[macman247]

I recently acquired Virtual PC 7 and installed a version of Windows XP Pro (corporate edition) from an iso following Virtual PC's guidelines on creating a new virtual machine of an OS not included (since this was a PC installation disc). I had no installation errors, and kept the file format as FAT32. I also made sure to install the VPC additions for better mouse support, etc, and any Windows Updates available (sans any service packs). The main difference I've found between this new version of VPC with XP Pro, and version 6 with 2000, is that the application eats up all idle CPU, even when the PC idle, playing solitaire, or "Paused".

My PC settings are as follows:
- PC Memory: 384 MB (out of 1024), 16 MB VRAM
- Undo Drives: disabled
- Shared Folders: 5 (Mac volume, iPod, iDisk, etc..)
- COM1 Port: Mac serial port: gPort (latest drivers installed in X), no options checked
- Networking: Shared Networking (Ethernet)
- USB: No Devices In Use
- Dock: Show Windows Applications
- Printing: Default Mac Printer (hp psc 2100 series)
(options not listed are just set to the default)

My Applications settings are as follows:
- PC Behavior: Don't Pause PCs (in the background, don't restore at launch)
- Full Screen Mode: Adjust PC Resolution
- Sound: Background Sound Not Muted
- CPU Usage: Medium Background Use
(options not listed are just set to the default)

My computer specifications are listed in my signature.

I updated to 7.0.1, restarted, and reinstalled additions, and the problem persists. Now the CPU indicator for that virtual machine is maxed out in addition to VPC CPU usage in top/Activity Monitor. The task manager shows approximately 5% CPU usage. Is there some way that the SYSTEM IDLE PROCESS isn't being picked up correctly, and it's usage is being reported by accident? This issue is concerning me because I've had VPC crash my computer HARD several times, and the constant CPU activity concerns me. Perhaps I missed a step in the virtual machine creation, or installed a Windows update it didn't like. Has anyone created a virtual machine of XP Pro (corporate or not) from a PC disc without any problems?

On a side note, I was impressed that I was able to interface flawlessly with a Motorola M68MOD912C32 micro-controller with my setup. I replaced my Cube's internal modem with a CubePort (DIN-8 serial port). Using the Newton DIN-8 to DB-9 cable, getting the appropriate pin-outs, and rigging up the right wires to the right pins, i was able to communicate with my micro-controller using goSerial . Additionally, i was able to communicate AND flash the micro-controller using the PC programs asmide and ubug! Does anyone know of a native Mac OS X or X11 program for flashing HC12s (gui or command line)? That would make my life (and this group project) so much easier and more stable!

Let me know if anyone out there wants any more info about working with the micro and I can port more about it. My main concern right now is making sure Virtual PC 7 is running properly. Thanks in advance for any insight!

[The Godfather]

Hey that's a cool microcontroller How much does it cost? I thought that those new HC12s could only be programmed through the BDM port, not serial.

Is that goSerial any better than Zterm?

[macman247]

I purchased the mircocontroller through Purdue for about $34. You can in fact program it through a serial port connected to certain pins, there is just not a nice serial port connector on the chip, it's just a 32-pin DIP with a 6-pin BDM port. The only wires you need to connect to the chip are Tx, Rx, DTR (which isn't always necessary), and GND (to provide a common ground).

I hadn't tried Zterm, but I downloaded it and gave it a try, works as well, haven't tinkered around with it too much yet. However, I found goSerial to be a better Mac OS X citizen: simple interface, straight-forward, full of options, and free . Only settings you need to configure are:
- 9600 baud
- 8 data bits
- 1 stop bit
- no hardware flow control

Mine isn't as nice as the HC12s we have in lab, with every port available, the BDM module in place, and using a real nice IDE. However, this chip a tad less expensive!

[macman247]

I recently installed Windows 2000 from my Virtual PC 6 disc (conversion went fine). I had it crash my computer hard once while the PC was open, and now it does the exact same thing. I don't see why this happens.

Anybody have ANY input on this?

[macman247]

I finally pin-pointed my main problem. I decided to completely reinstall VPC 7 (without the 7.0.1 update). I also dumped my XP Pro virtual machine, and used a clean copy of 2000 Pro that came with VPC 6 (and converted it). Only oddity with conversion was the initial lack of a mouse. I restarted the PC, and regained my cursor. I finished setup, installed additions, all flawless. Wow, what a difference XP to 2K makes! TONS faster!

Anywho, it turns out the setting any COM port to any device (gPort, Bluetooth, etc) NOT checked as "Modem" will cause VPC to eat cycles when a virtual machine is open (paused or not). I can confirm this by tinkering around with the settings on a paused virtual machine. When not set as a modem, VPC must be hyperactively polling that port. In addition, when changing a COM port for the first time in the PC settings window, it likes to crash gracefully. Upon restarting VPC, all is well again

By selecting COM1 to gPort and checking the settings below, VPC will only floor my CPU when a PC application that utilizes a COM port is open:
- Modem
- Advanced Settings
- DTR tracking RTS
- CTS tracking RTS
For now, I guess this is as good as it'll get. Very bizarre...

Anyone using a COM port in Virtual PC 7 and noticing anything similar?