Is it a VM problem or is Win8 just a bad OS?

Stemro

New Member
Messages
4
Hello,

So I installed Windows 8 Pro 32-Bit as a virtual machine on VMware Workstation 9, so I can try the new OS before deciding if I want to upgrade my Windows 7 laptop to it. I played around with it for several days, until one day (well actually, it was just today) the OS failed to start up. It said it is diagnosing the OS and then a blue screen popped up (I'm not sure if this is considered a BTOD or whatever), titled "Automatic Repair" telling me that "Windows couldn't load correctly" and advising me to use the Windows Restore function to fix the problem. After pressing the "Restore" button I see the boot screen (blue Windows logo on black background), after dozens of minutes, a blue screen returns and it says that "Automatic Repair couldn't repair your PC" and offers me to instead try some "Advanced options".
ANYWAY, I'm not asking for advice on how to fix the problem, since I can easily just reinstall Win8 on VM without losing anything important really. What I am wondering is - was this problem that I had most likely caused by some kind of virtual machine error (maybe I didn't shut the virtual machine properly one time), or was it caused because Windows 8 really is a bad OS?
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows
A BSOD in a VM is going to be difficult to diagnose, since there's no real hardware. I'm assuming you installed VMware Tools? You can also test out Windows 8 using native VHD biit, which is going to be a better gauge of your hardware compatibility. I personally have never experienced a BSOD with Windows 8.
Sent from my RM-820_nam_att_100 using Board Express
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows Server 2012 Standard w/Hyper-V
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP ProBook 4430s
    CPU
    Intel Core i3-2310M
    Memory
    16GB DDR3
    Hard Drives
    80GB Intel 320 SSD
    500GB Samsung Momentus
Well I'm %99 sure VMware Tools installed itself automatically after I installed Windows 8 in Easy Install. But what I'm asking is - do you think running an Windows 8 in a virtual machine increases the chance of having problems like what I had?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows
To be sure, you'll have to do the VHD install mentioned by Kebero. Using virtual hardware is not making sure your real pc can handle the OS well. VM's run better if your CPU has virtualisation (enabled from BIOS).

I never had problems like that in a VM. Did you installed any (heavy) programs in the VM?
Since W8 is new, it's a bit hard to virtualize. Keep in mind that there are a bunch of performance and stability updates released for Win8 in case that helps. You probably updated workstation (9.0.1) as well.

Another thing: use 1CPU in the VM to test things first since multiple CPU's can decrease performance.
This will not help that much but I think the updates will.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy DV6 7250
    CPU
    Intel i7-3630QM
    Motherboard
    HP, Intel HM77 Express Chipset
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD4000 + Nvidia Geforce 630M
    Sound Card
    IDT HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15.6' built-in + Samsung S22D300 + 17.3' LG Phillips
    Screen Resolution
    multiple resolutions
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 250GB + Hitachi HDD 750GB
    PSU
    120W adapter
    Case
    small
    Cooling
    laptop cooling pad
    Keyboard
    Backlit built-in + big one in USB
    Mouse
    SteelSeries Sensei
    Internet Speed
    slow and steady
    Browser
    Chromium, Pale Moon, Firefox Developer Edition
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    That's basically it.
VM's run better if your CPU has virtualisation (enabled from BIOS).

from memory Vmware WS will not even install if it's not enable in the BIO'S so the problem is not there

to the op , How much Ram allocated to Windows 8 VM ? ........ When you create a VM in Vmware WS , make sure to choose install the OS later. Then adjust your hardwware setting make sure to provide enough RAM and cpu , I use 4 gb for my VM as I have 32 gb on my system . After Install you will have to manually install the VM tools, it's easy you click install tools in the VM menu. This will mount the tools in the virtual DVD and you start the install.

I have no try VMware WS 9 on Windows 7 PC, but on Windows 8 it work flawless and I have now 3 Windows 8 VM running flawless in it. So it'S not that Windows 8 is a bad OS
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 enterprise x64
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Pc-Quebec / Area 66
    CPU
    i7-3960X Extreme Edition
    Motherboard
    Rampage IV Extreme
    Memory
    Gskill 4x4 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    4 x HD 7970
    Sound Card
    onboard
    Screen Resolution
    2560*1600
    Hard Drives
    C:\Intel series 520 SSD , 250 GB
    D:\ WD 750 black with Intel 40gb SSD cache Intel RST
    E:\ WD 2TB Black
    PSU
    Corsair AX 1200
    Case
    TT Mozart TX
    Cooling
    Water Cooled
    Keyboard
    Logitech G-15
    Other Info
    Windows 8 VM is install on his own SSD.
I just did the Easy Install option and installed Win8 with all the default VMware options. It also automatically installed VMware Tools. I think the RAM that was allocated by default was 1GB.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows
from memory Vmware WS will not even install if it's not enable in the BIO'S so the problem is not there

Hmmm... good to know!
I was using Player 5.0.0.

But Player installed and VT was turned off in BIOS then the VM's crashed and rebooted the host.
VT set to ON and now with better results.

