Is it possible to run a preexisting copy of xp throug

[MilesAhead]

Thanks Huisinro, got the link.

Kari

btw related info.. I posted a question on Macrium Reflect forum and was told they have a beta tool to create VHDs from Macrium images. There's a download link and a blog how to use it with VirtualBox here:

Macrium Reflect - Blogs and News

 

[Kari]

Thanks Huisinro, got the link.

Kari

btw related info.. I posted a question on Macrium Reflect forum and was told they have a beta tool to create VHDs from Macrium images. There's a download link and a blog how to use it with VirtualBox here:

Macrium Reflect - Blogs and News


View attachment 61616

Very nice tip, thank you.

The program, ImgToVHD is really easy to use, and fast. A 10GB Macrium image took 5 minutes to convert. It creates a vhd from Macrium backup image, allowing you even remap the partition table if your backup contains more than one partitions.

I mounted resulting vhd both to Virtual PC and VirtualBox, without any problems.

A valuable tool.

Kari

 

[MilesAhead]

Where'd you get the image from? Was the source a single partition drive?

So far I tried 2 images and boot failure. I have a fake Raid controller in this thing. The only way that's worked so far is to install XP from the install CD.
But I don't feel like spending a week install programs onto it only to have it blow up later.

Seems to be no really convenient way to package up a virtual system yet. I think people messing with vLite were doing stuff with WAIK and install scripts but it's just not smooth. That's why I say a disk should have a unique identifier and the user should be allowed to choose an alias for it. You should be able to just paste the entire OS with applications into a partition and it should boot, run, toot and ring the bell, not squawk.

 

[jorpe]

I'm lost here. I used hd to vhd and created a vhd file out of the XP partition of the computer I'm dual booting with win 7 ultimate x64. How do I boot that OS in Virtual PC inside of Windows 7?

 

[Kari]

Jorpe, if you already have the vhd , just create a new vm choosing Use an existing virtual hard disk, and mount your vhd.

Kari

 

[jorpe]

Thanks Kari, I just did that but I forgot to edit the bcd before I created the vhd so when I try to boot the vhd it brings up the bootloader screen and neither system will boot.

 

[Kari]

I think there's not much you can do then, apart from creating vhd one more time, this time first editing bcd.

 

[jimbo45]

Hi there

Another trick you can use is if you have ACRONIS with the universal restore option

1) Create an acronis backup of your REAL XP system

Just the OS itself or partition C is sufficient as other partitions are just "Data" which you can copy to your Windows 7 system.

2) Now create the bootable media restore CD

3) on VBOX (or vmware) create a Virtual machine but don't install an OS on it -- in other words don't use the Create Virtual Machine Wizard to create your VM automatically>


4) Power on the VM setting it to boot from the bootable acronis cd media you created in step1.

You will need the VM you created to have access to a disk with your backup image on it. Acronis should find the disk Ok. When you created the Virtual machine a USB device is the easiest way to get the XP image in to the acronis program for restore.

After finishing just boot the restored image -- it will mess around with "new hardware found" for a while and then you are fit to go.

Just remove old drivers and apps that aren't Virtual machine compatable such as DVD playing or TV viewing apps.


Cheers
jimbo