Virtual PC on Windows 7 RC

[bupkus]

I just downloaded and installed the newly(?) available Virtual PC and XP Mode software from MS.
It benefits me by allowing me to unplug an XP PC I networked to my Windows 7 machine cause I didn't have drivers for my Laser Printer past XP.
Now I can use my printer from the Virtual XP in my host Win7 machine.

I'm wondering now about using Windows Update and antivirus SW for the virtual XP.

Sadly, these downloads are intended only for the Professional and Ultimate versions of Windows 7. If I had known that during the discount period I would have placed a pre-release purchase for Professional instead of Home Premium. 🙁

 

[Qbah]

So... where's the question? 😛

Anyway, I guess you could buy an upgrade from Home Premium to Professional after they hit retail? Though I'm not sure something like that is available.

 

[RebateMonger]

There may be Win7 Pro update packages available on eBay for a discounted (from full Retail) price after Oct. 22.

Also, Windows Anytime Upgrade will be available to go from Home Premium to Professional for $90. That'd put your total cost at about $140. No need to re-install anything. It's just a new license Key.

 

[Dari]

Wait, the XP mode in Windows 7 can install device drivers not compatible with Windows 7? This even works with the 64-bit version of Windows 7?

 

[RebateMonger]

Originally posted by: Dari
Wait, the XP mode in Windows 7 can install device drivers not compatible with Windows 7?

XP Mode doesn't install any drivers at all. XP thinks it's running in a computer from 1993, with a Soundblaster audio card and a S3 Trio video card. The only thing "modern" about it is that it can access USB devices hooked to the "mother" computer. XP Mode provides a "basic" XP computer with old, "compatible" hardware, and allows carelessly-written older software to do things that are "illegal" in Vista and W7.

 

[Dari]

Originally posted by: RebateMonger

Originally posted by: Dari
Wait, the XP mode in Windows 7 can install device drivers not compatible with Windows 7?

XP Mode doesn't install any drivers at all. XP thinks it's running in a computer from 1993, with a Soundblaster audio card and a S3 Trio video card. The only thing "modern" about it is that it can access USB devices hooked to the "mother" computer. XP Mode provides a "basic" XP computer with old, "compatible" hardware, and allows carelessly-written older software to do things that are "illegal" in Vista and W7.

So I can install a USB scanner from 1998 that won't work on my Vista 64-bit laptop if I upgrade to Windows 7? Like the OP, I have an old XP laptop networked just for this purpose. Unless I read him wrong, he could not use this printer in Windows 7, correct?

 

[ViRGE]

Originally posted by: Dari
So I can install a USB scanner from 1998 that won't work on my Vista 64-bit laptop if I upgrade to Windows 7?

You may be able to get away with it; really there's no way to know without testing it.

 

[bupkus]

Originally posted by: Dari

Originally posted by: RebateMonger

Originally posted by: Dari
Wait, the XP mode in Windows 7 can install device drivers not compatible with Windows 7?

XP Mode doesn't install any drivers at all. XP thinks it's running in a computer from 1993, with a Soundblaster audio card and a S3 Trio video card. The only thing "modern" about it is that it can access USB devices hooked to the "mother" computer. XP Mode provides a "basic" XP computer with old, "compatible" hardware, and allows carelessly-written older software to do things that are "illegal" in Vista and W7.

So I can install a USB scanner from 1998 that won't work on my Vista 64-bit laptop if I upgrade to Windows 7? Like the OP, I have an old XP laptop networked just for this purpose. Unless I read him wrong, he could not use this printer in Windows 7, correct?

Exactly.
My printer is a Konica-Minolta PagePro 1350W. There are no drivers for Vista or Windows 7. Still, I tried installing the drivers for Windows XP onto Windows 7 and no joy. I then tried running the driver installer in "Windows XP (Service Pack 2)" compatibility mode. Nada.
No problem installing and running in the Virtual PC with the downloadable Windows XP. I have XP licenses, but if you don't and even if you do, I would use the free downloadable.

In fact, if my CanoScan LIDE 30 didn't just bite the dust, I'd be using that as well

 

[Dari]

Originally posted by: bupkus

Originally posted by: Dari

Originally posted by: RebateMonger

Originally posted by: Dari
Wait, the XP mode in Windows 7 can install device drivers not compatible with Windows 7?

