[nflug] Converting from dual boot to virtual machine

[Cyber Source]

I do it here all the time for my clients. Download the vmware converter, 
here's a read---
http://www.petri.co.il/virtual_convert_physical_machines_to_virtual_machines_with_vmware_converter.htm
This will create a virtual machine out of your existing windows boot 
that you can run VERBATIM under your Linux side, all the installed 
applications etc, will be exactly as they were. Of course certain things 
that were needed for the physical will no longer be 
needed/applicable/work, you can tweak accordingly. You CANNOT do this 
without some sort of alternative data location, i.e. network share, USB 
drive, etc., as this process CANNOT dump onto itself. You can then go on 
to download and run the FREE vmplayer to run your new vm. There are a 
few gotchas along the way, like tricks to "fix" windows activation, as 
the machine will create a new product code, that you should change so 
the activation feature works. I've done this many many times and could 
do this in our shop here. I normally charge 4hrs for such a job, if you 
want us to do it for you, contact us off list.
p.s. the really nice thing about this is you can then just tar up your 
entire Linux with the vm and you've got everything, just slap it on a 
dvd and you have a nice backup of all.
Joe wrote:
> My notebook is an HP Pavilion dv5020us - 1GB ram, 100GB disk, Centrino
> Duo  1.6 GHz. 
>
> It is currently set up as dual boot Win XP Pro Media Center Edition and
> kubuntu gutsy Linux.  XP came pre-installed and I do *not* have any
> install disks.  I do have restore files on the disk and  emergency
> restore disks (that will wipe out everything that wasn't pre-installed
> including Linux and put back a bunch of stuff I deleted).
>
> Both os's have a lot of stuff installed and configured on them.  Right
> now, I use XP on an exception basis for those things that Linux doesn't
> have or that won't run under wine first try (because I have no clue as
> to a second try).
>
> What I would like to do is run some windows applications from Linux
> without rebooting.
>
> I know there are a bunch of virtualization products out there.  I own a
> couple of Vmware Workstation 4.x licenses that I have never used.
>
> My notebook is used almost exclusively by me although I have one or two
> other end user accounts on it.
>
> I am an experienced user and was a professional programmer, but now my
> focus is primarily as an end user who wants to get things done as
> opposed to spending lots of time configuring, installing and debugging.
>
> The main Windows applications I want to run are:
> Dragon Naturally Speaking (as current as possible)
> Maximizer (contact manager that does things that I can't find on Linux)
> TurboTax
> Omnipage
> Copernic Search
> and a small number of windows-only professional application packages.
>
> I also want to occasionally run various discount software packages for
> windows and Idea Fisher.  I may want to try Vongo or Netflix.
>
> And, it's really helpful to be in Windows when working with an ISP or
> hardware vendor on problems.
>
> What approach would work best for me?
>
> It would be great if I didn't have to reinstall one or both os's from
> scratch.
>
>
> TIA
>
> Joe
>
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