iCore Computer 3-in-1

[aigle]

http://icoresoftware.com/use.html

Seems something like MojoPac. I want to try it. Not sure if I can install it with Eaz-Fix or not?

[Meriadoc]

Operating system-level virtualization or container/isolated virtualization like Parallels Virtuozzo. iCore is x86 host and guest XP with proprietary license, new - released June.

[aigle]

Just wondering if it is good against nasty malware. I don,t expect so.

[Meriadoc]

Pro and cons, not as versatile as usual vms as they cannot host different kernal or OS guest. Container file system is very efficient, but cannot use system snapshots like hardware virtualization. Not much overhead as requests are made by normal means from virtual partition to OS - no emulation.

[Rasheed187]

Now this is the stuff that I´m talking about! It seems like a very interesting tool, now we need to get some reviews. I´m guessing that I won´t be able to install it inside a VM? Of course, trust also plays a big role, I haven´t really found that much info on the web, so everone be careful.

But the idea sure seems cool and exciting, I wonder if it can really isolate all the virtual OSes from each other. Also, it doesn´t make use of a hypervisor, I thought that this was necessary for better security.

-{ Quote: "Container file system is very efficient, but cannot use system snapshots like hardware virtualization." }-

I´ve read that with Hyper V (from M$) it´s possible to create snapshots, and I thought Hyper V also was OS virtualization? I´m a bit confused.

[Peter2150]

May have to give it a play. Time is limited, but when I do I'll post.

Pete

[zopzop]

i agree with rasheed187 this actually looks cool (not to mention useful). is this freeware, shareware or payware? i couldn't tell from visiting the site.

man if this thing protects the mbr against viruses like killdisk and can withstand the various "robodog" type viruses that defy most virtualization software, i'll freaking buy 4 licenses right now! i could setup my family's pcs without having to worry about LUA + SRP software issues! :thumb:

[Acadia]

This is a Russian company. It is definitely free at this point and I believe, but am not positive, that it is in beta.

Acadia

[JRViejo]

Acadia is correct. It's Beta Support (http://icoresoftware.com/support.html) and a WHOIS turns up this:

Domain name: icoresoftware.com

Registrant Contact:
iCore Software, Inc.
Dmitry Golubkov
Udalcova St.
Moscow, Moscow 119415 RU

Administrative Contact:
iCore Software, Inc.
Dmitry Golubkov *******@gmail.com)
+7.9035247705
Fax: +1.5555555555
Udalcova St.
Moscow, Moscow 119415 RU

[aigle]

I tried but can,t go into any snapshot except my default windows one. May be Eaz-Fix is the reason.

[aigle]

-{ Quote: "
man if this thing protects the mbr against viruses like killdisk and can withstand the various "robodog" type viruses that defy most virtualization software, i'll freaking buy 4 licenses right now! i could setup my family's pcs without having to worry about LUA + SRP software issues! :thumb:" }-I am almost sure that it can,t do that. Malware sccessing the HD at deep level will usually bypass such applications. Just my guess though.

[rendez2k]

I've asked some of the questions mentioned here on the iCore forum
(http://icoresoftware.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=14&p=47#p47). Looks like theres good stuff to come, but its not quite there yet. Still, good support. They answered all this in an hour!

-{ Quote: "
rendez2k wrote:Hi, I'm just about to give iCore a test, but have a few questions:

Hi,rendez2k.Thank you for your interest.

1. If iCore just references the original XP files rather than making a copy of them, if something bad happens to my host OS, this will also effect iCore?


1. this is not necessarily so
It you have changed file on virtual computer, then when this file changes inside host OS, this changes aren't visible for virtual computer.


2. Likewise, if I install a new bit of software in iCore that makes changes to core XP files (good or bad), this will again effect both OS's? In this is the case, how good is iCore for testing software?


Now you can't install new software in iCore virtual computer that makes changes to core XP files.
Now you can install only application. It's common feature of OS-level virtualization.

But we are close to start support system software installation inside iCore virtual computers. For example, this will allow you to change to install different antiviruses inside different virtual computers.

3. Does iCore protect against things like virus, MBR altering programs and programs like killdisk (I assume not very well if again, XP files are just referenced)


Yes, it does.
If your Virtual Computer is infected with a virus or any malicious program, any such programs will stay inside of this Virtual Computer without spreading to the rest of your PC.
Killdisk must format only your virtual disk.

4. At the moment the software appears to be free. Is it in beta?


At the moment the software is private beta. Of course, it is free.

Will it eventually become payware?


It seems that some versions will free, others became payware.

