Develop with Virtual CEPC (Compact 7)
3/12/2014
A virtual CEPC is an instance of Windows Embedded Compact that runs on a virtual machine. The virtual machine emulates a Compact 7 x86-based hardware platform and runs under Windows 7, Windows Vista, or Windows XP. You can interact with your virtual CEPC in the same way that you would interact with a physical development board to develop, test, and debug Compact 7 applications.
This development guide explains in detail the process of creating a virtual CEPC and applications for it.
For more information about Windows Embedded Compact development and Platform Builder, see The Build System and Build with Platform Builder.
Prerequisites
To create a virtual CEPC, you need the appropriate virtual PC software running on an appropriate version of Windows.
Required Software
Virtual CEPC requires the following minimum software configurations.
Windows 7 |
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Windows Vista and Windows XP |
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Installing Software
You can download Windows Virtual PC from the Windows Virtual PC download page. Virtual PC 2007 is available from the Virtual PC 2007 download page.
We recommend that you install the latest version of the software with any service packs when you install the prerequisite software.
When you install Windows Embedded Compact 7, Virtual CEPC will be included automatically if you select Installs all required, optional, and 3rd party options in the Install Options dialog box. You enable Virtual CEPC support in the Install Options dialog box if you select Customize your installation, and then select the following options in the Customize Installation dialog box:
- Platform Builder
- x86 Architecture
In This Section
- Create and Run a Virtual CEPC
Describes how to create and build and OS Design, and how to run the resulting OS run-time image.
- Shut Down a Virtual CEPC
Describes how to shut down a virtual CEPC by exiting from the virtual PC application.
- Develop and Run an Application on a Virtual CEPC
Provides the source code for a simple application and describes how to build and run it.
- Shared Release Folder on a Virtual CEPC
Describes a shared release folder, and how to run an application from it.
- Modify Virtual CEPC Configuration Settings
Describes how, when you use the boot loader provided with Compact 7, you can enter a configuration menu that lets you change display settings, select a different debug port, change network settings, or select a different boot source. You can save these settings so that your virtual CEPC uses them again on subsequent reboots.
- Use Virtual CEPC Without a Network
Describes how to run a virtual CEPC without a network connection and without a DHCP server.
- Boot Virtual CEPC from Virtual Floppy Disk
Describes how to create a virtual floppy disk with a boot loader if you do not want a boot loader in your VHD.
- Create a Stand-Alone Virtual CEPC
Describes how to create a virtual CEPC whose VHD has an OS image so that the virtual CEPC does not have to get the OS image from Platform Builder.
- Create an SDK for Virtual CEPC
Describes how to create a Software Development Kit (SDK) for applications to use, and how to test it by creating a simple application.