Can you save a VM as backup in case of a reinstall

[MrMrMr]

Hi Im totally new to all this VM stuff so please be kind

I have an iMac with Lion v10.7.2 on. I've just installed VB v4.1.6 and did a VM with Windows XP on. it took a while as I added all updates, virus, programs, accounts etc to it. it now runs great and I've got it how I want it.

So is there anyway to save this setup for me somewhere, so in case I have to do a re-install of my Mac OS, I can then just get my Windows VM backup and use this, rather than having to create a new VM, install Windows, programs etc etc?

Sorry if this sounds a daft question it would be great if I could do this. If you can, can you tell me how plea?

cheers

[Perryg]

Easy! Find the folder that has the guests control file *.vbx and copy it (the entire folder) to a safe location.
The folder should have the control file, the VDI and all snapshots, if you use them.

[MrMrMr]

I've found a folder which is called Windows XP (which is what i called my install VM)

In it it has the following

windows XP.vbox (12Kb)
Windows XP.vbox-prev (12Kb)
Windows XP.vdi (32Gb, what I set my HDD instal as)

So I should backup these to a external USB drive and then incase of re-install I can recover my Windows VM yes? If so canI just ask how. This will be fantastic if I can do this, what a great program so far.

[Perryg]

All you need to do if things go south is put the folder back. If a re-install, you put the folder back as it was and then dbl click the *.vbox file. It will register it with all configuration in place and should remain authenticated.

[MrMrMr]

thats great then, as I cannot believe the amount of updates and restarts Ive had to do to get Win XP unto date! took me ages, I don't want to do that again!

I will backup on an external drive then. What format, if any, is the vdi, xbox in? NTFS etc? can I copy to a NAS etc?


cheers

[vbox4me2]

The vdi is a raw file like a harddisk, as it is its just a file, internally it is whatever the OS inside the VM(vdi) has made it to be.

[MrMrMr]

The vdi is a raw file like a harddisk, as it is its just a file, internally it is whatever the OS inside the VM(vdi) has made it to be.

Brill so for my Win XP I did NTFS, so I can save it on a external HDD like that.

And is it really that easy to recover, by just putting the vdi file back in the folder if you do a full system reinstall on my iMac for example?

cheers

[vbox4me2]

Yep it is that simple, provided you saved the VM settings as well either with a export or by copying the setting files. Or by writing down/screen shotting the settings.

[MrMrMr]

Yep it is that simple, provided you saved the VM settings as well either with a export or by copying the setting files. Or by writing down/screen shotting the settings.

where are the setting please? who do I show them? I will screen shot them as you say? Any guide to all of this? or how to etc?

Thanks for help, its almost setup now to the perfect as can, so want to save it as it is now, before using.

cheers

[vbox4me2]

In the VBox GUI of course, see VM settings.