Ichinisan
Lifer
I have been working on the computer systems at a local dentist's office. After a system, crash, we had to replace the "server" machine in a hurry and migrate the commercial software and database onto a new machine. The two identical Dell computers have been replaced with two identical new Compaq computers. Both are Compaq computers that shipped with Windows Vista Home Basic. The commercial application that we use (Dentrix) is not compatible with Windows Vista. Windows XP systems are not available at local retailers, so these Vista systems were purchased in desperation to develop an immediate solution.
Windows XP was not installed natively due to time constraints. Instead, it was installed and updated in a virtual machine using Microsoft Virtual PC 2007. The entire virtual machine was copied to the other computer to avoid wasting time for a second install. The second virtual machine was modified to have a unique MAC ID, network name, and Windows product key.
Both Windows Vista "host" operating systems share folders that are visible to each other and visible to both Windows XP "guest" operating systems. Likewise: Both guest OS' have network shares that are visible to each other and both host OS'.
Both Vista "hosts" and both XP "guests" are all using static IP configurations and do not conflict.
So far, these machines are identical except where they must be unique (4 network names, 4 MAC ID's, IP's, etc).
One computer has the commercial software installed as the "server" containing customer/transaction databases and such. The other is installed as a "client" and has the same functions, but accesses the same database from the "server".
The "client" computer keeps dropping off of the network. Restarting the router seems to make it accessible again. We've tried 6 different routers of various consumer brands, each with the latest firmware updates installed and DHCP feature disabled. The problem remains. I can't help but think that consumer grade routers are easily confused by having two sockets occupied and 4 MAC ID's between them...but they shouldn't be! Is having a virtual machine with it's own MAC ID behind your PC's NIC confusing the router? This seems to be the way that Microsoft Virtual PC was designed to work.
I know that the current setup is not optimal (XP running in a virtual machine), but the logistics have not worked out for me to return on a day when the office is occupied and the commercial software's support lines are open. The time spent to install Windows XP natively and migrate the commercial software/database (possibly on both computers) would cause significant interference in the office's ability to handle customers.
I'm not a certified network technician. I know only what I've picked up by troubleshooting PC's as an A+ certified PC tech. If there's any way to diagnose what's causing the network instability and correct it without having to redo all software, I'd love to try it!
Any suggestions, friends?
Windows XP was not installed natively due to time constraints. Instead, it was installed and updated in a virtual machine using Microsoft Virtual PC 2007. The entire virtual machine was copied to the other computer to avoid wasting time for a second install. The second virtual machine was modified to have a unique MAC ID, network name, and Windows product key.
Both Windows Vista "host" operating systems share folders that are visible to each other and visible to both Windows XP "guest" operating systems. Likewise: Both guest OS' have network shares that are visible to each other and both host OS'.
Both Vista "hosts" and both XP "guests" are all using static IP configurations and do not conflict.
So far, these machines are identical except where they must be unique (4 network names, 4 MAC ID's, IP's, etc).
One computer has the commercial software installed as the "server" containing customer/transaction databases and such. The other is installed as a "client" and has the same functions, but accesses the same database from the "server".
The "client" computer keeps dropping off of the network. Restarting the router seems to make it accessible again. We've tried 6 different routers of various consumer brands, each with the latest firmware updates installed and DHCP feature disabled. The problem remains. I can't help but think that consumer grade routers are easily confused by having two sockets occupied and 4 MAC ID's between them...but they shouldn't be! Is having a virtual machine with it's own MAC ID behind your PC's NIC confusing the router? This seems to be the way that Microsoft Virtual PC was designed to work.
I know that the current setup is not optimal (XP running in a virtual machine), but the logistics have not worked out for me to return on a day when the office is occupied and the commercial software's support lines are open. The time spent to install Windows XP natively and migrate the commercial software/database (possibly on both computers) would cause significant interference in the office's ability to handle customers.
I'm not a certified network technician. I know only what I've picked up by troubleshooting PC's as an A+ certified PC tech. If there's any way to diagnose what's causing the network instability and correct it without having to redo all software, I'd love to try it!
Any suggestions, friends?
