Tech Tip of the Day: How to access the Virtual Hard Drive (VHD) for Windows XP mode from Windows 7

Description: Windows uses the VHD format for XP mode. This can be accessed through disk management.

1. VHD - Virtual Hard Disk
   • The XP mode is stored in a Virtual Hard Disk (VHD) file. This format is used by several programs that run virtual machines. The format can be used for several operating systems as well as Windows XP. Windows 7 has the ability to mount and display these files as though they are a real physical drive.
2. Setting up XP Mode
   • Saving files to the standard "My Documents" folder within XP mode will not allow access to them from the Windows 7 side because of incorrect permissions. (XP mode and win7 are considered two separate machines)
   • Make a new folder in the root directory of C:\ within XP mode.
   • Open XP mode
   • Click on Start, then on My Computer
     
   
   
   • Double click the local drive C:
     
     
   • Go to File » New » Folder
     
     
   
   
   • Rename the folder to XP Mode Files (or any other name that is descriptive).
     
     
   
   
   • Create a shortcut to the folder on the desktop by right-clicking the folder and then choosing send to desktop.
     
     
   
   
   • Shut down XP Mode
   • Click on Ctrl-Alt-Del from the top menu
   • Choose Shut Down button from the menu
     
   
   
   • Then Choose shut down from the pull down menu.
     
     
   
   
   • Note: The XP mode will not work as long as the VHD file is attached to the windows 7 system.
3. Attach the VHD
   • This will allow you to explore the virtual hard drive (like a flash drive).
   • Click on Start
   • Move the mouse pointer over Computer and right-click the mouse.
     
     
   
   
   • Choose Manage from the menu
   • Right click on Disk Management
   • Choose Attach VHD
     
     
   
   
   • Browse to C:\Users\dphillips\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows Virtual PC\Virtual Machines
     
     
     
     
   
   
   • AppData is a hidden folder. If it is not visible take the following steps.
   1. Start » Computer
   2. Tap the ALT button once on the keyboard
   3. Choose Tools
   4. Choose Folder options
   5. Click the button to show hidden files folders and drives
      
      
   
   
   6. Click OK
      
      
   
   
   • Close computer management and open computer. You will now see your new attached disk as a drive under Hard Disk Drives.
     
     
   
   
   • You can browse to this drive and transfer files in and out of your created folder.
4. Detach the VHD
   • In order to start the Windows XP mode you will need to Detach the VHD. Windows 7 and Windows XP cannot use the Virtual Hard Drive at the same time.
   • Open Disk Management as above except left click to open the drive view.
   • The mounted VHD will show in blue and will have the same drive letter as in Computer (I:) in this case.
   • Find the Disk that also has a blue drive icon beside the number and the volume is labeled with the same drive letter as at the top.
   • Right click the white area to the left (that has the Disk 5 - or whatever number)
   • Choose Detach VHD
     
     
   
   
   • Click OK on the pop up window and the drive will detach.
   • Windows XP Mode can now be opened.

For more assistance contact Technical Support here.

Tech Tip of the Day: Troubleshooting "Integration features have been disabled" in Windows XP Mode

Description: When launching Windows XP Mode, a message appears stating that integration features have been disabled. Windows XP Mode is either partially functional or completely non-functional. The Tools menu item "Enabling Integration Features" is grayed out. This document will troubleshoot that issue.

1. When attempting to launch Windows XP Mode, an error message appears stating that Integration features have been disabled. If Windows XP Mode succeeds in launching, the Enable Integration Features option in the Tools menu is grayed out and Windows XP Mode does not function normally.
   
   
   
   


2. This problem is usually related to the Virtual Machine having saved a bad hibernation state. This hibernation state exists in a saved file. Once this file is found and deleted, Windows XP Mode will run just fine.
3. The first step is to open up Windows Explorer by clicking first on the Start button in the lower left hand corner, then the Computer button on the right hand side of the panel.
   
   


4. This will bring up Windows Explorer. Click the Organize button and select Folder and Search Options.
   
   


5. Click the View tab. View Hidden Files and Folders should be selected. Hide extensions for known file types should NOT be checked. Click OK.
   
