That's interesting Coleslaw. It's been about a year since I built all of my server rigs and I vaguely remember having problems using Win7 - but I was probably trying to use the wrong version.

Since I had activation codes for the server version, I ended up using that I think.

I would hope that if Android does actually come out with an x86/64 version it would support multiple cores and sockets. Multiple cores seems like a given since even phone chips have gone that way. Multiple sockets is probably quite another matter though.

First of all, my H/W config.
i7 3770 (no over clocking)
16GB ram
Base OS is Win7 pro 64Bit.

1. Has anyone done that? Do you use VMsoftware or some pre-programed software put on USB?

I am running VMware player Win version. The reason for choosing VMware is quite simple. Just familire with it. I have been using VMwware for more than 10 years. Sorry, no USB boot OS now.
Be aware that VMware player allows only up to 4 virtual core for a VM.


2. Which VM software to use? VirtualBox or VMPlayer? And which version of the VM software are you running?

As stated above.


3. Which LINUX do you suggest for install on USB?

I have tried PUPPY though, I did not like it. I run Ubuntu12.04 64Bit under VM. Reason for choosing Ubuntu is just because it was there.


Why LINUX?
Because LINUX runs VINA mach faster than Windows. On my machine, I assign 4 cores to the VM and other 4 cores to the Windows version of BOINC. With this config, even under VM, LINUX clunches VINAs about 20% faster than Windows.


4. What config do you use?
For example for a X core using Y cores, Z MB given to VMsoftware, network config for proxies, etc.

'Cause I have enough RAM, I assign 6GB and 4 cores to the VM. N/W is bridge, Virtual HDD is 40GB

I suggest not to run CEP2 under the VM because under VMware, VM seems to be suspended while virtual HDD access. CEP2 Writs and reads HDD quite frequently, so it impacts the performance of total VM. You can easily exclude CEP2 WUs by unchecking CEP2 on the device profile.

Your rig is bit older and resources are limited, the best setting should be differant from mine. Try and find out the best practice.