Comments on: I want to test some stuff without messing up my machine. Can you help me? http://www.asktheadmin.com/2009/02/i-want-to-test-some-stuff-without-messing-up-my-machine-can-you-help-me.html Fri, 03 Feb 2012 06:08:50 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 By: Karl L. Gechlik | AskTheAdmin.com http://www.asktheadmin.com/2009/02/i-want-to-test-some-stuff-without-messing-up-my-machine-can-you-help-me.html/comment-page-1#comment-9547 Karl L. Gechlik | AskTheAdmin.com Fri, 06 Feb 2009 13:13:13 +0000 http://ata.inspiritnetworks.com/2008/06/i-want-to-test-some-stuff-without-messing-up-my-machine-can-you-help-me.html#comment-9547 That is awesome Molly! Thanks for the heads up. You are just chock full of knowledge :) That is awesome Molly! Thanks for the heads up. You are just chock full of knowledge :)

]]> By: Molly http://www.asktheadmin.com/2009/02/i-want-to-test-some-stuff-without-messing-up-my-machine-can-you-help-me.html/comment-page-1#comment-9543 Molly Thu, 05 Feb 2009 19:10:50 +0000 http://ata.inspiritnetworks.com/2008/06/i-want-to-test-some-stuff-without-messing-up-my-machine-can-you-help-me.html#comment-9543 +1 for VirtualBox a solicitor may have a different opinion than you, Karl, about the legality of grabbing a OEM license key from the COA sticker of a 'dead' computer from the graveyard. :) however, all is not lost! Microsoft offers 4 different "Internet Explorer Application Compatibility VPC Images" to download for free to be used with MS VPC: XP SP3 IE6, XP SP2 IE7, XP SP3 IE8 and Vista IE7 while intended for web developers to view their works in different versions of Internet Explorer, these are in fact fully fledged installations of the respective desktop operating system. they are usually activated for 6 months. the current images expire in April 09, then there will be new releases. http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=21eabb90-958f-4b64-b5f1-73d0a413c8ef&displaylang=en all free, all legal. enjoy! p.s.: VBox, since version 2, also supports MS VPC images. +1 for VirtualBox

a solicitor may have a different opinion than you, Karl, about the legality of grabbing a OEM license key from the COA sticker of a ‘dead’ computer from the graveyard. :)

however, all is not lost! Microsoft offers 4 different “Internet Explorer Application Compatibility VPC Images” to download for free to be used with MS VPC:

XP SP3 IE6, XP SP2 IE7, XP SP3 IE8 and Vista IE7

while intended for web developers to view their works in different versions of Internet Explorer, these are in fact fully fledged installations of the respective desktop operating system. they are usually activated for 6 months. the current images expire in April 09, then there will be new releases.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=21eabb90-958f-4b64-b5f1-73d0a413c8ef&displaylang=en

all free, all legal. enjoy!

p.s.: VBox, since version 2, also supports MS VPC images.

]]> By: Aakash Shah http://www.asktheadmin.com/2009/02/i-want-to-test-some-stuff-without-messing-up-my-machine-can-you-help-me.html/comment-page-1#comment-9540 Aakash Shah Thu, 05 Feb 2009 09:25:29 +0000 http://ata.inspiritnetworks.com/2008/06/i-want-to-test-some-stuff-without-messing-up-my-machine-can-you-help-me.html#comment-9540 VirtualBox is another great option as a VM. I prefer VirtualBox over VirtualPC because I find it to be more responsive. VirtualBox is also free like VirtualPC: http://www.virtualbox.org VirtualBox is another great option as a VM. I prefer VirtualBox over VirtualPC because I find it to be more responsive. VirtualBox is also free like VirtualPC:
http://www.virtualbox.org

]]> By: Aakash Shah http://www.asktheadmin.com/2009/02/i-want-to-test-some-stuff-without-messing-up-my-machine-can-you-help-me.html/comment-page-1#comment-9539 Aakash Shah Thu, 05 Feb 2009 09:24:03 +0000 http://ata.inspiritnetworks.com/2008/06/i-want-to-test-some-stuff-without-messing-up-my-machine-can-you-help-me.html#comment-9539 SandboxIE doesn't support Vista 64: http://www.sandboxie.com/index.php?WindowsVista64 SandboxIE doesn’t support Vista 64: http://www.sandboxie.com/index.php?WindowsVista64

]]> By: whizkid420 http://www.asktheadmin.com/2009/02/i-want-to-test-some-stuff-without-messing-up-my-machine-can-you-help-me.html/comment-page-1#comment-9536 whizkid420 Thu, 05 Feb 2009 05:17:40 +0000 http://ata.inspiritnetworks.com/2008/06/i-want-to-test-some-stuff-without-messing-up-my-machine-can-you-help-me.html#comment-9536 Why not use Sandboxie? It is meant exactly for this specific purpose and offers much greater control and security. It runs your programs in an isolated space which prevents them from making permanent changes to other programs and data in your computer. Why not use Sandboxie? It is meant exactly for this specific purpose and offers much greater control and security. It runs your programs in an isolated space which prevents them from making permanent changes to other programs and data in your computer.

