VirtualRPC-SE Downloads

This page contains links to downloadable updates for VirtualRPC-SE users running RISC OS 4 or RISC OS 6.

RISC OS Updates

VirtualAcorn Updates

IMPORTANT: Installing these updates

Please note that the updates on this page need to be applied in the order they are listed. The updates perform cumulative actions, so if you run updates out of sequence later updates will fail to install. So find the earliest update that you need, install that, then install all the other updates that follow, even if you don't currently feel that you need them. Before installing any updates find your CD serial number (it's printed on your CD) and check which is the earliest update you need, then install all the updates from that point onwards.

All of these updates are Windows programs. To install an update first quit VRPC, then download the update using Windows. Next find the update on your harddisc (using Windows). Then open the update (it will be in a .zip file) then finally double click on the update and follow the instructions on screen.

VirtualRPC-SE Networking Pack
This update is only required for copies of VirtualRPC-SE with a serial number less than 10558, copies of VirtualRPC-SE with a higher serial number already come with the latest networking pack. This update can also be used to update the version of VirtualRPC-SE supplied with the MicroDigital Alpha. Note that this update is intended for RISC OS 4 as supplied with VirtualRPC-SE.

After installing this pack VirtualRPC-SE will be configured to run in a Window (so you can easily set up a software Firewall). Please consult the VirtualRPC-SE manual for details on how to re-configure it to run in full screen mode after a Firewall has been set up.

• Networking support plug-in including a Boot sequence update.
• Access the Internet from within RISC OS, browse the web, FTP, send e-mails etc.
• Connect VirtualRPC-SE to "real" Acorn machines over ethernet using ShareFS.
• Connect multiple PCs running VirtualRPC-SE over ethernet using ShareFS.
• Includes a number of sample programs including FTPc, FreeTerm and a demo version of Oregano2.
• Includes a new manual with a comprehensive networking chapter.

This update will make various changes to your VirtualRPC-SE configuration, and you may need to re-enter your unlock code after installing this update. Please ensure you have your unlock code available before installing this update, your unlock code is a hexadecimal number in the form xxxxxx-xxxxxx-xxxxxx. If you do not have your unlock code written down then please see the VirtualRPC-SE tech support section. for details on how to recover your unlock code.

This update is only required for copies of VirtualRPC-SE purchased prior to 7th Nov 2003 (Serial number 10546-VRP or earlier).

VirtualRPC-SE ADFS harddisc image update
This update adds an extra 50Mb ADFS harddisc image to existing VirtualRPC-SE installations. You can then arrange for VirtualRPC-SE to boot from this ADFS harddisc image, instead of from HostFS, this can offer advantages for some users. Note that this update is intended for RISC OS 4 as supplied with VirtualRPC-SE.

• Prevents the !Boot sequence being modified from the Windows side.
• Allows protected applications that need a filecore filing system to be installed (for example DataPower1 and Sibelius).
• Easily switch between booting from ADFS and HostFS
• Includes utilities to back up your current !Boot sequence from HostFS to ADFS automatically

This update will make various changes to your VirtualRPC-SE CMOS ram configuration.

This update is only required for copies of VirtualRPC-SE purchased prior to 1st Jan 2004 (Serial number 10681-VRP or earlier).

VirtualRPC-SE Boot update 1
This update fixes a couple of problems reported by VirtualRPC-SE users. This update includes a copy of !VCDZoom kindly supplied by Stuart Tyrell Developments.

• Solves "Abort on Data Transfer" errors when printing with some printer drivers.
• Allows some high speed CD drives that previously reported "Bad CD" errors to work with RISC OS
• Contains an updated printing system with a smaller memory footprint.
• Contains an updated AtapiCD plugin.

This update is only required for copies of VirtualRPC-SE purchased prior to 1st Jan 2004 (Serial number 10681-VRP or earlier).

VirtualRPC-SE 8Mb display update
This update allows RISC OS 4 to display screen modes up to 8Mb in size, the previous limit was 2Mb. This update has been developed with the assistance of Stuart Tyrell Developments.

• Select screen modes up to 8Mb in size.
• Select modes up to 1600 x 1200 in 24 bit colour and 2048 x 1536 in 16 bit colour
• Dynamically allocates RISC OS memory as required.

This update is only required for copies of VirtualRPC-SE purchased prior to 1st Jan 2004 (Serial number 10681-VRP or earlier).

