[TUT] Changing the BIOS date in Virtual PC and VMWare

Tutorials for Operating Systems, Applications etc can be posted here.
hounsell

[TUT] Changing the BIOS date in Virtual PC and VMWare

Post by hounsell »

In Virtual PC:
Changing the BIOS date in virtual PC can be done very easily by entering the emulated BIOS. However, to make it keep that date after a reboot, you need to edit your vmc file.

1. Locate your .vmc file, and open it in notepad. Make sure Virtual PC is closed so you can save your edited file.

2. As you can see, its a standard XML file. All you need to do is insert

Code: Select all

<components>
	<host_time_sync>
		<enabled>false</enabled>
	</host_time_sync>
</components>
Inside the <integration> and <microsoft> tags, like shown below:
Image

3. You can now change your time and date in the emulated bios, and now the clock should not revert to the host time after a reboot.

In VMWare
Open your .vmx configuration file. All you need to do is place the following lines of code anywhere in this text file.

Code: Select all

tools.syncTime = "FALSE"
time.synchronize.continue = "FALSE"
time.synchronize.restore = "FALSE"
time.synchronize.resume.disk = "FALSE"
time.synchronize.shrink = "FALSE"
If you have any problems, place them below.
Last edited by hounsell on Wed Oct 31, 2007 8:08 pm, edited 3 times in total.

sp4rkbr
User avatar
Posts: 73
Joined: Sat Jul 07, 2007 3:21 pm
Location: Brazil

Post by sp4rkbr »

Thx man, that's very useful, I will give a try later :]

Rob Jansen
User avatar
Donator
Posts: 5271
Joined: Sat May 12, 2007 1:05 pm
Location: The Collection Book
Contact:

Post by Rob Jansen »

I have tested it and it works on my end.
You only need this code:
Code:
<components>

<host_time_sync>

<enabled>false</enabled>

</host_time_sync>

</components>
And dont need the:

Code: Select all

Type ="boolean"
otherwise my virtual pc doesnt boot any more.

Thanks

hounsell

Post by hounsell »

DjRob wrote:I have tested it and it works on my end.
You only need this code:
Code:
<components>

<host_time_sync>

<enabled>false</enabled>

</host_time_sync>

</components>
And dont need the:

Code: Select all

Type ="boolean"
otherwise my virtual pc doesnt boot any more.

Thanks
This depends on the version of Virtual PC that you're using...

Namronia

Post by Namronia »

how do to that in vmware?

empireum
Donator
Posts: 3557
Joined: Sat Sep 30, 2006 5:00 pm

Post by empireum »

Namronia wrote:how do to that in vmware?
It should be enough to change the date in the VM's BIOS (you know how to enter that, do you?) and to disable the time sync feature in VMware's preferences.

hounsell

Post by hounsell »

I had to edit the configuration (.vmx) file and place the following at the bottom:

Code: Select all

tools.syncTime = "FALSE"
time.synchronize.continue = "FALSE"
time.synchronize.restore = "FALSE"
time.synchronize.resume.disk = "FALSE"
time.synchronize.shrink = "FALSE"
Adding this to the first post

Luckie
User avatar
Donator
Posts: 1115
Joined: Thu Aug 24, 2006 8:03 am
Location: Germany

Post by Luckie »

sorry for bumping the thread.

But the trick doesn't work for Virtual PC 2007. I've insert the entry with and without type="boolean", but the Date is always set to the current date
"Theory is when you know something, but it doesn't work. Practice is when something works, but you don't know why. Programmers combine theory and practice: Nothing works and they don't know why."

Rob Jansen
User avatar
Donator
Posts: 5271
Joined: Sat May 12, 2007 1:05 pm
Location: The Collection Book
Contact:

Post by Rob Jansen »

Then your VPC 2007 is not good.
Its works.
With the boolean insert.

But have insert it in the right place?

hounsell

Post by hounsell »


For me, with the type="boolean" works in Virtual PC 2007.

Luckie
User avatar
Donator
Posts: 1115
Joined: Thu Aug 24, 2006 8:03 am
Location: Germany

Post by Luckie »

I forgot to close the <components> tag

now it seems to work.
"Theory is when you know something, but it doesn't work. Practice is when something works, but you don't know why. Programmers combine theory and practice: Nothing works and they don't know why."

OG
User avatar
Posts: 628
Joined: Wed Jun 11, 2008 3:45 am
Location: UK

Post by OG »

Cheers for this. Having to snapshot/restore was getting rather annoying.

