Converting hdd to VMWare then to VirtualBox

[Freedomcoach]

Hi Everyone:

I have an old parallels 3.0 VM with Windows XP (which contains data I want to rescue) and would like to convert it to a VirtualBox VM. The previous suggestions here of how to do this either haven't worked or they are far too complicated for me.

My new approach based on my online research is to first import my Parallesls hdd file to VMWare using their importer. This seems pretty straightforward to me from watching a Youtube video on this.

Once this step is completed, I'd like to then import this new VM into VirtualBox. I'd appreciate feedback on the feasibility of doing this and suggestions on how to proceed. I'm hoping that VirtualBox offers a way to import VMWare VMs. Thanks!

Sincerely,
Howard

[Sasquatch]

VB can read VMDK files, so no problems with that. Your biggest issue is the hardware difference between Parallels and VB. The VM might not boot and a recovery is required. Sometimes it's just easier and faster to make a backup of important files and install Windows new.

[Freedomcoach]

How do I get VB to read my hdd file?

[BillG]

If you want to boot from it, create a new vm and use the option to use an existing hard disk.

[mpack]

Bear in mind that Parallels v3 disk format is not supported by VirtualBox (the format is proprietary and unpublished, only the v2 format has been reverse engineered by the QEMU project). Note however that it's possible you have a v2 disk even if you were using v3. There is simply no way to tell from here, you can only try it. If you do have a v3 disk then you are out of luck - AFAIK the only thing that can read a v3 disk is Parallels itself.

I haven't been able to find out if VMWare importer supports Parallels v3. All the hits I've found date to the Parallels v2.5 period or earlier, admittedly I was not motived to search for long.

If it was me I would simply run Disk2VHD or CloneVDI inside the Parallels VM. However, you said in the duplicate thread (ahem) that you no longer had the Parallels software. In that case - and I see no point in sugar coating this - you are again out of luck.

[Freedomcoach]

Thanks for taking the time to explain it and being honest. It seems that I would have nothing to lose by trying to use the VMWare importer to see if it can read the disk, right? I could download a trial version of VMWare and try the importer. Lets say it works and can import the hdd disk. What would then be my next step in converting this to a VB virtual machine?

Another idea would be to find a Parallels version 5 or 6 copy somewhere and use it to open the hdd file. It shouldn't be that hard finding one and I think there may even be a trial available with that. Suppose I can do this, what would the next step be from there?

[mpack]

If the importer works then presumably it creates a VMDK. You can build a new VirtualBox VM around the VMDK, there would be no need to do any further conversion. You may however need to work to get it to boot - a virtual to virtual migration can throw up the same problems as P2V. Google the latter term using "site:forums.virtualbox.org" to get lots of advice on migrating windows disk images.

[Freedomcoach]

Can you explain what exactly is a VMDK? Is it a certain format of Virtual Machine? Perhaps an emerging standard for VMs?

[mpack]

It's the native format in VMware, and VirtualBox also supports. Unlike VHD there is no pressing reason to convert VMDK to VDI, although I would.

[Freedomcoach]

I'm happy to report success in migrating my old Parallels Windows XP to VB.

The only issue I'm dealing with now is that Windows XP is asking me to activate and it is not allowing me to enter the previous product key. It is only giving me the option of using a phone representative. Any suggestions on how to expedite this? I'm excited to have reached this point.

[vbox4me2]

Sounds like a OEM which can't be (easily)reactivated, when calling they might offer a upgrade, a few years ago that was the case but things change.

[mpack]

I'm happy to report success in migrating my old Parallels Windows XP to VB.

IMHO it would be polite to give back to the community by confirming what strategy was successful.

Windows XP is asking me to activate and it is not allowing me to enter the previous product key. It is only giving me the option of using a phone representative.

Activation will be caused by all the (virtual) hardware changes - it's normal. IME you get the message you mentioned if the same CD key has been used to activate another Windows installation sometime in the last three months. Anyway, if you got that far then the VM is working, the rest is licensing questions between you and Microsoft. We can't help you circumvent the activation requirement.

Note that if you have (or can get) another valid CD key then it's sometimes possible to convert an existing installation to use that, e.g. using sysprep. Handy if you want to copy a working image complete with installed apps, and stay legal. Also read the sticky at the top of this forum about Windows activation issues.

[Freedomcoach]

The strategy that was successful for me was using the VMWare Fusion trial to convert my old parallels VM into a VMDK file and then creating a new VM in VirtualBox by importing that VMDK file.

I do not feel that I'm circumventing any legal issue by using the same product key I used before since I'm no longer running XP on my old Sony Vaio long gone ages ago.

When you buy OS software, I do not feel you should have to pay for it again if you decide to use it on another machine instead of the one you originally bought it for. I will continue to research this to find ways of activating XP. Thanks you guys for all your support.

Where can I find the sticky you mention at the top of the forum?

[BillG]

When you buy OS software, I do not feel you should have to pay for it again if you decide to use it on another machine instead of the one you originally bought it for. I will continue to research this to find ways of activating XP. Thanks you guys for all your support.

As mpack pointed out, that is between you and Microsoft. I doubt that you will make any progress.

When you buy a computer with an Microsoft OS pre-installed, you are buying from the OEM (equipment manufacturer) not from Microsoft. It entitles you to run that OS on that particular piece of hardware. It does not include any Microsoft support. The OEM accepts the responsibility for OS support as well as hardware support (in return for a hefty discount on the OS price).

If it was a boxed retail version of the OS, then it is certainly tranferable and you could phone Microsoft if automatic activation failed.

[Freedomcoach]

I was able to activate my Windows XP by simply calling the Microsoft phone activation line. It was a very straightforward process.

My XP VM is now functional. I installed the Guest Additions but still not able to connect to the internet. Not sure why XP is not automatically accessing my Mac's internet connection. My Windows 7 VM is doing this just fine.

I know this is a different topic from this thread, but can someone point me to a place here that can help me troubleshoot it? I will see if I can find the appropriate resource.