5. Any plans to release a USB version like MojoPac?


We can do version like MojoPac. But now we work on improving stability and features addition to our basic version." }-

[rendez2k]

Further update - a new version may be out by the end of the week, including:

-{ Quote: "1. Fixed problems with .Net, "Wallpaper-problem"...
2. Added option to choose VDD size.
3. We try to include services virtualization(one of the results is the ability to install system software on virtual computer)." }-

3 sounds very good :-)

[zopzop]

@rendez2k

thank you so much for that!

this is what caught my eye :
-{ Quote: "3. Does iCore protect against things like virus, MBR altering programs and programs like killdisk (I assume not very well if again, XP files are just referenced)


Yes, it does.
If your Virtual Computer is infected with a virus or any malicious program, any such programs will stay inside of this Virtual Computer without spreading to the rest of your PC.
Killdisk must format only your virtual disk." }-

very nice! who cares if the virtual computer gets killed by killdisk as long as the real system is nice and safe, cool:thumb:

and this caught my eye too :

-{ Quote: "It seems that some versions will free, others became payware." }-

this is fair. that means users can mess around with a freeware version and if they like it upgrade to the full version (just like geswall). awesome!

[aigle]

-{ Quote: "Now you can't install new software in iCore virtual computer that makes changes to core XP files." }-
-{ Quote: "Now you can install only application. It's common feature of OS-level virtualization." }-What,s the difference between the two?

[rendez2k]

I think they mean that you can only install standard applications - nothing that installs services and drivers. But, it sounds like you might be able to by the next beta ;D

[Huupi]

Just tried it,but what can i say....its just in the baby phase.....first its very slow loading between user switch,second most app. load remarkable slow or does'nt work at all i.e. opera give an error message(can't find bla,bla),there has to be done much work on it to get it even in alpha,now for the moment i pass though,but admit that the whole idea is promising.

[Huupi]

-{ Quote: "I think they mean that you can only install standard applications - nothing that installs services and drivers. But, it sounds like you might be able to by the next beta ;D" }-

Then its almost useless,most app.install services and often drivers,to test app. is then too big a claim.

[rendez2k]

-{ Quote: "Then its almost useless,most app.install services and often drivers,to test app. is then too big a claim." }-

This is all true, but the developers are aware of its shortcomings (they have really good forum support) and they have big ideas for future versions. If they achieve just some of it, it will be a killer app. Maybe report the software you had issues with? I did and they are looking at fixes for it.

I also didn't find it slow switching between users and I was testing on an old P4 machine with 128mb ram! Maybe just another beta issue...

[TerryWood]

Hi All

Just tried it. Quite disappointing.

Loads of access violations in the process of setting up the three desktops.

Avast would not work. The virtual desktops were completely different to the real one including wallpaper. Firefox and Thunderbird missing, including sandboxie and many more.

I have NEVER had an install fall so badly short before.

Clearly it needs more work

Beware if you try it

Terry

[rendez2k]

-{ Quote: "Hi All

Just tried it. Quite disappointing.

Loads of access violations in the process of setting up the three desktops.

Avast would not work. The virtual desktops were completely different to the real one including wallpaper. Firefox and Thunderbird missing, including sandboxie and many more.

I have NEVER had an install fall so badly short before.

Clearly it needs more work

Beware if you try it

Terry" }-

I guess avast and sandboxie wouldn't work due to drivers? I'd report the other issues on the forum. Maybe I was just lucky with it all working first time.

[Peter2150]

I tried it in a VM machine. Installed fine. Any attempt to log in to the other machines, resulted in a BSOD. Not encouraging to say the least.

Pete

[icore]

Hi all.
I represent iCore Softrware.

1. rendez2k, thank you for information us about this thread.
2. Thanks all for interest. Thank you for trying out iCore.
3. I inform developers from our stuff about your problems.
Let's discuss your troubleshooting with iCore.

We know why some of your problems are arise. And it fixed or will be fixed.

a.Problems with wallpapers and some others users settings are arise because winlogon service our developers didn't virtualize. It fixed in coming version.

b. Problems with some applications are arise, because there are some mistakes in our register virtualization. We have found the most of them and fixed.
It will be cool if you send relevant portion of log: support(at)icoresoftware.com

c. -{ Quote: " I tried it in a VM machine. Installed fine. Any attempt to log in to the other machines, resulted in a BSOD. Not encouraging to say the least.
" }-
It's possible that we use now static Virtual Disk Driver. When you try to log in
to the other machines, icore did't find 2Gb for VDD.
In coming version we inform users about it.
It will be cool if you mail relevant portion of log: support(at)icoresoftware.com

4. We try to release next version soon.

5. It's private beta.
We work on improving stability and functionality.


Thanks.

[icore]

Hi!

New version of iCore Computer 3-in-1 is available [v2.2.2.221].

