[Ham-Mac] Virtual PC

Sun, 24 Aug 2003 19:09:07 EDT

I recently installed Virtual PC on my iMac and thought I would share some of 
my experiences.

Connectrix, the developer of Virtual PC, sold the product to Microsoft 
recently.   Both version 6.0 (Connectrix) and 6.1 (Microsoft) seem to be on the 
market simultaneously.   Version 6.0 is priced slightly higher than 6.1!   I 
purchased version 6.1, the Microsoft labeled version.

I had been using Version 4.0 which will not run under System 10.

The paper documentation I received with 6.1 is much skimpier than the package 
which came with 4.0.   The installation process was simpler, however.

One of 6.1's system requirements is "a 500 MHz or higher computer".   My iMac 
is a 400 MHz model, but I took a chance it would run OK and this is the case. 
  This version came with Windows XP Home (I had several choices, but 6.1 
would not run with my old Windows 98 software.

The Windows functions are indeed painfully slow on my iMac, but my key 
application (a specialized accounting configuration of Microsoft FoxPro) runs just 
fine so the purchase is a success for me.

For ham applications IO is vital, and getting through to a USB-to-Serial 
adapter would be important.   I was not able to do this with VPC 4.0 and System 9. 
  I have a Belkin USB-to-Serial adapter, but never got it to work with my two 
devices of interest (a sewing machine and a printer) under System 9.   
Haven't tried yet with the current setup.

I plan to try the Windows "no TNC" packet program eventually and I'll let you 
know how it works out.   If anyone gets there before me I would like to hear 
the details.

I am running System 10.2.6 on a 400 MHz iMac DV SE with 256 Mbytes memory.

John Mason
K6VKV
Morro Bay California

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