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

DebianOn is an effort to document how to install, configure and use Debian on some specific hardware. Therefore potential buyers would know if that hardware is supported and owners would know how get the best out of that hardware.

The purpose is not to duplicate the Debian Official Documentation, but to document how to install Debian on some specific hardware.

If you need help to get Debian running on your hardware, please have a look at our user support channels where you may find specific channels (mailing list, IRC channel) dedicated to certain types of hardware.

Models covered

Overall Status

Core Components

InstallingDebianOn/VMs/MicrosoftVirtualPc2007/etch/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 :
{OK} = OK ; {X} Unsupported(No Driver) ; /!\ = Error (Couldn't get it working); [?] Unknown, Not Test ; [-] Not-applicable
{i} = Configuration Required; X-( = Only works with a proprietary driver

Important Note

Debian Lenny

Make sure you read at least the sections Kernel Parameters and Xorg Display before installing Debian.

Installation on Windows Vista X64 - Virtual PC 2007: I experienced problems in booting from the Lenny (Debian 5.02a) ISO files, even with the additional command line parameters ("noreplace-paravirt"). Just burn the ISO files to DVD and try again.



Debian testing and unstable aren't really coverd by this guide, but still, here are a few hints :

Debian Testing

same as Lenny.

Debian Sid

same as Lenny.

Configuration

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).

Xorg Display

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

InstallingDebianOn/VMs/MicrosoftVirtualPc2007/etch/gdm-prompt-bug.png

That's because the Virtual PC emulation is incomplete ("s3" doesn't support 24bit mode, as explained here. see bug 470408 )

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.

Mouse

The mouse is working well.

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

Computer Timer

Due to a bug in Virtual PC (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, cd).

Create the VM

Configure the VM to boot from CD

After installation, make sure you read the paragraph about S3/Xorg bug.

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

Attachments

Some configuration files and sample outputs.

Credits

CategoryProposedDeletion: obsolete page, maybe some links to move to other CategoryVirtualization pages, otherwise rename it do ?InstallingDebianOn/Microsoft/VirtualPC/2007