So, here's what I've got:
1.) A machine running windows 7 ultimate
2.) A Virtual PC VHD file with Windows XP on it.
My question:
1.) Is it possible to boot from this VHD?
2.) If so, then could someone direct me to the definitive guide on how to set it up through Windows 7, so that I can boot from this XP VM?
3.) If not, then is that functionality planned as an update to MS Virtual PC and/or Windows 7 in the future?
Microsoft only supports native VHD boot for Windows 7/2008R2, i.e., inside the VHD, you have to install Windows 7 or 2008R2. No other OSes would work, so XP, 2003, Vista, 2008 before R2, in a VHD, would NOT boot. You will get BSOD if you do so.
However, we are working on our VBoot product, which supports booting XP/Vista/2003/7/2007/Linux from VHD, not yet released. You can take a look of the screenshot here of XP running from a VHD.
http://www.vmlite.com/index.php/products/vboot
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