dual booting v virtual computers 2

[dongle]

I edit video and find that my normal operating XP system is such a wastebin of software coming an going I really need a nice clean system just for the video. Is it best to have a dual booting system or virtual aperating systems.

 

[Rick998]

Dual-boot should work but I have my doubts about using VM's. I don't have a lot of experience with MS's Virtual PC but working regularly with VMWare Workstation shows a performance hit, even with loads of RAM.

Have you thought about a slightly different approach, i.e. software virtualisation instead of virtualisation of the OS?

Like you, I had a problem with installs/un-installs of software creating an untidy home PC until I discovered Altiris' SVS (free for personal use). Now I have a clean PC with just a few main applications installed as normal and the rest available within seconds as SVS software images.

Pre-configured SVS software images can be imported and exported. Once activated they are available for use within seconds. Conversely, once de-activated they are invisible to the operating system. If deleted then there's no leftover clutter either in the registry or on the hard disk.

After having used Altiris SVS for 6 months or more I can honestly say that I wouldn't work any other way.

Have a look at

http://juice.altiris.com/node/86

for more info.

Hope this helps...

 

[dongle]

A really interesting solution. I will try it out.

Thanks.

Don