Convert Laptop to VM?

[davulf]

Hi All,

Currently I'm working on a Windows XP laptop, and I would like to switch to another operating system (suppose it is Debian Linux, though I'm not familiar with shell commands). While doing this, I also don't want to lose my Windows installation. Is there a way for me to:

• 1. Convert the current Windows XP instance (on physical partition) into a VDI?
  2. Can I then copy this to another machine and run as a Guest in VirtualBox?
  3. How can I ensure the VDI file size is not overlarge given the existing partition is quite big (e.g. resize the hard drive size)?

I understand this might be complex, but I have the patience to try to figure it out if possible.

Thanks,
DaVuLf

[Perryg]

Use Microsoft’s disk2vhd.

[davulf]

Will check it out. Thanks.

Is there an easy way to convert to VDI from VHD?

[Perryg]

You mean VHD to VDI?
Yes you can do that with VBoxManage, but VirtualBox supports the VHD format.
The big hurdle you will have are the installed drivers in the image. More than likely it will not be happy at the first.

[davulf]

Is there any way to mitigate the driver issue?

[Perryg]

sysprep helps but the only way that works complete is to be able to boot into safe mode and delete the bad drivers and replace them. Hopefully the laptop did not require proprietary drivers in Windows. Each case is really a trial and error situation. Replace drivers until it works.