Error parsing the plist file

[socratis]

OK, I'll return to the first observation I made a couple of days ago and we take it from there. You're running a way too old version of VBox. Try to upgrade to the latest and greatest. Every new version of VBox fixes some bugs (and introduces some more, but far less).

Somehow your "recipe" for Windows XP got messed up. Delete it (nothing to lose) and start fresh with a new guest, accept the default template (except perhaps the amount of RAM, HD and VRAM) and see if that boots.

As for your Physical2Virtual (P2V), a) I would forget about the ghosted image approach since not that many people have had experience with it and b) I would use the Disk2VHD utility from Microsoft and then convert the VHD to VDI with CloneVDI. It worked in my case and it could very well work in yours (except your specific hardware drivers of course).

[mpack]

@Vin V, I suggest that you get back on track soon, otherwise I intend to lock the thread. As far as I'm concerned the fact that you were looking to use pirated software puts a big black mark next to your name, hence I do not feel that I need to defend any conclusions I drew in that regard. I've held back from killing this thread because I respect Perry's judgement, but if you continue with the point scoring then I may lose patience.

So far, your description of the problem made it clear that you were running OS X, which we will not help you do. As far as I can see you have since complained about the wording of some responses, but have not actually updated your problem description, so our position as regards helping you remains unchanged. If you continue to have problems then provide a proper description, including precise error messages (that don't imply OS X) and a VM log file.

[scottgus1]

Vin V, I have an idea if you wish to use the .gho file.

First I suggest starting a new thread if you have further questions, as there's too much bad water under the bridge on this thread. Make no mention of Mac or OSX or iboot or anything else Apple. Just concentrate on a new XP guest and the Ghost image.

Since you're using Norton Ghost you likely have a physical restore CD or an iso of one to restore ghost images on fresh PCs, If so, you may be able to get the ghost image into an XP guest.

Start with a fresh new XP guest. Add two virtual CD drives to it and a new .vdi hard disk. If your Norton comes with a physical restore CD, insert it into the CD drive on your host, cancel any autoplay programs that may start, then point the first virtual CD drive in your XP guest at the physical host CD drive. If Norton has a restore iso, you don't need to burn it. Just point the first virtual CD drive in your XP guest at the Norton restore iso file.

Now you have to get the .gho and .ghs files into an iso. If you don't have an iso maker, get ImageBurn (http://www.imgburn.com/). Make an iso with the .gho and .ghs files in the root of the iso file. Attach this .iso to the second virtual cd drive in your XP guest.

Now boot the XP guest. It should start the Norton restore disc, and you should see a cd drive with your image files on it, and a fresh empty hard dive to restore to.

Be prepared to have finagling to do to make the guest boot properly. The hardware the image was expecting to see has completely changed, now that it's booting into a Virtualbox guest. Please feel free to make a new thread if you have any problems.

[loukingjr]

First I suggest starting a new thread if you have further questions, as there's too much bad water under the bridge on this thread. Make no mention of Mac or OSX or iboot or anything else Apple. Just concentrate on a new XP guest and the Ghost image.

The Forum Posting Guide

in particular...

Remember one issue, one thread.

[Vin V]

Thank you Scottgus1 and Socratis for your suggestions. I don't have as much time during the week to work on this due to other committments. I may not get to it till this coming weekend. I think I'm going to try Scottgus1's suggestion first seeing that I already have the ghost image created and see how that goes. I'll let you know. If I have too much trouble with that, then I'll try Socratis' suggestion. Thanks to you both again.

[Vin V]

Update.....
scottgus1 & socratis.......I was able to create a bootable CD using the ImageBurn sw including the ghost.exe file. I then was able to burn an ISO of both my GHO and GHS files using Linux Mint's Brasero app. So, it was successful to a point. Only problem is that I'm trying to create a VM in VB on my laptop (Linux Host) with an image from my desktop. So, I'm exploring using Microsoft's Disk2VHD app. that socratis mentioned so I don't have to worry about hardware incompatibility issues. I haven't even dled the app. yet as of this posting. That will make things much easier I think. By the way, socratis, there is no need to convert to VDI 'cause VB in Linux Mint allows you to pick from an existing VHD file.
Thanks again for both of your's help.....I'll keep you posted on how it goes.

[Perryg]

there is no need to convert to VDI 'cause VB in Linux Mint allows you to pick from an existing VHD file.

You are right that VBox allows the use of the VHD container, but this format is very fragile. You would be better off listening to the suggestion to convert it to VDI if you value the guest at all.

[loukingjr]

Just a note from Microsoft...

Note: Physical-to-virtual hard drive migration of a Windows installation is a valid function for customers with Software Assurance and full retail copies of Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7. Software Assurance provides users valuable benefits—please contact Microsoft Corporation for further information. Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7 installed by Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) using OEM versions of these products may not be transferred to a virtual hard drive in accordance with Microsoft licensing terms.

Which to me seems to be saying, if you don't have a Windows XP Professional installation disk, you would be in violation of Microsoft licensing agreement, whether you try to copy a physical drive with an OEM installation, using Disk2vhd or any other p2v utility or trying to convert .gho files etc.

[Vin V]

loukingjr .....
It sounds like there is an unfair implication that you're making here. I'm well aware of the MS EULA, thank you.

[Vin V]

Update.....
Recap....So I ghosted my desktop WinXP installation partition, created ISO, then created VM of this ghost image on the Linux Mint 13-Cinnamon partition of the same HD, and I get a blue screen:
"A problem has been detected and windows has been shut down to prevent damage to your computer. If this is the first time you've seen this......
Technical information:
*** STOP: 0x0000007B (0xF9C48524,0xC0000034,0x00000000,0x00000000)
Any ideas?

[loukingjr]

Yes...

STOP 0x0000007B errors are caused by device driver issues (especially those related to hard drive and other storage controllers), viruses, data corruption, and sometimes even hardware failures.

[mpack]

Stop 0x7B means that the disk controller changed from what XP is expecting. It's typical of what you might expect if you P2V an XP image without running MergeIDE on it first. Ditto if you select SATA instead of IDE in the VM recipe.

This old tutorial outlines the common problems and solutions when virtualizing XP. You can ignore the step by step instructions since you already have a basic procedure worked out for that.

[Vin V]

mpack.....
Thanks for your help.
I dled the mergeIDE utility. I'm not sure how to run the utility on the ghost files. I checked the "old tutorial" that you referenced. Could you please explain how I would run the utility on a the ghost files. I did a web search and came up empty handed on how to use it.
Thanks.

[mpack]

MergeIDE is part of the preparations, i.e. you run it before imaging, not after.