]]> By: Teguh Aditya http://www.asktheadmin.com/2009/02/i-want-to-test-some-stuff-without-messing-up-my-machine-can-you-help-me.html/comment-page-1#comment-9535 Teguh Aditya Thu, 05 Feb 2009 00:46:08 +0000 http://ata.inspiritnetworks.com/2008/06/i-want-to-test-some-stuff-without-messing-up-my-machine-can-you-help-me.html#comment-9535 I usually use Sandboxie for my testing-downloaded-application needs, it'll launch apps at 'sandbox' without messing up with my system. When I done testing, I just need to delete the content of the sandbox. Give it a try! http://www.sandboxie.com/ I usually use Sandboxie for my testing-downloaded-application needs, it’ll launch apps at ‘sandbox’ without messing up with my system. When I done testing, I just need to delete the content of the sandbox.

Give it a try!

http://www.sandboxie.com/

]]> By: Ask The Admin » Blog Archive » Troubleshooting using Microsoft Diagnostics and Recovery Toolset http://www.asktheadmin.com/2009/02/i-want-to-test-some-stuff-without-messing-up-my-machine-can-you-help-me.html/comment-page-1#comment-9071 Ask The Admin » Blog Archive » Troubleshooting using Microsoft Diagnostics and Recovery Toolset Sun, 23 Nov 2008 14:27:59 +0000 http://ata.inspiritnetworks.com/2008/06/i-want-to-test-some-stuff-without-messing-up-my-machine-can-you-help-me.html#comment-9071 [...] Enterprise IT Professionals (as a Volume Licensing Extra). I recommend on playing with it inside a Virtual PC/VMware workstation. you will be thankful that you’ve heard about this tool on your next [...] [...] Enterprise IT Professionals (as a Volume Licensing Extra). I recommend on playing with it inside a Virtual PC/VMware workstation. you will be thankful that you’ve heard about this tool on your next [...]

]]> By: AskTheAdmin http://www.asktheadmin.com/2009/02/i-want-to-test-some-stuff-without-messing-up-my-machine-can-you-help-me.html/comment-page-1#comment-6735 AskTheAdmin Tue, 10 Jun 2008 14:55:20 +0000 http://ata.inspiritnetworks.com/2008/06/i-want-to-test-some-stuff-without-messing-up-my-machine-can-you-help-me.html#comment-6735 Do people still get machines with less than 2gb of ram? Its like running windows 98 on 32mb of ram. It can be done buy it is as painful as... Well its painful!! Do people still get machines with less than 2gb of ram? Its like running windows 98 on 32mb of ram. It can be done buy it is as painful as… Well its painful!!

]]> By: Peter http://www.asktheadmin.com/2009/02/i-want-to-test-some-stuff-without-messing-up-my-machine-can-you-help-me.html/comment-page-1#comment-6734 Peter Tue, 10 Jun 2008 12:14:37 +0000 http://ata.inspiritnetworks.com/2008/06/i-want-to-test-some-stuff-without-messing-up-my-machine-can-you-help-me.html#comment-6734 Make sure you have plenty of RAM when using VMs. Running Vista in a VM with 512 Megs of RAM is even more painful than running it on physical hardware with that little RAM. Make sure you have plenty of RAM when using VMs. Running Vista in a VM with 512 Megs of RAM is even more painful than running it on physical hardware with that little RAM.

]]> By: Peter http://www.asktheadmin.com/2009/02/i-want-to-test-some-stuff-without-messing-up-my-machine-can-you-help-me.html/comment-page-1#comment-6733 Peter Tue, 10 Jun 2008 12:13:09 +0000 http://ata.inspiritnetworks.com/2008/06/i-want-to-test-some-stuff-without-messing-up-my-machine-can-you-help-me.html#comment-6733 But since Altiris was bought by Microsoft, SVS is now only available to SA customers (rebranded as SoftGrid). But since Altiris was bought by Microsoft, SVS is now only available to SA customers (rebranded as SoftGrid).

]]> By: AskTheAdmin http://www.asktheadmin.com/2009/02/i-want-to-test-some-stuff-without-messing-up-my-machine-can-you-help-me.html/comment-page-1#comment-6732 AskTheAdmin Tue, 10 Jun 2008 12:12:37 +0000 http://ata.inspiritnetworks.com/2008/06/i-want-to-test-some-stuff-without-messing-up-my-machine-can-you-help-me.html#comment-6732 Thanks Jagermo this looks pretty sweet. I am going to give it a shot later today. Thanks Jagermo this looks pretty sweet. I am going to give it a shot later today.