XP Mode doesn't install any drivers at all. XP thinks it's running in a computer from 1993, with a Soundblaster audio card and a S3 Trio video card. The only thing "modern" about it is that it can access USB devices hooked to the "mother" computer. XP Mode provides a "basic" XP computer with old, "compatible" hardware, and allows carelessly-written older software to do things that are "illegal" in Vista and W7.

So I can install a USB scanner from 1998 that won't work on my Vista 64-bit laptop if I upgrade to Windows 7? Like the OP, I have an old XP laptop networked just for this purpose. Unless I read him wrong, he could not use this printer in Windows 7, correct?

Exactly.
My printer is a Konica-Minolta PagePro 1350W. There are no drivers for Vista or Windows 7. Still, I tried installing the drivers for Windows XP onto Windows 7 and no joy. I then tried running the driver installer in "Windows XP (Service Pack 2)" compatibility mode. Nada.
No problem installing and running in the Virtual PC with the downloadable Windows XP. I have XP licenses, but if you don't and even if you do, I would use the free downloadable.

In fact, if my CanoScan LIDE 30 didn't just bite the dust, I'd be using that as well

Do you need VPC in order for the XP mode to work? I thought you could not install any drivers in VPC? I have it on my 64-bit Vista and, AFAIK it doesn't see my USB inputs.

 

[bupkus]

Originally posted by: RebateMonger

Originally posted by: Dari
Wait, the XP mode in Windows 7 can install device drivers not compatible with Windows 7?

XP Mode doesn't install any drivers at all. XP thinks it's running in a computer from 1993, with a Soundblaster audio card and a S3 Trio video card. The only thing "modern" about it is that it can access USB devices hooked to the "mother" computer. XP Mode provides a "basic" XP computer with old, "compatible" hardware, and allows carelessly-written older software to do things that are "illegal" in Vista and W7.

Fortunately, it also accesses the network circuitry, the hard drive and video card.
I haven't tested for performance nor do I intend to, but I don't know if it would benefit from installing video drivers onto the virtual XP.

 

[bupkus]

Originally posted by: Dari

Originally posted by: bupkus

Originally posted by: Dari

Originally posted by: RebateMonger

Originally posted by: Dari
Wait, the XP mode in Windows 7 can install device drivers not compatible with Windows 7?

XP Mode doesn't install any drivers at all. XP thinks it's running in a computer from 1993, with a Soundblaster audio card and a S3 Trio video card. The only thing "modern" about it is that it can access USB devices hooked to the "mother" computer. XP Mode provides a "basic" XP computer with old, "compatible" hardware, and allows carelessly-written older software to do things that are "illegal" in Vista and W7.

So I can install a USB scanner from 1998 that won't work on my Vista 64-bit laptop if I upgrade to Windows 7? Like the OP, I have an old XP laptop networked just for this purpose. Unless I read him wrong, he could not use this printer in Windows 7, correct?

Exactly.
My printer is a Konica-Minolta PagePro 1350W. There are no drivers for Vista or Windows 7. Still, I tried installing the drivers for Windows XP onto Windows 7 and no joy. I then tried running the driver installer in "Windows XP (Service Pack 2)" compatibility mode. Nada.
No problem installing and running in the Virtual PC with the downloadable Windows XP. I have XP licenses, but if you don't and even if you do, I would use the free downloadable.

In fact, if my CanoScan LIDE 30 didn't just bite the dust, I'd be using that as well

Do you need VPC in order for the XP mode to work? I thought you could not install any drivers in VPC? I have it on my 64-bit Vista and, AFAIK it doesn't see my USB inputs.

Did you notice the row of buttons along the top left edge of the virtual window?

 

[bupkus]

Let me not confuse.

The XP mode I spoke of when I described the installation of the printer drivers was a property of a file residing in my download folder inside windows 7.
You know... the old right click on a file in windows explorer and clicking on properties.

Not to be confused with the "Windows XP Mode RC" at
http://www.microsoft.com/windo...rtual-pc/download.aspx

Do you need VPC in order for the XP mode to work? I thought you could not install any drivers in VPC? I have it on my 64-bit Vista and, AFAIK it doesn't see my USB inputs.

