Virtual PC 7.02 - Windows XP vs. Windows 2000

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Virtual PC 7.02 - Windows XP vs. Windows 2000

I'm new to Virtual PC for Mac and have noticed a huge difference
between running Windows 2000 vs. Windows XP in it. Windows XP runs a
lot slower, almost to the point of uselessness. I have the memory for
both allocated up to 512MB. Does XP just not work as well or is there
a setting that I need to change to correct the issue.

Thanks for any tips!

Apple Powerbook G4, Mac OS X (10.4.4)

Posted on Jan 28, 2006 7:34 PM

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Answer 1

Jan 29, 2006 7:28 AM in response to Dreddnet

2000 was designed for business use and is a light slimmer than XP's bloated consumer oriented design. There is nothing wrong with you installation - its just the way the software was designed. There are tweaks you can perform in XP to disable services you don't need and that can make a slight difference.

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Answer 2

iFelix

Level 8

35,167 points

Jan 29, 2006 12:08 PM in response to Dreddnet

Windows XP has a lot of eye candy (features) which when switched off speeds things up. Switch to classic view which makes XP look like Windows 2000 and will then find similar speeds.

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Answer 3

Dreddnet Author

Level 1

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Jan 30, 2006 5:11 AM in response to iFelix

Thanks for the help. I'll try turning off all the flashy extras. If that doesn't help, then I'll just switch back to Windows 2000.

Thanks again!

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Answer 4

Jan 30, 2006 6:14 PM in response to Dreddnet

Another thing that you can do to improve both Windows 2000 and XP with Virtual PC is turn your memory from 512 to 256MB or 384MB. For some reason, coming from ex-Connectix employees, jacking the memory allotted to VPC actually slows the operating system down. Something to do with having to emulate more memory. I have done this and XP does improve in terms of speed dropping the 512 to 256. And turn off all the eye candy, just run in Windows Classic mode.

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Answer 5

ks8889

Level 1

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Feb 15, 2006 7:19 AM in response to Dale McGraw1

Hi,

I hope you can answer a problem I'm having. When I got vpc, pc memory was set at what I was told was too low for my app (autoCAD). I increased it to 512 MB, and have been able to use it, but it is very slow. I've been trying to move it back down to speed things up, but now "pc memory" is grayed out and inaccessible. How do I change things back?

Thanks

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Answer 6

Feb 15, 2006 10:53 AM in response to ks8889

Are you sure it's going to work with under 512 RAM? I use Architectural Desktop (2005 and 2006) in mine and I remember I couldn't even install in an older G4. Always remember that VPC uses your Macs processor to work. The more, the merrier...

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Answer 7

Feb 15, 2006 11:13 AM in response to ks8889

Go to this link and read about setting up VP7 Windows XP for better performance. This fella is an ex-employee of Connectix (maker of VPC before Microsoft aquired them). A lot of good information on there. Also Google "Improving Windows XP performance" Many good websites that will tell you what services to turn off, registry changes, etc. to make that will improve XP performance also.

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Answer 8

Feb 15, 2006 11:15 AM in response to Dale McGraw1

Sorry guys, forgot to post the link.....

http://groups.google.com/group/microsoft.public.mac.virtualpc/browse_thread/thre ad/bbfaf96ae2acdfe5/612a904b20338c9d?lnk=st&q=ImprovingVPC+7+performance+onMac&rnum=3&hl=en#612a904b20338c9d

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