]]> By: Jagermo http://www.asktheadmin.com/2009/02/i-want-to-test-some-stuff-without-messing-up-my-machine-can-you-help-me.html/comment-page-1#comment-6731 Jagermo Tue, 10 Jun 2008 12:02:17 +0000 http://ata.inspiritnetworks.com/2008/06/i-want-to-test-some-stuff-without-messing-up-my-machine-can-you-help-me.html#comment-6731 Personally I think it's a little faster than a VM. But the greatest advantage in my opinion is, that i can try the new app in my every-day work environment, without messing with my system. One Example is, that I can install different versions of different browsers and activate them, when I need them. Here is a review at Lifehacker: <a href="<a href="http://lifehacker.com/software/installation/hack-attack-safely-install-software-in-a-virtual-layer-162910.php " rel="nofollow">http://lifehacker.com/software/installation/hack-...</a>"><a href="http://lifehacker.com/software/installat...</a rel="nofollow"> ">http://lifehacker.com/software/installation/hack-...</a> </a> Personally I think it's a little faster than a VM. But the greatest advantage in my opinion is, that i can try the new app in my every-day work environment, without messing with my system. One Example is, that I can install different versions of different browsers and activate them, when I need them. Here is a review at Lifehacker: http://lifehacker.com/software/installation/hack-…“> “>http://lifehacker.com/software/installation/hack-…

]]> By: Jagermo http://www.asktheadmin.com/2009/02/i-want-to-test-some-stuff-without-messing-up-my-machine-can-you-help-me.html/comment-page-1#comment-7416 Jagermo Tue, 10 Jun 2008 12:02:17 +0000 http://ata.inspiritnetworks.com/2008/06/i-want-to-test-some-stuff-without-messing-up-my-machine-can-you-help-me.html#comment-7416 Personally I think it's a little faster than a VM. But the greatest advantage in my opinion is, that i can try the new app in my every-day work environment, without messing with my system. One Example is, that I can install different versions of different browsers and activate them, when I need them. Here is a review at Lifehacker: <a href="<a href="http://lifehacker.com/software/installation/hack-attack-safely-install-software-in-a-virtual-layer-162910.php " rel="nofollow">http://lifehacker.com/software/installation/hack-...</a>"><a href="http://lifehacker.com/software/installat...</a rel="nofollow"> ">http://lifehacker.com/software/installation/hack-...</a> </a> Personally I think it's a little faster than a VM. But the greatest advantage in my opinion is, that i can try the new app in my every-day work environment, without messing with my system. One Example is, that I can install different versions of different browsers and activate them, when I need them. Here is a review at Lifehacker: http://lifehacker.com/software/installation/hack-…“> “>http://lifehacker.com/software/installation/hack-…

]]> By: AskTheAdmin http://www.asktheadmin.com/2009/02/i-want-to-test-some-stuff-without-messing-up-my-machine-can-you-help-me.html/comment-page-1#comment-6730 AskTheAdmin Mon, 09 Jun 2008 14:55:11 +0000 http://ata.inspiritnetworks.com/2008/06/i-want-to-test-some-stuff-without-messing-up-my-machine-can-you-help-me.html#comment-6730 How is the performance compared to a VM? How is the performance compared to a VM?

]]> By: Jagermo http://www.asktheadmin.com/2009/02/i-want-to-test-some-stuff-without-messing-up-my-machine-can-you-help-me.html/comment-page-1#comment-6729 Jagermo Mon, 09 Jun 2008 14:52:33 +0000 http://ata.inspiritnetworks.com/2008/06/i-want-to-test-some-stuff-without-messing-up-my-machine-can-you-help-me.html#comment-6729 VMs are a fine way, but personally I use Altiris SVS, when I try new software. (<a href="<a href="http://juice.altiris.com/). " rel="nofollow">http://juice.altiris.com/). </a>"><a href="http://juice.altiris.com/). " rel="nofollow">http://juice.altiris.com/). </a></a>It virtualizes the application inside a running OS, so you don't have to set up a whole new VM to test a single application. Plus, the Personal Version is free VMs are a fine way, but personally I use Altiris SVS, when I try new software. (http://juice.altiris.com/). “>http://juice.altiris.com/). It virtualizes the application inside a running OS, so you don't have to set up a whole new VM to test a single application. Plus, the Personal Version is free

]]> By: El Di Pablo http://www.asktheadmin.com/2009/02/i-want-to-test-some-stuff-without-messing-up-my-machine-can-you-help-me.html/comment-page-1#comment-4681 El Di Pablo Fri, 04 Jan 2008 20:13:00 +0000 http://ata.inspiritnetworks.com/2008/06/i-want-to-test-some-stuff-without-messing-up-my-machine-can-you-help-me.html#comment-4681 MS Virtual PC is okay, except if you want to do Linux. For some reason it just doesn't jive. Did you know you can install the free VMWare server on Windows XP? MS Virtual PC is okay, except if you want to do Linux. For some reason it just doesn’t jive. Did you know you can install the free VMWare server on Windows XP?

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