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View Full Version : Microsoft Virtual PC 2004 any good?

Haly
03-10-2006, 13:31
Got an option to download it through the Uni's MSDN Academic Program.
Just wondered if it was decent as i don't want to install it and find out it's total crap :D
killerkebab
03-10-2006, 14:38
It has been a huge help to me in setting up unattended WinXP installations, but that is all the use I've ever had for it :D
CliffyG
03-10-2006, 14:41
It's not bad, depends on what you want to do with it really.

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserversystem/virtualserver/software/default.mspx

Can get Virutal Server 2005 Enterprise for free from there. I don't like the web interface of it though.
Daz
03-10-2006, 15:07
As Cliffy says, you can get 2005 for free anyway. Get VMWare server (http://www.vmware.com/server/), it rocks all over it. Don't bother looking at Microsoft virtualisation until the next version is released with Longhorn server, they're too far behind at the moment.
Haly
03-10-2006, 15:08
Fair enough, was just curious :)
Garp
03-10-2006, 16:42
VMWare > * so far that I've seen. By far the fastest and smoothest.

You can nab it free and a little digging around will show you tools (qemu I think it was) to create a new disk image file for use (unless VMWare is now allowing you to create them?)
Daz
03-10-2006, 16:45
You've lost me... VMWare server can create new virtual disks, but I'm assuming that's not what you meant?

VMWare player doesn't have the ability to create vmx files, nor virtual disks, and there are tools available to do that for you. Though they're now negated since the release of server.
Mark
03-10-2006, 18:25
Only thing I should point out with VMWare Server is that (apparently) it supports neither sound nor USB. I use a legit VMWare Workstation at work which supports both. \o/

PS - Virtual PC 2004 supports sound but not USB. Virtual Server 2005 also supports neither.
Daz
03-10-2006, 18:38
Only thing I should point out with VMWare Server is that (apparently) it supports neither sound nor USB.
I thought you were right, but just took this screenie from the add hardware screen on VMWare Server 1.0:

http://dwuk.net/misc/vmware-screen.PNG

I use a legit VMWare Workstation at work which supports both. \o/
Likewise, though the reason I bought it was snapshot management. Really miss it in server.
Mark
03-10-2006, 18:47
Cool, but does it work. :evil:

Might have a whack of that on the laptop then. Can only use Workstation on one PC.