The definition of a web site that refuses to upgrade is one that does not "understand" anything other than Internet Explorer 6 or 7. For many this is a constant source of frustration for three very good reasons:

1. Internet Explorer 8 has been in existence for almost seven months at the time of this writing. The administrators of these "IE only" web sites couldn’t figure out how to write in support for 8 in this span of time? Apparently not.
2. Many choose not to use IE, but they’re out of luck when certain web sites will only support IE 6/7 and nothing else.
3. Windows 7 comes provided with IE 8 (unless you’re in the UK.) These computers will be on the shelves very soon and in come places already are. What does one do in that situation since they can’t "degrade" to IE 7 or 6 just to get certain web sites to work?

There are two ways to get around problematic web sites like this.

Method 1. Using IE 6 or 7 in WINE for Linux

WINE has had the ability to run a whole bunch of different IEs for some time now. Versions 1 all the way thru 8 are available, but the ones you would be interested in for compatibility’s sake are 6 and 7.

The only problem you may encounter running IE this way is that certain plugins for IE may not work when used in WINE. This is rare, but it can happen if it’s some ActiveX oddball plugin or something like that.

Method 2. Windows 2000 or XP virtual PC

On my Windows 7 desktop I purposely keep a barebones setup of XP running with IE 6 in VirtualBox. When I upgraded to Win 7 I already had an existing fully licensed copy of XP Professional Edition, so that’s what I have used in the virtual PC.

In Windows you have three major choices for computer virtualization, that being the aforementioned VirtualBox, Microsoft’s Virtual PC or VMware. I choose VirtualBox because it operates exactly the same in Windows, Mac or Linux – and I truly like that kind of compatibility because no matter what OS I’m on, VirtualBox is always familiar. However you may like Virtual PC or VMware better as far as your personal preferences are concerned. I will say the easiest of the bunch is Microsoft’s version because it’s very straightforward – but it only works under Windows.

Setting up your virtual PC with IE 6 or 7, and other notes

If you have a fully licensed OEM disc of Microsoft Windows XP, such as I do, this comes with IE 6 as its bundled web browser. What I’ve done in my virtual XP PC is used Microsoft Update to patch up every single thing I possibly could except the browser. This can be done easily. What I have is an XP that does have IE 6 for those web sites that absolutely refuse to work right with anything else.

VirtualBox running XP Professional Edition with the IE 6 browser

A bunch of updates in the virtual PC with XP, including Service Pack 3 – but still on IE 6

It is the fortunate case that web sites that are IE6-only are dwindling slowly but surely off the internet, but instead of embracing multi-browser capability, they’re latching on to IE 7 which is just as bad.

For the time being, I use a virtual XP with IE 6 and if I have to go to 7, this can be downloaded without going to 8 with XP, and I’m sure Microsoft will be keeping this download on their web site for at least a few more years.

Even if you are running XP with IE 8 now and plan to stick with that for a while, you can still use Virtual PC or VirtualBox to install another Windows XP (assuming you have another legal licensed copy) with IE 6 or 7. This will work fine.

The only thing you cannot do is have both IE 7 and 8 in the same Windows OS at the same time. While that would be really great if you could do that, it’s simply not an option. The easiest workaround is to have a virtual PC with a previous-generation browser.

For those of you out there who do not have another legal copy of Windows, my suggestion is to use VirtualBox and install a distribution of Linux, such as Ubuntu, and use IE 6 or 7 via WINE. Most distributions make this very easy to install, and I may even write up another article on how to do just that so it’s even easier for you.

A common issue many have when installing Ubuntu in Virtualbox is that the default virtual resolution is limited to a maxium of 800×600. By installing the Guest Additions that come with Virtualbox, you can easily get any screen res you want. See video for details.

THIS VIDEO IS AVAILABLE IN HD RESOLUTION. Click here to go to the YouTube page and click the “HD” link in the video player.

Virtualbox is for those who would like to run an alternate operating system inside Windows rather than dual-boot. Using this software allows you complete control over a virtual environment. If you have the license, you can install another copy of Windows inside Windows, or a Linux distribution, FreeBSD, OpenBSD, even OS/2 Warp!

Here is an example tutorial of how to set up Linux Mint 5 inside Virtualbox.

(All images can be clicked for full-size versions)

Above is the main Virtualbox screen. From here we click the “New” button at the top left.

Above is the New Virtual Machine Wizard. Click “Next”.

Above is the section where you give your machine a name and choose the OS type. I chose to name mine “Linux Mint 5″ and the OS Type as “unknown” (which is okay for most Linux installs). If you were installing another copy of Windows you would choose the appropriate version from the drop-down menu.