Q1: Yes, or so I am led to believe. (follow above link)
Q2: I installed all the security updates from windows update and it seems to work. I didn't bother with drivers as all I wanted it for was USB hardware.
However, I can't seem to be able to install either of the 2 updates for Dreamweaver 8 in windows 7. I'm going to try in the VPC. I'm hopeful.
Why don't I just buy the latest version of Dreamweaver by Adobe? Besides the cash issue, there's my desire to wait until I can buy a version made for Windows 7.
Q3: VPC in 64-bit Vista sees no USB? I'm using 64-bit Windows 7. I thought I read that these downloads would run in Vista as well. I don't recall.
But regardless, look for those 4 buttons on the top left edge of the window:
* Action v [ I use the letter "v" to indicate a drop-down list ]
* USB v
* Tools v
* Ctrl+Alt+Del

With my printer, first I installed the drivers inside the Virtual XP. Then as the drivers directed, I plugged in the printer and turned it on. Then, I used the USB button which listed my "PP1350W Shared". I selected and then the virtual xp notified me that the printer was installed and working.

 

[Dari]

Originally posted by: bupkus

Originally posted by: Dari

Originally posted by: bupkus

Originally posted by: Dari

Originally posted by: RebateMonger

Originally posted by: Dari
Wait, the XP mode in Windows 7 can install device drivers not compatible with Windows 7?

XP Mode doesn't install any drivers at all. XP thinks it's running in a computer from 1993, with a Soundblaster audio card and a S3 Trio video card. The only thing "modern" about it is that it can access USB devices hooked to the "mother" computer. XP Mode provides a "basic" XP computer with old, "compatible" hardware, and allows carelessly-written older software to do things that are "illegal" in Vista and W7.

So I can install a USB scanner from 1998 that won't work on my Vista 64-bit laptop if I upgrade to Windows 7? Like the OP, I have an old XP laptop networked just for this purpose. Unless I read him wrong, he could not use this printer in Windows 7, correct?

Exactly.
My printer is a Konica-Minolta PagePro 1350W. There are no drivers for Vista or Windows 7. Still, I tried installing the drivers for Windows XP onto Windows 7 and no joy. I then tried running the driver installer in "Windows XP (Service Pack 2)" compatibility mode. Nada.
No problem installing and running in the Virtual PC with the downloadable Windows XP. I have XP licenses, but if you don't and even if you do, I would use the free downloadable.

In fact, if my CanoScan LIDE 30 didn't just bite the dust, I'd be using that as well

Do you need VPC in order for the XP mode to work? I thought you could not install any drivers in VPC? I have it on my 64-bit Vista and, AFAIK it doesn't see my USB inputs.

Did you notice the row of buttons along the top left edge of the virtual window?

I have Vista running VPC. The top left edge has ACTION, EDIT, CD, FLOPPY, HELP. It has nothing regarding USB.

 

[bupkus]

That sucks.

Did you use the downloads I list in a previous post?

 

[Dari]

Originally posted by: bupkus
That sucks.

Yeah. But I guess this is a good reason to upgrade to Windows 7.

Hopefully, it'll install any drivers for the 64-bit version, not just 64-bit XP drivers.

 

[bupkus]

Before downloading the 2 before mentioned files, MS makes you select both the version of Windows 7 you are running (32-bit vs 64-bit) and the language you require.

When you uncompress the Windows XP Mode RC you are given both a 32-bit and 64-bit file.
Why?
Left begging the question:
Why make me choose if I'm going to get both anyway?
My best guess is either:
1. for statistical information or
2. when I choose 64-bit Windows 7 I can install either a 64-bit XP or a 32-bit XP. I wonder now if I were to select 32-bit Windows 7 would the download only include the 32-bit version of XP?
Reason suggests that Windows 7 64-bit can run a virtual XP in either 32 or 64 bit. I wouldn't expect to be able to run virtual XP in 64-bit if the Windows 7 host being used is of the 32-bit variety.
All speculation until someone does the leg work.

 

[RebateMonger]

Originally posted by: Dari
I have Vista running VPC. The top left edge has ACTION, EDIT, CD, FLOPPY, HELP. It has nothing regarding USB.

Microsoft's Virtual PC has never supported USB. That's the one thing that's always sucked about it.

USB support in the W7-specific version is VERY sweet.

