Connectix Virtual PC is a great program, but to get the most out of it, you have to cut a few corners. To make your Mac mimic the PC stresses every part of your system (and you)… Straining RAM, processor cycles, and resources. There have been several attempts to speed up processing and free up RAM. Some call for making extension and memory modification prior to using Virtual PC. But this is tedious when you have to alter several settings to use the program and then remember to reset them again afterward. Some tips even call for replacing the Finder with Virtual PC at startup… But this is extremely risky, requires a separate partition, and adds little benefit over conventional speed tools.
VPC Helper is a timesaving tool that uses accepted, tried-and-true methods to boost your Virtual PC performance. And unlike other solutions, VPC Helper does this without any impact on the rest of your system. It's non-intrusive and easy to use. But most of all, VPC Helper offers the best, fastest, and easiest solution to boosting performance and satisfaction with Connectix Virtual PC.
VPC Helper is shareware. It comes with a 10-day demo period… Afterward, an unlock code is needed to run the software. VPC Helper is only $8.99! See the registration chapter for payment information (you can pay by credit card on a secure server, check, or MO).
VPC Helper will make your Virtual PC use much easier. VPC Helper will improve Virtual PC speed, reliability, and memory use by:
* Allowing you to control and set Virtual Memory automatically. (Mac OS 9 only)
* Allowing you to switch extensions sets on the fly! Regular or Conflict Catcher 8 supported!
* Restoring your non-Virtual PC preferences with one click of the mouse!
* Quitting 'hidden' background applications that hog RAM and processor cycles!
* Quitting the Finder itself and freeing more RAM and processor cycles!
* Automatically running Virtual PC on restart after configuration!
* Providing easy setup and management of your VPC Helper profile.
* Providing configuration and on/off options for all features.
* Not stealing RAM or startup memory from your system or from Virtual PC.
* Containing built-in 'smart' safegaurd features to prevent settings from getting 'out of whack' after a crash or hard restart!
System Requirements
Admittedly, the system requirements for VPC Helper are demanding (only for the memory management features)... But so are the demands for Virtual PC. We wanted to offer the most power and options for users...
• Virtual PC enabled Macintosh (all versions of Virtual PC will work).
• Mac OS 9 for memory management features.
• About 2MB RAM for the setup application.
• AppleScript required.
Installing VPC Helper
Installing is simple. You've already done it. VPC Helper is not an extension or a control panel… Those steal startup time and RAM, something VPC Helper aims to prevent. VPC Helper is an application. We suggest you keep it close to your Virtual PC application. This is purely for convenience, so feel free to store it anywhere.
There are a few things to remember. First, do not move the 'Data' folder. This needs to be there, and the contents need to be the same. Also, it is generally a good idea to own Virtual PC…
Before Using - Read This
There are several important notes to keep in mind before using VPC Helper.
* VPC Helper's Virtual Memory manager is only activated on Macs with Mac OS 9 or higher. The other features of the software can still be used. Virtual Memory control is simply grayed out. You will have to set your Virtual Memory settings by hand as normal before restart and before going back to your regular settings. It's not our fault… Apple did not integrate AppleEvent and AppleScript support into the Memory control panel until Mac OS 9. Luckily, Mac OS 9 is a highly recommended upgrade, and Virtual PC performance is improved with Mac OS 9. I suggest you get it…
* VPC Helper's extensions/control panels manager will support both Conflict Catcher-enabled and regular systems. It does not use Apple's Extensions Manager because Apple's software does not support AppleEvents (why?). Instead, VPC Helper uses a safe method of switching extensions sets on Macs without Conflict Catcher. See the next chapter for info and setup hints on this feature.
* iMac / iBook users take note… VPC Helper will not work properly if you set it to turn off Virtual Memory completely. These newer systems seem to have a demand for VM to be on (ROM issues, I believe). For these users, we suggest you set VM to one meg over your built-in amount. This will have no noticeable effect on performance and will please the OS. Apple recommends every Mac user turn VM on, and with 8.5 above this is really no problem. The VM manager in 8.5 and above is pretty swift. Should you encounter feature problems running VPC Helper on a non-iMac/iBook, try turning VM to one meg over the built-in amount and try again.
* Conflict Catcher 8 Users... Before you use VPC Helper, remember to set up your VPC Conflict Catcher set. This set should include only the bare essentials. Items that you need are likely to include the Memory, Appearance, and third-party extensions needed for critical hardware. You'll also need AppleScript and the AppleScriptLib extension (if present). Virtual PC 3.0 can use AppleScript extensively, and VPC Helper needs it.
* Non-Conflict Catcher 8 Users... Now you can enjoy the same features! Read the next chapter for information and instructions for setup! Unlike with Conflict Catcher 8 users, you will set up your preferred extensions set after you setup VPC Helper.
The next chapter contains in-depth instructions...
