FortyTwo

Thanks for the info. So one more question, is VMWare easy to install and configure in XP, i tried it once in Linux and it wasnt easy at all!!

Guys i really apreciate your responses, and really quick too! I want to tesy Alpha and Beta linux releases. im not too worried about tesing firewalls etc, there are other who can do that. Im looking fo rsomething that will allow me to install and uninstall mulitple test candidates without hosing my system.

After quite a while away using various linux distros ive returned to windows - lifes too short - lol. Although i still intend to run Linux on a VM. Anyway, nice place you got here! Are the locals friendly???

I would really appreciate peoples opinions on which of these is the best for running on win xp. Im looking for stability, and compatibility with xp. I dont want something that is likely to trash my xp install. I know this is a bit of a wide open question, but if anone has experince of both or either of these id really like to hear what you think of them, the pros and cons of each etc. Personally Im leaning toward Virtual PC, being its from Microsft Im inclined to think it will hav ebetter compatibility ans stability - is that a wrong assunption? Hope someone can shed some light on this as Ive never used a virtual machine before, in the past Ive always used drive racks but thats no longer an option. ps: Hi and nice forums!