DMax
User avatar
Posts: 338
Joined: Wed Apr 06, 2011 3:10 pm

Re: [TUT] Changing the BIOS date in Virtual PC and VMWare

Post by DMax »

Hi,

Just joined here. I have Virtual PC 2007 and did what you said to change the BIOS date on it, so I tried it but for some reason cannot change the day number, I can change the month and year but not the day, anyone know why?

theportalguy
User avatar
Donator
Posts: 174
Joined: Sat May 23, 2009 8:39 pm
Location: Aperture Science Enrichment Centre

Re: [TUT] Changing the BIOS date in Virtual PC and VMWare

Post by theportalguy »

Anyone have a utility to do this automatically in VMWare?
Image

TheCollector1988
User avatar
Donator
Posts: 3603
Joined: Wed Feb 23, 2011 12:11 am
Location: Italy
Contact:

Re: [TUT] Changing the BIOS date in Virtual PC and VMWare

Post by TheCollector1988 »

on VMware it is very easy as doing Virtual PC's

trismarck
Posts: 1
Joined: Tue May 17, 2011 10:37 pm

Re: [TUT] Changing the BIOS date in Virtual PC and VMWare

Post by trismarck »

Hi,
in what section should I add this entry in Virtual PC 2007?
Here is the Options.xml file:

Code: Select all

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-16"?>
<!-- Microsoft Virtual Machine Options and Settings -->
<preferences>
	<version type="string">2.0</version>
	<properties>
		<modifier>
			<build type="string">6.0.156.0</build>
			<name type="string">Microsoft Virtual PC 2007</name>
		</modifier>
	</properties>
	<virtual_gateway id="0">
		<id type="integer">0</id>
		<type type="integer">0</type>
	</virtual_gateway>
	<virtual_gateway id="1">
		<adapter type="string">\DosDevices\VPCNetS2_{A502A14D-B76A-4609-BA1D-AC5ECC58D064}</adapter>
		<id type="integer">16</id>
		<name type="string">Bluetooth Personal Area Network</name>
		<type type="integer">2</type>
	</virtual_gateway>
	<virtual_gateway>
		<next>
			<virtual_gateway_id type="integer">21</virtual_gateway_id>
		</next>
	</virtual_gateway>
	<virtual_gateway id="2">
		<adapter type="string">\DosDevices\VPCNetS2_{665DDBA1-5914-4BE5-B39A-507F3663F07C}</adapter>
		<id type="integer">17</id>
		<name type="string">Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 2200BG Network Connection - Intel Wireless Connection Agent Miniport</name>
		<type type="integer">2</type>
	</virtual_gateway>
	<virtual_network id="0">
		<gateway type="integer">0</gateway>
		<id type="bytes">FBB37009BDCF11DF813CE81224EF90E4</id>
		<name type="string">Local only</name>
		<notes type="string">This is the local only virtual network. Virtual machines connected to this virtual network can only communicate with other virtual machines on this network.</notes>
	</virtual_network>
	<virtual_network id="1">
		<gateway type="integer">20</gateway>
		<id type="bytes">FBB3700ABDCF11DF813CE81224EF90E4</id>
		<name type="string">Bluetooth Personal Area Network</name>
		<notes type="string">This is an external virtual network. Virtual NICs attached to this virtual network can access external networks through the "Bluetooth Personal Area Network" host network adapter.</notes>
	</virtual_network>
	<virtual_network id="2">
		<gateway type="integer">17</gateway>
		<id type="bytes">FBB3700BBDCF11DF813CE81224EF90E4</id>
		<name type="string">Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 2200BG Network Connection - Intel Wireless Connection Agent Miniport</name>
		<notes type="string">This is an external virtual network. Virtual NICs attached to this virtual network can access external networks through the "Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 2200BG Network Connection - Intel Wireless Connection Agent Miniport" host network adapter.</notes>
	</virtual_network>
	<window>
		<new_pc>
			<left_position type="integer">366</left_position>
			<top_position type="integer">290</top_position>
		</new_pc>
		<console>
			<height type="integer">254</height>
			<left_position type="integer">984</left_position>
			<top_position type="integer">139</top_position>
			<visible type="boolean">true</visible>
			<width type="integer">364</width>
		</console>
		<virtual_disk_wizard>
			<left_position type="integer">366</left_position>
			<top_position type="integer">290</top_position>
		</virtual_disk_wizard>
	</window>
	<settings>
		<virtual_pc>
			<enable_hw_assist type="boolean">true</enable_hw_assist>
		</virtual_pc>
	</settings>
	<virtual_gateway id="3">
		<adapter type="string">\DosDevices\VPCNetS2_{E7138AF3-D317-4428-9AD8-F6635CD5F34D}</adapter>
		<id type="integer">18</id>
		<name type="string">Marvell Yukon 88E8053 PCI-E Gigabit Ethernet Controller</name>
		<type type="integer">2</type>
	</virtual_gateway>
	<virtual_network id="3">
		<gateway type="integer">18</gateway>
		<id type="bytes">803C72D1122511E08216AFB37C7236B9</id>
		<name type="string">Marvell Yukon 88E8053 PCI-E Gigabit Ethernet Controller</name>
		<notes type="string">This is an external virtual network. Virtual NICs attached to this virtual network can access external networks through the "Marvell Yukon 88E8053 PCI-E Gigabit Ethernet Controller" host network adapter.</notes>
	</virtual_network>
	<alerts>
		<communications>
			<AETEMCAS type="boolean">true</AETEMCAS>
			<NTFYDIIE type="boolean">true</NTFYDIIE>
			<AETEMVCL type="boolean">true</AETEMVCL>
			<NTFYANID type="boolean">true</NTFYANID>
		</communications>
	</alerts>
	<virtual_gateway id="4">
		<adapter type="string">\DosDevices\VPCNetS2_{7D37B3E2-3A64-4D4E-87E2-4CFCAA3E56CE}</adapter>
		<id type="integer">19</id>
		<name type="string">Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 2915ABG Network Connection - Intel Wireless Connection Agent Miniport</name>
		<type type="integer">2</type>
	</virtual_gateway>
	<virtual_gateway id="5">
		<adapter type="string">\DosDevices\VPCNetS2_{13D92EEE-D51B-4144-9025-7AABCC4470D0}</adapter>
		<id type="integer">20</id>
		<name type="string">Bluetooth Personal Area Network</name>
		<type type="integer">2</type>
	</virtual_gateway>
	<virtual_network id="4">
		<gateway type="integer">19</gateway>
		<id type="bytes">D6E6BF0D65C011E08166C92F1C797757</id>
		<name type="string">Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 2915ABG Network Connection - Intel Wireless Connection Agent Miniport</name>
		<notes type="string">This is an external virtual network. Virtual NICs attached to this virtual network can access external networks through the "Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 2915ABG Network Connection - Intel Wireless Connection Agent Miniport" host network adapter.</notes>
	</virtual_network>
	<virtual_machines>
		<enable_idle_thread type="boolean">true</enable_idle_thread>
	</virtual_machines>
</preferences>