NEW:

bugfixed: disabled Virtual LDR Subsystem (fixed .NET)
bugfixed: implemented Dll injection by UserMode APC
bugfixed: added user pages locking/unlocking
bugfixed: added verification of named system objects
bugfixed: changed method of determination of F12 key status: by RIT

fixed: corrected some iCore LPC services
fixed: added self creating user profile
fixed: corrected uninstall

changed restart dialog message
added notification by Eventlog services and system tray messages
added virtualization of named pipes
added virtual services support: The current list of services which are preinstalled in Virtual Computers:

AudioSrv,
CryptSvc,
DcomLaunch,
ERSvc,
Eventlog,
lanmanworkstation,
MSIServer, -- Microsoft Installer Server
NetMan,
PlugPlay,
RpcSs, -- RPC Server
Schedule
Winsock

Please, try new version and send us feedback:

Download: http://icoresoftware.com/download.php

Support: http://www.icoresoftware.com/supoverview.html

Thanks.

[rendez2k]

Thanks! So in reality with the new virtual services support, what kind of applications should and shouldn't be installable now? Are there any issues you're aware about, off certain application not installing? Should a new VM now carry accross all the settings and software properly?

[TerryWood]

Hi

Just downloaded the latest version 20 minutes ago, released late today.

Its awful. I cannot boot into any of the three user accounts. The website is dreadfully slow. Possibly due to the speed of withdrawal from Georgia.

Otherwise not impressed. This is not even alpha software.

Just look at how seamlessly (relatively speaking) other virtualisation software was introduced. Where's the extensive testing before public testing?

Terry

[icore]

Hi
-{ Quote: "
Thanks! So in reality with the new virtual services support, what kind of applications should and shouldn't be installable now? " }-

In theory.
1. All kind of application software should be installable now.
2. The most of tht system software should be installable now.
But now we only added support of the most poular services. List of the supported virtual services will be extend. So system software, that requires not supported services, shouldn't be unstallable now.

-{ Quote: "
Are there any issues you're aware about, off certain application not installing?
" }-
Please, report us name ot such applications.
Thanks

-{ Quote: "
Should a new VM now carry accross all the settings and software properly?
" }-
As shown by our testing, sometimes there is still a problem with the carry accross all the settings of the applications.
It you have problems, please report us: support(at)icoresoftware.com.

Thanks.

[icore]

-{ Quote: "Hi

Just downloaded the latest version 20 minutes ago, released late today.

Its awful. I cannot boot into any of the three user accounts." }-
It's possible arise because, when you try to log in to the other machines, icore did't find 2Gb for VDD. But iCore must inform you about it... Please see at Event Log Windows and inform us.


-{ Quote: "
Otherwise not impressed. This is not even alpha software.

Just look at how seamlessly (relatively speaking) other virtualisation software was introduced. Where's the extensive testing, before public testing?

Terry" }-

Thanks.
As you know we inform only small part of people about private beta testing.
We need such way of testing because it's system software.

[EASTER]

Sorry so many negative returns seem to be the order of the day from this, but it is beta if that's any consolation (i guess).

Would, like many of you, see this develop into a very stable workable version so let's give them the time and room to disassemble the bugs from it's actual working componants and just maybe stability will begin to elevate enough to a point of satisfaction and expectations.

EASTER

[icore]

Easter, thanks for understanding.

[rendez2k]

Well I installed it on a VM and had no installation issues. Then I installed it on a full machine and had no problems again. Its slow when you first create a new VM and go into it but after that its fine.

To be honest though I've noticed little improvement over the last version. The apps I reported in the last beta which loose their registration details in the VM are still doing so and I installed Sunbelt VIPRE AV trial as a test (which failed to start its service in the last beta) and thats still not working! I'm beginning to wonder if I've got the latest version!

It desperately needs the ability to be able to copy my real machine perfectly to a VM with everything working or the ability to set a new clean machine up.

But I agree with EASTER - you have to start somewhere with a product and I'm happy to test and feed back issues. I'm sure one day it will be a great but for now we just have to help. I have issues with software I've paid good money for which are well out of beta that have worse issues than some of these!

Edit: VIPRE worked better when it was installed on the main machine also (but I want to be able to isolate it in the VM!)

[icore]

-{ Quote: "Well I installed it on a VM..." }-

Thanks for feedback.

[Juha L]

Seems iCore released a new version couple of days ago.
Anybody tested it?

[wilbertnl]

Installed current release today, I notice three additional accounts, but I don't seem to be able to login to them.

[NICK ADSL UK]

Quick Details

Kernel Version: 2.3.2.205
Date Published: 29 November, 2008
Language: English
Download Size: 4,71 MB
BUGFIX: Invalid IRQL on MPPAE machine

ADDED FEATURE:
-Isolation from the console session 0, the Session 0 is only used for iCore Host.
-The separate reboots of Virtual Desktops through logoff, processing of the delayed file operations.
-Virtualization of known system dlls
-Simplify GUI installer.

NOTE
This version is realized with the waiting of initializing service RpcSs (so Logon process takes 30-50 seconds).
Sometimes there is reboot waiting.

http://icoresoftware.com/download.php