[Tut] Setting up a VM for better Autoing

How to set up a VM

A VM or Virtual Machine is, in effect, a computer within a computer. This is very useful for, for instance, SCAR scripts. This because you can simply minimize the VM and keep using your computer as you would normally but you would be running a SCAR script at the same time. Setting one of these up can be kind of a pain though and might take a lot of time to figure out. Due to the fact that there are not many good tutorials on how to set one up I decided to make one. I’ll take you through the process step by step and make sure that you make no mistakes

1. First of all you’re going to need some software to make and run the VM in. Luckily for us there are a few free programs out there. I for one like Vmware so for this tutorial I’ll go with that. So before you do anything download Vmware Server. You can do this here: http://register.vmware.com/content/download.html (note: You will have to register for a free serial, you can find the link on the same page, it should speak for itself)

2. Now you’re going to have to install Vmware server onto your computer. It’s a very simple process that takes about 5-10 minutes of your time. You will also have to fill in your registration number here. It’s a straight forward wizard. Can’t do much wrong here either.

3. Once Vmware installed itself you’re going to need an OS to put on your Virtual Computer. You can go with an early version of Windows ( Windows 95/98) because they don’t need a registration key and they are quite easily found on the net. I suggest you find a torrent of WIN98 SE if you don’t have an official version of Windows. If you have a official version of Windows XP I would go with that since it manages RAM better and will give you a lot less lag later. You could of course also use Linux. It’s all a matter of preference really. Just make sure you have an ISO file. Places to get a torrent for WIN 98 are: www.torrentz.com or www.thepiratebay.org.

4. Now if you did it right you should have installed a copy of Vmware and a CD or ISO file of an OS you prefer. If you downloaded a ISO you will have to mount it using Daemon tools or similar programs. You can find this here: http://www.daemon-tools.cc/dtcc/download.php?mode=ViewCategory&catid=5 . Once you mounted your ISO you can start with setting up your VM.

5. Start off with starting up Vmware (duh). You’ll get a screen with a few options and you’ll want to click New Virtual Machine. This will open a wizard. We’ll work through this wizard together since it’s essential. First “VM configuration” fill in typical. Second screen gets “guest operating system” fill in the type of OS you have or downloaded before. Third screen shows “name” and “location” fill in what you want to call it and where you want it on your computer. Fourth screen gets “network connection”. For a local (on the pc you are at now) you will want to fill in “Bridged network“. This is the easiest option since it will simply connect to the internet once it’s installed. Fifth screen gets “disk capacity“. Default set is 8.0GB, you could if you’re short of disk space, lower this a bit but don’t lower it too much! This will lag your VM later. Keep the button “allocate disk space now” in place. Click next and it will start making the VM.


6. Once that’s done you’re going to get a new screen here you can allocate RAM and CD-rom. Ram you can set to whatever is possible. It speaks for itself that the higher you set the Ram the faster it will go. Just make sure you fill in a size that’s a multiple of 4mb. Next double click on the CD-rom button. Here you can put in the ISO or a physical drive. In case of the last select host and not client. Virtual device must be set to IDE 1:0.

7. Now press the play button and install it like a normal computer and you’re done. WOOT! (NOTE: You will have to install the Vmware tools after installation, DO NOT FORGET THIS, you can do it by simply right clicking the tab button of your VM it’s next to home and click “install Vmware tools”)

You can set up as many Virtual machines as you want as long as your computer can manage it. Internet should connect at start-up.