Microsoft Virtual PC

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  1. Posts : 524
    Windows 7 Ultimate 32-Bit
       #1

    Microsoft Virtual PC


    I have recently installed Microsoft's Virtual PC onto my Windows 7 32-bit system today. I have installed Windows 98SE and Windows XP Professional in this program.

    I am wanting to install a couple of games on the Windows XP virtual system (I have already installed Civ4 and BTS on it), however, it tells me that there's no "Direct 3D" available, seeing as it's using "Virtual PC's Additions" installations. My most wanting question: How do I make Virtual PC use my hosts video card instead of the POS they install on the program?
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 1,241
    Windows 7 Profesional x86, Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard
       #2

    Short and sweet.

    Using a the host video card is not possible as far as I'm aware in any virtualisation program.

    If you are interested in using Direct 3D, Virtual box has an option (still in beta) to make it work.

    Oli
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 17,545
    Windows 10 Pro x64 EN-GB
       #3

    Just to confirm what Oli already told you, Virtual PC uses emulated hardware and can not use / access your host's GPU. Virtual PC's emulated GPU is S3 Trio 32. Emulated virtual hardware can not be changed or replaced.

    Kari
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 524
    Windows 7 Ultimate 32-Bit
    Thread Starter
       #4

    What exactly is "Virtual Box"? Does this run in Virtual PC or some such?
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 17,545
    Windows 10 Pro x64 EN-GB
       #5

    Oracle VirtualBox (former Sun VirtualBox) and VMWare Player are, like Windows Virtual PC, free virtualization applications which allow you to install different operating systems to a virtual machine, and run it as a virtual computer on your Windows (or MAc, Linux) desktop.

    More information and free download:

    Kari
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 524
    Windows 7 Ultimate 32-Bit
    Thread Starter
       #6

    Okay, thanks. I've used VMWare before, but wasn't really my cup of tea. I'll try the other one.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 17,545
    Windows 10 Pro x64 EN-GB
       #7

    I like VirtualPC, using my Vista Ultimate and XP Mode machines daily.

    That said, in my opinion Oracle VirtualBox is a good alternative if you need more GPU power on your virtual machines. When installing Guest Additions, as VirtualBox calls the integration features, you can even choose to install Direct3D support:

    Microsoft Virtual PC-vb_guest_additions.png

    When installed, Direct3D support allows virtual machines to access host's 3D capabilities:

    Microsoft Virtual PC-vb_display_properties.png

    Notice that you can also use up to 128 MB RAM for emulated GPU. This allows 32-bit True Color:

    Microsoft Virtual PC-vb_true_color.png

    (Pics from Windows 2000, I have no XP installed on VirtualBox)

    Kari
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 433
    Windows 7 Home Premium x64
       #8

    This question has been bugging me for a while...are Windows Virtual PC or WMWare Player x64 programs? I know VirtualBox is x86.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 17,545
    Windows 10 Pro x64 EN-GB
       #9

    These three virtualization platforms all run well both on x86 and x64 systems. It seems to be quite difficult to find information about if they are genuine x64 applications when installed on an x64 system.

    Only indicator I can think now is that VMWare Player is installed in Program Files (x86) folder where Windows 7 x64 installs all 32-bit software and applications, whereas VirtualPC and VirtualBox are installed to Program Files where Win7 x64 installs 64-bit programs.

    Kari
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 587
    Windows 7 x64
       #10

    Klaw117 said:
    This question has been bugging me for a while...are Windows Virtual PC or WMWare Player x64 programs? I know VirtualBox is x86.
    .
    What difference do you feel it would make? It's hard to imagine wanting to allocate more then 4 gigs of ram to a virtual machine
      My Computer


 
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