[nflug] Converting from dual boot to virtual machine

[Joe]

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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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