[nflug] Converting from dual boot to virtual machine

Joe josephj at main.nc.us
Sat Feb 23 01:37:48 EST 2008


Cyber Source wrote:
> I do have some clients using Rosetta Stone for learning languages and
> it works flawlessly
>
> Joe wrote:
>> Cyber Source wrote:
>>  
>>> 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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>>>>         
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>>>     
>> Great.  That sounds lovely.  I'll look into it.  If you charge 4 hours
>> for it, it's probably more than I want to do on my own, but we'll see.
>>
>> Do you have any clients using Dragon Naturally Speaking under Vmware?
>> That's the one app that I really can't do without.  Rita and I have a
>> bunch of writing to do.
>>
>> Thanks.
>>
>> Joe
>>
>> Joe
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>>   
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Well, that's encouraging.  It's a fairly close match.

Joe


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