Installing Virtual Machine Additions

Installing Virtual Machine Addition...

Virtual Server 2005 provides features that improve the integration and performance of a virtual machine running certain Windows operating systems. These features are part of Virtual Machine Additions; they are not native to the operating system or to the Virtual Server service. Virtual Machine Additions is not installed by default when you install Virtual Server, although you must install it in order to use a guest operating system effectively.

Virtual Machine Additions will also improve many aspects of your experience when using Virtual Server. For example, if Virtual Machine Additions is installed on the virtual machine, you can move the pointer freely between the virtual machine window and the host operating system when using the Virtual Machine Remote Control (VMRC) client.

Virtual Machine Additions is included with Virtual Server and can be installed from the guest operating system when it is running a supported operating system.

Important
Virtual Machine Additions is always installed on the guest operating system of the virtual machine. You should never install Virtual Machine Additions on the host operating system.

Features of Virtual Machine Additions

The following features are included in Virtual Machine Additions:

Improved performance of the guest operating system
Integrated use of the mouse
Optimized video drivers
Time synchronization

For information about how to install Virtual Machine Additions, see Install Virtual Machine Additions.

Installing Virtual Machine Additions on various operating systems

You must install Virtual Machine Additions on all virtual machines. The version of Virtual Machine Additions included with Virtual Server 2005 is the most recent and should be installed on any virtual machine running earlier versions of Virtual Machine Additions. For more information, see Installing Virtual Machine Additions.

Operating systems that support Virtual Machine Additions

Virtual Machine Additions is included for the following supported server operating systems:

Microsoft Windows Server 2003 (all versions)
Microsoft Windows 2000 Server
Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 with Service Pack 6a (SP6a)

Virtual Machine Additions is provided as a convenience for the following client operating systems:

Microsoft Windows XP (all versions)
Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional
Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition
Microsoft Windows 98
Microsoft Windows 95

Installation methods

You can perform either a standard installation by using the Setup Wizard or an unattended installation by using a command prompt. A standard installation prompts you for confirmation, whereas an unattended installation is completed without prompting you or displaying a user interface. For instructions on how to perform a standard installation, see Install Virtual Machine Additions. To perform an unattended installation, copy the Virtual Machine Additions image file to a location where it can be accessed by the virtual machines, and then type the syntax as shown in the following section.

Syntax

setup.exe -s -v"/qn [Reboot=ReallySuppress]"

Parameters

-s: Instructs the Setup program to run without displaying the user interface.

-v: Passes parameters directly to the installation program, Msiexec.exe.

/qn: Instructs the installation program, Msiexec.exe, to run without displaying the user interface.

Reboot=ReallySuppress: Prevents the guest operating system from restarting after Virtual Machine Additions is installed.

Reinstalling Virtual Machine Additions for use with Virtual PC

If you move a virtual machine that was created with Microsoft Virtual PC to Virtual Server, we recommend that you reinstall Virtual Machine Additions, even if it was installed in Virtual PC. This is because the version of Virtual Machine Additions included with Virtual Server has been updated.

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Virtual Server 2003r2

Geesterjustlearning | Edit | Show History

I am experiencing some display issues when running virtual server 2003r2 on a XP prof host? The pointer "traces" as if the memory or refresh rate is slow? I have tried setting different display options and then updating my virtual server additions....... still nothing?

Sorry for not being too technically descriptive.... as my name suggests !!

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Virtual machine additions - you must install

Nasar - www.pixelfloat.com | Edit | Show History

Hi ,

I just installed Win XP (as guest) by installing MS Virtual PC 2007, on my Windows 7 (Host) machine.
At the first, in virtual pc, there has some memory issues (felt like display driver is not accepted, and mouse was slow) .

After installing the Additions, everything works well !!

- Mouse integration works ( you dont need to hold Alt key to switch between host and guest )
- Display is super cool. Allows me to go full wide screen . It is installed a VM Additions Driver. (not my ATI GPU driver) anyway good.

Thanks

Nasar | web developer
www.pixelfloat.com

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Virtual Server 2005 - additions - a must have

YOOSUFSAIT | Edit | Show History

Hello,

I have installed Virtual Server 2005 in my XP SP2 (host) machine. I have installed Server 2003 and XP as Guest OS. I am using VMRC Plus as the Virtual Machine Manager.Initially the display of the Guest machine was a small screen, Mouse movement was slow and every time i have to press 'Alt' to shift between my Host machine and Guest machine.

After installing the Additions , Now its smooth....

No pressing 'Alt ' , Mouse movement is fast, and i am getting a full screen view also..

Thanks.

Mohamed Yoosuf Sait

http://www.aboutsqlserver2005.blogspot.com

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Installing Intel Desktop Motherboard drivers on virtual pc..

AbhinandanP | Edit | Show History

Hi,

When I am trying to install the motherboard drivers for Intel Motherboard CD/DVD, it is saying that "Current system is not an Intel Desktop Board", however I am using an Intel Desktop Board. Due to this I am not able to install some of the drivers for this board.

Can someone help?

Thanks in advance

AJP

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