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virtualbox-ose package

Virtual Install of Windows Image on HP machine

Asked by Russell Wright

I have an HP desktop PC that I will be installing Ubuntu Server to. I would like to then take the existing Windows image that is on the hidden partition and install it to the PC as a virtual instance so I can keep Ubuntu running at all times for backup purposes, etc.

What is the best approach to do this?

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actionparsnip (andrew-woodhead666) said : 		#1

You could use partimage to backup the hidden partition. Why not run the Ubuntu server in a virtual session with a bridged network adapter, the server will use a lot fewer resources than the Windows VM

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delance (olivier-delance) said : 		#2

I'm afraid that Windows image you have is dedicated to your physical PC, and will not work directly in virtual machine. Theoretically, it is view as an installation on a new computer, and you are supposed to contact Microsoft to get a new activation key. With XP, perhaps you could try the repairing disk. Before doing anything, search more data on the Web.
Actionparsnip is right. A server will use very few RAM, which is main bottleneck of virtual machine, and installing an Ubuntu server will be dramatically simpler than trying to reinstall Windows. E.g. I have Windows on virtual machine, but when I duplicate this virtual machine, the new one doesn't work immediately.

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