/dev/sda2 in VB

[steigerjb]

What I really would like to do is a BIG project and HUGE undertaking. For me anyway.

I have the following:
Ubuntu 9.04 Jaunty Jackalope with VirtualBox software installed (sda1)
Windows Vista Home Prem 32bit partition (sda2)

Installed via VirtualBox:
Windows Vista Home Prem 32bit <= that is not the same Windows as listed above

Now for the project part. What I want to be able to run my Vista partition (sda2) in VirtualBox. If i am able to get that done I'll need USB working and full screen available.

You might ask, why don't I just use the Windows I install in virtualbox. Well, I changed up my other Vista to look like Ubuntu, see screenshot:
http://i39.tinypic.com/2hzkgle.jpg
I don't wanna have to do all the hacking, patching and installing software all over again. I figured booting sda2 in VirtualBox would be easier.

****If you can help me, I need VERY VERY simple directions. Give me VirtualBox for dummies LOL****

before I go through all this....will VirtualBox survive when I upgrade to Ubuntu 9.10? Or will I have to start all over again?

I don't wanna mess up my WIndows partition, is this dangerous?

[Sasquatch]

I don't wanna mess up my WIndows partition, is this dangerous?

Well, the manual does state this:

Warning: Raw hard disk access is for expert users only. Incorrect use or use
of an outdated configuration can lead to total loss of data on the physical
disk. Most importantly, do not attempt to boot the partition with the cur-
rently running host operating system in a guest. This will lead to severe data
corruption.

So, if you don't like danger, drop the project or change it to make it safe.

And another thing, USB and RAW Disk Access are NOT available in the OSE version. Grab the version from the website here, and not from your distro repository.

There is a topic in Windows Guests that have two methods of getting your existing install to a VM. One is the dangerous path, which you obviously don't want to go, as that involves RAW Disk Access. The other method is creating an image of your existing installed partition and restore that in a VM. It has both it's advantages and disadvantages, which you have to check yourself.
There is one thing that is with both methods, and that is the mess called drivers. Windows is a bitch when it is dropped on an entirely different hardware set.

Good luck.

[steigerjb]

Yeah, that could work, creating an image file of my windows partition. (you mean creating an iso file right?) So how do i do that?

and btw, I download VB from their website no ubuntu's repo.