How do I choose between vmware & virtualpc?

[Jassi]

Hi,

I am having some WinXp compatibility issues with a piece of code written a really long time ago. Its forcing us to compile and run it on a win 98 system with a very old compiler (I have already tried the compatibility option in XP to no avail). I am hoping that if we can get it to work using vmware/virtualpc, I might be able to re-engineer it to work on our WinXp systems. So my questions are:

1 - How do I choose between the 2 software options? All I need to do is install 98, the compiler and test the code.

2 - Is there a guide to both programs? I am pretty new to both so any and all help will go a long way.

Thanks,
Jassi

 

[n0cmonkey]

VMWare is pretty self explanatory. I never found a guide, and managed to use it.

 

[spherrod]

Both are very easy to use - you'll pick it up no problems

 

[Drakkon]

1. http://arstechnica.com/reviews/apps/vm.ars/1
Just the the trials (both have them) and try both out to see whcih you can work with better

2. VirtualPC has wizards that step you right through the process...once virtual machine is started you stick in your install CD and its just like any other setup/installation routine...

 

[Jassi]

The problem is that I have already tried it once with a Win98 cd on a decent WinXP system and it didnt work. I don't know where to start troubleshooting because there were no error indications. The only thing it said was that it failed to recognize the cd.

Question - If the system I am using is formatted in NTFS, will installing 98 require any special configurations for the virtual machine?

 

[spherrod]

Originally posted by: Jassi
The problem is that I have already tried it once with a Win98 cd on a decent WinXP system and it didnt work. I don't know where to start troubleshooting because there were no error indications. The only thing it said was that it failed to recognize the cd.

Question - If the system I am using is formatted in NTFS, will installing 98 require any special configurations for the virtual machine?

So you set up a Virtual PC on Windows XP and then created a 98 Virtual Machine - when you tried to install it failed to recognise the CD?

You should have no issues using an NTFS System, VMWare/Virtual PC will emulate whatever is required for each OS.

 

[Jassi]

Originally posted by: spherrod

So you set up a Virtual PC on Windows XP and then created a 98 Virtual Machine - when you tried to install it failed to recognise the CD?

Yes, it was a legit full version of 98.

 

[spherrod]

should have worked fine! what error exactly did you get - you said it failed to recognise the CD, was this when you tried to boot from the CD or did you get the message later?

 

[Jassi]

Originally posted by: spherrod
should have worked fine! what error exactly did you get - you said it failed to recognise the CD, was this when you tried to boot from the CD or did you get the message later?

I don't know the error code off hand but it occurred when I tried to boot from the cd in order to install the os. I might be able to get in to the lab and find the exact code tomorrow.

 

[spherrod]

Try booting off a 98 boot disk and then running the install from the CD - was it VMWare or Virtual PC you were trying? Did you create the machine using a wizard?

 

[Jassi]

Originally posted by: spherrod
Try booting off a 98 boot disk and then running the install from the CD - was it VMWare or Virtual PC you were trying? Did you create the machine using a wizard?

vmware and that was exactly what I tried. I will try to post a screenshot tomorrow.

 

[spherrod]

A screenshot would be handy - I've recently set up a QA lab on an XP machine with VMWare emulating 98, ME, 2000, XP SP1 and Ubuntu so it is possible

Check that the floppy and CD drive are set to 'Connected' on the Virtual machine

 

[Smilin]

Originally posted by: Jassi

Originally posted by: spherrod
Try booting off a 98 boot disk and then running the install from the CD - was it VMWare or Virtual PC you were trying? Did you create the machine using a wizard?

vmware and that was exactly what I tried. I will try to post a screenshot tomorrow.

Windows 98 is not a bootable CD.

You'll likely have trouble doing that in VMWare OR VPC

 

[Drakkon]

Originally posted by: Smilin

Originally posted by: Jassi

Originally posted by: spherrod
Try booting off a 98 boot disk and then running the install from the CD - was it VMWare or Virtual PC you were trying? Did you create the machine using a wizard?

vmware and that was exactly what I tried. I will try to post a screenshot tomorrow.

Windows 98 is not a bootable CD.

You'll likely have trouble doing that in VMWare OR VPC

Windows 98 SE was a bootable CD thats the way i got my 98 VM going...

 

[spherrod]

Originally posted by: Drakkon

Originally posted by: Smilin

Originally posted by: Jassi

Originally posted by: spherrod
Try booting off a 98 boot disk and then running the install from the CD - was it VMWare or Virtual PC you were trying? Did you create the machine using a wizard?

vmware and that was exactly what I tried. I will try to post a screenshot tomorrow.

Windows 98 is not a bootable CD.

You'll likely have trouble doing that in VMWare OR VPC

Windows 98 SE was a bootable CD thats the way i got my 98 VM going...

:thumbsup:

 

[ActuaryTm]

Originally posted by: spherrod
Both are very easy to use - you'll pick it up no problems

Agreed.

Both offer free trials. Would take advantage of such.