I still don't know how to properly use Snapshots

[Nazgulled]

Hi,

I have a Windows XP guest machine without any snapshots created and all I see in the Snapshots tab is "current state". Let's say that the machine is powered off and I want to install Software A. But this is only for testing purposes... I may like or dislike the software.

What are exactly the steps necessary to make a backup of the current state (let's call it "before installing Software A") and then test this software and if I like it, I want to merge the snapshot into the main image but if I don't like it, I want to delete this snapshot and revert to "before installing Software A".

How should I do this?

This is the basic for snapshots I suppose... Now let's say I'm not sure yet what to do with Software A and I want to test Software B. What are the necessary steps to create a backup of "after installing Software A", install Software B, test it and then delete and the snapshot and revert to "after installing Software A" or, if I like Software B, merge it with "after installing Software A".

Please help me understand all the steps necessary to do this and please use the exact button names on the snapshot manager so I don't get even more confused...

[Sasquatch]

To get a backup, you create a snapshot. Then all changes you make will be in the snapshot file, not the main VDI. When you change something, the state will change to Current State (changed). If you like Program A, you will Revert (icon with the single arrow) to the current snapshot, merging the data from the current state to the snapshot and if you want to do further down the tree, revert the snapshot itself too, so you only keep the current state.
If you don't like it, you will Discard (icon with two (2) arrows) the current state, so all changes will be gone again.

Now for the Program B situation. While you still have the changed state from the first snapshot for program A, you will create a new snapshot. This will have all the changes you had since you created the first snapshot, so it will contain program A. Program B will be installed with the same situation as Program A, the current state will be changed.

Take a good look at the description in the status bar when you hover your mouse over the icons. That text should make it clear for you which button does what.

[Nazgulled]

I think I get it now what those two buttons do, thanks...

What about the one with the 'X' on it? As far as I understand it, it deletes the whole snapshot... But isn't that the same as discarding the current snapshot and state?

I mean, I can have this:

- Snapshot 1
   - Snapshot 2
      - Current State

Now, I could select "current state" and click "discard current snapshot and state" or I could select "snapshot 2" and click "discard snapshot". Both would create this:

- Snapshot 1
   - Current State

So, what's the difference between the two?

[Nazgulled]

Anyone please?

[baf]

The difference is if you throw away the changes or incorporate in the earlier snapshot.
Try creating a new file. Make a snapshot. Do select "snapshot 2" and click "discard snapshot" the file should still be there.
Create another file. Snapshot. select "current state" and click "discard current snapshot and state" . The file should now be gone.
Hope that clarifies things.

[Nazgulled]

Isn't that the same as reverting? It will merge the two...