Changing VDI files from static to dynamic.

This is for discussing general topics about how to use VirtualBox.
Post Reply
Rastus
Posts: 37
Joined: 13. Jan 2010, 04:19
Primary OS: Ubuntu other
VBox Version: OSE Debian
Guest OSses: Windows

Changing VDI files from static to dynamic.

Post by Rastus »

I am doing p2V with several machines that have lots of empty space on their drives.
I would like to have the VDI files be dynamic if possible so that the unused space on the guest OS does not use up all of my Host disk space. I am converting using dd images and convertfromraw which makes exact copies of the drives. I am using a Linux OS host and Windows 2003 server guest OS.

Is there any simple way to reclaim the unused disk space from the guest vdi images and make them dynamic?

Please frame answers for a noob(ish) vbox user. (Noobish = not afraid of the command line but not uuber conversant with all of the command tricks)

Thanks
"Putting the FUN back in Dysfunctional"
mpack
Site Moderator
Posts: 39134
Joined: 4. Sep 2008, 17:09
Primary OS: MS Windows 10
VBox Version: VirtualBox+Oracle ExtPack
Guest OSses: Mostly XP

Re: Changing VDI files from static to dynamic.

Post by mpack »

Install Wine on your Ubuntu host (if you don't already have it). Install CloneVDI (if you don't already have it). Run CloneVDI, point it at dd whole disk image and make sure "compact" option is selected. Click Proceed. Drink coffee.

Note: CloneVDI won't recognize the dd image unless you give the file a name ending in ".raw" or ".img".
Post Reply