Virtual PC 7 and Antivirus

[JegTDOT]

I was thinking of getting virtual PC 7 to run some windows only cds for school. I heard that it takes up alot of memory so i'm upgrading my memory for my 15inch powerbook from 1 GB to 1.5GB. Would people recommend this. I could go to 2GB but it's gonna cost alot more. 512GB is 69.99, 1GB is 193.99 (i already have 1GB).

Also, my second question is should i get some type of antivirus program if i use virtual PC. Is there a threat of viruses now that i'm essentially running XP?

Thanks,

Jegan

1.67 15 inch Powerbook G4
1GB Ram

 

[aristobrat]

Are you in the US? 1GB of memory isn't usually over $100! I don't know how much of an improvement you'd see going from 1GB to 1.5GB. You want to have enough memory so that your computer isn't using your hard drive as "virtual memory", which can really slow things down. If you're OK with not having too many OS X programs running while you're in the Virtual PC, then 1GB will probably do OK. I'd wait on buying the memory until after you see how Virtual PC runs. On my PowerBook, Virtual PC was just slow, period, and memory didn't have anything to do with it.

IMO, you should use an anti-virus program in Virtual PC to keep Windows from becoming infected. I've never heard of a virus inside of a virtual machine infected the host OS. Here's a good free (well, free for home use) one:
http://free.grisoft.com/doc/2/lng/us/tpl/v5

 

[JegTDOT]

hey thanks for the reply,

So you recommend testing virtual PC out before getting more memory? I was thinking of just getting 512 more ram, just to be safe, i mean crucial and datamem.com seem to have some good deals.

Also since you do use VPC you might be able to provide some insight on this, but i do have a norton cd i use for my desktop, would that work and can i just install thing into virtual PC?

also how do u find VPC 7, how's ur experience been with it or anyone that's used it for that matter.

Jeg

 

[bigboy99]

I used Virtual PC 7 while transitioning from PC to Mac. It runs slow, and takes up about 5 GB after you install XP. It changes the keyboard to PC, so you use the control key instead of the Apple key. USB support is selectable for printers/external storage. Once I verified that that I could live with Quicken for Mac I stopped using it. If you don't use the Internet while running VPC virus protection would seem unnecessary. It will use your Mac TCP/IP settings, though.

Don't waste your money on 512 MB, get the 1 GB chip. Under $100 from DMS.

 

[SmurfBoxMasta]

MaX dA rAm
VPC needs at least 512mb by itself.....

It is somewhat slow, but if ya gotta have it, give it at least 786mb ram and 10GB of HD space, and DO NOT, under ANY circumstances, go online under windows

another vote for DMS, theys da place 4 meez memory buyin

 

[aristobrat]

So you recommend testing virtual PC out before getting more memory? I was thinking of just getting 512 more ram, just to be safe, i mean crucial and datamem.com seem to have some good deals.

So in your PB's two memory slots right now, you've got 1GB in one and nothing in the other? It wouldn't hurt anything to get the extra 512. If your PB only had 512, then it'd be a no-brainer to get more memory. At 1GB you may or may not see VPC run faster if you add more.

Also since you do use VPC you might be able to provide some insight on this, but i do have a norton cd i use for my desktop, would that work and can i just install thing into virtual PC?

Should work fine!!

also how do u find VPC 7, how's ur experience been with it or anyone that's used it for that matter.

Meh. It worked good for things that didn't use the hard drive much. Things that DID use the hard drive (like Microsoft Money), were pretty unusable.

 

[JegTDOT]

Thanks for the replies,

The only thing i'm going to use VPC for is to basically run a few video files for med schools. Basically those cd's that come with text books that only seem to work on PC's. I'm going to order VPC on ebay, and i think i'll probably get 1GB or ram, might as well...better safe than sorry.

Jeg