Using an existing Ubuntu OS as a guest in Windows

[skarloey]

I Dual-Boot with XP and Ubuntu, but I would like to set up the ubuntu os as a virtual machine so that I do not need to go through the process of rebooting into it. I know that it is possible to set up the existing os as a virtual machine, because of section 9.9 in the user guide, but the instructions for a windows host a vague for a new user. Does anyone have any more specific instructions on how to set up the vmdk file that sees the Ubuntu OS? I am running the most recent windows version of Vbox.

[The MAZZTer]

This probably isn't the best idea, since every time you switch between using it as a VM and as a non-VM, you'll have to reinstall a different set of hardware drivers. And you won't be able to use the guest additions as it will likely create problems when booting as a non-VM.

However the Virtual Disk Manager's create wizard should have the option to link a VHD to a physical disk. Assuming Ubuntu and XP are on different hard drives you can just link it to the Ubuntu drive (if not, what you want to do is impossible without sticking the WHOLE drive in a VM... and it is NOT advised to mount a drive on the physical machine and in a VM, it is very easy to corrupt!)

[Sasquatch]

Skarloey, if you follow the Guide in the Windows Guests (sticky) for your Ubuntu install (steps are about the same, it only covers additional hardware driver stuff for Windows, something that isn't needed for Linux). Be sure to change a few steps yourself to reflect them for use with Linux.