IE connection w/ Virtual PC 2007

[witch_wyzwurd]

I set up a Virtual PC on my home computer. I have IE6-XPSP3 running successfully on it. Now I want to be able to connect through the internet with it.

I have a personal home computer with no other computers connected to it.

I have a Hi-Speed Broadband Connection

Please give me specific instructions. If vague instructions could help me, then I probably wouldn't be coming here for help.

I right-clicked on IE desktop icon in XP SP3 and fiddled around with different options for setting up a connection, but nothing seemed to work. I did this before like 3 mos ago, but the XP SP3 was wiped out recently and I had to reinstall it and I don't remember how I set up a connection then.

[submix8c]

Leave the settings alone.

On the Host, add a Microsoft Loopback Adapter (a virtual network card), set up the NIC connected to the WWW as Shared (ensure the Loopback is selected), before starting the XP in VPC, add 1 NIC and select the Loopback. Now start XP (ensure TCP/IP address is Auto-assigned).

Done!

Edited March 10, 2009 by submix8c

[witch_wyzwurd]

Hmmm. This is way more complicated than how I did it before. Or it seems to be because I have no idea what you're telling me to do.

On the Host

I understand this.

add a Microsoft Loopback Adapter (a virtual network card),

I have no idea what this is or where to get one. Does it cost money?

set up the NIC connected to the WWW as Shared (ensure the Loopback is selected), before starting the XP in VPC, add 1 NIC and select the Loopback. Now start XP (ensure TCP/IP address is Auto-assigned).

Are these specific choices in the MLA? I don't know what a NIC is.

Maybe if I know where to get the MLA or how and where to add one, the rest will be self-explanatory.

Could you help me finish this please.

[submix8c]

NIC = Network Interface Card

Microsoft Loopback Adapter = a "software" adapter and you already have it

- Settings->Control Panel->Add New Hardware

- Let it search, then tell it "Yes it's connected"

- Scroll to bottom and select Add New Device

- Select Install Manually

- Select Network Adapters

- Select on left Microsoft, then on right the Loopback Adapter

Proceed as stated.

P.S. Don't forget to install the VM Additions when prompted in the VPC. You can manually select it at the top if you haven't installed them yet. It's the "VM Additions.iso" in the VPC Install folder/subfolder.

HTH

Edited March 10, 2009 by submix8c

[witch_wyzwurd]

I appreciate the instructions, but "Settings" in what? I push the Start button on my desktop, then I push "Control Panel" then I don't see "Add New Hardware" anywhere. I looked in "Device Manager" but don't see that option either. We're talking on the Host computer right? I'm using Vista. Are you skipping steps?

[Tripredacus]

I appreciate the instructions, but "Settings" in what? I push the Start button on my desktop, then I push "Control Panel" then I don't see "Add New Hardware" anywhere. I looked in "Device Manager" but don't see that option either. We're talking on the Host computer right? I'm using Vista. Are you skipping steps?

Settings is an option under Start Menu, under older versions of Windows. There are more than one way to make the appearance of Windows so I think this is causing confusion for you. Whichever way you get to Control Panel is fine, as long as you get there.

The instructions he gave you were for Windows XP and lower. Also, if you do not see "Add Hardware" in Control Panel, you need to switch to classic view. The default view hides a lot of icons on you.

Here are some web pages that tell you how to add new Hardware in Vista:

http://www.web-articles.info/e/a/title/Win...ardware-Wizard/

http://www.theeldergeekvista.com/add_hardware_wizard.htm

In my experience, when I installed XP into VPC, it just worked and I didn't have to do anything to it, which was probably closer to your first experience.

[witch_wyzwurd]

Ok, Trip, the "classic view" hint helped.

Now I've added the MLA, but the next set of instructions seems to be missing some explanation...

set up the NIC connected to the WWW as Shared (ensure the Loopback is selected), before starting the XP in VPC, add 1 NIC and select the Loopback. Now start XP (ensure TCP/IP address is Auto-assigned).

The NIC connected to the WWW leaves me guessing to what that means. What I'm guessing is that I right click on the MLA in "Manage Connections" screen, click the sharing tab, then check "all other network users to connect through this computer's internet connection"? If so, then there's setting beyond this. I don't know what to select.

And "add 1 NIC" is an option I don't see anywhere. Is "Select Loopback" like a box to check or do you mean to select it somehow else? And then TCP/IP auto-assigned? Have no idea where this option is.

I'm pretty good in understanding click here and click there, but not so versed in the area of knowing where all these options are located. In Vista (or anywhere else). I just don't do this very often. I pick up on it as I click the buttons, not trying to figure it out for myself, because that usually ends up to be a frustrating couple of days I don't want to remember.

Plus, I just tried guessing at what was meant, and I lost connection to the internet and had to toggle in-between a few screen a few times to try and figure out how to get my connection back. Still don't know what I did.

[submix8c]

No, that's backwards. The MLA (new acronym?) is NOT the one connected to the WWW; it's a "fake", "software" one. The "real" one is the original and the one you "share".

In the VPC Control Panel, BEFORE you "start" the Guest OS, on the right there are Settings. Go there and take a look at the Networking info (click on it). See the info on the right? Change it to read "# of Adapters - 1" and select "Mac Bridge Miniport".

As far as VPC goes (to clarify the above), yes it's possible to assign the REAL NIC in the Guest, but not advisable (IMHO). By doing what I suggested above, you also gain the ability to share files/folders as if the VPC was actually separate PC on a local intranet (for whatever reason). Handy for dial-up... Also, if you have a not-MS Firewall on the Host, the the Guest is behind it, in essence allowing older OS's to be run as Guest without installing Firewall, only AntiVirus. (Basically, you turned the Host into a Router for the Guest.)

And, yes, I use "classic view" - and that's an option for XP and up (I also use 2K3) - can't stand the "now where is that?" in newer. At least with Classic, it's consistent and not a "moving target".

HTH

[witch_wyzwurd]

Change it to read "# of Adapters - 1" and select "Mac Bridge Miniport".

There wasn't an option for "Mac Bridge Miniport". I selected MLA (Microsoft Loop Adapter) though. It was the best possible option out of the list. So now it works.

Is there a problem in selecting MLA instead of Mac Bridge Miniport (which wasn't in the list)?

[submix8c]

Urp, sorry... trying to help someone else and got confuzzed/crossed topics.

Correct assumption! The Real Nic connects the LoopBack (on the Host). In VPC Settings, the LoopBack is the "hook" to the Guest. In the Guest it "internally" connects to the LoopBack (defined in the VPC Settings). The other thing "Mac Bridge yadayada" is a Bridge type deal (unnecessary for you).

Topic appears to be [sOLVED].

Edited March 11, 2009 by submix8c

[witch_wyzwurd]

It is SOLVED! Thanks for your help. And Trip too!