Windows Vista Virtual PC
The word "Virtual" stands for imaginary.
Certain things are not physically real. To understand
better, we take an example of Virtual Memory. You might
have heard this term. If not, let me explain briefly.
In Windows environment, you need to run more than one
applications simultaneously. For example, you need to
open internet explorer along with MS-Word application.
Windows made this possible, through a concept called
Virtual Memory System. This concept brought revolutionary
changes to the computer system.
Advantages of virtual memory
The Virtual memory is an illusion of large memory even
though the system memory is smaller in size. For example,
if you have the system memory (RAM) of 256 MB. This
amount is insufficient, when you start loading more
than one application. The applications may require more
than the physical memory to run. If there is no virtual
memory then the user is left with only option, that
is, to upgrade the physical memory, which is too expensive
to purchase. Therefore the virtual memory concept became
popular.
Run multiple operating systems in a single PC
The Virtual PC is software tool that enables one to
run multiple operating systems other than the installed
operating system in the same computer. Microsoft family
of operating systems uses Microsoft Virtual PC as a
tool to run multiple operating systems in a single PC.
Suppose, if one want to access the Windows 98 or MAC
OS X from Windows XP installed PC, then virtual PC software
will help to do so. If accessible, we can run commands
of other operating systems. Virtual PC’s will
greatly help training centers, computer labs, and other
organizations. For example, if a student wants to run
UNIX commands then the faculty at the computer lab needs
to install UNIX in the system, in case, if the system
has Windows installed, which is time consuming process.
Instead of it, one can access the UNIX by using the
Virtual PC tool in Windows installed system. To do this,
the systems must be connected through the network.
The Virtual PC software uses a dynamic recompilation
translation mechanism for the commands given in by one
operating system to another. The Windows Version of
Virtual PC makes use of dynamic recompilation. It translates
the kernel mode and real mode x86 code into the x86
user mode and virtual 8086 mode code natively. The Macintosh
version of uses dynamic recompilation to translate the
x86 code used by a standard PC into equivalent PowerPC
code used by Macintosh.
History of virtual PC
The Virtual PC software was originally written and developed
by Connectix. The first version of it was developed
and released in 1997 for Macintosh by Connectix. The
Windows version of the product came four years later.
Connectix developed and released the virtual PC for
many versions of Windows, OS/2, and Linux. From now
on, it became clear to Microsoft that virtualization
important for the enterprise. Therefore, the software
was subsequently acquired by Microsoft during February
2003. In July 2006, Microsoft gave windows hosted version
as a free product to the windows users.
Virtual PC imitates a standard PC and its hardware.
This makes the virtual PC to run almost all operating
systems available for PC. However issues can arise,
while trying to install it in some operating systems
which are not specifically meant for the development
of Virtual PC.
Microsoft Virtual PC 2004 is the current version for
Windows operating system. Its equivalent in MAC is version
7.0. While, Microsoft Virtual PC 2004 is free for Windows
user, the MAC users still needs to purchase the product.
One can download the Virtual PC from Microsoft.com.
The next version of Virtual PC is Virtual PC 2007.
This product was released as beta to testers during
October 2006. Virtual PC 2007 is available only for
Windows platform. The main improvement in this release
is the support for hardware virtualization and support
for Windows Vista. Windows Vista now supported as both
host and guest operating systems. However, Windows Vista
guests cannot make use of Aero Glass effect, a very
attractive, important feature, due to the limitations
of emulated hardware. The hosts of Virtual PC 2007 can
run on 64-bit version of Windows.
As said above, the Virtual PC is a useful tool for
enterprises, learning centers who want to run other
operating systems apart from the operating system pre-installed.
The virtual PC concept will remain as a popular tool
among these users in the days to come. |
