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Introduction

My last computer upgrade was in 2002, a Pentium 4 with Windows xp. With the life drawing to an end for this version I have upgraded to Windows 8 Professional - 64 bit on a faster computer. I thought I would document and share my findings here, so that if other Z88 Users (like me), who wish to run the older 16 bit DOS on different computers can benefit from my findings.

I tried to start PC PipeDream on this 64bit version, but it failed. A user reported that it works on Windows 8 Home 32bit, so how can I get it to run? I have quite a few old files around and I have found it is useful to keep the same format as the Z88 is using until conversion is required. There are a number of ways of achieving this, but I thought I would start by using Hyper-V, (a virtual machine manager that runs the VM software) which is included in my version. Once created a VM, you can install any OS you want, including Windows 3.1 through Windows 8, Linux, BSD, and others. Why not get Windows xp running as a virtual computer, then anything that I had running on my old computer could run in there.

There are a host of articles written on using Hyper-V Server 2008. To save time, I will use these, fill in the gaps, illustrate the screen shot differences, to show the complete story. So here we go, share with me my findings and then make up your mind if it is worth it or not.

Considerations

Whilst Windows 7 offered uses the option of running Windows xp as a virtual machine, when running Windows 8 Professional a Genuine Windows Key is required to run additional Windows OS. Although Keys are advertised on the internet, I decided to contact Microsoft directly and got a key from them.

The same is true for virus protection. The virus protection that you are running on the host computer only protects that one. I used Norton Internet Security, it comes with a 60 day trial.

Still interested? Oh well, here goes.

Hyper-V

BIOS Changes

The only change I had to make was to enable Intel VT. - It was called "Intel Virtualization Technology" in my ASUS UEFI BIOS Utility. For full details see Set the BIOS.

I then Checked SLAT and got the following result.

Install Hyper-V

I found these instructions after I had done my installation, they look alright with the following comments.

I didn't install the entire package initially. Make sure that the tick is in the main box and all the components are selected. My box had a smaller square in it.

Virtual Switch Manager

The author states:-

"One other super important piece of advice is to remember to create virtual switches at this point. It makes guest VM setup much easier on Windows 8 Hyper-V." I wish I had known this.

Here are my screen shots with the two virtual switches configured and selected. One connects to the Hardware Ethernet port (for Internet connection) and the other one is used to connect to the Host Computer Port (to transfer files).

Note:

Give the switches meaningful names, so that get connected to the correct network adapter.
There are 'hidden' sections which can be selected by expanding the tree on the left-hand side.