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    Use existing VHD files with XP mode?

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by ScuderiaConchiglia, Oct 22, 2009.

  1. ScuderiaConchiglia

    ScuderiaConchiglia NBR Vaio Team Curmudgeon

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    I am about to install Win 7 in the next few days. I have been using Virtual PC 2007 to host an XP guest OS for some development work I do. I am curious if the new "XP mode" in Win7 will support the use of my existing VHD files? Or will I have to recreate my virtual development environment?

    Gary
     
    ScuderiaConchiglia, Oct 22, 2009
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  2. BenUK

    BenUK Notebook Consultant

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    You can use your existing VHD files. All you need to do if I rememeber right is double click on the config file in the Virtual machine directory and it should open up as normal
     
    BenUK, Oct 22, 2009
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  3. ScuderiaConchiglia

    ScuderiaConchiglia NBR Vaio Team Curmudgeon

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    The VHD files were built when VT was NOT enabled on my machine. I will be enabling VT prior to my switch to Win 7. DO you think the VHD files will still function, given that scenario? I am not sure if the virtualization engine recognizes the VT functionality and adjusts on it's own or if there is some change I need to make to tell it to use this with my older VHD files.

    Gary
     
    ScuderiaConchiglia, Oct 22, 2009
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  4. andygb40

    andygb40 Notebook Deity

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    So far I have no problems running the "old" Virtual machines (windows 2000 and XP) with windows virtual pc in win 7. Both of these we're created using virtual pc 2007 when I had a processor that didn't support VT. I've since upgraded my processor and these work very well. There is a marked improvement in performance when I enable VT.
     
    andygb40, Oct 22, 2009
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  5. ScuderiaConchiglia

    ScuderiaConchiglia NBR Vaio Team Curmudgeon

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    Andygb40,

    Thanks, that is exactly what I wanted to know. Did you have to tell Virtual PC that VT was available or did it detect it on its own?

    Gary
     
    ScuderiaConchiglia, Oct 22, 2009
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  6. Pitabred

    Pitabred Linux geek con rat flail!

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    You probably have to tell it explicitly, but it shouldn't affect your actual virtual machine at all. VT is simply what the host can use to speed up virtual operations... there should be exactly nothing that changes in the guest when it's enabled.
     
    Pitabred, Oct 22, 2009
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  7. ScuderiaConchiglia

    ScuderiaConchiglia NBR Vaio Team Curmudgeon

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    That is pretty much what I had assumed, but just wasn't sure. Thanks for the verification.

    Gary
     
    ScuderiaConchiglia, Oct 22, 2009
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  8. ScuderiaConchiglia

    ScuderiaConchiglia NBR Vaio Team Curmudgeon

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    I pulled the pin tonight and installed Win7, via an in place update. Before I did the Win 7 update adviser suggested I uninstall Virtual PC 2007 before the install. So I did. Now that I am about to reinstall virtual PC I went to this page:

    http://www.microsoft.com/windows/virtual-pc/download.aspx

    But it suggests that I first need to install "Windows XP mode" and then 'Virtual PC" but I know that since I have not yet enabled VT on my machine, I can't run Windows XP mode. So should I :

    a) install it any way.
    b) not bother with it and go straight to Virtual PC
    c) wait until I enable VT and the install both in the order suggested.

    Gary
     
    ScuderiaConchiglia, Oct 25, 2009
    #8