scottjepsen
Posts: 1
Joined: Fri Jun 28, 2013 6:46 pm

Re: [TUT] Changing the BIOS date in Virtual PC and VMWare

Post by scottjepsen »

I realize this is an old topic, but I have a virtual application running but the license times out with the current date. I need some info out of this application so I think if I can set the date back it should run.

This is the latest Virtual PC for windows 7 running on a 64 bit laptop

I was able to make the changed in the .vmc, using notepad as the editor and font color red in-case I needed to undo anything. I verified the changes were still in the file and ran the application. The date continued to revert back to the current date, and when I closed down the applications my changes were no longer in the .vms file.

Is there something that overrides this file with a back-up file?

Thanks

Scott

bfixer117
Posts: 9
Joined: Tue Aug 13, 2013 1:45 pm

Re: [TUT] Changing the BIOS date in Virtual PC and VMWare

Post by bfixer117 »

thank this helped alot

James
User avatar
Posts: 2030
Joined: Thu Oct 11, 2007 9:13 pm

Re: [TUT] Changing the BIOS date in Virtual PC and VMWare

Post by James »

bfixer117 wrote:thank this helped alot
Warned. Read the rules before posting. These types of posts are banned.

WinPC

Re: [TUT] Changing the BIOS date in Virtual PC and VMWare

Post by WinPC »

James wrote:
bfixer117 wrote:thank this helped alot
Warned. Read the rules before posting. These types of posts are banned.
Well, some people here might still be learning English, especially those who are new here. If they are not mostly fluent yet, then it might be harder for them to understand the rules. This is especially the case when a site (such as this one) attracts people from many different backgrounds as well as from many different parts of the world.

Just my opinion, and nothing more.

James
User avatar
Posts: 2030
Joined: Thu Oct 11, 2007 9:13 pm

Re: [TUT] Changing the BIOS date in Virtual PC and VMWare

Post by James »

WinPC wrote:
James wrote:
bfixer117 wrote:thank this helped alot
Warned. Read the rules before posting. These types of posts are banned.
Well, some people here might still be learning English, especially those who are new here. If they are not mostly fluent yet, then it might be harder for them to understand the rules. This is especially the case when a site (such as this one) attracts people from many different backgrounds as well as from many different parts of the world.

Just my opinion, and nothing more.
And your opinion is not wanted since you're backseat moderating and challenging a moderator's decision publicly.
Have a warning for your troubles.

asad10
Posts: 96
Joined: Sat Mar 19, 2011 9:27 pm
Location: Poland

Re: [TUT] Changing the BIOS date in Virtual PC and VMWare

Post by asad10 »

How about desynchronizing the date in VirtualBox?

mycomputerhelp
User avatar
Posts: 387
Joined: Sat May 05, 2012 5:45 pm

Re: [TUT] Changing the BIOS date in Virtual PC and VMWare

Post by mycomputerhelp »

Doesn't seem to be working correctly in Windows Virtual PC, still resets the BIOS date.
Image

BetaNewbie
Posts: 215
Joined: Sun Jul 21, 2013 7:38 am

Re: [TUT] Changing the BIOS date in Virtual PC and VMWare

Post by BetaNewbie »

asad10 wrote:How about desynchronizing the date in VirtualBox?
You need to set the TimeOffset value, check TCB for further information.

Lukas Marsik
Posts: 1268
Joined: Thu Mar 29, 2012 4:14 pm

Re: [TUT] Changing the BIOS date in Virtual PC and VMWare

Post by Lukas Marsik »

asad10 wrote:How about desynchronizing the date in VirtualBox?
Look up VirtualTimeMachine by neo on this forum. Pretty helpful tool regarding virtualbox.

Post Reply