I finally did it! Microsoft Virtual PC 2007

Well, I got my new laptop  about 3 months ago.  I ended up getting a Dell Vostro 1700...got it with Vista Basic then upgraded to Vista Business - I did quite a few upgrades to the laptop before buying to get my 'perfect' system.  Still this caused a problem that I've blogged about before, Vista incompatibility with QuickBooks pre 2006.

So....last night I finally did it!  I installed Microsoft Virtual PC 2007 enabling me to install up to 4 operating systems virtually 'behind' my primary OS, Vista Business.  The installation of Virtual PC went extremely well - flawless actually.  Once that is installed then I was able to install my Windows XP Professional OS.  This wasn't the most difficult thing I've ever done...all in all perhaps a 3 out of 5 on difficulty.

So, now that this is installed I can move seamlessly back and forth from VISTA to XP, I can run QuickBooks 2008, QuickBooks 2007, and QuickBooks 2006 in Vista and QuickBooks 2006, QuickBooks 2005, & QuickBooks 2004 in XP as well as all the other software out there that was deemed usless with the upgrade to Vista.

So, what does this mean to you...well...I am not comfortable recommending anyone do anything that I haven't done first.  I can, without hesitation recommend that 'workaround' for those of you that are buying these Vista machines...alot of times without thinking of the ramifications of the operating system that you are buying.  After all, unless you are a semi computer nerd like me, you just want to get on with your business or whatever it is that you do, right?

I am by no means a "Computer expert" - most of my learning is trial & error - just know this option is available, if you don't feel comfortable doing this on your own, get an IT person to come do it for you - it works.  Did I mention that Virtual PC is FREE, yes, Microsoft actually put something out there for FREE...and it seems to work well.