I've been running Windows XP in VirtualBox on a Mac with OSX 10.9.2 but now I need to upgrade to a more recent version of Windows.
Here are my questions please...
1) Which version of Windows do you recommend that is super stable and won't suck up all of my Macs resources? (99% of my computing is done on the Mac side (10.9.2) but I do run a few Windows-only programs occasionally.) Is there a really stable "light" version of Windows available?
2) Is there a guide that shows step-by-step instructions on how to change over from XP to a later version of Windows in VirtualBox?
1. Most likely Windows 7 would be the most stable since it's been around longer than 8 and 8.1. Windows won't suck up any of your resources when it's not running. Windows 7, 8 and 8.1 all take quite a bit more resources than XP.
2. Upgrading Windows XP is the same in VirtualBox as it is on a physical machine. Microsoft's upgrade page explains all you need to know. There is no "light" version of Windows.
3. The XP guest would have to be large enough to accommodate the upgrade. So you would need to upgrade the RAM setting to at least 2048MB and the VRam to 128MB. The ,vdi might need resizing if it isn't at least 40GB. I also seem to remember upgrading to Windows 8.1 does not save whatever non-Microsoft applications you may have installed in XP
$. Bring money. The upgrades aren't cheap.
OSX, Linux and Windows Hosts & Guests
There are three groups of people. Those that can count and those that can't.
Wow! This is very similar to the topic I just created.
How can one resize a vdi or vhd?
@ loukingjr
Can you please help me?
WinXP 32 bit. rejecting the Win7 64 bit. upgrade
Screen Shot 2014-04-05 at 3.32.01 AM.png (45.21 KiB) Viewed 1906 times
Here is my host CPU info:
Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo
Processor Speed: 2.4 GHz
Number of Processors: 1
Total Number of Cores: 2
L2 Cache: 3 MB
Bus Speed: 1.07 GHz
Boot ROM Version: MB51.007D.B03
SMC Version (system): 1.32f8
According to all sources an Intel Core 2 Duo is a 64 bit CPU. So, what is the message talking about?
edit: I just saw your other post. my understanding is you are not supposed to cross post.
at any rate, once you modify your XP guest so it is large enough to accommodate Windows 7 you need to change the VM setting to Windows 7 (64bit) before you try and upgrade.
OSX, Linux and Windows Hosts & Guests
There are three groups of people. Those that can count and those that can't.
His topic did not exist when I first looked. I continued to research, then I came back and wrote mine. Also, my topic is asking different details, so I do not think it is a cross post and it still needs some answers.
@ loukingjr: I really appreciate your info, however without details it does not help me. I need details and specifics. I already tried changing the VM settings to 64 bit for my WinXP 32 bit guest, it did nothing.
Moving forward if anyone on this forum can help me, please do. It's why I came here. It's a VirtualBox support forum.
I'm extremely frustrated with the lack of materials online concerning what I'm trying to do. I find it hard to believe others haven't tried the same, besides the other person who posted this topic.
The screenshot I posted clearly shows Windows is not happy with what I'm already doing that should supposedly work.
From Microsoft:
"If you start your computer using a 64-bit Windows 7 installation disc or files, but your computer isn't capable of running a 64-bit version of Windows, you'll see a Windows Boot Manager error. You'll need to use a 32-bit Windows 7 installation disc or files instead."
Is this true? If so, can I do this:
"You can use the Upgrade option during Windows 7 installation, which preserves your files, settings, and programs, only if you're currently running a 32-bit version of Windows Vista and you want to upgrade to the 32-bit version of Windows 7. Similarly, if you are running a 64-bit version of Windows Vista, you can only perform an upgrade to a 64-bit version of Windows 7. For more information, go to Upgrading to Windows 7: frequently asked questions on the Windows website."
Should I create a Win Vista 64 bit guest, then try to upgrade to Win7 64 bit using my disc or .iso?
vbsandiego wrote:His topic did not exist when I first looked. I continued to research, then I came back and wrote mine. Also, my topic is asking different details, so I do not think it is a cross post and it still needs some answers.
since his post was up the day before yours I think it did exist.
OSX, Linux and Windows Hosts & Guests
There are three groups of people. Those that can count and those that can't.
vbsandiego wrote:His topic did not exist when I first looked. I continued to research, then I came back and wrote mine. Also, my topic is asking different details, so I do not think it is a cross post and it still needs some answers.
since his post was up the day before yours I think it did exist.
Ok. Then I totally overlooked it. However, mine is different and if it weren't the moderators might have told me something by now. My apologies for the oversight OK.
A) I didn't mention this before but my Macbook Pro has only 6 gigs of ram and that is all I can stuff into it. Will the virtual machine running Windows 7 run well on a Mac with only 6gb of ram or will it run slow, choppy, and funky?
B) And keeping in mind again that my Mac only has 6gb of ram, do you know if VirtualBox is "lighter" than Parallels and VMWare Fusion?
C) Would it be better to do a clean install of Windows 7 instead of upgrading from XP to Win 7?
Thanks again.
loukingjr wrote:1. Most likely Windows 7 would be the most stable since it's been around longer than 8 and 8.1. Windows won't suck up any of your resources when it's not running. Windows 7, 8 and 8.1 all take quite a bit more resources than XP.
2. Upgrading Windows XP is the same in VirtualBox as it is on a physical machine. Microsoft's upgrade page explains all you need to know. There is no "light" version of Windows.
3. The XP guest would have to be large enough to accommodate the upgrade. So you would need to upgrade the RAM setting to at least 2048MB and the VRam to 128MB. The ,vdi might need resizing if it isn't at least 40GB. I also seem to remember upgrading to Windows 8.1 does not save whatever non-Microsoft applications you may have installed in XP
A. I have a Windows 7 and 8.1 guests with 2048MBs of ram and they run just fine.
B. I can't say for sure but I am guessing VirtualBox is "lighter" just because the others have additional code that is Mac specific to do certain things. Plus, I had purchased both of them in the past and demanded a refund. They also charge for what are essentially bug fixes.
C. Clean installs are always better.
OSX, Linux and Windows Hosts & Guests
There are three groups of people. Those that can count and those that can't.
