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LangaList, October 9, 2006

More Re: Virtually Running Vista

Our recent piece on running Vista inside Microsoft Virtual PC (VPC) ("Virtual PC Virtually Doesn't Work With Vista" http://langa.com/newsletters/2006/2006-10-05.htm#5 ) generated some useful--- and unexpected--- information from readers about running Vista in virtual environments.

For example, we wrote that "Some users try to install VPC with Windows XP Home Edition, which is incompatible. To run VPC, you'll need Windows XP Pro or 2000 Pro." But one reader ignored warnings that VPC doesn't support XP Home, installed the software and is now running Vista just fine.

Hi Fred, Just wanted to let you know that I am running Vista in Virtual PC 2004 installed in Windows XP Home Edition (SP2) and it works quite well, except for the fact that there is no sound. I'm sure you know that Virtual PC 2004 uses a virtualized Sound Blaster 16 ISA card, which Vista does not support. The lack of sound with Vista running in VPC 2004 is well known and there is no solution as far as I know.

I have tested both Vista RC1 (build 5600) and the later build 5728. Both were unacceptably slow until I installed the Virtual Machine Additions for Vista Beta 2. After installing the Beta 2 additions, Vista runs very well within VPC.

When you first install Virtual PC 2004 on XP Home, a warning message informs you that Home Edition is not supported, but allows you to go ahead with the install. As mentioned it works just fine for me. Regards, ---Dave Anderson

Another is running Vista in VMware's Virtual Server.

Hi Fred / Mike, Glad to see you're back, excellent mag. I've been a MS VPC user for few years now but have now moved over to VMware's free Virtual Server ( http://www.vmware.com/products/server/ ) which, despite the name, can work as stand-a-lone virtual PC. I've found it faster the MS's, has imported all my MS VPC "computers" and, best of all, run Vista. ---Dennis

And yet another points out one reason why VMWare isn't for everyone.

VMWare doesn't support SATA drives at all. People should know these things, they are both show-stoppers for me. ---Doug

Thanks to all who wrote in!

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All articles posted on 2006-10-09:

LangaList	Still *More* Extra Content!
LangaList	Mo' Betta Linuxes
LangaList	MFT Needs Its Space
LangaList	More Re: Virtually Running Vista
LangaList	Covering Your LCD Assets
LangaList	Still Not Getting The Messages
LangaList	Is This Newsletter Interesting? Useful?
LangaList	Well Documented Document Error
LangaList	They Loaded The Code
LangaList Plus	How To Get A Detailed View
LangaList	Just For Grins