Understanding "vboxmanage clonehd" syntax

[cat2005]

Hi,

I have an XP vdi I would like to clone. I am looking at the 3.0.2 (pages 80 and 118) for instructions. However, I do not full understand the syntax. Are there any "samples" floating around which I could use to help understand it?

This is what page 118 shows:

VBoxManage clonehd <uuid>|<filename> <outputfile>
[--format VDI|VMDK|VHD|RAW|<other>]
[--variant Standard,Fixed,Split2G,Stream,ESX]
[--type normal|writethrough|immutable]
[--remember]

So, I assume I would go into terminal and type: VBoxManage clonehd

But then what? The instruction manual really doesn't go into much detail.

I want to fully understand the process before I attempt it, so any input or learning resources would be appreciated.

Thank you.

[MarkCranness]

'|' means either/or, so the VBoxManage clonehd <uuid>|<filename> <outputfile> part could be entered as either:
VBoxManage 1e3a17a7-c01d-4d90-8fe6-9da72556995b New.vdi
or
VBoxManage Old.vdi New.vdi

'[]' means optional, and can be left out.

'<stuff>' means type in the filename or UUID of your choosing : user supplied data, but remove the <> characters.

[mpack]

However, I do not full understand the syntax

Alternatively, non-masochists could try my CloneVDI tool, which lets you clone using an easy to understand GUI. This tool is designed for Windows hosts, but works on Linux hosts under Wine.

[JshWright]

"non-masochists"? "Wine"?

Really?

[mpack]

Well, if you're a Linux user you're a masochist by definition...

[cat2005]

However, I do not full understand the syntax

Alternatively, non-masochists could try my CloneVDI tool, which lets you clone using an easy to understand GUI. This tool is designed for Windows hosts, but works on Linux hosts under Wine.

Is there a program that will do so natively in Linux? I do not like wine (the software - love the drink!)

[Bernd Hohmann]

I have an XP vdi I would like to clone. I am looking at the 3.0.2 (pages 80 and 118) for instructions. However, I do not full understand the syntax. Are there any "samples" floating around which I could use to help understand it?

Quite simple, but remember either to go into the VDI-Directory or use full pathes when cloning.

cd ~/.VirtualBox/HardDisks
VBoxManage clonehd oldxp.vdi newxp.vdi

or

VBoxManage clonehd ~/.VirtualBox/HardDisks/oldxp.vdi ~/.VirtualBox/HardDisks/newxp.vdi

(assuming you're using Linux).

Then use the GUI to register the disk (File -> virtual media manager - or what ever it reads in the english frontend) and after this create a new VM "XP New" with the same settings of the old VM.

Bernd

[cat2005]

Hmmm....I think I understand. I will try that when I have some free time and post results.

Thank you!

[cat2005]

Ooopppsss.....I forgot to ask:

Before I clone the vdi, should I detach the vdi from its machine? Or is it safe to clone the vdi while still attached to its machine?

Thanks.

[Perryg]

First you don't need to detach it just make sure that the Guest is shutdown.
If you have snapshots and you detach the drive you will loose the snapshots.

[kebabbert]

When I clone a WinXP machine, and I boot the original and the copy, the last booted machine says "error, there is already a duplicate name on the network" or something similar. Both VMs have the same name. How to circumvent this problem?

[Perryg]

Sound like you need to change the Windows guests name. (start the guest one at a time) Right click on computer then properties and you should see where to change the name. You only need to do this to one.

[cSheldon]

so to clone a vm hd for iso creation i would use : ?

vboxmanage clonehd Fedbox.vdi Fedbox2.vdi --format RAW

then use a iso converter for iso generation?

[mpack]

A raw hard disk image can't usefully be converted into an ISO, which by definition uses the ISO-9660 filesystem or derivative. You also shouldn't give the target file a ".vdi" extension if it's actually a raw hd image. I would ask why you want to do any of this, but any such discussion would be off-topic in this 5 year old thread. Please start a new topic - and describe what your goal is, rather than your proposed solution.