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Speed up VirtualPC by using Windows NT 4 Desktop
Authored by: gavinque on Feb 26, '04 08:37:01PM

My goodness, once I read the reply thus far I was shock and dismayed by the lack of knowledge of Windows by individuals that use Virtual PC.

Please verify your information. I'm not sure what "Windows NT 4 Desktop" is as the OS name is Windows NT 4.0 Workstation.

As for the responsiveness of the OS with VPC, it due to the graphics requirements (they are different than Windows 2000 and XP to an extent which is very important to VPC performance) and processor issue.

Windows NT 4.0 is was not completely dropped by Microsoft, true that no patches (or enhancements) are planed for release unless significant security risk is involved as stated by Microsoft when they issued statements about Windows 98 support changes and other "end of life cycles" of their products.

Windows NT 4.0 is NOT used only for server use or anything of the like it's not a single use product. Windows NT 4.0 is far more used in large and small corporations on the desktop for end users and servers in the form of Windows NT 4.0 Server Edition and Windows NT 4.0 Workstation which has more life than Window 2000 Advanced Server Edition as it has stability issues, also many find it too costly to upgrade from Window NT 4.0 Server. Microsoft has problems convincing many CIO's to move to Windows 2000 Advanced Server. A bit off the point, sorry I just had to clarify this point. I don't like Microsoft however, lets get our facts straight when using their products including VPC.

VPC version 6.1.0 (particularly with Windows NT 4.0 Workstation):
From extensive testing with most Apple configs users of VPC and G4 processors 450 MHz (dual will preform better) to less than 1 GHz would fair very well with Windows NT 4.0 Workstation + patches. VPC and G4 greater than 1 GHz performance is very good with Windows 4.0 Workstation, 2000, and XP( classic style gui ). All require the use of Quartz Extreme is best for architecture reasons ( but will function without QE with possible bouts of kernel panics which increase in frequency as you move down the MHz scale ). VPC and G3 500Mhz is possible though Microsoft should drop support as it's performance can be questionable and lack of Quart Extreme (on some configs) impacts refresh rates of VPC. Lastly the G5 is not supported due to G5 chip design changes by IBM, so we can't blame Microsoft for this.

I'm sorry if this seems a bit mean spirited. I had to set things straight about Windows NT 4.0 Workstation as it's one of the better releases of Windows and paved the road to Windows 2000 which add fluff for VPC users using PowerPC computers, XP was just a needless release.

VPC for the most part in my opinion is a true performer with Windows NT 4.0 Workstation for VPC Mac users as Windows 2000 adds fluff and many technologies that you cannot take advantage of such as FireWire, USB and others reliably or at all on the Mac version.

If you don't like what I've posted you can just "kiss my kernel". I'm just kidding.

I hope this helps you and other who read the original post with getting the most from Virtual PC for Mac OS X.



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Speed up VirtualPC by using Windows NT 4 Desktop
Authored by: bakalite on Feb 27, '04 02:46:32AM

Thanks for the hint. I haven't tried it, but if it does I'll be very happy. I only use winblows once in a blue moon, but when I do I am always aggravated at how long everything takes on VPC. As you have pointed out, if you are running windows on vpc you probably don't need a lot of fancy stuff, you're running a basic app that is not available on the mac (in my case, SCUBA planning software such as decoplanner).

Now for the difficult question. Is NT4 still commercially available? It doesn't sound like it, from what I'm reading here, and I for one don't have old copies of windows sitting around (I do have system 6 though, if someone is running a MacSE30). Soooo, where would one get NT4 to try out this hint?



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Speed up VirtualPC by using Windows NT 4 Desktop
Authored by: IvanX on Feb 27, '04 08:48:48AM

If you know someone who has an MSDN membership (which is a pretty good deal IMHO) and a PC, you can probably download NT 4 from the MSDN subscribers site.



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Speed up VirtualPC by using Windows NT 4 Desktop
Authored by: tsikendu on Feb 27, '04 03:44:45PM

You seem very angry. I will make sure not to mistake NT Workstation with NT Server. NT 5 is better than NT 4.



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