trying to have xp and win 2003 server on the same machine

I would like to run win xp and win 2003 server on the same machine. Can I do
this with either Virtual PC 204, Virtual Server 2005, or a combination of the
two?

Need is more general but it started by my need to support some drivers that
were only supported on xp or windows 2000 and I have windows 2003 server
running on a machine. Currently when I try to install xp or win 2k drivers on
win 2003 server it give nt server minor version error. If the answer to the
first para is yes, then will I be able to install these drivers on the xp
virtual machine while having the win 2003 server co-exist.

Thanks

 

I would like to run win xp and win 2003 server on the same machine. Can I

Either Virtual Server or Virtual PC can do that, though Win2003 isn't a
supported guest of Virtual PC and Windows XP isn't a support guest for
Virtual Server. They work right now, but it's not supported.

Actually, that's a problem. If you have special drivers that need to run in
Windows XP, you'll have to run XP as the host OS. A virtual machine
emulates a specific set of hardware and can't use the host's hardware
directly.

- Bob Comer

 

Just so that I have it clear. In order to have any xp limited driver run,
I need to have XP as the host in a virtual machine environment? Therefore,
1) Install XP pro first with sp2
2) Install Virtual PC (instead of virtual server)
3) Install xp pro again with sp2 as virtual machine. Do I need to do this?
4) Install Windows 2003 server as another agent (guest)
sorry about (3) and (4) I have not installed virtual PC and so I am not sure
about the details yet?

Can I install the driver after I have done steps 1) thru 4) without getting
the error I mentioned? How will the install know what the scope into which
the install should go?

Will the two operating environments work as islands without conflict?

 

1) Install XP pro first with sp2

Only if you need another XP environment. I'd say no from your description.

I'd install the drivers after 1), but just to be clear, this special
hardware is only going to be visible on the host. (Windows XP) The Win2003
guest wont be able to see it.

The guest doesn't always run, you have to start it up after the host OS is
running. The two environments are separate.

- Bob Comer

 

You seem to have missed the point that Robert was making. What sort of
drivers are we talking about here?

If you mean hardware drivers (video etc) a VPC environment is not going
to help you. Virtual machines use emulated devices, not the devices in the
host machine. If you want to try using different device drivers for devices
on the host machine, you will be better served multibooting two or more OSs
on the host. And you will need to reboot to switch from one to the other.

 

I have Win 98, Win NT, Win 2K, Win XP Pro and Win 2003 installed on my test
machine and all work fine together
Steven

 

Thanks Robert

 

Which one is host and which are guests. Do you any sound cards installed and
if so which os is assigned the driver? If a certain order of installation
made a difference please let me know.

How do you deal with storage/disk allocation between the different OSes?

I believe VSS can be used for backup in Virtual Server env. Do u use
anything in your environment?

Thanks

 

I am installing a external usb dvd movie writer from HP. They only have
drivers for win XP and 2k. I was hoping to have win xp and 2003 server work
concurrently but only win xp app need be interfacing with the usb device.

On a related note, for network printers, for visibility in both
environments, do they need to have drivers installed on both or is it
installed on one and shared by another somehow?

Thanks

 

You seem to have missed the point that Robert was making. What sort of

I am installing a HP DVD movie writer (usb device) which provides drivers
only for xp and 2k. I would like to have xp and win 2003 server working
concurrently but my application running in the xp env. need be the only one
accessing the movie writer. I guess the issue is similar to having a sound
card installed since most of those provide drivers only for xp and 2k.

On a related note, if I need to access a network printer, do I need to
install the device driver on each operating environment or install on one and
share on another?

Thanks

 

You're welcome!

- Bob Comer

 

On a related note, if I need to access a network printer, do I need to

You need to install it in both operating environments.

- Bob Comer

 

VPC does not support USB devices (except for passthrough of host
keyboard and mouse). See:
http://vpc.visualwin.com/ngfaq.aspx#8

Scott

 

Each VM is completely separate. If you had multiple physical PCs, would
you have to install the appropriate drivers on each one? Same for VMs.

Scott

 

Replied to the original post.

Scott

 

Scott,

If however, I install Xp+sp2 as host and install the usb driver with that
and then install VPC and then have win 2003 server run as guest would it
work. Would I then be able to have xp and win 2003 server apps running
"concurrently" where I can invoke the usb device from the xp environment

 

VPC does not support USB devices (except for passthrough of host

If however, I install Xp+sp2 as host and install the usb driver with that
and then install VPC and then have win 2003 server run as guest would it
work. Would I then be able to have xp and win 2003 server apps running
"concurrently" where I can invoke the usb device from the xp environment

 

VPC does not support USB in the virtual machines, so I don't think you will
be able to use VPC to solve your driver problem.

 

Here is my last question to Scott Baker, will this work?If however, I install Xp+sp2 as host and install the usb driver with that
and then install VPC and then have win 2003 server run as guest would it
work. Would I then be able to have xp and win 2003 server apps running
"concurrently" where I can invoke the usb device from the xp environment
<

 

Your plan to run the OS (XP) that supports the drivers for you movie
software as your host is right. From there you can write your movies (using
XP) and then any other operating systems you want as guests under VPC.