Using VMware (or alternative)

[DxxS]

I currently have an XP/Win7 dual boot on seperate partitions, can i boot into 7 the run XP in something like VMware?
and are there any limitations in doing this?

Thanks,

 

[Lee]

Yes. If you are thinking of removing XP then running it in a VM then VM Ware Workstation, and Player are a good way to go. The only limitations is that you must have a Key for XP. In most cases XP should load just fine.

I am using VM Ware's Workstation for XP and Vista, and VM Player for several different Linux distro's without any problems.

 

[DxxS]

Thanks Lee, would it be possible to run the XP currently installed on one of my partitions in vmware or would I need to install XP fresh in VMWare?

 

[Dinesh]

I use Sun Virtual Box and I m running it under Win7 x64. With it, I installed Windows xp, fedora 11 and ubuntu 9.04. I can run all at one time without any issues.

 

[aem]

Thanks Lee, would it be possible to run the XP currently installed on one of my partitions in vmware or would I need to install XP fresh in VMWare?

What u need to do is this.

1) Download VMware Standalone Converter and convert your existing HDD (dual boot) disk to a VHD. It's advisable to do the conversion when running Xp, so boot to Xp, install this converter and convert your HDD...to a USB connected HDD (remmended).

2) Download VMware Server 2.0 and install that on your Windows 7 OS.

3) Create a new VM using VMware Server 2.0, and point to the VHD (as to boot it) to the one have converted in point 1. Allow it to boot up...if successful you will get the exact screens as u would booting up from your physicial machine.

Note, for the Windows7 part of the dual boot, when u booted to it in your new VM, you will be ask to activate it sometime soon after, if you boot to Xp in your VM, i don't think it need to be reactivated..i'm not sure as it hasn't for me.

However the question is, will using Xp thru VM synce all program and data with your actual Xp in your physical dual boot. I'd say no. Life starts from the time u start your VM.

 

[DxxS]

Thanks guys, i'll give it a crack and see what happens.

 

[Daniel15]

Thanks Lee, would it be possible to run the XP currently installed on one of my partitions in vmware or would I need to install XP fresh in VMWare?

That is possible with VMWare. I don't think VMWare support using it like that, but I guess it's worth a shot. I'm not sure how well it works with regards to drivers (since the VM needs totally different drivers to the machine itself, since it emulates the various bits of hardware), and Windows XP Activation might get annoyed and want you to reactivate, since all the hardware's changed

 

[danny0085]

VMware alternative

Give a try to Virtual box is from SunMicrosystem Virtual box | tips-linux.net