?BR /!\ Microsoft Virtual PC is a non-free (proprietary) software. It isn't supported by Debian. It's probably wiser to use a free [:SystemVirtualization:Virtualization] tool. ?BR ?BR

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Models covered?BRVirtual PC 2007 (32bits), on Windows XP and Vista 32bit

Overall Status

Core Components

inline:photo.png

Boot Standard Kernel:

{OK}

LAN network card:

{OK}

Detect CD/DVD:

{OK}

Detect hard drives:

{OK}

Extra Features

Xorg

{i}

- OpenGL

[?]

- Resize-and-Rotate(randr)

{OK}

Sound

{i}

Mouse

{OK}

Legend :?BR {OK} = OK ; {X} Unsupported(No Driver) ; /!\ = Error (Couldn't get it working); [?] Unknown, Not Test ; [-] Not-applicable ?BR {i} = Configuration Required; X-( = Only works with a proprietary driver

Important Note

Make sure read at least the sections [#kernel-param Kernel Parameters] and [#xorg Xorg Display] before installing Debian.

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Configuration

?Anchor(kernel-param)

Kernel Parameters

You should pass some parameter to the kernel. This can be achieved in two ways :

or, after installation :

(Leave the "#" at the beginning of the line).

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Xorg Display

The video adapter emulated is an "S3 Inc. 86c764/765 [Trio32/64/64V+]", PciID:5333:8811

inline:gdm-prompt-bug.png

That's because the Virtual PC emulation is incomplete ("s3" doesn't support 24bit mode, as explained [http://blogs.msdn.com/virtual_pc_guy/archive/2005/05/09/415814.aspx here])

That's easy to fix :

RandR

High Resolution

Audio

The emulated audio device is a "SoundBlaster 16" compatible device.

Networking

The emulated device is a "Digital Equipment Corporation DECchip 21140 [FasterNet]" PCI id:1011:0009.

The device (or driver) has no link detection. So network-manager will show an unplugged device. Even though it's working ! (known upstream by Gnome as bug [http://bugzilla.gnome.org/show_bug.cgi?id=418745 #418745]).

If you lose Network connection then left click on the nm-applet then click on "Wired Network" :

Mouse

The mouse is working well.

To enable the scroll wheel, you'll have to pass "proto=imps" to the module psmouse :

You may experience : "The mouse pointer appears in the center of the screen, but it is unresponsive." which can be solved by passing i8042.noloop to the kernel at boot time. (Especially for kernel >= 2.6.19)

Computer Timer

Due to a bug in Virtual PC ([http://support.microsoft.com/Default.aspx?kbid=918461 KB918461]), you need to pass clock=pit as kernel parameter.

The problem can be that the clock is shifting/drifting, or the keyboard repeat the pressed keys.

Power Management

Step by Step Installation

Download Debian ISO image

Pick the Installation that best fits you needs, from [http://www.debian.org/CD/]. I've picked the NetInst CD (at the time of writing, [http://cdimage.debian.org/debian-cd/4.0_r3/i386/iso-cd/debian-40r3-i386-netinst.iso debian-40r3-i386-netinst.iso]).

Create the VM

Configure the VM to boot from CD

?Anchor(boot-prompt)

After installation, make sure you

That's it !

System Summary

lspci

00:00.0 Host bridge [0600]: Intel Corporation 440BX/ZX/DX - 82443BX/ZX/DX Host bridge (AGP disabled) [8086:7192] (rev 03)
        Flags: bus master, medium devsel, latency 0

00:07.0 ISA bridge [0601]: Intel Corporation 82371AB/EB/MB PIIX4 ISA [8086:7110] (rev 01)
        Flags: bus master, medium devsel, latency 0

00:07.1 IDE interface [0101]: Intel Corporation 82371AB/EB/MB PIIX4 IDE [8086:7111] (rev 01) (prog-if 80 [Master])
        Flags: bus master, medium devsel, latency 0
        I/O ports at ffa0 [size=16]

00:07.3 Bridge [0680]: Intel Corporation 82371AB/EB/MB PIIX4 ACPI [8086:7113] (rev 02)
        Flags: medium devsel, IRQ 9

00:08.0 VGA compatible controller [0300]: S3 Inc. 86c764/765 [Trio32/64/64V+] [5333:8811] (prog-if 00 [VGA])
        Flags: bus master, fast devsel, latency 0
        Memory at f8000000 (32-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=64M]

00:0a.0 Ethernet controller [0200]: Digital Equipment Corporation DECchip 21140 [FasterNet] [1011:0009] (rev 20)
        Subsystem: Unknown device [0a00:2114]
        Flags: bus master, medium devsel, latency 64, IRQ 11
        I/O ports at ec00 [size=128]
        Memory at febff000 (32-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=4K]
        Expansion ROM at febe0000 [disabled] [size=64K]

lsusb

No USB !

Resources

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Attachments

Some configuration files and sample outputs.

Credits