esSJae's Virtualization Blog

Virtualization and other IT topics

Posts Tagged ‘xpmode’

Microsoft’s official stance on Virtual PC and Windows 8…Hyper-V 3

Posted by essjae on October 1, 2012

Straight from the horse’s mouth: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/virtual-pc/support/faq.aspx

 Is Windows Virtual PC supported on Windows 8?

Windows Virtual PC will not be supported on Windows 8. Client Hyper-V is Microsoft’s offering for operating system virtualization on Windows 8.

To learn how to retrieve data from a Windows XP Mode virtual machine on Windows 8, click here.

Posted in Hyper-V, Virtualization, VPC, Win7, Windows 8 | Tagged: , , , , , | 2 Comments »

Retrieve XPMode data on Windows 8 KB2724115

Posted by essjae on September 30, 2012

How to retrieve data from a Windows XP Mode virtual machine on Windows 8

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2724115

The KB provides the info needed to retrieve data from XPMode to migrate to Windows 8.

Summary

//

With the end of extended support for Windows XP in April 2014, Microsoft has decided not to develop Windows XP Mode for Windows 8. If you’re a Windows 7 customer who uses Windows XP Mode and are planning a move to Windows 8, this article may be helpful to you.

When you upgrade from Windows 7 to Windows 8, Windows XP Mode is installed on your machine, however Windows Virtual PC is not present anymore. This issue occurs because Windows Virtual PC is not supported on Windows 8. To retrieve data from the Windows XP Mode virtual machine, perform the steps listed in the More Information section.

Posted in Hyper-V, Virtualization, VPC, Windows 8 | Tagged: , , , | Leave a Comment »

Hotfix for Windows Virtual PC and AMD Bulldozer based CPUs

Posted by essjae on January 19, 2012

If you have an AMD Bulldozer based CPU, you probably can’t install Windows VPC successfully. AMD Bulldozer based CPUs includes the new FX series (FX-8170, FX-8150, FX-8120, FX-8100, FX-6200, FX-6120, FX-6100, FX-4170, FX-4150, FX-4120, FX-4100)

Microsoft released a hotfix yesterday for this: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2519949

You cannot install Windows XP Mode on a Windows 7-based computer that has an AMD Bulldozer-based multicore processor installed

SYMPTOMS

When you have an AMD Bulldozer-based multicore processor installed on a computer that is running Windows 7, you cannot install Windows XP Mode. Additionally, you receive an error message that resembles the following:

Could not complete Setup. Please try again.

CAUSE

This issue occurs because of a compatibility issue between Windows XP Mode and AMD Bulldozer-based multicore processors.

Hotfix information

A supported hotfix is available from Microsoft. However, this hotfix is intended to correct only the problem that is described in this article. Apply this hotfix only to systems that are experiencing the problem described in this article. This hotfix might receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next software update that contains this hotfix.

If the hotfix is available for download, there is a “Hotfix download available” section at the top of this Knowledge Base article. If this section does not appear, contact Microsoft Customer Service and Support to obtain the hotfix.

NoteIf additional issues occur or if any troubleshooting is required, you might have to create a separate service request. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for this specific hotfix. For a complete list of Microsoft Customer Service and Support telephone numbers or to create a separate service request, visit the following Microsoft website:

NoteThe “Hotfix download available” form displays the languages for which the hotfix is available. If you do not see your language, it is because a hotfix is not available for that language.

Prerequisites

To apply this hotfix, you must be running Windows 7 or Windows 7 Service Pack 1 (SP1).

For more information about how to obtain a Windows 7 or a Windows Server 2008 R2 service pack, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

976932 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/976932/ ) Information about Service Pack 1 for Windows 7 and for Windows Server 2008 R2

Installation instructions

To resolve this issue for OEM partners, integrate the hotfix package into the installation image of Windows 7. To do this, follow these steps:

  1. Download all the necessary files and tools. To do this, follow these steps:
    1. Install the Windows 7 OEM Preinstallation Kit (OPK).
    2. Copy the hotfix package to a folder on the computer. For example, copy the package to the folder C:\Test\Updates.
    3. Copy the Install.wim file from the Windows 7 installation media to the computer. For example, copy the Install.wim file to the folder C:\Test\Images.
  2. Add the hotfix to a Windows 7 image. To do this, follow these steps:
    1. Click Start, click All Programs, click Windows OPK, right-click Deployment Tools Command Prompt, and then click Run as administrator.
    2. At the command prompt, retrieve the name or the index number for the image that you want to change. To do this, type the following command, and then press Enter:
      Dism /Get-WIMInfo /WimFile:C:\test\images\install.wim
    3. Notice the index number or the name of the Windows 7 image to which you will add the hotfix.
    4. Use a DISM command to mount the image by using the index number or the name that you noticed in step 2C. For example, the index number of the image to which you will add the hotfix is 3. The following command mounts Index 3 to a folder that is named “offline” in the test directory:
      Dism /Mount-Wim /WimFile:C:\test\images\install.wim /Index:3 /MountDir:C:\test\offline

      Note You must create the C:\Test\Offline folder before you mount the image.

