Once Virtual PC is installed, run it from your start menu, and choose to create a new virtual PC. Follow the instructions, selecting the location of your virtual PC and parameters. Personally, I used a spare external hard drive to act as the hard drive for my VPC, but its location is up to you.

Next you will need to obtain a full copy of an older windows product, preferably XP. Insert this disc into the drive, right-click on your new Virtual PC and choose settings. In the list on the left, choose DVD Drive, and from the options on the right, select your DVD drive.

If you are unlucky enough not to own a Windows setup disc, you will need an ISO file. Now I am not going to tell you where to obtain this, but I'm sure you can find that out on your own. Once the ISO is downloaded, do the same as with the disc, only select the ISO file as your virtual DVD drive instead.

After applying these settings, boot 'er up! Your VPC should boot up in BIOS, recognise the disc and begin installing windows. Don't worry, all installation is contained within the new virtual drive.

Once your VPC is up and running XP, make sure that under the tools bar at the top that integration services are installed and enabled, and your VPC should connect through your network to the internet. This is important, as you must upgrade (for free from the windows site) to Service Pack 3 in order to access your real PC's drives from your VPC.

Having done this, you should now be able to access your real PC's hard drive, locate the stars.exe file and copy it across. Load it up, enter your serial key and away you go!