[mbperk]

When I am finsihed using Virtual PC should I shut windows down or is saving the PC state ok to use? I usually just save the PC state since it starts up so much quciker when I need to use it again.

[gorickey]

I always save the state as well...never a problem here!

[mbperk]

Thanks gorickey!

[PubGuy]

Depending on how frequently you use it, remember that it is still Windows and that it's memory management is not so good.

Personally, I shut down and reboot my drive images periodically after the equivalent of about 2 weeks of solid use to straighten out Windows and aviod problems.

Now, if you only use the drive image once a week for a few hours, you could go 3 months without doing it....but...I would plan on occasionally doing a full shutdown of Windows (just like they have to do on the real machines)

[bmhome1]

Both my 98SE and XP Home drive images have been used exclusively from saved states since updating them to VPC6 over six months ago, through several duplications of the drive images (VPC6 copies the saved state also), problem-free and still running at the identical speeds when benchmarked.

I can't see how a saved state affects Windows virtual memory utilization, its just suspending the OS and resuming it exactly as when left off, except time and date getting updated.

What's essential with saved states is to be consistent with USB connected devices, not a saved state as with something connected, then resuming later as unconnected. I prefer to unmount all devices before saving state and remounting after OS gets resumed for problem-free USB driver recognitions.