Virtual Machine without Virtualization

[Lordbob75]

Hello all,

I have the Q8200, which doesn't support Virtualization (oh well....).

I need to run x86 windows for work, but I would rather not reinstall Seven on my computer (I don't want two installs). Is there a Virtual machine I can use, (free please!!!!!) and how do I use it? I have not used one before...

~Lordbob

 

[Barman58]

Hi David,

Have a look at Virtualbox think that now works without the hardware support

Haven't included a link as you can always Bing it

 

[Lordbob75]

Thanks Nigel.

I am running into an interesting problem. What I am trying to do is boot Windows 7 32 bit in a VM from my x64 Seven. I need to be able to install things on it, and keep them there. I want to have this save to either a VHD on my computer, or a folder or something. I can't find ANYTHING about this on the web.....
Anyone know how?

~Lordbob

 

[Barman58]

Hello David,

As far as I know virtualbox will work with Windows 7 as both a Client and a guest.

It creates a virtual disk which you can install things on so should meet your needs there.

The need for virtualisation in hardware is I believe no longer needed after version 2

Have a read here ....

http://www.sevenforums.com/software/482-windows-7-guest-virtualbox.html

Documentation - VirtualBox

I have used it on x64 with x86 XP as guest without issues but I have hardware support so it's not a real test for your circumstances

 

[Lordbob75]

Ok, thanks Nigel.

Testing it now.

~Lordbob

 

[jimbo45]

Hi there

If you use vmware workstation you can save virtual machines by using the "Clone" operation - this simply saves the entire VM on to another disk or folder -- you can then open and run this VM on another machine etc.

You can also save the VM with standard software like Acronis True Image. To restore you need to create the Acronis bootable media, open / create a "New" virtual machine and then boot the restore media and restore your image

cheers
jimbo

 

[Lordbob75]

If you use vmware workstation you can save virtual machines by using the "Clone" operation - this simply saves the entire VM on to another disk or folder -- you can then open and run this VM on another machine etc.

What I am asking (forgive me if this is obvious) is if I can install things in the VM OS and keep all those settings, info, and changes.

~Lordbob

 

[Barman58]

Hi,

Yes the vm is saved at the end of a session - it's just like having a separate install, but in a special "virtual" machine rather than a physical one .

With most systems you create a machine set up how you need it with memory, hdd, etc and then install the OS as if you were on a normal PC You can also share items from the parent machine so if you need to install software etc you can mount iso's in virtual CD drives etc.

 

[Lordbob75]

Hi,

Yes the vm is saved at the end of a session - it's just like having a separate install, but in a special "virtual" machine rather than a physical one .

With most systems you create a machine set up how you need it with memory, hdd, etc and then install the OS as if you were on a normal PC You can also share items from the parent machine so if you need to install software etc you can mount iso's in virtual CD drives etc.

Alright, well, Virtual Box was MUCH easier to set up and use than VMware, and it let me use a VHD, which I liked. So it seems to work now, thanks Nigel.

~Lordbob

 

[Barman58]

No problem David,

Have fun

 

[Lordbob75]

Hey Nigel (and others that helped)

I have my Win7 Virtual machine up and running, and it works great! I am writing this post from there. Thanks for the Virtual Box program Nigel, it was really easy to use, and set up. Still is.

Though when I get my laptop, since that is where I will be working from, I will make sure to get one with a CPU that supports Virtualisation!

~Lordbob

 

[Barman58]

glad you've got it working David, welcome to the virtual world

 

[Lordbob75]

glad you've got it working David, welcome to the virtual world

Its nice here.......
Reminiscent of the matrix.........

~Lordbob

 

[jimbo45]

Hi there
the title of the thread implies running a Virtual Machine without virtualisation.

This can actually be done - although not on most PC's. Some IBM mainframes have this which is done at the equivalent of the BIOS level -- you can split the machine up into say 4 different machines and then boot up (IPL in IBM speak) each of these as separate physical machines -- each one having its own OS, Network and hardware peripheral devices.

Another meaning is running an actual physical OS under some type of Virtual Machine software - this is known as using "RAW DISKS" but strictly speaking this isn't really running a Virtual machine without virtualisation since you've got the "VM" running as an application under Virtual Machine software.

The IBM mainframe example above is really running virtual machines without virtual machine software.


Note also that if your laptop DOESN'T have Virtualisation support you can still run 32 Bit Guest OS'es under vmware workstation (and virtual Box).

The Virtualisation feature is only mandatory for running 64 Bit Guest OS'es and if you want to run XP compatability mode using microsofts Virtual PC.

Cheers
jimbo

 

[Lordbob75]

Hi there
the title of the thread implies running a Virtual Machine without virtualisation.

This can actually be done - although not on most PC's.

I named it such because of the new Virtualisation technology built in to some new processors. I do not have such a CPU, and so I meant using a VM without using the new Virtualisation from M$ in Windows 7. Sorry for the confusion.

~Lordbob