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  Aug. 15, 2011 10:39 p.m. procainestart Dork

  I need an XP emulator for a Win7 64-bit machine. MS wants 90 berkeleying dollars to upgrade to Pro (I have Home Premium), which has an XP "virtual machine." Are there any, less expensive, alternatives?

  It looks like there's a free app called Virtual Box that allows me to run multiple OSs -- anyone have experience with this?

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  Aug. 15, 2011 10:45 p.m. donalson SuperDork

  could dual boot... not as convenient... but xp should fly on a good win7 machine... assuming you can get drivers for it

  "Just because you can think outside of the box, it doesn't mean we are going to let you out of it." ~ John Brown

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  Aug. 15, 2011 10:53 p.m. BoxheadTim SuperDork

  I'm using VirtualBox to run a few virtual machines and generally it works fine. The problem is that you'll still need a copy of Windows XP to build said virtual machine...

  VMWare Player can also create VMs these days so that would be another free alternative.

  Sanity is vastly overrated.

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  Aug. 15, 2011 11:17 p.m. RexSeven SuperDork

  Do you really need XP, or can whatever you need XP for be run in Compatibility Mode? IIRC, all versions of Win7 have Compatibility Mode, which tricks older software into thinking it is running on an older OS.

  My forged wheels reduce unsprung weight/I don't know what's heavier, your rims or your date

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  Aug. 16, 2011 12:14 a.m. procainestart Dork

  Hmm, bummer: oh, yeah -- I need a copy of XP, too.

  The program will not run on my machine. I get a big "middle finger" message from Windows, including a blurb about checking whether I need a 32- or 64-bit version of the software. The compatibility mode doesn't seem to do the trick (I tried the XP/SP2 mode).

  This is an old electronic parts catalog for my cars -- pretty darn handy to have.

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  Aug. 16, 2011 6:53 a.m. digdug18 Dork

  I have spare computers going back to an apple 2e incase I need to run odd programs or games, upto about 9 now, each with different OS's

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  Aug. 16, 2011 7:53 a.m. RossD SuperDork

  Plus 1 to digdug18...I bet the easiest thing would get an used desktop/laptop/netbook with WinXP already on it and use it just for your parts catalog. Buy the computer wipe the PO's crap off of it, reinstall everything and update. I'd vote for the netbook if you don't mind the smallness of it; add a mouse for ease of use.

  00100001

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  Aug. 16, 2011 7:56 a.m. Giant Purple Snorklewacker SuperDork

  +1 on VirtualBox.

  It allows me to run XP on Linux with full access to USB devices and even enables 3D acceleration for graphic software. (my 3D CAD program for instance).

  Lord of drivel and harbinger of Floundering

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  Aug. 16, 2011 9:22 a.m. Grtechguy SuperDork

  ??? Windows 7 runs "XP MODE"
  

  Start -> Windows Virtual PC

  I have several legacy programs that run great in it.

  Those who don't get it, don't get, that they don't get it

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  Aug. 16, 2011 9:56 a.m. HiTempguy Dork

  procainestart wrote: I need an XP emulator for a Win7 64-bit machine. MS wants 90 berkeleying dollars to upgrade to Pro (I have Home Premium), which has an XP "virtual machine." Are there any, less expensive, alternatives?

  Steal it? Its what I did

  Rallying; It's like skydiving, except you have to dodge trees on your way down!

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  Aug. 16, 2011 10:12 a.m. BoxheadTim SuperDork

  Grtechguy wrote: ??? Windows 7 runs "XP MODE" Start -> Windows Virtual PC I have several legacy programs that run great in it.

  Windows 7 XP mode requires at least Win 7 Pro and the OP has Win7 Home Premium...

  Sanity is vastly overrated.

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  Aug. 16, 2011 12:26 p.m. GameboyRMH SuperDork

  +1 for XP in a VM using VirtualBox. If it's for personal use...well who needs to know if it's licensed?

  You can actually convert a PC into a virtual machine but it's a major PITA with Windows XP.

  There's no such thing as "too light." There's "tires too skinny," "not enough downforce" and "underdamped."

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  Aug. 16, 2011 12:46 p.m. Xceler8x SuperDork

  use VMplayer.

  Create virtual machines using VMplayer.

  I play a really old version of some games using this method. Get some skill with this stuff and you can call yourself a VMware Admin and get paid. Your employer will want you to know how to use Vmware server or ESX instead of VMplaya.

  You are what you do, when it counts.

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  Aug. 16, 2011 2:15 p.m. BoxheadTim SuperDork

  GameboyRMH wrote: +1 for XP in a VM using VirtualBox. If it's for personal use...well who needs to know if it's licensed? You can actually convert a PC into a virtual machine but it's a major PITA with Windows XP.

  There was a (free) piece of software that would take a snapshot of a running XP install and turn it into a virtual machine disk file, but the last time I looked it wasn't available anymore. And no, I can't remember its name atm.

  Sanity is vastly overrated.

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