    5. At the command prompt, type the appropriate command to add the hotfix, and then press Enter.

      For x86-based versions of Windows 7:

      Dism /Image:C:\test\offline /Add-Package /PackagePath:C:\test\updates\Windows6.1-KB2519949 -x86.msu

      For x64-based versions of Windows 7:

      Dism /Image:C:\test\offline /Add-Package /PackagePath:C:\test\updates\Windows6.1-KB2519949 -x64.msu
    6. At the command prompt, type the following command to commit the changes and to unmount the image, and then press Enter:
      Dism /Unmount-WIM /MountDir:C:\test\offline /Commit

Registry information

To use the hotfix in this package, you do not have to make any changes to the registry.

Restart requirement

You do not have to restart the computer after you apply this hotfix.

Hotfix replacement information

This hotfix does not replace a previously released hotfix.

File information

The global version of this hotfix installs files that have the attributes that are listed in the following tables. The dates and the times for these files are listed in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). The dates and the times for these files on your local computer are displayed in your local time together with your current daylight saving time (DST) bias. Additionally, the dates and the times may change when you perform certain operations on the files.

Windows 7 file information notes
  • The files that apply to a specific product, milestone (RTM, SPn), and service branch (LDR, GDR) can be identified by examining the file version numbers as shown in the following table:
    Collapse this tableExpand this table
    Version Product Milestone Service branch
    6.1.760 0.16xxx Windows 7 RTM GDR
    6.1.760 0.20xxx Windows 7 RTM LDR
    6.1.760 1.17xxx Windows 7 SP1 GDR
    6.1.760 1.21xxx Windows 7 SP1 LDR
  • GDR service branches contain only those fixes that are widely released to address widespread, very important issues. LDR service branches contain hotfixes in addition to widely released fixes.
  • The MANIFEST files (.manifest) and the MUM files (.mum) that are installed for each environment are listed separately in the “Additional file information for Windows 7” section. MUM and MANIFEST files, and the associated security catalog (.cat) files, are very important for maintaining the state of the updated components. The security catalog files, for which the attributes are not listed, are signed with a Microsoft digital signature.
For all supported x86-based versions of Windows 7
Collapse this tableExpand this table
File name File version File size Date Time Platform
Vpcvmm.sys 6.1.7600.16782 296,064 17-Mar-2011 04:44 x86
Vpcvmm.sys 6.1.7600.20926 296,064 17-Mar-2011 06:58 x86
Vpcvmm.sys 6.1.7601.17580 296,192 17-Mar-2011 04:40 x86
Vpcvmm.sys 6.1.7601.21685 296,192 17-Mar-2011 06:57 x86
For all supported x64-based versions of Windows 7
Collapse this tableExpand this table
File name File version File size Date Time Platform
Vpcvmm.sys 6.1.7600.16782 360,704 17-Mar-2011 05:19 x64
Vpcvmm.sys 6.1.7600.20926 360,704 17-Mar-2011 05:19 x64
Vpcvmm.sys 6.1.7601.17580 360,832 17-Mar-2011 05:29 x64
Vpcvmm.sys 6.1.7601.21685 360,832 17-Mar-2011 05:06 x64

Posted in Virtualization, VPC, Win7, Windows | Tagged: , , , , , , | 2 Comments »

How to access XP Mode’s Network Settings

Posted by essjae on January 3, 2012

Changing the Networking settings from Shared Networking (NAT) to the host’s physical network card (NIC) comes up a lot in the forums for XPmode-WinVPC, here are a couple ways to do it.  The XP Mode settings or any WinVPC virtual machine are accessed from Windows 7.  When selecting the NIC you want to use, make sure you select your active NIC.  Your active NIC is the one that is connected to your local network and is how you access your network.  The active NIC can be wireless or wired, or in some cases both your wireless and wired connections may be active.

1. Goto the virtual machines directory on physical computer via explorer, or paste the path below in run or search:

C:\Users\%username%\Virtual Machines

Click once to select XP Mode.  Next, click Settings from the menu bar.    Select Networking.  From the Adapter 1 drop list you can select the host’s active  NIC to allow XP Mode to be on your local network.  You will need an available IP address for XP Mode. 

2. From the XP Mode window, click the Tools menu on the XP Mode window menu.  Select Networking. From the Adapter 1 drop list you can select the host’s active NIC to allow XPMode to be on your local network. You will need an available IP address for XP Mode. 

 

In this case, the active NIC is a Broadcaom NetXtreme 57xx Gigabit controller.  Your NIC may not be the same.

Click OK to close the window.

Once the setting is changed, you need to trigger XP Mode to release the old IP address can get a new one. If you have DHCP you can: simply reboot XP Mode or drop to a command prompt in XP Mode and do the following commands

ipconfig /release

ipconfig /renew

If you do not have a DHCP server, then you will manually need to enter a unique IP address for XP Mode in the same way you did on your Windows 7 computer.

Troubleshooting:

If you get a 169.x.x.x IP address in XP Mode, there are several things that could be the issue:

1. The network card selected is not the active NIC

2. There are no DHCP servers available to lease an IP address or there are no available IP addresses on your network.

Posted in Virtualization, VPC, Win7, WinXP | Tagged: , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Caught! The elusive XP Mode password window!

