Windows XP Mode slow

[dalbir4444]

I installed Windows XP Mode in Windows 7, and despite using 1 GB RAM in the virtual windows, it is running slow. I have Windows XP on my and it runs perfectly on 1 GB RAM. IS there any way to speed up the virtual windows?

Also, if possible, can I move all my files from Windows XP Mode to virtual box?

 

[wallyinnc]

dalbir, Virtual mode is and will always be slower than the actual OS.
You can increase the memory allocation for your virtual machine and see if it helps with what you are running.

 

[dalbir4444]

I understand it will slower but 1 gb of RAM should be enough. I used Ubuntu in virtualbox and it worked perfectly. Can't I use Windows XP Mode in virtualbox?

 

[Kari]

It is possible to transform Virtual PC's XP mode vhd to be used in VirtualBox or VMWare, but it looses its activation when it notices that the virtual hardware has changed, so you need an activation key. Because of this, it's better to setup XP on VirtualBox using original XP install media and key.

Here's a tip to speed up XP Mode, and all other Virtual PC vm's you set up:

• Turn off all running virtual machines
• Open C:\Users\Your_Username\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows Virtual PC\Options.xml with Notepad
• Add this somewhere between the Preferences tags:
  

  <virtual_machines>
  <enable_idle_thread type="boolean">true</enable_idle_thread>
  </virtual_machines><br/>

• Save the file

Adding these lines to options.xml let's Virtual PC use the processor more effectively, using more of the host's resources. Performance increase is especially clear in laptops because this also prevents laptop entering to the low power state every time the processor is idle.

Kari

 

[dalbir4444]

It didn't seem to help that much.

 

[Victek]

It didn't seem to help that much.

.
Do you mean you installed XP in Virtual Box and the performance didn't improve? Do you know if you're CPU supports virtualization and if that feature is enabled in the BIOS? There are also options in Virtual Box to enable hardware virtualization features (system settings) and 2d/3d video acceleration.

 

[dalbir4444]

Sorry for not being clear. I followed Kari's advice but it only sped up the virtual PC a little bit. I haven't tried virtualbox yet but is there a way to run the same Windows XP Mode using virtualbox. If so, do I need a separate registration key?

 

[Kari]

Sorry it didn't work for you.

About using XP Mode vhd in VirtualBox, this is what I told you in my previous post:

It is possible to transform Virtual PC's XP mode vhd to be used in VirtualBox or VMWare, but it looses its activation when it notices that the virtual hardware has changed, so you need an activation key. Because of this, it's better to setup XP on VirtualBox using original XP install media and key.

So yes, you'll need a key. If you want to give it a try, you have to first merge the the two differencing vhd's XP Mode uses. Here's a short explanation about how to do that, and here something on distributing a merged XP Mode vhd.

Hope you'll get there!

Kari