Converting hdd to VMWare then to VirtualBox

[mpack]

You need to be using a virtual network card that's supported by XP - my XP VMs use "PCnet-FAST III (Am79C973)". I would start with NAT networking mode, as that's the simplest, and the XP guest should be configured to default network settings, e.g. automatically obtain an IP address from DHCP server (which in the NAT case is VirtualBox). If that works you can either keep using it or try bridged (which requires an external router or wireless connection).

If these hints are not enough to solve your remaining problems then yes, you should start a new thread to discuss it.

[Freedomcoach]

the XP guest should be configured to default network settings, e.g. automatically obtain an IP address from DHCP server (which in the NAT case is VirtualBox).

This is the part where I need help. There is presently an item in my mac networking list called "Parallels NAT", a remnant from the days I used Parallels. I'm thinking that this could be getting in the way of establishing a NAT connection with VirtualBox. I'm not sure whether it is best to delete this item since I have no plans to use Parallels again but should I also add an item to this list called "VirtualBox" and if so, what parameters should this be set to?

My Windows 7 internet connection worked automatically from the beginning and seemed to ignore this old Parallels item. I do have set my VB network adapter set to NAT but so far this is not working. Please tell me know how best to proceed.

[Sasquatch]

Did you remove the Guest Tools of Parallels? They have to be removed to avoid conflicts. VMWare for example installs it's own network drivers that conflict with VB's PCNet adapter. Parallels can have the same problem. Check the Guest Device Manager to see how the network device is identified. Else you may need to change the Adapter to Intel 1000T Server, XP has the driver for that too (but not the other Intel adapters).

[Freedomcoach]

Sasquatch, thanks for your response. How can I be sure Guest Tools of Parallels is removed? I deleted the Parallels NAT item in my mac network list. Everything still seems the same with my XP VM. Still no internet connection. If I could have someone guide me through the troubleshoot steps over the phone, that would really help me.

[Sasquatch]

I don't do phone support. Who knows where you call from and I like to have some privacy.

You can check if you have such tools by opening Add/Remove Software in Control Panel and look in the list of installed programs. Then remove it if it's there. Surely you would know if you install such tools?

[BillG]

This is a common problem. It happens a lot with v2v or v2p conversions. You really should remove all of these custom additions (Vmware tools, guest additions or whatever they may be called) before you start. These are extra bits added to the OS in the vm to make them work better with that particular virtualization system. They are easy to uninstall while you are still running in that mode, but they can be very hard to get rid of later on.

[Freedomcoach]

I did a search inside my XP VM for all files connected with either Parallels or VMWare. There were a ton of them and some were stubborn, initially refusing to be deleted. However, they are all now gone, including hidden files. I then restarted the VM but my internet connection is still not active. The simple reality is that my XP is not yet speaking to my hosts' internet capability. Not sure why.

I'm sure it is something simple but I'm obviously not sufficiently knowledgeable in networks to see it. I found a website called everythingvm.com and sent them an email message requesting help. I would like to know the next step to take in my troubleshooting. XP keeps telling me to use the setup wizard but I do not have a disk with this on it. Can this be downloaded?

[Freedomcoach]

I did it!! It finally worked. After deleting all the earlier files I looked closely at my mac network connection name which is MacBool.local. Entering this into my XP network configuration finally connected XP to my network. I'm thrilled. Tonight I was able to get all my Windows updates installed and also downloaded Firefox too. XP is running great and I'm also able to print with it too. Thanks again for all your help. I feel like I finally reached my milestone after a long journey of steps.