Solved Switching from VMware to Native VHD

[Senteaf]

Okay, I took all my virtual hard drives from vmware and opened your tutorial:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2953-virtual-hard-drive-vhd-file-create-start-boot.html
But it says: "Insert your retail copy Windows 7 installation disk into the CD/DVD drive, and restart the computer."

And I have OEM installation, I don't have windows 7 installation disc.

Is it possible to create and boot VHD in windows 7 ultimate without windows 7 installation disc?

 

[Brink]

Hello Senteaf,

For an existing VHD file, the steps in this tutorial to boot from it may work better for you.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/625-boot-vhd-using-windows-7-a.html

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[Senteaf]

**I have just seen that it only works with windows 7. All my vhd files are windows XP...

What can I do?

 

[Brink]

Yeah, sorry. XP will not work for this.

You could continue using the XP VHD in VMWare. If you have a XP installion disc or ISO, you could dual boot XP and Windows 7.

 

[Senteaf]

Okay thanks for the dual-boot tutorial, I will try that one.

But I want to use the windows 7 VHD native boot too.
There is noway to do it without an installation disc?

 

[Brink]

No, you will still have to have a Windows 7 installation disk/USB to install it from onto a created VHD at boot.

 

[Senteaf]

Okay then, where can I download windows 7 installation disc.


I will use my key to install it...

 

[Brink]

You're OEM Windows 7 product key is activated on your current installation and permanently tied to your specific computer, so you will not be able to use it to activate on another computer or on another installation on the same computer.

To do this, you will have to purchase another legal copy of Windows 7 that comes with a new product key. I would recommend a retail version to make doing this easier.

 

[Senteaf]

Okay thank you.

I will try retail.

 

[Brink]

You're welcome. Please let us know how it went.