ubuntu 8.10 & VBox

[goslings]

VBox is new to me so pls be kind
I switched to a dual boot pc about a year ago (Ubuntu (8.1)& win xp - some family members want to still use win xp )
I see now it is possible to run Itunes in VBox
1. Is it possible to install Vbox and set it to use the win xp I have already installed under the dual boot and then run itunes from that ?
2. If not Does the VBox destroy the dual boot installation of win xp ?
3. If you only have recovery win xp discs - how do you use them ?
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Porta ... ces/iPhone
thanks

[goslings]

some pointers would be usefull
found
http://forums.virtualbox.org/viewtopic.php?t=1966
something more simplistic at this stage would be helpful
thanks

[vbox4me2]

Have you gone thru these:
Migration discussions
You basicly need to dump the OS partition and restore it into a VM.

[goslings]

Have you gone thru these:
Migration discussions
You basicly need to dump the OS partition and restore it into a VM.

I have now - terminology "migrate" was what I was lacking ....
However, seems there are many posts asking about this and several people pointing (until they are blue) to look at migration.
However they are all very "technical" it would be good to have a more "how to" if only for the basic steps
I have 20 years experience of unix irix systems and I find it to "techie"
thanks for your help
Ian

[vbox4me2]

There ain't much to it.
Boot clonezilla CD,
Dump OS partition on LAN or USB drive,
Start VBox, make new VM,
Boot clonezilla CD inside VM,
Load OS partition from LAN or USB drive onto the VM harddisk.

After that you get into really techy stuff to get the VM to run...

[goslings]

There ain't much to it.
...

If it all goes pear shaped after that will my original "dual boot" machine, which has taken several months to get just right still be operative as a fall back situation?
thanks - some more tech names to google
ian

[vbox4me2]

Why not? all you're doing is making a copy(dump) from your OS of your harddisk, its with that copy you work with, not the HD itself. A VM harddisk is a single file stored on your harddisk, all that does is take up space.

[goslings]

Why not? all you're doing is making a copy(dump) from your OS of your harddisk, its with that copy you work with, not the HD itself. ....

Ah I see - sorry this is all experimental for me
Having created the boot disk it is this that you would use when requested in Virtual box ?

Dual booted pc "Ubuntu8.10/winxp" and then the cloned VM will sit under ubuntu into which I can install win xp systems (family still want to run windos at power on stage) if this all goes to plan it will be just Ub8.1 / VM
Any pitfalls or things to be careful of - I see you run what I want to end up with (but mabe not dual boot)

Every day is a school day - in my day in SGI Irix this was called "soft windows" but never really caught on
thanks
Ian

[goslings]

There ain't much to it.
Boot clonezilla CD,
Dump OS partition on LAN or USB drive,
Start VBox, make new VM,
Boot clonezilla CD inside VM,
Load OS partition from LAN or USB drive onto the VM harddisk.

After that you get into really techy stuff to get the VM to run...

If anyone has the time a slightly wider explanation of the steps above would be much appreciated
Tying to d/l the clonezilla iso right now
many thanks
all new to me this