(Solved)Getting a backup of W7 to run along with W8.1

[loukingjr]

I know I should of most likely cloned my W 7 guest but instead a made a copy of the VM folder to an external drive. I then updated the guest to W 8.1. I assume there will be an issue with both .vdi's having the same uuid number so how do I modify the W7 guest so I can run both?

TIA

[mpack]

Cloning the vdi is an easy fix provided no snapshots are involved, however your main problem might well be activation since the VM uuid will need to change too - and was the Win8 bought as an upgrade license?

[loukingjr]

no snapshots. yes to the upgrade license. I have the Product Key for both. maybe I should move the W 8.1 guest to an external drive, move the W7 guest back and clone it?

[mpack]

Do you have a problem with disk space on the main drive?

If not, I'd say the quickest fix is to remove (but not delete) the Win8 VM, then copy back, Machine|Add... and then clone the Win7 VM. Afterwards you can delete the original and add back the Win8. There's no getting around the fact that the VM UUID will need to change, so reactivation will be needed.

[loukingjr]

Do you have a problem with disk space on the main drive?

If not, I'd say the quickest fix is to remove (but not delete) the Win8 VM, then copy back, Machine|Add... and then clone the Win7 VM. Afterwards you can delete the original and add back the Win8. There's no getting around the fact that the VM UUID will need to change, so reactivation will be needed.

actually I ended up doing exactly what you said, however, I thought the Windows 7 guest would need reactivation since it now has a different UUID but nope. the vagaries of MS I suppose.

[mpack]

IME there is sometimes a delayed response of 3 days or so.

[loukingjr]

IME there is sometimes a delayed response of 3 days or so.

I guess we'll see. thanks.