Is it possible to have two XP virtual machines?

[Jeffs]

I would like to have two independent XP virtual machines. I already have it installed, and have some programs installed in it. I'd like to create another XP machine which is completely independent to the other that I can install software I'd like to test. When I'd done testing, I'll just delete this new VM, and create a new one for future use.

Can someone explain how I would go about doing this, step-by-step?

Install 2nd instance, then delete when done.

Thanks.

 

[arkhi]

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/21904-virtual-xp-machine-copy.html

 

[Jeffs]

I followed the steps exactly. It doesn't seem to work for me.

After I'm all done, I double click on

C:\Users\Jeff\Virtual Machines\Windows XP Mode - Copy.vmcx

to start the copy virtual XP machine, and I get the following (attached below).

Also, at the instant I double click on the file (in the hope this will start the copy VM), the file C:\Users\Jeff\Virtual Machines\Windows XP Mode - Copy.vmcx disappears (it deletes itself).

I copied the files exactly as described. I double checked the editing of the .vmc file and the .vmcx file.

Can anyone offer any help? Am I missing something?

 

[whs]

For starters you would need 2 product keys. If you use Virtual Box, you can have as many as you want. Make sure you install the Guest Additions inside the XP system.

 

[Jeffs]

Not Virtual Box, using the Virtual machine included with Win 7 Pro X64.

 

[whs]

Not Virtual Box, using the Virtual machine included with Win 7 Pro X64.

I was afraid of that.

 

[Lemur]

I'm with WHS. If not virtualbox, then VMWare player. They're both free, excellent, and easy to set up.

 

[Jeffs]

Are you implying I can't do this with the Windows VM> The article I was referred to said nothing about it not working with Windows.

 

[Kari]

I just tested the procedure as described in tutorial, once again. Absolutely no problems.

Did you shut down instead of hibernate the XP Mode before trying this? Default closing action when clicking the Close button for XP Mode is to hibernate. It must be shut down before copied.

Shut down XP Mode. Delete Windows XP Mode.vmc.backup from %userprofile%\AppDta\Local\Microsoft\Windows Virtual PC\Virtual Machines. Also, if file Windows XP Mode.vsv exists in this location you should now delete it. A .vsv file is the same than hiberfile.sys on real physical computers, containing hibernation information. It only exists when XP Mode is running, or when it is hibernated. When XP Mode is closed but this file exists, it simply means XP Mode is hibernated instead of shut down. Deleting the .vsv file "shuts down" XP Mode by deleting hibernation data.

Try now the copy procedure once again, following instructions exactly as written.

Copying XP Mode, having several XP Mode virtual machines, does not require additional product keys for activation. You are entitled to run as many copies as you wish, as long as you have Windows 7 Professional or better.

Kari

 

[Jeffs]

I did "Shut Down", yes. "Machine Status" of C:\Users\Jeff\Virtual Machines\Windows XP Mode - Copy.vmcx is "Powered Down".

Am I correct in trying to start the copy XP machine by double clicking on the .vmcx file? If not, what is the correct procedure to start the copy XP machine, as it does not show anywhere else.

 

[Kari]

Yes, you start it normally by double clicking it.

With shut down I meant the original XP Mode has to be shutdown and the vmc.backup file deleted before making a copy.

Kari

 

[Jeffs]

Yes, the original was shut down before I started copying, editing, etc.

I'm trying again.

 

[Jeffs]

OK, mystery solved. I got it to work.

It appears that when I edited the .vmcx file in the \users\jeff\virtual machines folder, my text editor did something to the file format. I wasn't using notepad, I was using textpad. The format LOOKED correct, but it must have been some invisible characters that were changed - perhaps CF or LF.

I noticed that when I saved the .vmcx file, all the status information disappeared. I tried again with notepad, and it was fine, and I could start the copy XP machine.

So, all appears well, I made RAR files of all the copied files so I can pull back a "clean" copy on demand. Time to experiment now.

Thanks

 

[Kari]

Good to hear you got it working.

 

[jimbo45]

For starters you would need 2 product keys. If you use Virtual Box, you can have as many as you want. Make sure you install the Guest Additions inside the XP system.

Hi there
You DON'T necessarily need more than one product key

with vmware you can "Clone" a Virtual Machine. Only if you SIGNIFICANTLY change the Virtual hardware will you get asked for re-activation.

Note however if you want to run these concurrently (at the same time) then you will have to give them DIFFERENT NAMES on your LAN.

Cheers
jimbo

 

[Kari]

As mentioned before, you can make hundred copies of your Virtual PC's XP Mode and still you don't need a product key. I currently have four XP Mode's set up for different purposes, all copies of original which I keep untouched in case I need to make a new copy to start all over again.

Kari