Backup Windows Host in new VPC

Discussions about using Windows guests in VirtualBox.
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tejoe21
Posts: 3
Joined: 18. Oct 2009, 14:13
Primary OS: MS Windows XP
VBox Version: VirtualBox+Oracle ExtPack
Guest OSses: Ubuntu, Win7

Backup Windows Host in new VPC

Post by tejoe21 »

hi,
at the moment i am using a windows XP Host system with Ubuntu and Win7 Guest. I am using my ubuntu more than the other system. So i wondered if i could first backup my old host system into an own virtual pc and maybe use the Ubuntu guest as Host.

So current situation
Host WinXP Guest Ubuntu
wanted situation
Host Ubuntu Guest Winxp

but without installing both systems from scratch.

Has anybody experienced such a problem?

greeting tejoe
Sasquatch
Volunteer
Posts: 17798
Joined: 17. Mar 2008, 13:41
Primary OS: Debian other
VBox Version: VirtualBox+Oracle ExtPack
Guest OSses: Windows XP, Windows 7, Linux
Location: /dev/random

Re: Backup Windows Host in new VPC

Post by Sasquatch »

You can create an image from both systems using CloneZilla or similar which you would then restore on the system you want. Linux is fairly easy to move around because it doesn't have activation checks and problems with hardware changes. Windows does, so you have to keep that in mind. There is a great howto for P2V conversion here as a sticky. Well, not entirely a howto for just that, it's to get Windows in both environments, but the steps to get it running inside the VM is what you need.
Read the Forum Posting Guide before opening a topic.
VirtualBox FAQ: Check this before asking questions.
Online User Manual: A must read if you want to know what we're talking about.
Howto: Install Linux Guest Additions
Howto: Use Shared Folders on Linux Guest
See the Tutorials and FAQ section at the top of the Forum for more guides.
Try searching the forums first with Google and add the site filter for this forum.
E.g. install guest additions site:forums.virtualbox.org

Retired from this Forum since OSSO introduction.
tejoe21
Posts: 3
Joined: 18. Oct 2009, 14:13
Primary OS: MS Windows XP
VBox Version: VirtualBox+Oracle ExtPack
Guest OSses: Ubuntu, Win7

Re: Backup Windows Host in new VPC

Post by tejoe21 »

thx for your response. I'll try that way.

might take a little time.
tejoe21
Posts: 3
Joined: 18. Oct 2009, 14:13
Primary OS: MS Windows XP
VBox Version: VirtualBox+Oracle ExtPack
Guest OSses: Ubuntu, Win7

Re: Backup Windows Host in new VPC

Post by tejoe21 »

hi,
so migrating windows to virtual box was succesfull. I used clonezilla. but this manuel also helped me:
http://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Migrate_Windows

7. Once it is created, go in and turn on “Enable IO APIC”, select the # of processors you want etc.
this option is very important. Without it doesn't start.
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