Building Your First Virtual Computer

By Thomas G. Stephens, Jr., CPA, CITP

 

Last month we introduced the concept of virtualization, explained the many potential benefits and summarized the major technology requirements. Based on that discussion, it should be clear that a virtual computer is in your future. Now you may be thinking about the steps involved in building your first virtual computer. Relax, it’s really pretty easy. Following the steps outlined below will insure that your first foray into the world of virtual computers is successful.

 

Installing Virtualization Software

 

The first step is to obtain and install your virtualization software. As discussed last month, there are many good virtualization software applications available, including Microsoft’s Virtual PC 2007 and VMWare’s VMWare Workstation. In this discussion, we will review the steps for installing Virtual PC 2007.

Virtual PC 2007 is available for downloading at no charge from www.microsoft.com/downloads. Simply download the file and then double-click on it to install Virtual PC 2007 on your computer. The process is very straightforward and should be completed in a matter of a couple of minutes from the time you begin the download until the time the installation is completed. Nonetheless, if you need detailed instructions – including system requirements to run Virtual PC 2007 – you will find those on the download page. Once the software is installed, you are ready to proceed to creating your first virtual computer.

 

Creating a Virtual Computer

 

To initiate the process of creating a virtual computer, open Virtual PC 2007 and click New on the Virtual PC Console to launch the New Virtual Machine Wizard. Like all wizards, this one has been designed to guide users through what otherwise could be a tedious and confusing process. Fortunately, the New Virtual Machine Wizard provides excellent guidance, even for non-technical users.

The first step in the wizard is to specify that you want to create a new virtual machine. Next, specify a name for the new virtual machine; be sure to make this something that is meaningful and descriptive to you. The wizard then prompts you to specify the operating system that will be installed in the virtual machine. Notably, this process does not install the operating system; you will perform that step later. Rather, this step is used to generate default answers for other questions asked by the wizard.

After specifying the operating system to be installed, the wizard recommends the amount of Random Access Memory (RAM) to be allocated and gives you the option of changing the recommended settings. Generally, the minimum amount of RAM that should be allocated to a virtual machine is the same amount that would be installed as if the computer were a physical computer instead of a virtual computer. If you make a choice regarding RAM and later wish to change that choice, you can do so by editing the virtual computer’s configuration file. After indicating the amount of RAM to be allocated to the virtual computer, you are prompted as to whether the virtual computer will use an existing virtual hard disk or a new virtual hard disk. Because this is your first virtual computer, you will need to create a new virtual hard disk and tell the wizard how much space should be allocated.

Upon reaching the last screen of the wizard, click Finish and your first virtual computer will be created. All that’s left now is to install the operating system and you will be ready to run your new virtual computer.

 

Installing the Operating System and Applications

 

After the virtual computer has been created, select it from the Virtual PC Console and click the Start button to launch it. Because no operating system is yet loaded, you will receive an error message that says “Reboot and Select proper Boot device or Insert Boot Media in selected Boot device.” Simply insert your CD or DVD that contains the licensed operating system you wish to install in the virtual computer and reboot the virtual computer to begin the installation of the operating system. To cause the system to reboot, click the Action menu and choose the CTRL+ALT+DEL option. The installation of the operating system should mirror the installation of an operating system on a physical computer and, depending upon the system being installed, take 25-60 minutes.

When installation is completed, be sure to update the operating system with any maintenance releases and service packs, just as if you were working with a physical computer. Of course, you should also install anti-virus software and other anti-malware software onto the virtual machine. At this point, you may also want to install Virtual Machine Additions and use some form of optimization software such as vOptimizer to ensure that your virtual machine experience is performing at peak efficiency.

If you have made it to this point, you are ready to install any desired applications into the virtual computer and beginning running them in a virtual environment. To install applications in the virtual computer, boot the virtual computer by clicking on the Start button in the console. Once the virtual computer has fully started, insert the application CD into the CD drive and install it as if you were installing onto a physical computer. As with the installation of the operating system, after the application has installed, be sure to update it for maintenance releases and service packs.

Congratulations! You just built your first virtual computer and, as promised, it was not nearly as difficult as you might have thought it would be.

 

Don't Be Intimidated

 

Many potential users of virtual computers are intimidated by what they think will be a cumbersome and technically challenging process in building a virtual computer. However, reading and following the steps outlined above will help to insure that your first experience with building a virtual computer is a positive one and that you will begin to experience the many benefits of working with virtual computers almost immediately.

The process is simple: download and install the virtualization software, create the virtual computer, and install the operating system and any desired applications. Though additional steps such as optimization can be added, these are purely optional and can always be performed later, as your knowledge if virtualization grows.

In next month’s final installment on virtualization, we will review how virtual servers can greatly increase your return on investment in technology. Until then, enjoy your summer!

 

Mr. Stephens is a shareholder in K2 Enterprises, where he develops and presents technology-related continuing professional education programs to accounting and finance professionals across the United States. You may reach him at tommy@k2e.com.

 

The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Microsoft.