Is it possible to have two XP virtual machines?

Kari · 20 Dec 2010

Yes, you start it normally by double clicking it.

With shut down I meant the original XP Mode has to be shutdown and the vmc.backup file deleted before making a copy.

Kari

Jeffs · 20 Dec 2010

Yes, the original was shut down before I started copying, editing, etc.

I'm trying again.

Jeffs · 20 Dec 2010

OK, mystery solved. I got it to work.

It appears that when I edited the .vmcx file in the \users\jeff\virtual machines folder, my text editor did something to the file format. I wasn't using notepad, I was using textpad. The format LOOKED correct, but it must have been some invisible characters that were changed - perhaps CF or LF.

I noticed that when I saved the .vmcx file, all the status information disappeared. I tried again with notepad, and it was fine, and I could start the copy XP machine.

So, all appears well, I made RAR files of all the copied files so I can pull back a "clean" copy on demand. Time to experiment now.

Thanks

Kari · 20 Dec 2010

Good to hear you got it working. :)

jimbo45 · 23 Dec 2010

whs said:

For starters you would need 2 product keys. If you use Virtual Box, you can have as many as you want. Make sure you install the Guest Additions inside the XP system.

Hi there
You DON'T necessarily need more than one product key

with vmware you can "Clone" a Virtual Machine. Only if you SIGNIFICANTLY change the Virtual hardware will you get asked for re-activation.

Note however if you want to run these concurrently (at the same time) then you will have to give them DIFFERENT NAMES on your LAN.

Cheers
jimbo

Kari · 23 Dec 2010

As mentioned before, you can make hundred copies of your Virtual PC's XP Mode and still you don't need a product key. I currently have four XP Mode's set up for different purposes, all copies of original which I keep untouched in case I need to make a new copy to start all over again.

Kari