Virtual PC's

[mainiac]

Does anyone know of any good open-source/free ware applications? I have Windows XP Home Edition. I have heard good things about VMware, but it is not free unfortunately. I plan on using it to test applications before I install them on my physical computer. Thanks.

[Force Flow]

Virtual PC 2007 is freely available:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/virtualpc/default.mspx


I haven't tried it with anything other than Windows O/Ses, but I assume linux is at least supported.

[pam123]

FF has answered you.

Now, what are your plans ?

[mainiac]

Thanks force flow. I was just curious as to what would be a good, free virtual pc because I had previously installed something on my pc and it required me to reformat. I will just be using it to test applications before I install them to my physical computer.

[F525]

I have used both VMware and Virtual PC. And actually, there is a version of VMware that is free. It is called "VMware Server Console". I am running version 1.0.4. You can create your own virtual machines with this version. I am writing this reply to you in a VMware linux virtual machine. It runs great. You will need to register, and then it asks for how many license numbers you want, and the web site gives them to you.

I have also used Virtual PC 2004. It is also very nice. MS does not officially support Linux vm's. But I have installed XP pro, 98, and 95 on Virtual PC vm's. You will need a valid XP license to create an XP vm.

But I like both very much. Give them both a try.

[mainiac]

Thanks I thought that the free vmware was only a trial version.

[sgtspector]

I can second the Virtual PC thumbs up. I use it with several different vm's for testing downloads and running old dos games on a dos6.22 vm just to name a fews good uses..

[mainiac]

Thanks for mentioning that sgtspector it hadn't occurred to me that I could play my old windows 95 games from back in the day. Now I just have to find Windows 95, anyone have any clue as to where I might be able to find it?

P.S. Ok I have VMware up and running and I installed Linux onto it. However, whenever I try to start the operating system it asks for a serial number. I went over to the VMware site and got a serial number, but the thing keeps on telling me that it is invalid. I have tried it with three different serial numbers and none of them has worked. Any help?

[F525]

What version did you download? Mine is called 'VMware Server' version 1.0.4.
Here is the download page where I got mine and also where you get the free license numbers:
http://www.vmware.com/download/server/

I don't get any nags for serial numbers.
HTH

[mainiac]

Thanks I downloaded it again and put in some new serial numbers and this time it worked. Thanks again for all of your help.