VirtualRPC-SE Internet Module update
This update installs a new version of the Internet module inside VirtualRPC-SE. In order to install this update you need to have an up to date network plugin installed inside your copy of VirtualRPC-SE. If this update reports that you have an "Invalid product" then you will need to download and install the Networking Pack at the top of this page. This update addresses the following issues.

• WebServe not working correctly.
• WebJames not working correctly.
• Slow Internet/network response under RISC OS Select.

VirtualRPC-SE Power Management update
This update installs support for RISC OS power management, this allows RISC OS to control the speed/load on the host processor, this results in increased battery life in portable devices as well as lower temperatures on both desktop and laptop machines.

Before installing this update please note that you will need to have the VirtualRPC-SE 8Mb Display update installed first. To check for this try and choose a screen mode of 1024x768 in 16 million colours under RISC OS 4.02 (not under Select). If the display manager will only let you choose this resolution in 32,000 colours then you do not have the 8Mb Display update installed. Install the 8Mb Display update before installing this update. Also please note that after installing this update you will need to follow further instructions contained in the
 
C:\Program Files\VirtualAcorn\VirtualRPC-SE\PowerManage.rtf
 
file. If you do not follow these instructions then Power Management will not be enabled.

• Extends battery life on portable devices.
• Processor speed is now dependant on load.
• Runs cooler on Athlon processors.
• Provides on screen display of battery time and charge status.
• Supports time remaining (on motherboards that offer the feature).
• Reduces fan noise on machines that support temperature controlled fans.
• Power management is controlled from the RISC OS Configure application.

This update is only required for copies of VirtualRPC-SE purchased prior to 11th Feb 2004 (Serial number 10771-VRP or earlier).

VirtualRPC-SE May 2004 update
This update installs a number of bug fixes and improves performance in the RISC OS desktop.

• Fix for the "stuttering" mouse pointer when sound is enabled.
• Smoother mouse pointer and greater responsiveness in the RISC OS desktop
• New version of HostFS with support for PopStar and CMOS "locking".
• New version of the Internet plugin with support for WebJames, WebServe, Oregano1, Netsurf and GrapeVine2.
• Support for Windows printer names up to 256 characters in length.

This update is only required for copies of VirtualRPC-SE with a serial number lower than 10920-VRP. This update requires the 8Mb VRAM update to be installed first.

VirtualRPC-SE Internet 6.11 update
This update installs a new Internet plugin for VirtualRPC-SE.

• Support for some older e-mail clients such as Marcel.
• Support for some different versions of TCP/IP stacks.

VirtualRPC-SE August 2005 update
This update installs a new version of VirtualRPC-SE.

• Updated copyright information.
• Now shows updated unlock code information including our new phone number.
• Few minor bug fixes.

This update is only required for copies of VirtualRPC-SE with a serial number lower than 11257-VRP.

VirtualRPC-SE iSVPatch 2006 update
This update installs a new version of the iSV RISC OS 4 patch in the boot sequence on HostFS::Harddisc4.$.

• Solves problems with new versions of GhostScript.
• Solves problems exporting PDF files with new versions of TechWriter.

This update is required for all copies of VirtualRPC-SE.

VirtualRPC-SE October 2006 update
This update updates a few VirtualRPC-SE components.

• Replaces existing HostFS::HardDisc4.$.Printing.ShowPrinters with a multi-tasking version.
• Adds HostFS extension mapping for PDF files.
• Correctly maps .zip files to SparkPlug (instead of incorrectly to ArcFS).

Please note that this update will replace your existing HostFS Extensions file with a new one. If you have customised your HostFS Extensions please back this up before installing this update.

This update is only required for copies of VirtualRPC-SE with a serial number lower than 11489-VRP.

VirtualRPC-SE December 2006 update
This update is designed to support the use of RISC OS 6 (either the RISC OS 6 Select 4 Preview, or RISC OS 6 supplied as part of the Select scheme) on VirtualRPC-SE. It is also designed to allow VirtualRPC-SE to run on Windows Vista. If you are using VRPC on Windows Vista you will need to update your copy of VirtualRPC-SE.

• New version of VRPC-SE suitable for running RISC OS 6
• New version of HostFS
• Updated power management system.

This update is only required for copies of VirtualRPC-SE with a serial number lower than 11521-VRP.

VirtualRPC-SE HostFS update Jan 2007
This update is designed to resolve the printing problem, reported by some users, after installation of the December 2006 update. The reported fault is that RISC OS 4 performs all the printing operations but that no files appear in the Windows print queue. This update is designed to resolve the problem. Included in the update are:

• New version of HostFS

This update is only required for copies of VirtualRPC-SE with a serial number lower than 11524-VRP.