But folks should know that the built-in virtualization is only available in W7 Professional and Ultimate, and ONLY works if your CPU supports hardware virtualization. A LOT of Intel CPUs in current PCs do NOT support Intel VT extensions. Intel has added this feature to all i7 processors and is also adding it to many new Core2 processors. Check for the VT extensions before assuming that the W7 virtualization will work on your PC.

 

[Dari]

Originally posted by: bupkus
Before downloading the 2 before mentioned files, MS makes you select both the version of Windows 7 you are running (32-bit vs 64-bit) and the language you require.

When you uncompress the Windows XP Mode RC you are given both a 32-bit and 64-bit file.
Why?
Left begging the question:
Why make me choose if I'm going to get both anyway?
My best guess is either:
1. for statistical information or
2. when I choose 64-bit Windows 7 I can install either a 64-bit XP or a 32-bit XP. I wonder now if I were to select 32-bit Windows 7 would the download only include the 32-bit version of XP?
Reason suggests that Windows 7 64-bit can run a virtual XP in either 32 or 64 bit. I wouldn't expect to be able to run virtual XP in 64-bit if the Windows 7 host being used is of the 32-bit variety.
All speculation until someone does the leg work.

I would assume the vast majority of people would want 32-bit...that's where the drivers are🙂

Originally posted by: RebateMonger

Originally posted by: Dari
I have Vista running VPC. The top left edge has ACTION, EDIT, CD, FLOPPY, HELP. It has nothing regarding USB.

Microsoft's Virtual PC has never supported USB. That's the one thing that's always sucked about it.

USB support in the W7-specific version is VERY sweet.

But folks should know that the built-in virtualization is only available in W7 Professional and Ultimate, and ONLY works if your CPU supports hardware virtualization. A LOT of Intel CPUs in current PCs do NOT support Intel VT extensions. Intel has added this feature to all i7 processors and is also adding it to many new Core2 processors. Check for the VT extensions before assuming that the W7 virtualization will work on your PC.

I have it. I guess I now have a compelling reason to upgrade to Windows 7. However, I think I will get a Technet account before upgrading. Paying over $200 for one program is crazy when I can pay a little more and get far more in return.

 

[Dari]

BTW, is it possible to migrate your programs from the old XP VPC to the new one? I also have a lot of scientific and engineering programs in my VPC that are incompatible with Vista 64-bit and I hate calling their tech support to install it into a new computer.

 

[Athena]

You should be able to just open an existing virtual machine in the new version -- just add it to the console.

 

[Athena]

Originally posted by: RebateMonger
But folks should know that the built-in virtualization is only available in W7 Professional and Ultimate, and ONLY works if your CPU supports hardware virtualization.

...and it is enabled by the BIOS. My Dell Optiplex 740 has an AMD proccessor that "supports" virtualization but I have yet to find a way to actually enable it 😕

That's another reason I'll be sticking with VMWare.

 

[bupkus]

Originally posted by: Athena

Originally posted by: RebateMonger
But folks should know that the built-in virtualization is only available in W7 Professional and Ultimate, and ONLY works if your CPU supports hardware virtualization.

...and it is enabled by the BIOS. My Dell Optiplex 740 has an AMD proccessor that "supports" virtualization but I have yet to find a way to actually enable it 😕

That's another reason I'll be sticking with VMWare.

[What follows will reveal the authors complete lack of understanding of virtualization.]
So what is all the fuss about hardware based virtualization if VMWare doesn't need it?

 

[Dari]

Originally posted by: Athena
You should be able to just open an existing virtual machine in the new version -- just add it to the console.

Right. IIRC, XP is just a folder in my C drive. I can just move it, no problem?

 

[Athena]

Originally posted by: Dari
Right. IIRC, XP is just a folder in my C drive. I can just move it, no problem?

You don't have to "move" anything. Just select the option to use an existing VM when you create a new machine then navigate to wherever the old .vhd is located.

 

[Dari]

Originally posted by: Athena

Originally posted by: Dari
Right. IIRC, XP is just a folder in my C drive. I can just move it, no problem?

You don't have to "move" anything. Just select the option to use an existing VM when you create a new machine then navigate to wherever the old .vhd is located.

Thank you very much. I haven't touched Windows 7 so I don't know much other than what I've seen or heard.