How to Build a Virtual Computer

Here's one way to create a virtual machine with Microsofts Virtual PC software. If you require a Virtual Server and have the hardware and storage, i highly suggest using VMWare or Microsoft HyperV. This is only a demonstration on how to create a virtual machine with Microsoft Virtual PC. In this example i will be showing you how to install Windows XP.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Computer
• Available Computer Resources
• Microsoft Virtual PC

1. 
   Open Microsoft Virtual Machine and click

   Open Microsoft Virtual PC and click on the "New" button to create a new virtual pc. Please note that you can have many virtual pc's and they can be MS, Linux, Beos, etc...

2. 
   New Virtual Machine Wizard

   The New virtual Machine Wizard will pop up. Click the "Next" button to begin the initial setup.

3. 
   Create a Virtual Machine

   By default the next screen should have the "Create a virtual machine" option selected. Leave this setting and click "Next" to continue.

4. 
   Create a Machine Name and Set location

   In this next step you will configure the Name for your virtual machine. You can also select the location for where you would like the configuration file saved by clicking the "Browse" button. After you create a name and modify the location for the configuration file if you choose to do so, click the "Next" button

5. 
   Select the OS you wish to deploy and click next.

   The next screen will ask you to select the operating system that will be installed on the new virtual machine so that it can recommend particular settings for your deployment. Select your OS, in this example it is Windows XP, and click the "Next" button.

6. 
   Decide how much RAM you would like to allot for the virtual machine

   At this point, you will notice that it will recommend the amount of RAM (memory) to allocate to the virtual machine. Please note that the default setting should be sufficient, and that you can modify how much you would like to allocate. I gave my machine 852MB. After you decide, click the "Next" button to continue

7. 
   Create a new Virtual Hard disk

   The next step is to Create a new virtual Hard Disk. Select the option to create a new virtual hard disk and click next.

8. 
   Allocate Hard drive space to the Virtual Hard disk

   Choose a location for the virtual hard disk. Please note that the virtual hard disk is just a .vhd file. Please select how much space you are willing to allocate to the hard disk file. Please also note that it will not use the full amount and that you are provisioning a maximum space that the virtual hard drive can consume. I chose to give it 45GB in this example. Once set, click the "Next" button to continue.

9. 
   Click finish to end the wizard

   Click the "Finish" button to end the Wizard.

10. 
    Powering on your virtual PC

    Now you will notice your new virtual machine in the Virtual PC Console, click the Start button to power it on

11. 
    Starting up you Virtual PC

    At this point you will need to load your operating system on the pc, insert your WINDOWS CD into your computers CD-ROM now. For the more advanced user, If would rather use an ISO, please mount your image now and associate a drive letter.

12. 
    Booting your Virtual PC to your Windows Installation CD

    Please note that you will have to click the "CD" drop down menu and click the option that says "Use Physical drive D:" for the virtual PC to find your windows XP CD. After you set it to use the CD-ROM drive from your computer, you may have to reset the virtual pc. THis can be done by clicking on the ACTION drop down menu and clicking reset. The virtual machine will restart and should now find your windows CD and begini the installation.

13. 
    Install Windows

    Begin Your windows installation as you would any other install. Once Done, you will be able to use your virtual machine just as you would any other computer.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure you have enough system resources (Processor speed, Memory, drive space, as it can become intensive when using multiple machines...)

[thenannysden]

on 7/13/2009 You have such great articles on computers, software and other technical goodies!