Convert VHD to VMWARE format (Virtual PC too slow)

[jimbo45]

Hi all

I like the idea of XP mode but in its current state it just seems too slow and the screen resolution is just too limited when Virtual PC is running in "XP mode".

Has anybody been able to convert the XP virtual machine bundled with XP mode" to vmware format and run this XP machine under vmware or vbox.

That way you'd get a performance boost of around 300% at least and can also use decent mouse and video drivers for screens at FULL resolution.

I'm really surprised why MS "hobbled" the video and performance of the VM -- the idea is EXCELLENT but in reality it could be too slow to be of significant use -- especially as VMWARE SERVER is free so even a small corporation could make a decent XP image which could be deployed on to multiple desktops via the Virtual server.

Cheers
jimbp

 

[unawave]

Has anybody been able to convert the XP virtual machine bundled with XP mode" to vmware format and run this XP machine under vmware

Why do you want to convert ?
Why do you not install Windows XP in vmware ?

 

[jimbo45]

Why do you want to convert ?
Why do you not install Windows XP in vmware ?

Hi there

Simple answer to this question

I want to use the supplied XP machine on vmware -- there's a serial number and its already been activated.

If I install an XP machine in vmware I have to have an original XP install disk. (I have one but I would like to see the Microsoft supplied XP machine as it would be a "clean pre-installed XP system with all the SP3 fixes already applied).

Cheers
jimbo

 

[unawave]

I want to use the supplied XP machine on vmware -- there's a serial number and its already been activated.

But vmware emulates other hardware. And, as you know, when you change many hardware components you have to activate it again.

I even tried this: I used the VHD file with the pre-activated Windows XP and boot from this in "Windows Virtual PC 2007". Works fine - but activation was gone. I tried to activate via Internet. No go - it says: wrong serial (and I haven't tried to activate via phone ...)