Virtualbox?

[ffutures]

I want to run some software that REALLY doesn't like running on my Windows 7 PC, and I really don't want to upgrade to Professional just so I can run one program under XP. But I think I have an old XP install CD somewhere, and Virtualbox looks like it'll let me run XP under Windows 7 (or possibly on my Linux box) - does anyone have any experience of it, and know if there's any down-side to it?

Comments

[bohemiancoast.livejournal.com]

I've used VirtualBox successfully for both Windows and Linux installations on my Mac. The obvious downside is that Windows XP requires activation, and your old copy may not activate. The less obvious one is that not everything runs nicely in these installations; but the obvious way to find out is to try it and see.

[ffutures.livejournal.com]

Thanks! First I've got to find the install disk, if I can remember what the hell I did with it once I wiped the last XP box.

[ggreig]

Virtual Box is good and may help, but make sure you've tried all the Compatibility options first (right-click on the executable, try Troubleshoot Compatibility first - if that doesn't help, you can tinker yourself by right-clicking, selecting Properties and going to the Compatibility tab). I know there's a good chance you've done all that already, but on the off-chance that you haven't I thought I'd mention it as it might save some hassle with virtual machines.

[ffutures.livejournal.com]

It really doesn't want to work - I've tried all of the compatibility options and nothing works. And since it's the program I use to print CD labels, and nothing I've found to replace it is as good, I really want to get it working.

[ggreig]

Virtual Box is probably your best bet then, but if for any reason it doesn't work out, you could also try XP Mode in Virtual PC. I wouldn't recommend it as your first choice, or for the future since it only exists for Windows 7, but it has the advantage of being a fully-licensed XP image, and you can have your app appear to be running directly in Windows 7 (though you still have to wait for the virtual machine to boot up behind the scenes).

[ffutures.livejournal.com]

Trouble is you need Windows 7 pro for that, I've only got Home.

Unfortunately Virtual Box is giving problems - won't install properly for some reason, I suspect a conflict with anti-virus software - so I may have to abandon the idea or look at other virtual software.

[ffutures.livejournal.com]

OK, turns out there's a fix. Now I need to make quite sure I know what I'm doing before I try to install Windows XP.