Virtual XP Computer

[mvd7793]

I'm thinking about installing XP using virtual PC. I would like to use an old XP install. I have a computer that I'm not using with XP, but I don't want to uninstall it from that. If I can get the old install disks and use that license key, will it work, or do I need a new key?

[HomerJ]

It will work, so long as you haven't activated that same key too many times. I actually did that when I used Windows, but it took several years of reinstalling monthly.

There may be a problem if you connect them both to the same network (or maybe the Internet) but I don't know how Windows handles that.

[mvd7793]

I believe it has only been used once. I don't know how a virtual PC would handle being on a network.

[HomerJ]

With VMWare (a free x86 emulator) the networking can be direct or bridged. With direct, the VM connects and gets its own IP address on the network. With bridged networking, it shares the host (physical) PC's IP address and network connection.

I have the same copy of Windows 2000 running on a PC and on an emulator with bridged networking. Both run at the same time and have no problems. Don't take this as a guarantee that XP will work the same way though.

[mvd7793]

Ok. Thanks for your response. I'll probably try it!

[Hazirak]

With VMWare (a free x86 emulator)...

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm almost positive that isn't free (not including the trial versions). I know VMware player is free, and it lets you run virtual machines, but does it actually let you create them as well?

[Livewire]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm almost positive that isn't free (not including the trial versions). I know VMware player is free, and it lets you run virtual machines, but does it actually let you create them as well?

Similar conversation got started on IRC, it certainly sounded like there was the player and server, which were free, then the workstation and enterprise, which weren't.

Not that it really matters since theres always a way around it. I'll look into it a bit more later, but from what I saw on their website, the server is free if you register for the free serial number.


Looks like it wants company info though, but that hardly matters - make some stuff up but answer as much as possible

But yeah if you know the player's free, then it looks like you might just be able to piece two parts of the puzzle together and get a working VM system

[chrisrulz911]

Yes, I think that VMware is shareware to create servers. Although, there are many other applications like VMware that are similar to what you want I think. Try googling for alternatives.

[Hazirak]

Similar conversation got started on IRC, it certainly sounded like there was the player and server, which were free, then the workstation and enterprise, which weren't.

Not that it really matters since theres always a way around it. I'll look into it a bit more later, but from what I saw on their website, the server is free if you register for the free serial number.


Looks like it wants company info though, but that hardly matters - make some stuff up but answer as much as possible

But yeah if you know the player's free, then it looks like you might just be able to piece two parts of the puzzle together and get a working VM system

I wasn't trying to make the argument it couldn't be obtained for free. ANYTHING is free if you have the tools and willingness to obtain it.

[Livewire]

I wasn't trying to make the argument it couldn't be obtained for free. ANYTHING is free if you have the tools and willingness to obtain it.

I'm not normally one to necro-bump, just wanted to point out that I did indeed get un-lazy and test VMWare Server.

Read their directions on their site - you can get a free serial with essentially zero effort involved. Had mine within 2 minutes, so it does require a serial, but that serial can be obtained FOR FREE FROM THE ORIGINAL SELLER.


Hence VMWare is shareware, but the company is giving away keys for $0.00 and from what I can tell, zero spam. Free in my book.