virtualbox.org

I bought a new computer which comes pre-installed with Windows Vista. I was able to resize the partition, and install Debian Linux while keeping Windows Vista. My primary operating system is Linux but I would like to be able to boot the Windows Vista occasionally while in Linux. It appears that VirtualBox might do the trick, however, from what I've read so far, I need the Windows CDs which I don't have; Vista was pre-installed.

First, is it possible to setup a pre-installed version of Windows on a different partition as a virtual machine? If so, how do I go about this?

I can only give you an outline of what I did with my Vista Home Premium as it has been a while since I created my virtual machine.
I was able to do this without any problems besides being new to linux and virtualization.
I used VMware Converter to make an image of the Vista installation.
It needs to be created on a separate partition or perhaps even a different hard drive.
I then moved the file to my Ubuntu home partition and am using VirtualBox 2.1.4 (?) to run Vista.
At first I was using an earlier version not in the Ubuntu repos because at the time they only had the OSE version which doesn't support USB devices.
I ignored all the Vista dire warnings about activation and such when it was running virtualized and they finally just went away. Updates come through now whether I'm running Vista virtual or boot into it natively.
I guess Vista Home Premium isn't licensed to be virtualized, but unofficially it just does.

AC

The Vista you got with your PC does not allow you to run it in a VM. This is in violation with the license and EULA you accepted when running the Vista installer.

There are some work arounds though. See the sticky in the Windows Guests forum.

hi! i having same problem with gman1120. i have pre-installed windows vista and install a virtualbox w/ guest of windows XP but error message says, Fatal: no bootable disk found! any help?

Help yourself. Post Infos, so that help is possible.

Minimum are Version, Guest Settings, _EAXCT_ approach.

Its not enough for us to know that it doesnt work.