virtualbox.org

I'm looking to try converting a physical Windows XP 32bit machine (Making it the Guest) to a VM for use with VirtualBox on a Windows Vista 64-bit machine (Making that the Host). I tried using VMware converter, and while that preserved the operating system (Minus having to re-activate it, which shouldn't be a problem, since the physical machine is legit), I was unable to open the hard drives in Virtualbox.

I tried Acronis image, and installing that into a VM, but I was unable to do that on VirtualBox (I was unable to get my USB devices to pass through to the Acronis boot on the VM, and I was unable to open the VDI disk file to insert the files manually). I was able to insert the file into a vmdk file with VMware workstation, and I was able to get it to ghost, but it unfortunately blue screened upon boot.

Can anyone give me an idea on the best way to do the above? I'd rather not have to buy VMware workstation for someone who is barely going to use the VM.

Ok, so I found out what my problem was with opening VMDK files that were created with VMware converter. I said to create entire drive first, and that caused issues. Now that I can actually load a vmdk hard drive, I am unable to load the OS that's on it. It gets past the Sun xVM Virtualbox window, and then just goes blank. upon restarting, I get the "Windows did not start successfully" screen, and when they gets to the end, it just locks up.

Do I have to run the windows repair CD?

The image was taken from a different computer, one not on a domain, and it was able to boot perfectly using VMware workstation, I just need to make this VM work on Virtualbox.

EDIT:
After more than a little screwing around, I finally managed to get it working.

Firstly, don't allocate all disk space when creating a virtual disk, use a dynamic disk.
Secondly, if it works in VMware Workstation, but not Virtualbox, run the Windows XP repair on the VM in Virtualbox.
If Intelppm.sys or processr.sys cause a blue screen, follow this tutorial http://blogs.msdn.com/virtual_pc_guy/ar ... 84461.aspx

I know have a fully functioning virtual machine, imported from a physical machine.