machines.

However, the integration components must not be installed to be able to use a virtual machine. You can for instance install MS-DOS or Windows 1, 2 and 3 editions to a vm using VMware or VirtualBox although integration components (VirtualBox Guest Additions or VMware Tools) are not supported and can not be installed.

You can also download hundreds of free vm's with pre-installed operating systems; no need to install yourself, just download a virtual hard disk and use it. Here's a list of free VirtualBox vm's: http://virtualboximages.com/Free.VirtualBox.VDI.Downloads

Kari

 

[computergeekguy]

Hey guys thanks for all of your answers

By the sound of it sounds like i will go with Virtual box thanks

I am grateful for all the quick responses

thanks for all of your help

 

[computergeekguy]

Hey there was somthing called freedos in your list kari cool

I see playing old dos warcraft in my future

Thanks again evryone i am grateful

 

[Kari]

You are welcome.

Kari