Posted by essjae on November 29, 2011

After reading dozens of threads where the poster says there was a never a prompt for them to enter a password for XPMode, I’ve finally tracked down this elusive beast while setting up my new work laptop.

Behold!

xpmode-pw

Notice how the Next button is grayed out?  You can’t proceed with the install until you enter a password.

Default installation folder is:

C:\Users\%username%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows Virtual PC\Virtual Machines\

Posted in Virtualization, VPC, Win7 | Tagged: , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Script to attach a USB device to a virtual machine [VPC]

Posted by essjae on September 21, 2011

Ben posted this a long time ago, but it’s still important for WVPC

# Connect to Virtual PC
$vpc = new-object -com VirtualPC.Application
# Get VM name
$vmName = Read-host "Specify the name of the virtual machine that you want to use"

# List available USB devices
write-host "The following USB devices are available:"
$vpc.USBDeviceCollection | select -ExpandProperty DeviceString
# Get the USB device name
$usb = Read-host "Enter the name of the USB device that you want to connect to the virtual machine"
# Get the VM object
$vm = $vpc.findVirtualMachine($vmName)
# Get the USB object
$usbDevice = $vpc.USBDeviceCollection | ? {$_.DeviceString -eq $usb} | select -first 1

# Attach the device - this will fail if the VM is not running
$vm.AttachUSBDevice($usbDevice)

Get all the details at Ben’s blog: http://blogs.msdn.com/b/virtual_pc_guy/archive/2011/01/18/script-to-attach-a-usb-device-to-a-virtual-machine-vpc.aspx

You can also download the script from Ben’s page

 

 

Posted in Virtualization, VPC, Win7, Windows | Tagged: , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Slow Windows VPC Networking speed/access to hard drive

Posted by essjae on August 8, 2010

This is a little old, but it still pops up from time to time.

If you’re having network speed issues, VPC Genius Bob Comer has the fix:

http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/w7itprovirt/thread/b8061768-c173-4730-bebb-c5d79a1c9606/

The problem is TCP Offloading and Windows VPC not getting along, here’s how to work around the problem by turning off offloading:
 
 
The fix is to edit the registry, use at your own risk and only if you are comfortable with editing the registry!

To turn off TCP Offloading, add a DWORD value in

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\Tcpip\Parameters

label it  DisableTaskOffload , and change the value to 1, then reboot.

Posted in Virtualization, VPC | Tagged: , , , | Leave a Comment »

XP Mode to no longer require hardware virtualization

Posted by essjae on March 18, 2010

Well, it looks like the public was loud enough.  MS has removed the requirement for hardware virtualization to use XP Mode.

http://www.microsoft.com/Presspass/press/2010/mar10/03-18DesktopVirtPR.mspx

From the link: 

“Windows XP Mode no longer requires hardware virtualization technology. This change simplifies the experience by making virtualization more accessible to many more PCs for small and midsize businesses wanting to migrate to Windows 7 Professional or higher editions, while still running Windows XP-based productivity applications.”

The update will be made available later today:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/virtual-pc/default.aspx

Posted in Virtualization, VPC, Win7 | Tagged: , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

What is Windows XP Mode?

Posted by essjae on November 2, 2009

XP Mode is a pre-created and pre-licensed virtual machine for use with Windows Professional, Ultimate, and Enterprise.  XP Mode is just a VM, it’s not a virtualization application and to use it you’ll need something like Windows Virtual PC to run it.

Windows Virtual PC is not required.  Microsoft says you can use Windows Virtual PC, but they do not state this as a requirement.  Virtual PC 2007 will run XP Mode, as will other VM programs, but you will lose some of the features that Windows Virtual PC & XP Mode provide. 

Running XP Mode under VPC2007 is quite simple, after you install XP Mode, you will need to create a differencing disk and specify the Windows XP Mode base VHD as the parent, boot it up, remove the IC and then install VPC2007’s VM Additions.

Direct Link for XP Mode (requires validation)

Overview

Windows XP Mode for Windows 7 makes it easy run many of your productivity programs that run on Windows XP on Windows 7. It uses virtualization technology such as Windows Virtual PC to provide a Virtual Windows XP environment for Windows 7.

Windows XP Mode provides a 32-bit virtual Windows XP Professional Service Pack 3 (SP3) environment. This download includes a virtual hard disk (.vhd file) with Windows XP SP3 preinstalled. Client virtualization software, such as Windows Virtual PC is required to use Windows XP Mode.”

Posted in Virtualization, VPC, Win7 | Tagged: , , , , | 2 Comments »

Windows Virtual PC, Windows XP Mode, Release Notes and Install Instructions now available for download

Posted by essjae on October 21, 2009

Windows XP Mode is now available for general download, if you have Win7 Enterprise, Professional, or Ultimate.

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/virtual-pc/download.aspx

Installation instructions and Release Notes

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=b0dcffec-4ef5-4bc8-bef1-c862d46a0f76#filelist

Posted in Virtualization, VPC, Win7 | Tagged: , , , , | Leave a Comment »