Virtual PC-Based Devices (vCEPC) (Compact 7)
3/12/2014
Windows Embedded Compact 7 includes a board support package (BSP) for a virtual PC-based device (vCEPC). When you install Platform Builder for Windows Embedded Compact 7 with support for x86 processors, the following directory is created:
%_WINCEROOT%\Platform\VirtualPC
This directory contains the Platform.bib file and other configuration files, the catalog items for the BSP, drivers, and source code for the boot loader, kernel independent transport layer (KITL), and OEM adaptation layer (OAL).
Unlike a PC-based device (CEPC), you cannot configure the set of hardware that is emulated by Windows Virtual PC or Virtual PC 2007 because Virtual PC only emulates one particular hardware specification.
For information about how to create and run a virtual CEPC, see Develop with Virtual CEPC.
Required Software
To create a vCEPC, your computer must have the following software installed:
- Visual Studio 2008
- Platform Builder 7.0
- Windows Virtual PC or Virtual PC 2007
In addition, you must create a virtual boot disk by capturing a floppy disk image in Virtual PC.
Required Hardware
Virtual PC 2007 requires a 400 MHz Pentium-compatible processor (1.0 GHz or faster recommended), and approximately 35 MB of disk space.
Windows Virtual PC requires a processor capable of hardware-assisted virtualization with AMD-V, Intel VT, or VIA@VT turned on in the BIOS. For more information, see Microsoft Hardware-Assisted Virtualization Detection Tool.
A virtual PC simulates an x86-based computer by emulating the instruction set of an x86 processor, and it uses the basic hardware components of the host computer. The host computer must have a network adapter of some kind (a loopback virtual network is one possibility) so that the DEC21140 network card emulated by the virtual PC can be rerouted to the external network.
Supported Features
The BSP for vCEPC supports the following simulated hardware:
- Audio input and output (waveform driver)
- Hard disk drive
- COM port that redirects to physical COM port, file, or named pipe
- Display (graphics hardware acceleration not supported)
- Ethernet (VMINI recommended; NDIS available)
- Keyboard and mouse
- Serial port