I must say, I have been playing around with VMware Server for a few years now, but, now I’ve actually found a very good use for it. Every since I got my new laptop, I needed the option of running two Operating Systems without dual booting. My solution? VMware Server 2.0.

After installing Windows 7, I installed VMware Server 2.0 and configured two VMs. One is my primary workstation on my laptop. It’s used because I need my profile to be synced with my AD server, and Win7 does not have backward compatibility for WinXP, so I still needed to run XP. The VM I’m running has a gig of ram (perfect amount for internet browsing and some graphic work).  

I’ve also created another VM that is my test workstation. I’m able to install and do whatever I want in there and when I’m done, I revert back to a snapshot of the VM.

I must say, this solution is a much better solution than dual booting OSes and I like the option of jumping between my VM and my Win7 box.

T-T-TASTELESS

There has been a lot of hype of the Windows 7 going on and it’s about time I take the time and rate it.

I recently just got a new laptop, it’s an HP EliteBook 2530p with a docking station (so I could have full functionality of a keyboard, mouse, and a big monitor) and it came loaded with Windows XP with Vista Upgrade media. I noticed immediately that it already was slower than it should be (most computers are with factory installed crap on them) so I decided to boot Windows 7 on it.

I faced a huge new problem: I speced this laptop without a CD Drive. It took me a few minutes (and some brainstorming) that I needed to do this off a flashdrive vs buying an external harddrive. I got a 4gb Sansa Flashdrive and with a little help, I had a fully functioning boot flashdrive with Windows 7 on it.

Windows 7 installed quite fast (especially off a flash drive) and I was up and running in about a half hour. I installed all my applications and I have had zero problems with any of my software installed.

Windows 7 also runs more quick than the Windows XP that was loaded on there and it also was more responsive than XP.

One thing I hated about Vista is that things were complicated. Vista was like your overprotective mom. If I even right clicked on something I shouldn’t have, Vista had an issue with me.

Windows 7 has fine-tuned the security aspect and it’s a lot more bearable.

My only gripe about 7 is the fact that it does not play nicely with Windows 2003 roaming profiles. Vista didn’t have a good time with that either. It takes the existing profile and converts it to a new profile name %username%.V2. It works roaming wise, but, I wish I had the backward compatibility with Windows XP profiles. I love my roaming profiles. Faced with this new challenge, I went out and grabbed myself a copy of VMware’s Virtual Server 2. I created two virtual machines, one is my production computer that I use and the other VM is just a test copy of XP. I’m posting this blog via my XP Virtual Machine running off Windows 7.

I noticed a speed difference with the two operating systems running, so I added another 2GBs of RAM to my laptop. I only was able to use ~2.93GBs because I was using a 32bit OS, so I copied my VMs off my laptop and installed Windows 7 64bit. It works even better and I now have two operating systems running and there is absolutely no speed difference between the two of them.

I love how Windows 7 is running; it’s a lot better than any operating system I ever have used. It’s just great and I enjoy every aspect of it. Microsoft has hit the nail on the head with this one.

Windows 7 is due out in October.