[machv]

where can i get a copy of a free "virtual PC" program that will run under these parameters:- windows vista, toshiba satellite L350D-01M. AMD AthlonX2 2ghz 3gb ram. I have very limited experience with a virtual pc, how do you install the operating system on one too. Also is it true that if u r running a virtual pc u can avoid infecting your computer with viruses, that the virtual pc gets them and doesn`t pass them on to your computer?

[Squashman]

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en
http://www.virtualbox.org/

Take your pick. Both work well.

edit: I should note that Virtual PC will not run on Vista Home Premium as the Host OS.

[fairnooks]

Also is it true that if u r running a virtual pc u can avoid infecting your computer with viruses, that the virtual pc gets them and doesn`t pass them on to your computer?

For the most part that's true, if the virtual OS gets infected, have a copy ready to go and just toss the infected one and substitute the backup. A lot of virtual OSs get set up either right away or at some point with non-virtual shares so data is much more convenient to access and doesn't have to be duplicated and "injected" or created and exported from the virtual environment; which also leaves some vulnerability to malware migration to the non-virtual OS, but the risk is certainly lower.

[lunarlander]

You install an OS into the virtual machine just like the way you install it onto any PC. You make a new VM, and specify how big the virtual hard drive will be. Then you boot it and it will take over the DVD drive. Insert your OS CD/DVD and it will start installing.

You will need a separate Windows license if you want to install Windows into your VM. I think MS gives you 30 days to activate Windows. You can of course install Linux into your VM and its free forever, but then you can't run Windows programs and you'll need to learn to use Linux apps. I don't find Linux difficult, but then I took computer science courses when I was in university.

When you run a virus/malware in a VM, the infection stays contained inside the VM. Lets say you pirated a infected copy of MS Office and installed it into the VM Windows. When you run it, it will infect the Windows VM. But it stays contained within the VM and can't infect your outside/real Windows. But what if the virus makes the VM run wierd, misbehave and locks up the VM? You would need to disinfect it with antivirus tools just as if there was an infection in your real/outside Windows. Or you can delete the VM and use a backup of it, which probably doesnt have up to date data files, and you need to restore the data files that you backed up. So, in this scenario, using a virtual machine as a virus shield seems to incur almost the same amount of work. You do get to save a hour or two because you don't have to reinstall Windows.

[machv]

thanks. had trouble with microsofts vp prog so i used sun virtual box. only problem i have now is that i dont get usb support for my flash drives and the flash drive has the wireless driver for xp so that i can go on the internet with the vm. which is the only reason for the vm in the first place ggggggrrrrrrr aaaaaahhhhhh

[lunarlander]

Try setting the VM's network to use "bridge".

[Squashman]

Originally Posted by machv

thanks. had trouble with microsofts vp prog so i used sun virtual box. only problem i have now is that i dont get usb support for my flash drives and the flash drive has the wireless driver for xp so that i can go on the internet with the vm. which is the only reason for the vm in the first place ggggggrrrrrrr aaaaaahhhhhh

MV VPC does not have USB support.
I though Virtual Box did have USB support. The documentation says it does. But you should be able to use the Bridged Mode as stated earlier.

[machv]

i finally got usb support, but now when i run the setup prog for my atheros wireless device the setup installer says that it doesn't exist? sorry for being such an imbecile and probably asking such duh questions.

[fairnooks]

Not a duh question at all; I've never even tried wireless; all my installs have resulted in an automatic working virtual wired network adapter using VMPlayer, so I wouldn't know what to do if it didn't work.

Is there anything showing up in the network adapter configuration window?

[lunarlander]

There is no wireless. Remember, the Virtualbox is software written to pretend its a real PC, and the hardware emulation can only emulate a regular network card. Set the network mode to "bridge" and it should bridge over to the real/outside PC's wireless network card.

[machv]

i found out how to get internet access. i bridged the adapter and selected my wireless as the er source adapter from the host machine. in settings. i have to say this though that the sun vm manual isn't very user friendly for the simple things like that. i had to trial and error the whole thing till i stumbled upon the dammned thing. installing drivers for the ethernet doesn't work, it gives u not present messages.

[DoubleHelix]

The device isn't present on the virtual system. It's present on the physical system. A virtual environment is not a mirror of the physical host. It has its own emulated hardware.

[machv]

huh?

[Squashman]

Originally Posted by machv

huh?

The VM is emulating a computer. The network card doesn't physically exist within the VM.

[machv]

ahh