Free Virtual Machine Software?

are there any good but FREE virtual machine software, like VMware? id like to do some testing and cant really pay for virtualization software.

 

You're looking for http://www.virtualbox.org/ it's Sun's open source virtual machine software. Works wonders..

 

http://www.returnilvirtualsystem.com/

I use the free version with no problems

 

Virtual box is and was always the best.

 

Ther is also the free VMware server. It does not have all the features of VMware workstation but works well and it is free.

 

Another vote for VirtualBox

 

VirtualBox++

 

Another for Virtualbox here,IMHO this is the outstanding VM software in it's class.

 

I tried VMware but never used Virtual box before.
Can anyone tell any significant differences or advantages between 2 softwares,if we do not consider money cost?

 

ive installed virtualbox and i love it, its flawless and does its job great so far and i really like the interface, thx for the tips people

only prob now is finding my XP disc xD

 

vmware server

 

What is the highest video memory setting for Virtualbox?

 

dunno man- if anyone here doesnt know offhand try their forums-
http://forums.virtualbox.org/

 

Is it just me or does VirtualBox not have drag and drop support? Seems like a hassle having to setup a shared folder instead of just being able to drag and drop between host and guest like in VirtualPC and VMware

otherwise, virtualbox seems the best overall. it's nice and light

 

At the moment, 128mb is the maximum that can be set. Virtualbox doesn't yet support 3D graphics so large amounts of video ram aren't really needed.

No theres no drag and drop support yet so unfortunately it is a bit of a hassle setting up shared folders. The only thing thats easily transfered from guest to host is data via the shared clipboard.

I don't think anyone has mentioned the free vmware player/converter yet. You can make a virtual machine out of your existing system with vmware converter and then run it using vmware player.

 

Tyvm

 

is there a step by step guide to set up virtual box on xp .....?

 

Plenty of info on the virtualbox website.

http://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/End-user_documentation

Installation on XP is fairly easy, just follow the prompts. Setting up a virtual machine is a little trickier but virtualbox makes it easy for anyone to learn. If you have particular questions feel free to ask, myself and many of the other wilders members are always around to help out.

 

Might be quicker to grab an iso from your install cd and use that to install to the vm.

Here I have several nLited/vLited XP/Vista iso's all saved to another partition with my VHD's/VM's saved there as well as I like to keep C drive as slim as possible which cuts down on defrag time and ghost image size.

The iso's can also be used to create an install cd/dvd if need be.

Using MS Virtual PC 2007 and can't really comment on Vitualbox but I've only read good things about it.

 

VirtualBox for raw performance (no drag and drop file transfers between host and client)
VirtualPC for best usability (most notably drag and drop sytem between host and client file transfers)

I found this to be the biggest factor. VirtualBox is really fast. I mean FAAAAST, but when you have to move files between host and client or vice versa, that becomes a huge problem. That sharing thing, well i never managed to get that thing to work in VirtualBox...

 

from the app options select the host folder u wanna share..then open the vm and open any explorer window..then u select this and from there u can communicate/trade files with the host..really easy
http://www.imageshack.gr/view.php?file=7clhy6w50do0sve6l9eq.jpg

in there is the folder you have selected as shared folder (e.g C/Users/Rejzor)..nothing much really barely 4 clicks
Cheers

p.s we await for vista version of Power Defragmenter

 

hmm im using virtualbox but i still dont understand how to get a folder from my real computer onto my virtual machine, can someone put like a step by step instructions on this plz.

edit: btw how do you people get your malware samples to test?

 

1)
http://www.imageshack.gr/view.php?file=oywh2qdb9a62et0yogrx.jpg
in this picture it shows hot to set a folder from your REAL OS to be visible and writtable by your virtual OS..
2)
That folder can be accessed from your virtual OS in a way that the picture here shows
http://www.imageshack.gr/view.php?file=7clhy6w50do0sve6l9eq.jpg
...e.g you open "my computer" icon and click the icon indicated as step I in the picture above.this will show you that sidebar..from there you expand the "my network places" menu and thats it..when you find that folder you can right click it and make a shortcut of it in your virtual machine's desktop so it can be much easier to acess.

If that still is not working for you you can alternatively write files on a thumb drive and switch them that way since both virtual and rl OS can read that
Cheers