virtualbox.org

Hi,

My first post and I've got a big problem. Here's the background.

My Win 7 machine died along with my Windows XP mode.

So I got a Win 8 machine and am trying to get Virtual Box to run my vhd (which fortunately I have from a backup).

I converted the vhd to a vmdk and used VB to install it. But there are two problems.

When Win XP opens (in the box) it says it needs to be activated! It had been activated on the old PC so I would think that would not be needed. And I doubt I can find the Windows key since it was first set up years ago. I do have a few keys but don't know if I've got the right one.

That takes me to the second problem. I can get mouse control briefly; enough to get to the point where I'd enter the Windows key; but then the mouse and keyboard stop responding and I can't figure out how to get them back. I click on the XP window but nothing happens. The mouse pointer stays at the upper left.

So please tell if there's a solution or if I'm totally screwed. Why do I need to activate Windows XP which has been previously activated? Is there a way around this. And how to I get mouse and keyboard active in the box?

I would start a new XP in VB but I've got a valuable legacy app in the original XP. Could I reinstall XP w/o losing my app???

Thanks!

Is the activation message such a surprise? Your XP mode VM was only licensed for use on the original Win7 host. You will find that it can't be activated anywhere else. Having the original key will not help. Frankly, I'm afraid that Microsoft suckered you - good ol' bait and switch.

Your startup problem will be due to still having the XP mode integration tools installed. You might be able to get it to start in safe mode. It's possible (but I'm far from sure) that the activation issue can be cured by installing a new CD key. Google for how to do that, but like I said, I don't promise it will work.

You might just be better off creating a new VM from scratch. You'll need a setup CD and the CD key that goes with it.