Win98/ME still crashes:
This was Ivy Bridge issue and they recommended the update to 5.0.1 (WS 9.0.1) to fix the issue.

All works now!
I'll leave VT on. Did BIOS update: fixed issues were support for Win8! What? I was already using Win8... And the guys from HP always disable VT by default.:mad:

Still good that all works now.:)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy DV6 7250
    CPU
    Intel i7-3630QM
    Motherboard
    HP, Intel HM77 Express Chipset
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD4000 + Nvidia Geforce 630M
    Sound Card
    IDT HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15.6' built-in + Samsung S22D300 + 17.3' LG Phillips
    Screen Resolution
    multiple resolutions
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 250GB + Hitachi HDD 750GB
    PSU
    120W adapter
    Case
    small
    Cooling
    laptop cooling pad
    Keyboard
    Backlit built-in + big one in USB
    Mouse
    SteelSeries Sensei
    Internet Speed
    slow and steady
    Browser
    Chromium, Pale Moon, Firefox Developer Edition
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    That's basically it.
Hmmm... good to know!
I was using Player 5.0.0.

But Player installed and VT was turned off in BIOS

the OP as Vmware Workstation 9, I guess for $ 200 you have a little more and different from the free Player.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 enterprise x64
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Pc-Quebec / Area 66
    CPU
    i7-3960X Extreme Edition
    Motherboard
    Rampage IV Extreme
    Memory
    Gskill 4x4 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    4 x HD 7970
    Sound Card
    onboard
    Screen Resolution
    2560*1600
    Hard Drives
    C:\Intel series 520 SSD , 250 GB
    D:\ WD 750 black with Intel 40gb SSD cache Intel RST
    E:\ WD 2TB Black
    PSU
    Corsair AX 1200
    Case
    TT Mozart TX
    Cooling
    Water Cooled
    Keyboard
    Logitech G-15
    Other Info
    Windows 8 VM is install on his own SSD.
Hmmm... good to know!
I was using Player 5.0.0.

But Player installed and VT was turned off in BIOS

the OP as Vmware Workstation 9, I guess for $ 200 you have a little more and different from the free Player.

That's true.

Workstation also includes Player and the two use the same hypervisor (the VMX process) and same settings apply.

WS just gives you extra features but the two are, for basic usage, the same.

So if your sound has issues in Workstation, it will definitely have it in Player.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy DV6 7250
    CPU
    Intel i7-3630QM
    Motherboard
    HP, Intel HM77 Express Chipset
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD4000 + Nvidia Geforce 630M
    Sound Card
    IDT HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15.6' built-in + Samsung S22D300 + 17.3' LG Phillips
    Screen Resolution
    multiple resolutions
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 250GB + Hitachi HDD 750GB
    PSU
    120W adapter
    Case
    small
    Cooling
    laptop cooling pad
    Keyboard
    Backlit built-in + big one in USB
    Mouse
    SteelSeries Sensei
    Internet Speed
    slow and steady
    Browser
    Chromium, Pale Moon, Firefox Developer Edition
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    That's basically it.
I was wondering:

Since area66 doesn't have sound issues on WS9 and I only noticed a few with some VM's, there has to be something else wrong on the VMX settings or the host.

I can confirm I get some rare stuttering of sound on the host as well and only on that machine the sound is bad on VMware.
Hardware is new: some IDT audio chip.
So in my case it can be the the host but WinME VM has good sound but XP and Win7 have bad sound... and they all use different virtual sound adapters.
This is hard to check but just to make sure I'll try first to update all the drivers I can find on the host pc where this issues occur.

One way or the other, it believe it can be fixed.

Bonne chance!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy DV6 7250
    CPU
    Intel i7-3630QM
    Motherboard
    HP, Intel HM77 Express Chipset
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD4000 + Nvidia Geforce 630M
    Sound Card
    IDT HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15.6' built-in + Samsung S22D300 + 17.3' LG Phillips
    Screen Resolution
    multiple resolutions
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 250GB + Hitachi HDD 750GB
    PSU
    120W adapter
    Case
    small
    Cooling
    laptop cooling pad
    Keyboard
    Backlit built-in + big one in USB
    Mouse
    SteelSeries Sensei
    Internet Speed
    slow and steady
    Browser
    Chromium, Pale Moon, Firefox Developer Edition
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    That's basically it.
I think you try to do too much, I don't even install drivers from Asus for my onboard Realtek, I let Windows install the drivers. If manufacturer sound drivers have been install, it's may be coming from there the problem. Will make sense for VM to have less hard time with plain Windows drivers than sophisticated one .