When done, click “Next”

Above is the base memory (i.e. RAM) size that will be allocated to the virtual machine when started. The default is 64MB but that is very, very slow. If you have the RAM available, choose to make the base size at least 512MB.

When done, Click “Next”

Above is where we create our virtual hard disk. Since we have never created one before, we click “New”.

Above is the New Virtual Disk Wizard.

Click “Next”

Above is where we choose our image type.

Dynamic: The disk image will expand as space is needed.

Static: The disk image will be “at full size” when created.

I recommend choosing Dynamic to avoid wasting hard drive space. There performance difference is unnoticeable.

Click “Next”

Above is where we choose our virtual hard disk size. The default is 2GB. For modern operating systems I suggest using at least 8GB unless you intend to run something very old like Windows 98 that would only need 2GB.

When done, click “Next”.

Above is a confirmation of the virtual hard disk settings we’re about to use. Take note of the virtual hard disk location. In Windows this is a file with a .VDI (virtual disk image) extension and is located under your user folder in directory .Virtualbox, subdirectory VDI.

When ready, click “Finish”.

Above, we have now gone back to the screen that was here before we created our virtual hard disk. It’s already selected and ready-to-use. Click “Next”.

Above is a confirmation of the virtual machine we’re about to create. Click “Finish”.

Above, we are now back at the main screen. One virtual machine is listed (the one we just created). Now it’s time to load the operating system on the virtual machine.

Before we load the OS, we’ll need to do some quick modifications.

Anything in the right pane in blue is a setting that can be clicked in Virtualbox.

First we will click on General

Above, I have changed the Video Memory Size to 64MB. The default is 8MB which while adequate makes for screen-draw time very slow.

You will notice that all available settings in this window mimic the blue links on the right pane of the main screen. So instead of clicking OK at the bottom I will click CD/DVD Drive.

Above, I want to mount a CD-ROM drive where the Linux distribution is. I can choose to directly mount the physical optical drive in my computer or use a downloaded ISO image. So I tick the option for “ISO Image File” and click the small folder icon to the right.

Above, after I click the small folder icon I am brought to the Virtual Disk Manager. From here I need to add a downloaded ISO image. So I click “Add” at the top.

Above, I have browsed my hard drive to the location of the downloaded ISO image and added it to the Virtual Disk Manager. I’m done here, so I click “Select” to exit this screen.

Above, the ISO image file is successfully selected. Now I click Audio to the left.

Above, (this is OPTIONAL) I choose to enable the Audio and use Windows DirectSound which is the best choice. Now I click USB.

On this screen I enable the USB controller just in case I want the operating system to be able to access any USB device I plug into my computer.

There’s one more setting I have to check. I click on General again then click the Advanced tab.

I actually do have a floppy drive in my computer, so I uncheck that. In addition I confirm that the machine will boot from the CD/DVD-ROM first and the hard drive second. This is to ensure that when booted I will be able to install the OS.

Now I’m officially done and ready to start the machine. I click OK.

Above, we’re back on the main screen, my machine is ready to go. I click the Start button (top left).

Above, you are first presented with an information box. This tells you that when “inside” the machine the keyboard is captured. And in order to get out of that you must press the right-side CTRL key on your keyboard.

Good information to know.

Click OK.

Above, another information box. It is safe to ignore this warning as the virtual machine will still operate normally. You may get weird display issues only if you’re attempting to install an older OS like OS/2 Warp.

Above, Linux Mint has booted successfully from the ISO image.

Note: You may get a few GNOME warnings. Ignore these. Just get to the desktop.

Now it’s time to install it, so I double-click the Install icon off the desktop.

Above, Mint installing. You can do other things on your computer while waiting for this to complete (it takes time).

REMEMBER: To release the keyboard and mouse to go back to Windows you must press the right-side CTRL key on your keyboard once. To get back inside the virtual session, click inside the virtual desktop again.

Above, Mint is done installing. HOWEVER, DO NOT REBOOT JUST YET. We still have the ISO image mounted and need to unmount that so the virtual machine doesn’t keep booting to the ISO over and over again.

Above, I click Devices then Unmount CD/DVD-ROM. Easy enough.

Now I can reboot. I click the “Restart Now” button in the session.

Above, this is confirmation we are not booting from the ISO image. If you see this, you’re booting direct from the virtual hard disk. Select “generic” and press Enter to boot Mint.

Above, I’ve logged in and will now configure my Linux Mint account.

Above, the Mint Updater. This confirms internet connectivity is working (you could also just use a web browser) and I’ve got lots of updates to apply.

And that’s it. You’re off to the races.