Sandboxing XP. VMWare, Virtual PC 2004 or something else?

[GETanner]

I'm looking to sandbox A copy of XP.

Currently, I can see three options.

1. Setup a PC with a fully patched copy of XP. Make a Ghost Image of the drive so I can always revert back to a fresh XP setup.

2. Run VMWare WorkStation 5.5

3. Run Microsoft Virtual PC 2004

To fully make use of option 1, I would need to pick up a KVM switch that can handle 1600x1200 digital dvi outputs.

Problem with option 2 & 3 is that I have no experience with either product.

Any thoughts on the 2 software options.

Will either leave the resident OS untouched when in use, ie I can throw any number of beta programs at it and afterwards, the PC will not be affected?

Thanks in advance,

G

[Pegasus]

No virtual PC software will touch the OS it is installed on, save for any registry entries that need creating.

When you install an OS on your "virtual" PC, all you are installing to is a folder, so option 2 or 3 will be your best bet IMO.

[tam9]

VMWare, its a tried and tested app throughout the industry and has a lot of support. I use vmware a lot and swear by it. I used to run virtual PC on the ibook and it was shite, and I mean crap.

If you do have both options, go with vmware, it does a helluva lot more than Virtual PC crap.

Another thing to note is that vmware is a lot more advanced in using your gfx card than Virtual PC is (well the last time I looked anyway).

[GETanner]

Thanks for the replies.

Have have now downloaded the 30 day eval copy of VMWare and give it a good looking over the next few weeks.

K+ to the both of you.