I understand that if someone like to play music and games, it may be best to install the manufacturers drivers, but it's may be why I don't have problem, I don't VM on my gaming PC and I don.t play games on my Workstation, My PCs are very clean and dedicated to what I use for. I now this is not a solution for someone who have only 1 PC, but I try to explain why I may have no problem and in English, so bare with me.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 enterprise x64
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Pc-Quebec / Area 66
    CPU
    i7-3960X Extreme Edition
    Motherboard
    Rampage IV Extreme
    Memory
    Gskill 4x4 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    4 x HD 7970
    Sound Card
    onboard
    Screen Resolution
    2560*1600
    Hard Drives
    C:\Intel series 520 SSD , 250 GB
    D:\ WD 750 black with Intel 40gb SSD cache Intel RST
    E:\ WD 2TB Black
    PSU
    Corsair AX 1200
    Case
    TT Mozart TX
    Cooling
    Water Cooled
    Keyboard
    Logitech G-15
    Other Info
    Windows 8 VM is install on his own SSD.
the OP as Vmware Workstation 9, I guess for $ 200 you have a little more and different from the free Player.

To clarify, I'm not an expert when it comes to virtual machines, and so I haven't actually payed for VMware Workstation 9, I'm just using my free trial.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows
the OP as Vmware Workstation 9, I guess for $ 200 you have a little more and different from the free Player.

To clarify, I'm not an expert when it comes to virtual machines, and so I haven't actually payed for VMware Workstation 9, I'm just using my free trial.

I was referring to the fact than a $ 200 software have more feature than one free from the same company. I pay for mine.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 enterprise x64
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Pc-Quebec / Area 66
    CPU
    i7-3960X Extreme Edition
    Motherboard
    Rampage IV Extreme
    Memory
    Gskill 4x4 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    4 x HD 7970
    Sound Card
    onboard
    Screen Resolution
    2560*1600
    Hard Drives
    C:\Intel series 520 SSD , 250 GB
    D:\ WD 750 black with Intel 40gb SSD cache Intel RST
    E:\ WD 2TB Black
    PSU
    Corsair AX 1200
    Case
    TT Mozart TX
    Cooling
    Water Cooled
    Keyboard
    Logitech G-15
    Other Info
    Windows 8 VM is install on his own SSD.
I think you try to do too much, I don't even install drivers from Asus for my onboard Realtek, I let Windows install the drivers. If manufacturer sound drivers have been install, it's may be coming from there the problem. Will make sense for VM to have less hard time with plain Windows drivers than sophisticated one .

I understand that if someone like to play music and games, it may be best to install the manufacturers drivers, but it's may be why I don't have problem, I don't VM on my gaming PC and I don.t play games on my Workstation, My PCs are very clean and dedicated to what I use for. I now this is not a solution for someone who have only 1 PC, but I try to explain why I may have no problem and in English, so bare with me.

I do my best. :)
It's a new laptop, has manufactures drivers from factory. I got to update what I can.
My older pc's don't have issues at all.

I also use drivers from Windows Update.
But manually searching on catalog.update.microsoft.com/ you can find drivers that Windows Update doesn't install.
There I got my audio (IDT) from and most are Windows Update drivers.

I agree with you about the manufactures's drivers and look for possible replacements from the site above.
It works most of the time.

I just got to install a few now so we'll see how well it goes.
I don't play, just a few older games, but the sound issue I get is related to the host, and I do play some music :) so you hear it directly when sound bugs you.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy DV6 7250
    CPU
    Intel i7-3630QM
    Motherboard
    HP, Intel HM77 Express Chipset
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD4000 + Nvidia Geforce 630M
    Sound Card
    IDT HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15.6' built-in + Samsung S22D300 + 17.3' LG Phillips
    Screen Resolution
    multiple resolutions
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 250GB + Hitachi HDD 750GB
    PSU
    120W adapter
    Case
    small
    Cooling
    laptop cooling pad
    Keyboard
    Backlit built-in + big one in USB
    Mouse
    SteelSeries Sensei
    Internet Speed
    slow and steady
    Browser
    Chromium, Pale Moon, Firefox Developer Edition
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    That's basically it.

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 enterprise x64
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Pc-Quebec / Area 66
    CPU
    i7-3960X Extreme Edition
    Motherboard
    Rampage IV Extreme
    Memory
    Gskill 4x4 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    4 x HD 7970
    Sound Card
    onboard
    Screen Resolution
    2560*1600
    Hard Drives
    C:\Intel series 520 SSD , 250 GB
    D:\ WD 750 black with Intel 40gb SSD cache Intel RST
    E:\ WD 2TB Black
    PSU
    Corsair AX 1200
    Case
    TT Mozart TX
    Cooling
    Water Cooled
    Keyboard
    Logitech G-15
    Other Info
    Windows 8 VM is install on his own SSD.

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy DV6 7250
    CPU
    Intel i7-3630QM
    Motherboard
    HP, Intel HM77 Express Chipset
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD4000 + Nvidia Geforce 630M
    Sound Card
    IDT HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15.6' built-in + Samsung S22D300 + 17.3' LG Phillips
    Screen Resolution
    multiple resolutions
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 250GB + Hitachi HDD 750GB
    PSU
    120W adapter
    Case
    small
    Cooling
    laptop cooling pad
    Keyboard
    Backlit built-in + big one in USB
    Mouse
    SteelSeries Sensei
    Internet Speed
    slow and steady
    Browser
    Chromium, Pale Moon, Firefox Developer Edition
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    That's basically it.
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