Windows 7 - copy of xp on computer.. can I install under virtual pc

Ok so I have the current situation

I bought a windows xp machine about 2 years ago. Happy user all is good. I still have the disc that came with it.

Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005
Description: This bootable recovery DVD will enable to restore the operating system.

so I was wondering.. if I delete my current xp partition then I will have erased my copy of it. That should allow me to install another right? So would it
A. Be possible with just this disc.
B. Be legal?

thanks. I'm new to this stuff so just ask if you need any more info.

I also found this. Should I just use this? Disk2vhd

(A) Yes
(B) Yes

Both options work just fine. You can install XP from your disk to Virtual PC. You have 30 days time to evaluate and activate, so plenty of time to decide if it's safe to delete the XP Partition.

Creating a vhd (Virtual Hard Disk) with Disk2vhd and mount it to Virtual PC is simple and straight forward procedure. The image vhd it creates loses activation data, but it's like with fresh install, you get 30 days time to activate.

Whatever you decide, come back if you have any questions.

Kari

thanks Kari, I'll try I guess.

Whenever I try to download windows xp mode it has an update for me to install. The update failed and I can't download it any ideas for this?

Kari, are you sure. This is probably an OEM XP which has to stay with the mobo.

A very good point.

If it is OEM, it at least needs to be activated by phone because of total change of hardware configuration (physical hw vs. emulated virtual hw).

Anyway, I think that explaining the situation to Microsoft would let him to activate. Hardware change would be only theoretical because computer itself is the same.

A 30 day evaluation period luckily gives time to find out the outcome.

Kari

Yeah, that could work - if it is the same PC (which was not clear from the posting).

I don't know what I am talking now! He clearly says it's another rig he wants to install it. It means you are right, whs.

Lanthus, my original answer to your question is valid only if your XP is a normal retail version. If it is an OEM version, you most probably can not use it to insatll XP on virtual machine on another computer.

I am very sorry giving misleading information in case your XP is OEM.

Thanks, whs!

Kari

Here is the situation.

I had xp on my computer. It is OEM. Then when 7 came out I partitioned my hard drive and put 7 on one half. Now I'm trying to get xp mode to work. If it's oem I guess I can't though?

Also the installer isn't working for me. I go to the microsoft website and select my system info (Windows 7 ultimate, 32 bit) and click on the first button. It asks me to install a security update which I do, but it always fails. So it won't even let me download xp mode.

Has anyone experienced verified that you need an OS partition by itself on C: to be converted into an image or is it just that stuff won't boot because it doesn't like me?

Is it a waste of time if you have multiple OS on one HD to try to make an image from the non C: partition?

What's the skinny?

My guess would be that you can make an image of an OS partition from another OS on the system. But when you restore, it may not restore the MBR - thus not boot. As I said, this is my guess, I have never tried that.