help on vhd imaging

[ZX81]

I run win7 x64 ultimate and got duped into the acronis 2010 upgrade

I say duped as the marketing material implies that you can back up to a vhd file and then simply use that vhd in virtual machine. This is not the case, yes you can make backups to a VHD but can only use for backups or (what I now deduce) boot from them seperately

My problem is that I need to run XP for work apps and prior to this have been dual booting. I got around some software by being able to run it fine inside of a 'normal' XP mode VHD from win7, but I can't do the same for another must have software suit - deidicated work apps.

So, anyone know how to modify a VHD image of an existing XP hardrive so that it can boot and run within win7 virtual PC? I'd love to think someone has being able to do this

By the way the acronis 2010 is a nice upgrade from last release, just annoyed at the way i got suckered. I always use them anyway, so wasted time not money.

(I'm new to vitual machines)

 

[Treyshadow]

Do you still have the XP Physical machine?

I know you can use Disk2VHD from microsoft to convert to a VHD file that can be mounted in Virtual PC for windows 7. It is a free application for Hyper-V, but the VHD works in Windows 7. Just download the Disk2VHD program from here.

 

[ZX81]

thanks treyshadow

yes, I got 2nd hard drive with the XP in my laptop using the ide adapter

I did the disk2VHD thing today but it wont boot in virtual machine. I spent a lot of time on google but can't find any good guides. From what I have read it appears its possible, by doing something with the way XP boots up, but don't know how to...something to do with HAL

New stuff for me, was wondering if anyone has done this on win7 virtual pc or any other software. I can get the other virtual software if need be.

Thing is the apps I need are somehow tied in with my corporate image and wont install on new installation. Can't ask work IT as its frowned upon. I can run the image independently but just not as an VHD within win7. I really need to quickly switch between win7 and Xp so booting from the vhd directly doesn't really get me anything new.

any links, push in the right direction appreciated.

got to think someone else out there has a need to be able to image an existing hard drive to a virtual machine, and want to run it in a virtual environment from win7

cheers!

 

[calikool]

I've just been using VMWare Workstation. But the utility posted would be nice to have.

 

[nessus]

When you used disk2vhd, did you check the Virtual PC HAL option?

 

[ZX81]

I got the end result which I wanted, although went about it a different way

I was able to change the hard disk serial number using a free utility for Xbox (google it).
That ment I could build a replacement image from scratch as licence is checked against disk serial ID. Then i was able to move the image between computers, just in Windows 7 XP mode, by using this guide

http://www.sevenforums.com/virtualization/57698-can-i-move-virtualxp-install-c-d.html

the guide isn't completely accurate in I found that I also needed to move the parent XP mode base VHD file.
I just kept all the specific old files in a new folder, copied across the VHD files to APPS> local machine and C>programs>xpmode, and the .vcmx file to the USER>virtual machine - this file I then had to check settings and open, and it worked

Fantastic, I now don't have to power down one operating system and start another. There's also some notes on the web about creating a shortcut on win7 desktop to an XP mode app that lets you run it from win7, but I havent gone there yet

Very happy to have achieved this, but it took hours...