Increasing VDI size

[Roseyboy]

I've successfully got XP running in VM which I created using Dynamic Sizing option of 10GB (Don't intend storing anything locally so assumed this would be sufficient) However, MSFT have good priced upgrade option currently so looking to upgrade to Windows 8. Upon trying to install the SW it realises that it needs at least 20GB to run.

I've read various posts about using Clone VDI to clone a new drive but is there a simple way just to increase the existing size of the Drive where XP currently resides ?

[mpack]

Is there a method simpler than CloneVDI? No. A couple of checkboxes and a button is about as simple as it can be made.

[Roseyboy]

Excuse my ignorance as pretty new to this and I can see from posts in 2009 that Clone VDI is the way to go but do I download the CloneVDI zip file to a folder whilst in the Windows XP VM I've created or the Host Machine.. ???Assumption was that you couldn't clone a drive if your using it and that it would be done in same way as the VM Manager which creates a clone without running the VM

Also is CloneVDI-exe-.zip 2.10 the latest version

Again apologies for very basic queries

[mpack]

Also is CloneVDI-exe-.zip 2.10 the latest version

Yes, at the time of writing 2.10 is the latest version. Future readers can find the latest version here.

do I download the CloneVDI zip file to a folder whilst in the Windows XP VM I've created or the Host Machine..

CloneVDI runs on the host. However it's a Window app and you have a Mac, so you'll need to install Wine first: I believe there's now a Wine app in the Apple AppStore, or you search for the free Wine/WineBottler version. Once you have CloneVDI running you should clone the base VDI (or latest snapshot if you use snapshots), with both the drive and partition resize options checked. Build a new VM around the clone.

I would suggest 32GB as the minimum useful size for the disk, ideally it should be 64GB. There's no point AFAICS choosing a disk size that allows you to install the OS and nothing else.

???Assumption was that you couldn't clone a drive if your using it

Quite correct - so make sure the VM is shut down before you clone it.

[mpack]

To be clear: I'm suggesting CloneVDI because you asked for the simplest disk enlargement tool, and you mentioned CloneVDI specifically in your initial post. CloneVDI is slightly complicated for you on first use by the need to install Wine, assuming you don't have it already. For future uses of course that step will not be needed.

The official alternative is to use the VBoxManage command line (VBoxManage modifyhd <uuid> --resize <mb>), followed by booting from a gparted live CD ISO to fix the partition size. I don't recommend this route for you because I don't believe you'll consider it easier than CloneVDI.

[Roseyboy]

Mpack, Thanks for all your help. With a bit of guesswork (especially with X11 not working with Mountain Lion so having to install Quest etc) I have, I think, successfully cloned a new 64GB drive which appears to work fine . Just about to delete the original drive and hopefully be up and running

Thanks again

[Roseyboy]

Probably needs a different posting but got bold and upgraded from a perfectly good installation of Windows XP upto Windows only to find many drivers not appearing to work -especially Network connections (Wired & Wireless) as needs new Network Adaptor driver.

Wish I'd stayed with XP..................

[mpack]

Yes, that needs a different posting, assuming the issue has anything to do with VBox at all.