Solved Can I retrieve files on virtual machine even if cannot start Virtual

[esmyrloglou]

I installed Windows XP mode on my PC 14 months ago.
Everything was working fine . One dayabout 6 months ago, I could not start my virtual machine.
I stupidly reinstalled XP mode.
Result I lost all my files of the programs running in XP (autosketch).

My installation allowed me to reinstall all my XP programs and continued to use them successfully until last night. Same thing happened .... can not start virual machine. I was a little smarter in that I copied my files onto my native hard drive as I produced them, so I have most of my files ...... BUT I was not as diligent as I should have been and some files are on my virtual drive.
Is there a way to get to those files before I reinstall XP mode.
Thanks Eli

 

[edwar]

Not that I know of because the VM encrypts/compresses them in some way. That is true for all VM programs and V-HD.
No way to actually read those files without starting the VM.

 

[strollin]

Disk Management can mount a VHD, you might try to see if you can mount it. If successful, you should then be able to copy files off it. Here's a link: How to Mount a Virtual Hard Disk in Windows 7

Unfortunately, if the reason you can't start the VM is because the VHD is corrupt, this probably won't help you but it's certainly worth a try.

 

[esmyrloglou]

The Mounting of HD did not work.
Thanks to all that sent me hints. I ended up reinstalling the VM and reinstalled all the programs (Pain in @*&^%)