my work laptop just crashed, blue screen at start up, so I took it in to IT to get re-imaged, but decided to change up the configuration.

I'm depended on XP pro for a specific software I need, so I decided to upgrade the laptop to a x64 bit Win7 and install VMware workstation 7.1 w/ XP pro.

Now I will be able to work with Windows 7 and use XP pro at the same time, divide up the RAM to 4Gb each when the VM is being utilized.

Does anybody use VMware?

I tried to do the same thing with Win 7 Home edition. With the more expensive editions you can supposedly have a "XP mode", but I had Home so I tried the VMware road. It set up nice until I tried to install a 32 bit XP, due to the same situations of needing XP to run certain software. It kept saying that there was no operating system on the CD, when it tried to load it in DOS. I wish I knew what was going on, but i don't. A little tip I saw and it makes since, is if you are going to do a dual boot. Make sure you install the older OS first.

this won't be a dual boot. XP pro will be installed in Win7 as if it's an application. I will be able to open/close it like it's windows explorer.

This nice thing is that I can create multiple VM during different stages on installation for my company software. New patches / lockdowns and being release every 6 months or so and the need for several VMs will be handy. Especially when I need to modify the XP system settings (environmental variables) to use/view a particular software. Just drag / drop the VM on my desktop and i'm ready to go.

My manager has the same setup and it works like a charm. I will be able to allocate multiple Core's to the VM depending on what I'm doing on it.

Yeah - my work machine ran x64 win 7 but had to use an xp virtual box setup for VPN until IT got us compatible clients.