Installing Virtual PC 2007 on Windows Vista was easy. Virtual PC is available free and can be downloaded. Install the Virtual PC. Specify location of the Virtual PC as well as the hard disk.
Installing Ubuntu 9.0.4 took a long time, mostly because of blank screen hanging during the process. It took me a few resets to finally achieve success. Lot of other bloggers have also very helpful steps and tricks that were a great help.
Here are the steps for Ubuntu install -
1.) download ubuntu 9.0.4. its free!!!
2.) On the Virtual PC console, select start.
3.) Select CD menu option and then -capture ISO image to specify the location of ubuntu executable.
4.) Select language and Enter.
5.) Press F4, select Safe Graphics Mode and press Enter.
6.) Press F6, then press Escape, bring the cursor to the line at the bottom and use backspace to replace quiet splash -- with vga=791 noreplace-paravirt. Make sure the Try Ubuntu without any change to your....is selected and press Enter. The blank screen will stay on for a while and installation begins. The boot procedure is visible on the screen and after the procedure, the Install option is is to chosen from the desktop.
Note: I had to press Esc to make the install options visible on the screen. I also did a reset after the first time blank screen hangs on there.
7.) Make your selections for time zone, language and keyboard layout. Continue to click Forward button.
8.) The disk partitioner will take some time.
9.) Continue and finally select Install button. This will install the OS.
Note: The mouse keeps getting lost in the Virtual PC, I googled and found that right Alt key press is good enough to get it back.
