so whats a virtual machine?

ok, so i searched around a bit, and i still don't know what a virtual machine is. I am a student who likes to play around on computers and do fancy stuff. that said, i am no software engineer(though my brother is). would i benefit from downloading the virtualizer program from the majorgeeks download center? i have noticed many people extolling the virtues of a virtual machine, and i just can't stand being ignorant. btw, my puter is a toshiba satelite pentium b960 2.2ghz with 4gb ram.

thanks for all responses
chris

 

Greetings s13sr20chris,
Basically a Virtual Machine is a program that will let you run (emulate) another operating system off your machine without the need for duel booting.

 

that sounds neat. i only use windows 7, but i guess i am not opposed to using two. is there an advantage to doing this? perhaps i should leave it alone.

 

I dont need to be rude, but if you have to ask about it, theres a pretty good chance you have no need for it. Vm's are used for various reasons, mostly in an enterprise to consolidate phyiscal servers into bigger servers that run multiple computers/processes. Another common use I see is for malware/security specialists that want to test software/malware interactions with out actually putting said infected machines on the internet/there local networks. I attached a wiki link that goes into good detail. On your laptop you shouldn't mess with it as the extra overhead will out weigh any benefits you gain.

 

Thanks Colemanguy, much better explination.
But, where's the link??

 

Not all VMs will bog down your machine.

I actually love all my old console emulators, and it also means I don't have to pull them out of the closet. I even have a couple Hitachi drives from collected e-waste than can actually read GameCube discs.

The one thing I do miss is playing Duck Hunt for the 8-bit NES on long winter nights drinking with friends. It was just a fun game, but unless you have a CRT/tube style TV to go with a light gun these days, it will never work. That dog was some funny :crap! Especially after you shot the fool after he jumped up to go after the ducks!

What price progress, I tell you.

What price progress...

:-D

 

Emulators is not a vm. Emulators emulate the other hardware. And um i swear i posted a wiki link, but here it is again lol. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtual_machine

 

i beg to deffer, anyone may have a need for visualization. I keep a VM to do my banking from, since I download so much on my PC. I use a VM to test software and keep snapshots so I can roll back unwanted changes or to test install the same app while making a "thinstall" or portable version. I keep one with no antivirus for doing that too, so the app packager gets a pure look at the install. There are great to have if other people want to use your PC, just fire it up and let them surf away, then set the snapshot back and be ready for the next person to use your PC.
You can make your old physical PC into VMs with tools from the web if you want to keep a certain program around that has not been updated.
There are plenty of uses for a virtual machine in my book.
Go get Virtualbox, or MS Virtual PC, or the best VMware Player and create your own or you can find ready made 'virtual hard disks' to check out on the web.
Enjoy.

 

I keep an XP system in a VM (Vmware Player) for some old programs and hardware drivers not usable in Win 7, and just for fun a couple of Linux VMs too. VMs are very educational for those who want to go beyond just using Windows.

 

Maybe a sandbox is a better alternative if security is the issue...

http://www.majorgeeks.com/Sandboxie_d4993.html

 

That's true of Microsoft's XP Mode but third party VMs such as VMware Player and Virtual Box will run on any version of Windows from XP on.

 

I have tried that XP mode, it is junk. If the system goes to sleep it will not wake. It is not very stable, sad I like the way you can integrate apps from the virtual machine in to 7, but it is not stable enough for me.

I attached a picture so the OP can see what a VM looks like running. The desktop is Windows 7, in the virtual box window I have Win XP running.

 

A virtual machine is a software implementation of a machine (i.e. a computer) that executes programs like a physical machine. A system virtual machine provides a complete system platform which supports the execution of a complete operating system.Microsoft Virtual PC is a good software for virtual machines.There's an article about Microsoft Virtual PC:
http://www.techyv.com/article/how-set-virtual-machine-using-microsoft-virtual-pc

Cheers!

 

Here is an article for VMWare
http://www.technibble.com/an-easy-way-to-create-a-virtual-machine/

 

I use vmware workstation with a base build of windows with just updates. Then I use thinapp to 'virtualize' an app to deploy in our VDI (Virtual Desktop Implementation) environment. After that is done, I revert to my clean desktop. I have VMs running xp, vista, win 7, and win 8. For testing purposes. All on a windows 7 computer.

Just note, if virtualizing, I recommend 8 gig of ram or more on your host computer.

 

wow, thanks! i really appreciate all of the informative responses.

chris