I starting installing Beta 1 of
Windows Vista - aka Longhorn - today using MS's Virtual PC. I hit a couple of snags even before the Virtual PC booted, so I thought I'd share a couple hints and tips:
1. You won't be able to mount the ISO as-is in Virtual PC - It moans about saying the file is not a valid ISO. Here you have two options:
a. You burn yourself a DVD - yes the ISO is 2.5GB!! or,
b. You use a CD/DVD emulator - e.g. Virtual DEAMON Manager OR
WinXP Virtual CD - to load the ISO and then do a physical mount in VPC.
2. Next you'll probably find that the volume is shown as unvailable, but don't despair!! Load up a WindowsXP or Windows2003 ISO, boot your VPC, format the drive (Don't use the Quick Format option as this doesn't always work!), and reboot the VPC with the Vista ISO once the format is complete.
NOTE!! You may find that when you try to start the WinV setup again that your VPC bluescreens - simply reboot and it'll be OK!
From here it should be smooth sailing..
Watch this space should I find any other funnies!!
- Marlon