To XP Mode or not to XP Mode

I was trying to get Adobe Illustrator 10 to work in Windows 7 Ultimate. It installed OK, but would not run. I was pointed to the XP Mode model. I almost get the impression (from this forum), that there is not really any difference in installing the older version of Illustrator on XP mode\Virtual PC, and installing it on my separate XP VM that runs in VMWare. Yet, when I talked with the tech at Staples earlier today, he gave me the impression that there is a difference. He said that when using the VMWare VM, that I would have to start VMWare, then open the XP VM, then start Illustrator. He said that if I use XP Mode\Virtual PC, that basically I can just run Illustrator (something about it always being there and ready to run). Can someone explain this to me? I can install VMWare and run it without having to change anything in BIOS, why do I have to do this for XP Mode and Virtual PC? IF it is always there, then I am always using the additional memory allocated to the virtual PC?

Hi there
I agree with pparks1 -- vmware player is a great piece of software.

Note you can ONLY use XP mode if you are at Windows 7 Professional and Up (it won't run on Windows Home premium).

Two other possible snags against XP mode are

1)- it requires the Virtualisation feature enabled in your BIOS -- this probably isn't such an issue with machine bought recently (3Q 2009 / 1Q 2010) but could be a problem if your computer was manaufactured a year ago or more.

2) Although improved recently it runs AS SLOW as molasses - unless you have some real high level hardware.

against that the drawback with vmware is that YOU have to provide a licensed copy of XP to install and create your Virtual machine - but the flexibility and performance of the vmware product compared with XP mode IMO makes this a "No Brainer".

You will also have to start the Virtual machine as well in order to use your application and you will have to enable some type of Network printing if your printer is either on your LAN or attached to the HOST. There's posts in the forum on how to set this up as well even if the printer is attached to your HOST and running W7 X-64.


To pparks1 -- converting XP mode to vmware format -- Nice one haven't tried that -- but does the XP system ask for a (re-) activation.

Note also that you can't download and install the XP mode software on W7 HOME premium and lower editions of W7.

Cheers
jimbo

jimbo45 said:

1)- it requires the Virtualisation feature enabled in your BIOS -- this probably isn't such an issue with machine bought recently (3Q 2009 / 1Q 2010) but could be a problem if your computer was manaufactured a year ago or more.

Exactly the problem i have....

win7 said:

jimbo45 said:

1)- it requires the Virtualisation feature enabled in your BIOS -- this probably isn't such an issue with machine bought recently (3Q 2009 / 1Q 2010) but could be a problem if your computer was manaufactured a year ago or more.

Exactly the problem i have....

Hardware virtualization is no longer required to run XP Mode (Windows Virtual PC: FAQ)

Is hardware virtualization a must-have to run Windows XP Mode?

No. Windows XP Mode can be run on a CPU without hardware virtualization.


Edit: Sorry, I didn't realize this info was already posted.
Windows XP Mode now accessible to more PCs