Has anybody here checked out the new VMware yet? If it really has DirectX support in virtual machines now, it could solve a lot of compatibility problems.
I have. DX 8/9 support is MUCH better in 6.5 than in earlier releases.
You will need a fast processor (C2D) and a fast well supported GPU. So any high-end ATI/Nvidia GPU.
I've only tested in with Intel graphics chipsets so the games were very slow even with resolution/details lowered.
DX support only works well with XP+ guests. (With 2000 guests the games will work but more often than not they will BSOD your guest every single time so it's not worth it). (Although the reverse would probably work fine).
As for compatibility....since DX support only works well on XP+ guests then any game that would work on the guest would also work on the host. (Unless your using a newer OS lik Vista where the game doesn't work or your using a 64bit Windows Host where the game doesn't work).
For instance Dungeon Keeper Gold won't work in D3D mode in Vista 64bit. It works fine using Vmware Workstation 6.5 with XP 32bit as a guest in D3D mode.
Shucks, it doesn't work at all in Win9x guests? I wonder if it's just a matter of some clever hacking? (The unofficial support in older releases worked with Win9x guests, didn't it?)
I don't believe I've ever seen 3D acceleration support in Vmware for 9x......only if you use a software 3D acceleration emulator like Swiftshader. (Need a faster processor).
If they haven't offered video drivers for 3D acceleration for 9x yet I doubt they ever will.
I looked at the 9x drivers in 6.5 and I think they are the same as earlier versions. Mabye if they open sourced their drivers we could have 3D acceleration for 9x.
