XP Mode the Lite Way

Windows 7

One feature being flaunted by Windows 7 is its ability to run Windows XP-based programs. It is required, however, that your processor supports Hardware-Assisted Virtualization (AMD-V / Intel VT ) and should be turned on in the BIOS. Hardware-Assisted Virtualization (HAV) enables full virtualization utilizing hardware capabilities, mostly from the host processor. If you want to try XP Mode, download first Microsoft’s HAV Detection Tool. Double click to run the tool and it will check if your processor supports HAV. The image below is the result of the test on my PC – and my poor PC does not support HAV (click to enlarge).

HAV Tool Result

If you’re lucky and you get the HAV Tool’s approval, you may proceed to the XP Mode installation by downloading Virtual PC and the vitualized image of Windows XP. Make sure you select the correct Windows 7 version of your system.

For those who failed the HAV tool test, there’s an alternative for XP Mode and we’ll do it the lite way.

Download the VMLite Workstation app. This will replace Microsoft’s Virtual PC. One thing I’ve noticed is that VMLite (including the interface) is similar to VirtualBox. Download also the virtualized image of XP – select your correct Windows 7 version. It’s a 500-MB file so it would take time to download. Save the file in a folder that you can easily access, i.e. “C:/xpmode/”.

After all downloads are finished, install VMLite and if Windows security prompts for approval for device software installation, click “Install”.  After the installation, you will be asked to locate the XP image file you have downloaded. Specify the path and VMLite will continue on with the process. Fill in needed information.

Once XP is running, install your XP-based needed apps and run them once. Check your Windows 7 start menu and look for VMLite Workstation. You’ll see a folder named “VMLite XP Mode Applications”. This folder will contain the applications that you initially ran in Windows XP. From there, you can instantly launch XP-based apps (with XP running in Seamless Mode).

Win 7 Start Menu

For questions, you may send eMail at aenguillo[at]gmail[dot]com.

Pentium

Pentium

After the 486, Intel decided to have a new naming scheme for its fifth generation processor. Instead of naming it as the 586, they called it Pentium. The name was taken from the Greek word “penta” and ended with the Latin “-ium” which meant “five”.

Here’s a great article from the Maximum PC website about the history of the CPU.

Intel

Bob Noyce and Gordon Moore wanted to name their new company ‘Moore Noyce’ but that was already trademarked by a hotel chain, so they had to settle for an acronym of INTegrated ELectronics.