how to make Virtualization for entire XP computer

[nuflia]

i have an XP computer that has some software that only run in window XP,
how can i make Virtualization from the entire pc and in any case the computer fails , i can run the Virtualization from a different pc AND use the whole software.
hope my question is clear

 

[adamf]

You could make a VHD and boot that natively on any PC with 7 (Ultimate) or 8 Pro using Hyper-V. http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/625-boot-vhd-using-windows-7-a.html

If you want to convert your existing XP PC to VHD then you can use the SysInternals Disk2VHD utility http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/ee656415.aspx

Hope this helps some

 

[nuflia]

Thanks for the reply
u mean by using Disk2VHD , i can make virtual machine form my whole windows xp including all the programs that are running in the pc,
can i use this virtual machine in w7 home or it needs to be ultimate and higher

 

[Kari]

The VHD files that Disk2VHD creates are designed to run on Windows Virtual PC, which can be downloaded and installed on all Windows 7 versions except Starter edition. Free download: Download Windows Virtual PC from Official Microsoft Download Center

The VHD should also run on Oracle Virtualbox: https://www.virtualbox.org/

Kari

 

[nuflia]

THanks Kari,
to make it simple ,
Windows Virtual PC software from Microsoft can be used to make virtual machine from my entire PC using Disk2VHD
so the entire PC including all software can run as virtual machine under w7 or w8

 

[Kari]

Yes. Using Disk2VHD, I have even virtualized a Windows XP Pro SP3 with lot of programs running on a VirtualBox virtual machine, then moved the VHD to another computer to be run on Virtual PC which in its turn runs on a Windows 7 virtual machine running on Windows 8 .

 

[adamf]

Yes. Use Disk2VHD to make a VHD. That will copy all your programs, data and the XP OS to a file called XPcomputer.vhd or similar.

On Windows 7 you can use Virtual PC as Kari says to run it.

On windows 8 your would have to use Hyper-V as the MS option as Virtual PC is not supported I believe.

On either 7 or 8 (or Linux) Virtualbox would work.

 

[Kari]

On windows 8 your would have to use Hyper-V as the MS option as Virtual PC is not supported I believe.

Just a fun fact, I run Virtual PC and XP Mode on a Windows 7 Professional vm running on Hyper-V in Windows 8 Pro, and have tested the Disk2VHD created XP vm in the same Windows 7 Hyper-V vm in Virtual PC as I told in my previous post.

This is of course totally trivial information but it tells how flexible virtualization tools today are.

 

[adamf]

Just a fun fact, I run Virtual PC and XP Mode on a Windows 7 Professional vm running on Hyper-V in Windows 8 Pro, and have tested the Disk2VHD created XP vm in the same Windows 7 Hyper-V vm in Virtual PC as I told in my previous post.

I'll have to think about that for a while - the combinations give me a slight headache

I'd like to make Hyper-V server (the free one) work but it is too limited really for me - no wifi, bluetooth or anything.

 

[Kari]

This goes really off topic but:

I'd like to make Hyper-V server (the free one) work but it is too limited really for me - no wifi, bluetooth or anything.

I do not use the built-in Hyper-V Virtual Machine Connection to run my virtual machines, except if the virtual machine can be created as Generation 2 vm.

Instead I connect to virtual machines using RDP. This allows the vm to use host devices, including for instance an external WiFi USB dongle, Bluetooth and so on.

 

[adamf]

Thanks Kari, to make it simple .....

Sorry Nuflia - my fault - I think you had your answer already. I'm interested in virtualisation and so do go off topic sometimes. I'll open another thread for that (once I can formulate it).

 

[Kari]

I take the blame, I went OT . Sorry.

 

[nuflia]

thanks guys for the replies and help
i will try to make the virtual machine and let you know the results

 

[adamf]

It will definitely work. Run the Disk2VHD and try it - we'll help - we have both done it and almost certainly others also.

 

[nuflia]

It will definitely work. Run the Disk2VHD and try it - we'll help - we have both done it and almost certainly others also.

thanks for the reply..
after using the Disk2vhd to make VHD, can i use VirtualBox to create the virtual machine
do i need the windows xp iso and keys to complete the virtualization

 

[carwiz]

Make sure this special note applies.

Note: Physical-to-virtual hard drive migration of a Windows installation is a valid function for customers with Software Assurance and full retail copies of Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7. Software Assurance provides users valuable benefits—please contact Microsoft Corporation for further information. Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7 installed by Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) using OEM versions of these products may not be transferred to a virtual hard drive in accordance with Microsoft licensing terms.

 

[nuflia]

error using VirtualBox-4.3.12-93733-Win

Yes. Using Disk2VHD, I have even virtualized a Windows XP Pro SP3 with lot of programs running on a VirtualBox virtual machine, then moved the VHD to another computer to be run on Virtual PC which in its turn runs on a Windows 7 virtual machine running on Windows 8 .

i have already used Disk2VHD but when i used VirtualBox-4.3.12-93733-Win to create the virtual machine but i got error message as per attached message

 

[nuflia]

How-To Convert a VHDX to a virtual hard disk (VHD)

i used Disk2VHD , the created file was with the extension of VHDX
how can i convert it to VHD to be used with VirtualBox

 

[Kari]

As I mentioned earlier, the Disk2VHD creates virtual hard disks which are meant to run on Windows Virtual PC, although you should be able to run them also on VirtualBox.

I'll do some testing, will then post more.

 

[Kari]

Ok, had not used Disk2VHD in quite a long time. Tested now with various options.

First, to prepare the vhd to be run on Virtual PC:

​

To make a VHD instead of VHDX:

​

Try the above, deselecting VHDX to create a VHD instead. Resulted vhd file should run on VirtualBox. I will test it later today and post my findings.