RF Generation Message Board

Hey guys, I need to set up XP on a virtual machine to run old games, which program is the best for running a WinXP VM?

Here's my specs:

Here's my setup:

Intel Pentuim B960 2.2GHz
Intel HD Graphics(128MB/1632MB)
4GB RAM
Windows 8 64-Bit
Dolby Surround Sound

VirtualBox is the only way I go for home VMs.

Sent from my Nexus S 4G using Tapatalk 2

My opinion:
VMs suck. Get another PC or a second HDD or dual boot or something. I think those are all better options. Again just my opinion...

I tried Dual booting, I can't figure out how to install WinXP next to Win8, and I can't afford to but a second computer just for that.

Doesn't Linux have a nice bootloader to run multiple OS's? I seem to remember it when I was messing with Ubuntu last time.

I have my doubts I could even work Linux, so I never tried it.

Ubuntu is dead simple to install. I'm not sure about setting up the bootloader offhand.

Can it be dual booted with Windows 8 so you don't lose your main OS?

I have Ubuntu and Win 7 on my laptop.  The computer gives me the option of which OS to load after the bootup screen.  I select what I want or what a few seconds and it boots the default (win 7).  Win 8 and Ubuntu should get along just fine together.  Ubuntu takes you thru the whole setup process and allows you to select your partition size and options.  Super simple to setup and use.  

I mentioned having a second HDD because I use to do that. I still have 4-6 hard drives and each one should have an OS in addition to whatever files I designated that drive for so I could swap them out depending on what I needed at the time.

Definitely cheaper than another PC but I still suggest trying to figure out a dual boot. I don't remember Win8 giving me the option to keep my existing OS when I installed it though. So it might be a control freak and not as friendly as Ubuntu

I might have to look into it then



I have a laptop, so multiple HDDS would be a massive pain in the ass.

What games are you looking to run?

That's because you likely have the upgrade-only version. I've dual-booted Win8 on my laptop before it died.

Couldn't tell you.
I wasn't overly concerned with it. Moving forward to the future is progress and all that jazz.

I know with Windows 7 Professional and Ultimate editions there is a virtual pc and Windows XP mode available.  Never used it myself, nor do I know if Windows 8 has the option.  http://www.microsoft.com/windows/virtual-pc/

I've setup and used the Virtual PC setup in Win 7 Pro to run programs in XP mode. It work fairly well, but is kind of a pain if you want to use any USB peripherals.

It is probably worth mentioning that you can't do this in W7 Home Premium (or whatever it's called)...it has to be Pro or higher. I've had good luck with this as well.

For pure speed I would say VB, but if you want to game anything past Mechwarrior 3 graphics I would follow Izret's suggestion.  Unless you are using a business-class machine (that has hardware virtualization), >4GB RAM, and a dedicated video card (very important) virtualization is not the answer for gaming after 2003.  Windows Virtual PC is good, but isn't great for gaming post 2003 (remember that for virtualization you are sharing all the hardware on the main box with the virtualized one).

Also, unless you feel extremely comfortable I would also avoid dual-booting Windows on different hard drives, as well as anything to do with Linux.  Not knocking it, as I am a dedicated PC/Computer gamer, but unless you have patience and tolerence it is nothing but a dark road.

My two cents would be to find a used PC on Craigslist for ~$80 that has a valid XP COA on it.  Install, enjoy.  Much easier and cleaner, with no messy, ickyness.  Plus, you get to avoid the crap with getting USB and shared folders to work properly.  Ick!

i haven't had issues running any games (except the original call of duty) made after 2003 on windows 7 home premium, so in most cases you wouldn't need a VM or xp. for anything older, it's definitely easiest to just use an old machine imo, that's what i do. i've had a few games that don't work on my new pc because of issues with the newer hardware, not windows.

He may have problems running things that require 16-bit (especially if he has a 64-bit copy of Windows 7).

Everyone seems to have lost site of his original specs:

(http://blogs.mcall.com/.a/6a00d8341c4fe353ef0120a50d529c970b-800wi)


Just go old, bro.  Don't mess around with virtual machines and compatibility modes.  Get something ~2007 with a valid XP Pro COA and have fun.