Virtual PC softwares...

Hi,

I would like to know if Virtual PC softwares will work with Rollback RX?
Also, is there any good and free Virtual PC softwares that can works with Rollback Rx?

Thanks,
Atomas31

 

I think basically using rollback rx wouldnt be an issue- it would have nothing to do with using a virtualization utility, as the virtual machine functions as a true pc. Anything that works on a regular computer should work on a virtual machine.

Regarding price, vmware is free, as is microsoft virtual pc, and I think parallels is free also- all good virtualization utilities. See this thread where some of us are discussing the usage of virtual machines:

https://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=157504

best of luck

 

Hi Chrome_Sturmen,

From the three you mention only Microsoft virtual Pc seems to be free. VMWare workstation is 189.00$ US and Parallels workstation is 49.99$ US.

Also, I don't know if I understand right but Microsoft virtual PC must be install on a Windows XP pro wich mean it doesn't work on other Windows XP than pro? Also, if I created a virtual machine with XP, I will also need a new licence for it, is it right?

Thank's
Atomas31

 

vmware server is free

 

isn't there significantly reduced functionality?

 

Hello,

Not really. The only difference between server and workstation is the number of snapshots you take - only one. This means to achieve the same functionality like station, you need more copies of the software you're using - and if it's Windows, then more licences.

So, if you're using server for free and Windows - you get only one snapshot at a time, this means up to 2 versions for testing. If you want 10 versions, you need 5 licences of Windows.

If you're using station, you get unlimited no. of snapshots for 1 licence - so it pays financially for Windows testers.

If you're a Linux fan or you don't give a squat about legal issues, then server is more than enough for you, since you can replicate your virtual machines over and over - as much as hdd space you got.

Player is also nice - but it lacks in the drivers support, which can make some of the machines run at basic settings / performance / no 3D acceleration.

Mrk

 

Hi all,


@Mrk : When you say snapshot are your talking about virtual machine?

I am a little bit lost so I will turn my questions (I only have Windows XP home - one licence) :
If, for exemple, I want to make 2 virtual machine and let's say with Windows XP home (one with my actual configuration and one with just a few of my actual software on it). And from those virtual machine make test and beta test some software and have the possibility to rollback at a point before I test those beta software.

Considering that I have Windows XP with SP 2 home (one licence) and that I don't want to invest big money :
Wich software virtualization will respond do what I am looking (do what I want and at no cost ;-) and works on a Windows XP home as the host?

In my scenario, will I have the need to buy extra licence of Windows or is there a way to do this without the expensive cost to buy new licences?

Thank you very much,
Atomas31

 

Hello,
What's a clone? Copy paste the .vmx and .vmdk into another folder?
I really can't tell you.
Mrk

 

Hello,

Atomas, you posted the same moment as I.

Licensing - I really don't know what evil EULA MS has cooked for us. I really don't. I have bought several licenses for various Windows in my times and I feel like a sucker.

Possibilities are: use a license that is NOT installed on real hardware and then install it in VM. Then, you can snapshot this - from within the VM - and refer to each snapshot - depending how many you have - server / station - and use the two as references for different testing. The thing is you cannot run two snapshots AT ONCE, so it's most likely ok with MS. I guess like real Windows, you can install on several machines, but only one copy will be legally usable at any give time - call it parallel instead of serial installation.

I don't know if it's legal to copy the virtual machine and use two or more copies of it, as parallel installs, if you only have one license. This is something you should check with MS. Call them, explain your situation. It's not as if someone is going to barge into your home and check if you have several virtual machines installed.

Maybe it is possible, but then you are allowed to use only one at the time? Who knows? Just like imaging your system. Aren't the images copies of your operating system? But you're only using ONE of those at the time, the one installed on your PC. Aren't you allowed to backup your installation CD, in case it gets damaged?

So, it's murky and I really don't know the technical legalities to the last detail. My logic tells me you can have copies - call them backups if you wish - but may use only one at the time. This applies for emergency backups of your OS, imaging software, and also maybe VM. Similar to snapshots, they are probably legal, as long as you use ONE at the time, whether due to software limitation - VM limits you to running one snapshot at the time - or moral abstaining from breaking the law, if at all.

Best solution? If you have money and can afford it - spare Windows for real install and VM. If you can't, call the Big Brother.

BTW, in some countries MS permits more than a single pc install.

P.S. I noticed I went from UK spelling of licence to US spelling of license, forgive me.

Mrk

 

Hello,

I run VM on two comps, one single cpu with 2GB, one with dual 1GB ram. Crazily enough, the dual core utilizes the VM much more efficiently despite the ram efficiency - two cores eh?

I like to make small VM, about 3-4GB, at most 5-6Gb. Snapshots take much less when taken offline - when the machine is not started - only a few hundred megs rather than Gigs.

Mrk

 

lol, so are the two mutually inclusive I knew it. !!

Hehehe. This is of course possible. The unbooted VM is just a file system. you can zip it as well. Any file based back-up should be able to do this. BING and IFW will image/copy the host and VM file system to an image if req.

On a serious query: I also have some q's about installing XP to a VM.
If I use VM converter, will my xp need to be reactivated. ??
I dont really know the ins and outs of the million page MS EULA either, but it seems reasonable that if I want to use my XP on MY box then I should be able to.

Regards.

 

Hello,
If you have two copies, but run only one at any give time, do you need 2 licenses? For example, you have a virtual machine on a DVD in storage and another copy of it running on some PC. What about that?
How about disk images and backups? They fall in the same category. OR at least, virtual machines should - as long as you run only one at any given time.
Mrk

 

Thanks Pete

Damn.

What about other paid softwares that require activation and or licence/key? Same issue?

This could get expensive.

Also: I cant see exactly if this has been addressed: If I install VMWare, will FDISR on the host machine be able to snapshot/archive/copy/update the partition/'C' drive with the VM not booted as per normal usage?

Regards.

Edit: @MrK:

Exactly.

Anyone know where we can go to find out some of these issues?

 

Exactly! Too expensive to my taste... And, I don't know if it is also the case with vmware but Microsoft virtual Pc need to be install on a Windows XP PRO not on a Windows XP HOME

Best regards,
Atomas31

 

No, it works on XP Home(microsoft just won't provide support for you).

I have used it before, so I am speaking from experience here.

Cheers,

Alphalutra1