   


6. Navigate to the directory
   C:/Users/{Your Profile Name}/AppData/Local/Microsoft/Windows Virtual PC/Virtual Machines. This directory will contain four files. Their purpose is determined by their extension.
   .vhd is the virtual hard drive that contains all the data for Windows XP Mode
   .vmc is the virtual machine configuration file
   .vpcbackup is a backup of the virtual machine configuration file
   .vsv is the hibernation saved state file
7. Delete the .vsv file. In the example below it is the file named Windows XP Mode.vsv. This should be done carefully as deleting the wrong file will render Windows XP Mode unbootable.
8. Launch Windows XP Mode. It should run normally now.

For more assistance contact Technical Support here.

How to change the allocated memory for Windows XP Mode

Description: How to increase or decrease the amount of ram memory that XP Mode will use when running. This assumes that there is an installed working copy of XP mode on the computer.

1. Open Windows XP Mode
   • Go to Start » All Programs
   • Maneuver to the Windows Virtual PC
   • Open Windows XP Mode
   
   
   
   


2. Once Win XP mode is open and running, Shut down XP mode with ctrl-alt-del shut down.
   • Select Ctrl+Atl+Del from the top menu
     
     
   
   
   • Choose Shut Down from the pop up window.
     
     
   
   
   • Choose Shut Down from the pull down menu. Then click OK.
     
     
   
   
3. Maneuver to XP mode file in user name
   • Click Start
   • Click Computer
     
     
   
   
   • Double click on drive C:
     
     
   
   
   • Double click on Users
     
     
   • Double click on the user name that has Win XP Mode installed
     
     
   • Double click on the Virtual Machines folder.
     
     
4. Select the Win xp mode (left click once on the Windows XP Mode) and choose Settings from menu
   
   


5. Change the memory size
   • Select memory
   • Change memory size
   • Click OK
     
     
   
   
6. Restart XP mode

For more assistance contact Technical Support here.

How to install Windows XP mode in Windows 7 Professional

Description: How to install Win XP Mode in Windows 7 Professional - first steps

1. Open Internet Explorer and navigate to this link
   • Choose the operating system and language from the pull down menus
     
     
   
   
   • A screen with the download steps will appear.
     
     
   
   
2. Start with step 2 and download the Windows XP mode
   
   
   
   
   • A series of validation windows will come up that verify your computer is able to run Windows XP Mode.
     
     
     
     
     
     
   
   
3. After validation, download the file:
   • This is a large file - about 500 mb and will take between 20 minutes to an hour to download.
   • People accessing the internet through dialup may want to order the CD from Microsoft.
   • Internet Explorer may give a warning about a file downloading.
     
     
   
   
   • Click the bar to allow the download.
     
     
   
   
   • In the next box select the option to Save.
     
     
   
   
   • In the location box choose the Download Folder.
     
     
   
   
   • The file will now start downloading.
     
     
   
   
4. After the download completes click Start, Computer and choose the Downloads folder.
   • Then double click on WindowsXPMode_en-us.exe
     
     
   
   
   • Give permission to run this file downloaded from the internet.
     
     
   
   
   • Click Next on the setup windows that appears.
     
     
   
   
   • Click Next on the install location window.
     
     
   
   
   • Click Finish on the completion window.
     
     
   
   
5. Next, download Windows Virtual PC at step 3.
   
   
   
   
   • Save the file in the Downloads folder
   • When the download is complete double click the file to run it.
     
     
   
   
   • Confirm the install of the Windows update - (Microsoft distributes this as a update for the computer).
     
     
   
   
   • Accept the license terms for this software.
     
     
   
   
   • The Virtual PC mode will now install,
   • Click on Yes, to allow this program to make changes to the computer.
     
     
   
   
   • When Finished, the installer will ask to restart the computer and will complete the install during startup.
     
     
   
   
6. Once this portion is installed there will be a menu item on the All Programs called "Windows XP Mode". This must be run the first time to setup XP mode for the initial use.
   • Click on Start, All Programs, Windows Virtual PC, Windows XP Mode.
     
     
   
   
   • Accept the license terms for XP Mode.
     
     
   
   
   • Enter a password to be used for the XP mode, a user password and allow Windows to save this password.
     
     
   
   
   • Allow Automatic updates for the XP Mode and click Next
     
     
   
   
   • Allow the XP Mode to use shared drives so your files will be available to both Windows 7 and Windows XP.
     
     
   
   
   • The XP Mode setup will now use these settings to configure the first use of XP Mode. Please read the screens for basic information about how to use XP mode.
     
     
   
   
7. The opening screen of Windows XP! Success!
   
   
   
   
   • Note: you will need to install an Antivirus program on this version of Windows XP as well as on the Windows 7 computer

For more assistance contact Technical Support here.