Windows 7's 'XP mode' may not work on many PCs

[Airbot]

April 30, 2009, 10:49 AM — Computerworld —
Microsoft Corp. touts that Windows 7 is nimble enough to run on underpowered netbooks. But it also admits that its enticing new XP Mode may not work on netbooks, or many other computers of recent vintage.


That people will not be able to run applications designed for XP on Windows 7 by tapping virtualization, as the XP Mode supports, is discouraging news for cash-strapped consumers and small businesses who hoped to upgrade without ditching existing hardware or upgrading their software.


Debuting on the Windows 7 Release Candidate to MSDN and TechNet subscribers today, and the general public on May 5, XP Mode has several strict requirements: 2GB of RAM; Windows 7 Professional, Enterprise or Ultimate editions; and most limiting, CPU hardware virtualization support.
RAM is inexpensive, and vendors such as Hewlett-Packard Co. have successfully tested netbooks running all versions of Windows 7.

more: ITworld

 

[Ex_Brit]

Like my Pentium 4 - <weep> Time to think about a new machine.

 

[Digger]

Like my Pentium 4 - <weep> Time to think about a new machine.

really? even with the HT? I thought it looked like your rig was in the clear...

 

[Ex_Brit]

Pentium 4's en masse are excluded as are many other early Pentium versions.

Windows XP Mode (XPM) requires processor-based virtualization support

 

[PotatoMan83]

Theres other virtual machine apps in the sea..just go fishin'

 

[Ex_Brit]

I guess I could look at software alternatives. We shall see.

 

[Lee]

If you have a legal copy of XP then just download Virutal Box (Free) and use it to run XP, Vista, and/or Linux (any built that suits your needs).

The Virtual XP Mode in Win 7 was primarily constructed for corperate needs.

I am using Win 7 RC1 with VM Ware VM running, Vista 32 and 64, XP Pro, Linux Ubunto 64 bit, and Linux OpenSuse 11.1 64 bit.

 

[Ex_Brit]

As in VirtualBox ? Thanks I'll take a look at it. Am in no hurry as I multi-boot anyway.
What's the difference between these and Microsoft's Virtual PC?

 

[limneos]

Well, I don't know which processors exactly support this feature, cause I haven't done the approriate searching yet, but I see mine which is a Cure2Duo doesn't support virtualization either

I wonder how many processors really do support virtualization...

 

[Ex_Brit]

There's a complete list linked here of Intel and AMD processors that support it. You'll need Microsoft Excel or Excel Reader to see them: Windows 7 XP Mode Pre-requisite « Software Ruminations

 

[Copson20]

I had to upgrade my BIOS for Xp mode to work