Advice on running XP x64 through VMWare Server

B(oYo)BIES — Wed, 28 May 2008 12:47:38 -0800

XP Pro x64 Server + VMware Server + XP Pro x64 --- So my boss has this idea of running VMware Server on our server and backing up the VMware image nightly. His thought here, is that if the server craps out, all we have to do is re-install, copy over the VMware image and we are back in business. So... What he has me doing right now, is wiping two brand new servers, installing XP x64 on both, and VMware on one. I will then be installing a third copy of XP x64 on VMware Server. The object is to benchmark the server running XP x64 and to benchmark the server running XP x64 through VMware server and find out what kind of performance hit (disk, cpu, memory) we will take by running XP x64 through VMware. I also have a copy of XP x32 around here that we will be trying out.

This is a very small company, and I am put in charge of this because I have the most knowledge of computers, although I would never classify myself as an admin. I need to know if this idea has an potential, if there is something else we should be looking into all together, or if there is advice on how to proceed with this idea.

64-bit n00b, doesn't want to be a b00b.

bartleby — Thu, 03 May 2007 09:48:32 -0800

Getting new laptop with x64 processor...should I get 32-bit Vista, or 64-bit? Does it matter? How about 64-bit XP? New laptop purchase candidate has AMDx64 processor.
But my only knowledge of 64-bit computing is that it seems to provoke headaches.

I’ve gone through the 64-bit threads here, but many of them are a year or more old, so I don’t know if the situation has improved.. I wouldn’t bother asking, but considering that my last 3 computer purchases were basically free (recycling –No! Upgrading!- older machines to Linux), I’m fretting over spending $$$ on the wrong thing.

It’s just a ‘very-portable’ home/biz laptop that’s maxed out at 2gb RAM. So no bonuses for 64-bit’s higher RAM ceiling. Not for gaming, no overclocked CAD/video editing workstation, etc. Simply wanted a small notebook with Vista. It just so happened that the form factor I liked comes with a 64-bit processor.

Okay, you early adopters who might have gone through this already, a couple questions:

1) This will be my first Vista machine AND my first x64 processor. Will I have more or less problems with running a 64-bit OS on a 64 bit processor than I would running 32-bit version of the same OS on the same machine? Would I even notice any gain from x64, given that I’m only on 2gb RAM anyway? Does the x86 emulation or whatever lets it run in 32-bit mode suck and slow things down? Trying to pick which flavor of Vista will run smoother…

2) I ask because I would like to get Vista Ultimate, but the OEM for this only offers it in 64-bit, even though their Premium & Business offerings are 32-bit. I need to join a domain, so it’s Business at the least; but I am also interested in the Media Center stuff in Ultimate. If I’m stuck with a crap 64-bit Ultimate or a functioning 32-bit Business, I’m going to have to go with Business. No difference? Ultimate. Who owns either or both and can tell me about it?

3) Sort of eliminating the above question; if anyone has an OEM Vista Ultimate DVD: did it come with both the 32-bit and 64-bit versions on it, like I hear that the retail version does? If so, then we’re done: I’ll have the option to try both. for what works better. If not, repeat question 1.

4) I’m going to set up this machine with an XP partition to boot from for the times when Vista isn’t my friend. And I just so happen to have an unused XP Pro 64bit install package lying around doing nothing but being shrinkwrapped & legit. (I ended up with this as a gift from someone who tried XPx64 on a few machines in 2005 and gave up in tears.) “Why not save a couple hundred dollars and use it instead of buying XP again”, I say to myself “- they must have improved it since it came out”. But maybe it still sucks? Is XP x64 going to give me a whole other set of headaches, making it worth going out and buying a retail XP 32-bit copy for my dual-booting to safety needs? Expensive!

5) Bonus Question: Who was Casper the Ghost before he died?

Thanks for all your help, everybuggy.

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Advice on running XP x64 through VMWare Server

64-bit n00b, doesn't want to be a b00b.