PCTips Box

It’s possible to have Vista and chow down on your XP cake, too, if you apply a free — for now — virtual machine.

If you’re stuck with a Vista PC, but you really prefer using XP, I’ll show you how to set up XP as a virtual machine on Vista, plus some tricks you can use to get the most out of this setup.

Why you should give virtual machines a free try

It’s unarguable: Windows XP operates more quickly than Vista (a fact that PC World recently demonstrated even with the new Service Pack 1 installed on Vista). Additionally, no one who’s independent of Microsoft’s payroll suggests that device drivers are just as easily available for Vista as they are for XP, or that Vista supports as many software applications that people own. (more…)

Advanced Micro Devices is promising nothing short of the freedom of exploring the ultimate digital entertainment experience via a new software product made available for download exclusively for Windows Vista. And not only this, but the AMD LIVE! Explorer is designed to integrate exclusively with the Home Premium and Ultimate SKUs of Vista. The remaining limitation is the fact that the application will only run on ADM processors. AMD plans to deliver free access to the software for all the customers that buy an AMD LIVE! PC. According to the CPU maker, the AMD Phenom 9000 Series quad–core processor will be synonymous with a top experience of the explorer.

“The AMD LIVE! family includes products, applications, and services designed to work together for the ultimate entertainment experience virtually anytime, anywhere. AMD LIVE! PCs use superior technologies, including multi-core processing power and cutting-edge graphics, to bring you The Ultimate Visual Experience. From your computer monitor, to the 50-inch plasma screen in your living room, to the 2-inch LCD on your cell phone. (more…)