Info on virtual PCs?

I just discovered that you could run virtual pcs!! I thought the only way to have 2 OS was to dual boot. So umm, let's say I have a Sager with Vista on it. I will be able to have a virtual pc with linux on it? How easy is it to switch from one to another and how much of ram/cpu use will it take? Someone told me that each core of the processor is assigned to an OS, so I would need a dual core for this? And a quad if I would get a 3rd one with leopard?

If someone wants to redirect me to a guide or anything useful go ahead!
I cannot try this yet since my laptop is coming in mid april, so that's why I'm asking.

Thx

 

Not really how it works.
You run a program, which emulates all of the hardware of a new computer.
This runs ON TOP OF your host OS.
You install the operating system on that virtual hardware.
Your system resources will first go to the host OS, then to the client OS.
You can also set limits.
For example, my home computer running Vista X64 with 6GB of RAM has a Windows XP virtual machine with 2GB of RAM allocated for it. I've allowed the virtual machine access to both of my processor cores, though you can limit it to less.

Here's some screenshots from my work computer.
See, it's an application.

Here's windows once it's booted.

 

The assignment of cores (affinity) is program specific. A dual core is more than enough for running the modern systems, virtually. I run W7 within Vista without issue on my T7700. The issue is that many programs is that they do not have quad core support. RAM is the most important issue when running virtual machines. 3-4GB at a minimum would be what I suggest. For a hobbyist, this is enough, but if you plan on doing more in depth virtual work, many utilize 4+. Post up your new Sager's specs and we can have a look, but I am sure that it will cover any virtual requirements.

 

Yes

As easy as loading a virtual machine program and clicking start

You need enough memory for the Host OS (Vista) and the virtual OS (whatever). Aim for the OS sweet spots.

So for example, You need 2gb for Vista, plus 512mb for an XP virtual. You can use less, but it will mean lower performance.

No, works with single core processors.


http://www.freesoftwaremagazine.com/articles/using_virtualbox_to_run_ubuntu

 

You do not need one core per OS. How much RAM/CPU depends on what you are running in each of the two operating systems. How easy is it to switch? It takes no more time than switching between any two application windows.

I use Microsoft's Virtual PC to run an XP "guest" OS with Vista as the host. If I run the XP guest "windowed", that is with the Vista OS visible and XP showing inside a window, the CPU is split between the two OS. But if I use the right alt key and hit enter, the XP session becomes full screen and Vista is hidden. The CPU priority then shifts to the XP session. Vista still runs but as more of a background task. The right alt enter switch is instantaneous. I've never tried, nor had the need, to try a third OS.

Remember you will need a valid license key for each OS.

Gary

 

My laptop will be the Sager NP8662, my specs will be : P9600 (or maybe quad Q9000), 4gb of RAM 1066 mhz, 320 gb 7200 rpm hdd. So will this be enough to run a virtual pc on top of vista?

Now let's say I have a band and we're going to record some lil samples in the summer. The ideal would be of having Leopard as a virtual machine so I can record at my friends house and bring the laptop back to my other friend that has a mac so he can mix it. Would that be possible?

Next autumn I will need Linux so I will probably run it as a virtual pc on top of vista (or Windows 7)

 

If you want to do this, try VirtualBox. I installed it on my EEE and tried running the Windows 7 Beta. VB did not use that many resources, but the experience was a little overkill for the Atom.

 

You can't legally install OSX on a virtual machine, or any machine besides an official mac for that matter. Farther discussion of the matter is disallowed by the NBR forum rules.

 

To be absolutely accurate, Apple modified their EULA to ALLOW the use of Mac OS X Leopard Server on a Virtual Machine on apple hardware.

So, the Mac version of VMWARE can run OS X Leopard server (it was not permissable until last year under any circumstances)

 

Linux does not work well on virtual pc for obvious reasons. However, you can get vmware player and you can even download precompiled os's of choice for it. That way you don't even have to install or configure them. They are just ready to go.

 

I used to use Backtrack in a VM on an almost daily basis...
What are the "obvious" reasons it doesn't work well..?
It's just an emulation of an X86 machine...

 

Why does virtual pc not play well with linux? hmm lets think about who makes virtual pc

 

Info on the new VirtualBox Beta Should run linux better, right?

 

Sorry you said [Microsoft's] Virtual PC. My brain read "Virtual Machine," a much more broad term.

 

Sorry about the leopard, didn't know you couldn't legally install on pc. I know microsoft has a virtual pc, but is there any other brand that offer something similar? And as for the CPU, will a P9600 run everything ok? Even if let's say I would have vista and would play a game on a virtual xp?
Will the Q9000 run better in this situation? (2.0ghz 6mb)

 

VMWARE and SunVirtualBox both run Linux--actually, so does MS Virtual PC sometimes...depends on distro.

A q9000 will definitely run it better, but a p9600 is more than adequate. The key is to have boatloads of memory

 

Ok putting the anti-MS rhetorical phrasing aside, how about answering HOW does it not play well? Do you have some specific examples of problems or issues? I have no first hand experience, but have seen referneces here and elsewhere to other folks being able to run various Linux flavors under MS VPC.

Gary

 

I have had Linux distros load the core OS, but fail to load the desktop managers...not a problem if you are running a server and don't need the gui, but for beginners the command line can be intimidating.

For example, I could not get a linux distro with KDE v 3.5.6 to load recently....

 

For starters, if you attempt to install ubuntu in virtual pc 2007 itll work. and the os will work. but you wont have any mouse. ZERO. it will do a lot but there is zero mouse support, you have to use weird hot keys to move the cursor across the screen, or know all the ubuntu hot keys by heart. not a fun experience. and this is just one of MANY issues Virtual PC has with linux distros.

You are far better off if you wanna run linux in a vm with virtualbox or with vmware player.


ev