virtualized real windows guest on linux host

gtludwig · 09-26-2011, 02:51 PM

Hi all,

I use a dual-boot machine, where almost 100% of the time I use Slackware. But there are a few occasions I need to use the installed and domain registered Windows XP.

Can I "virtualize" the OS that's installed into /dev/sda1?. If so, what's the best software to achieve this? VMware? VirtualBox?

travisdh1 · 09-26-2011, 03:02 PM

It would be difficult to virtualize a currently installed windows. (It may be possible by running a backup and then restoring it to a virtual machine but would be much more difficult.) Just use a virtual machine manager to install windows. I like VirtualBox just because you'll never have to pay to upgrade or new features or what have you (if really embracing virtualization I'd actually use proxmox, but that's a whole other can of worms most people probably don't really need.) I think you can use your current windows key to run it in a virtual machine so long as it's running on the same computer and only the 1 instance at any one time but you might want to double check that as it's been a long time since I did any reading of that agreement.

jefro · 09-26-2011, 03:47 PM

I would use a P2V app myself.

frieza · 09-26-2011, 05:28 PM

i have migrated xp from a real machine to a virtual machine once, it was tricky but not impossible

start by creating a clean install of windows on the virtual machine, then using a shared folder copy all the files from your old machine into the virtual hard drive, once that is done boot the vm from a live cd or a Bart disk and replace the documents and settings and windows folders with the ones you copied from the real machine, reboot the vm and do a repair install of windows.

jefro · 09-26-2011, 07:40 PM

There may be a hundred ways to do what you want.

On some VM's you can run the partition or drive in a VM. (as with all hardware changes on MS you will have to fix hal)

Can dd it to a raw image then convert to some format or run in raw on a vm.

Many many p2v apps out there. I have used a few with ease.

Can take a ntbackup with system state. Then install a generic xp in a vm then apply restore with system state.

Might be able to use some of the backup software to create a backup. The backup file of some are really virtual machines.

As to the best choice it is up to you. One or the other has various issues with your choice above.

I wouldn't think any choice is hard. Just be sure to start with a good backup safe to some remote media.