Microsoft Virtual PC 2007

[Katsmom]

Hi manorites. Like many of you, I was frustrated not being able to play older adventure games. I have a Windows XP desktop computer and a fairly new Vista Ultimate laptop. I decided to try Microsoft's Virtual PC 2007 on my Vista laptop. A good friend bought me a licensed installation disk for Windows 98SE for Christmas.

I had some problems at first, mostly due to the fact that my Vista has a 64 bit operating system (with a 32 bit subsystem). But I was finally able to get the Windows 98 disk to install inside a "virtual machine/computer" inside my Vista computer.

It's so awesome to see this... a window on my Vista desktop, which contains a Windows 98SE desktop and entirely separate operating system. When you choose to use Full Screen mode, you're staring back in time at a Windows 98 desktop. What a great invention!

I've installed and started playing Amber: Journeys Beyond... and it's working. The only problem is that I have to set my Vista desktop to the same 640 x 480 screen resolution and 16 bit color that the game uses in the Windows 98 'virtual machine.' Also, the sound is a little scratchy, but okay. I think the video and sound issues are due to the laptop having chipsets rather than video and audio cards.

I'll report how things go, as I continue to use Virtual PC to play Amber... and next (I hope), Lighthouse. I couldn't get Lighthouse to play on my XP, despite following Inferno's detailed setup.

Virtual PC 2007 is not compatible with every 'host' operating system, but they also have an earlier version of the application which works on others.

[Ghostlady]

Wow, that's really something. Yes, please keep us informed how it goes.

[Rosaboobie]

Oh wow, Katsmom - this sounds too good to be true. Please keep us updated.

[hawkavonpuka]

Good for you Katsmom, I played Amber on an old Windows 98 laptop and the sound was very scratchy. I plugged in a pair of earphones and the sound was so much better.

[danyboy]

Thanks for sharing this with us Katsmom.

CU

danyboy

[draclvr]

Very cool, Katsmom! I was wondering if you had attempted that installation yet. I agree with Hawka; the sound to me was a tiny bit scratchy on my 98SE computer too and sounded much better with earphones. I think I'm the one who still has your old Amber game, Hawka.

I can't wait to find out how Lighthouse goes. That was such a great game.

[salma]

I tried Virtual PC 2004...which is free.
you can learn all about it here :

http://www.quandaryland.com/jsp/dispArt ... C+2004+FAQ

Few weeks ago i had a couple of very old PC games that wont play on XP no matter what...

I tried every thing ( and i can be very Patient when trying to configure a game to work), i waisted two weeks trying to make the games work with no vail..


Finaly i decided i'll install Win98 (which is a major pain to be installed over XP), and that's when i found Steve's corner and learned about Virtual PC.
It took me only 30 min to understand and install virtual PC...and after one hour i was playing the games.


It's a great great program...i suggest you download the 2004 version since it's free...
The only drawback is that you are going to need your 98 or 95 windows CD to install the system on the Virtual PC.

It's a must have for old adventure games lovers.

[draclvr]

Excellent, Salma! Doesn't it feel good to finally get something to work. That's a great resource and thank you for the links...

[hawkavonpuka]

I don't know if I will ever get around to using this, but I did save the link. I don't have old old games, but some like Mystery of the Nautilus and Myst Exile that probably won't play on XP. I started them on ME, but then switched my computers to XP. I do have windows 95 and 98 legal cd's stuffed away in a tote. If I ever catch up on my games, not that it is likely cause I now play RPG's, but you never know. Can this link be stuck/stickied where it won't vanish into lala land?

[draclvr]

Why don't we make a sticky post for it in the Technical Help forum?

[hawkavonpuka]

Can you sticky it Draclvr, or does that have to be done by an Admin, I sure wouldn't know how. I think it should be done though.

[Katsmom]

Salma, I'm glad you were able to install and use Virtual PC 2004. Both versions are free, though you have to buy the OS installation disk you want to use with the program. I had to use the 2007 version because I have a Windows Vista computer. Some models of XP can use the 2007 version, but most have to use the 2004 version.

Since I last posted this topic, I've used Virtual PC to play Lighthouse. It worked perfectly, from start to finish, and no patches were needed. I think this is the best free program available on the internet... and the ideal answer for those of us who want to play older games on newer computers.

[Katsmom]

I hope this works. I'm going to insert a screenshot of Microsoft's Virtual PC 2007 on my Windows Vista computer. It shows the main desktop for Vista in the background, with a completely separate Windows 98SE desktop in the foreground.




Okay, it's showing up in the Preview... so I think everyone will be able to see it.

[draclvr]

Katsmom, that is just incredible! I am so dreading having to go with Vista in my next PC. But your experience has made me feel much better. I'm hoping to build a computer sometime after I retire next year.

By the way, welcome back! You've been missed...

[danyboy]

Katsmom, happy to see you back my friend. Is Virtual PC simple to install? Cause my French brain isn't to good with English technical suff. I also have Vista as an OS on the new putor. I already have Windows 98SE that was the OS of my first putor. I'm just worry that I will do something wrong since I don't understand too much the English technical stuff.

CU

danyboy