How to install an operating system that you purchased separately in Virtual PC for Mac Version 7 (917488)



The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Virtual PC for Mac Version 7

INTRODUCTION

This article describes how to install an operating system in Microsoft Virtual PC for Mac Version 7 when you purchased the operating system separately.

MORE INFORMATION

To install an operating system in Virtual PC for Mac Version 7 when you purchased the operating system separately, follow these steps:
  1. Start Virtual PC for Mac Version 7.
  2. On the File menu, click New.
  3. Click Install your own operating system, and then click Begin.
  4. On the Welcome screen, click Continue.
  5. In the Operating System list, click the operating system that you want to install. If the operating system that you want to install does not appear in the list, click Unspecified.
  6. Click the Hard Disk Format that you want, and then click Continue.

    Note Not all hard disk formats are available for all operating systems. If you are not sure which hard disk format to select, click format (recommended). The format placeholder represents a hard disk format that is available.
  7. In the Name box, type a name for the virtual machine. To obtain the best results, type a name that identifies the operating system for the virtual machine. For example, type Windows XP Home if you want to install Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition.
  8. If you do not want to change the location where the file for the virtual machine is stored, click Create.

    If you want to change the location where the file for the virtual machine is stored, click Change Location. In the Where list, click the location where you want to store the file, click Select, and then click Create.

    Note By default, the file for the virtual machine is stored in the Users/Username/Documents/Virtual PC List folder. The Username placeholder represents the name of the user who is currently logged on the computer.
  9. On the Install Your Operating System screen, click Start PC.
  10. When you receive the "OS not found" error message, click the virtual machine window, and then insert the operating system installation disk into the CD drive or into the DVD drive.

    Note If you want to install an operating system from floppy disks, you must have a floppy disk drive on the Macintosh computer. Alternatively, you must create a floppy disk image that contains the installation information. For information about how to create a floppy disk image, start Virtual PC Help, type Create a floppy disk image in the Search box, and then press ENTER.
  11. On the Drives menu, click Capture Disc.
  12. On the PC menu, click Reset, and then click Reset in the Are you sure you want to reset the PC? dialog box.
  13. When you receive the "Press any key to boot from CD" message, press a key on the keyboard.

    Note You must press a key quickly. Otherwise, you will receive the "OS not found" error message again.
  14. Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the installation.

    Note
    • If you experience problems when you try to install an operating system that is not supported, see the installation instructions in the operating system documentation.
    • If you are installing Windows XP Home Edition or Microsoft Windows XP Professional, continue to the next step.
  15. On the Welcome to Setup screen, press ENTER to set up Windows XP. To cancel setup, press F3.
  16. On the Windows XP Licensing Agreement screen, press F8.
  17. Select the partition where you want to install the operating system, and then press ENTER.
  18. Use the arrow keys to select Leave the current file system intact (no changes), and then press ENTER.

    Note Do not use the NTFS file system to format the virtual hard disk unless you are sure that you must use NTFS. If you convert the virtual hard disk to the NTFS file system, you cannot convert the virtual hard disk to the FAT file system. The FAT file system provides the best compatibility for Virtual PC for Mac Version 7.
  19. Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the installation.

Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:5/18/2006
Keywords:kbhowto kbprb KB917488 kbAudEndUser kbAudGeneralUser