I want to use my old Windows 7 pro with all programs in VirtualBox

[Plagrö]

Hello,


On my old computer Windows 7 pro 32bit is installed.
Now I bought another computer and will install MX Linux there. This newer PC has a 500GB hard disk. On this 500GB hard disk Linux and VirtualBox should be installed.

After I would like to remove the old hard disk from the old PC and insert it into the newer PC.

Then I would like to run this old Windows 7 system in VirtualBox on my newer PC.

I have read the following:
https://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Migrate_Windows

But I don't understand.


In particular, I have this questions:

1)
If I move the old hard disk with Windows 7 into the new PC, and make the steps suggested here: https://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Migrate_Windows
will any data on the old hard drive be chenged? Or can I then (if it doesn't work) remove this old hard disk from the newer PC and install it in the old PC and use it again?

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2)

VirtualBox.PNG (3.58 KiB) Viewed 4148 times

When I managed to run my old Windows 7 in VirtualBox, do I then have a copy of this system on my new 500 GB harddisc. Or do I then always need my old HD, when I want to run Windows 7 in VirtualBox?
I would like to remove my old HD from the newer PC and nevertheless use Windows 7 in VirtualBox.

Would appreciate your answers. Thank you.
Plagrö

[mpack]

You can ignore the wiki you reference - none of it refers to Windows 7.

For Windows 7 I suggest you try the obvious first: image the disk using Disk2VHD and then build a VM around it. I recommend using IDE drive controllers to begin with.

And no, VirtualBox knows nothing about the contents of a drive.

Also: Windows 7 will need to be reactivated because of the massive changes to the hardware. This will deactivate the original PC.

Google for "P2V "Windows 7" site:forums.virtualbox.org".

[Plagrö]

Thank you for your answer.

You can ignore the wiki you reference - none of it refers to Windows 7.

Really? It is written there:

"This should work for Win2k Vista and Windows 7 as well, but it's untested."

I thought, that I use this description, because it seems that with this descrition I can directly use the old harddisc for the virtual machine. So it seems to be an easy way. (?)

VirtualBox.PNG

Did I miss anything?
Just not clear, if this way, VirtualBox makes first an ISO and saves it into the linux system or if it does directly use this HD. But as you said, that VirtualBox cn not use HD's, so I assume, that VirtualBox makes an ISO this way into the linux system.

Also: Windows 7 will need to be reactivated because of the massive changes to the hardware. This will deactivate the original PC.

I know. But in the first time, I will not activate the Windows 7 system in the virtual machine, until I am sure, that it runs correct. Until then I would like to have the to move the HD back into my old computer and want to be sure, that nothing has changed on this HD, so that I can use it again with my old PC.

[mpack]

The "step by step instructions for XP" section shouldn't even be followed on XP. The advice was antiquated even when written, and is not remotely "an easy way". As I said, use Disk2VHD. That tool converts a physical disk directly to a virtual disk in the minimum time, i.e. without wasting space and time on unused sectors.

That wiki btw is not part of the forum, so I'm afraid it's beyond our control.

Incidentally, neither that instructions nor the Disk2VHD approach would involve the creation of an ISO. You create the virtual disk in VHD format, you ideally next convert it to VDI format using "VBoxManage clonemedium <vhd filename> <vdi filename> --format VDI", then you create a VM around the VDI: when you get to the disk creation step you choose "Use existing", and best practice is to move the VDI into the VM folder before choosing it. Try to avoid having VDIs stored outside the VM folder, as that creates problems with backup and restore.

But in the first time, I will not activate the Windows 7 system in the virtual machine, until I am sure, that it runs correct.

That is definitely the way to go.

[Plagrö]

Thank you I will try the Disk2VHD method.

[Plagrö]

I forgot to say, that on my old PC I have dual boot with Windows 7. So two windows 7 systems are installed.

So my question ist:
Variant 1:
When I choose all 3 partitions in Disk2VHD (Boot, Windows 7-1, Windows 7-2): Woukld this give a working dual boot system in the virtual machine?

Variant 2:
Actualy I do not more need the second Windows 7 system on my old PC. So it would be enough only to have one of them in VirtualBox.
So, in this case is it enough only to choose 2 partitions in Disk2VHD (Boot, Windows 7), and it works in VirtualBox? Or is in this case the booting process broken?

Does any of the variants above work? Or do I have to do something special in the boot partition?

[mpack]

I would always image the entire disk. You can eliminate unwanted partitions from the VM later, using the same guest tools you would use on a physical PC.

If you convert the VHD to VDI as suggested then the VHD can be held in reserve as a backup in case something goes wrong when deleting partitions later.

[Plagrö]

Here are other questions.

1)
I moved the old HD with my old system into the new computer, to perform the Disk2VHD. But whenever I put the HD back in my old system, and start the old system on my old PC, it asks for a check of all partitions. But he does not find any errors. Strange! Is something wrong? Is this normal?

2)
In the meantime I made a *.VHD two times.
First it was no problem with "use volume shadow copy" checked.
But the I moved the old HD back into my old PC and changed the boot sector from dual boot into single boot. I then moved the HD again from my old PC into the new, to make a new *.VHD again. But this time there was an error. So I dis-checked "use volume shadow copy" and it worked again. No Idea, why this was not working at the second time?

3)
Do we not only need the option "use volume shadow copy" when we make a *.VHD of a running system? When yes, I do not need it, because my system of my old HD in the new PC is not running, when I make the *.VHD.
But why does it give me an error when this option is checked although it isn't needed? Strange.

[mpack]

Sorry, I'm not prepared to offer detailed support for Disk2VHD. The authors of Disk2VHD would be more appropriate for those questions. Or perhaps you can find another tool that suits you better.

[Plagrö]

I have made now my virtual machine.

I have made a vdi File. The file is in the folder VirtualBox VMs.

I have not startet this virtual machine until now.

1)
When I try to change some settings, I can do some changes, but I can not click the "OK" Button. So I can not save any settings.

2)
My host is Linux 64bit. My gast is Windows 32 bit.
There is a warning in the settings, that hardware virtualization is activated in the settings, but is not supportet by host. I know, I could change this in the bios.

3)
I tried to deactivate hardware virtualisation in the settings. But as I already wrote: I can not change an save settings. !

4)
I know I could change hardware virtualisation in the bios. But should I do this? Do I need it? What are the advantages and disadvatages of this? I read anywhere, that for 32bit guest we do not need hardware virtualization. (?)

5)
Which IDE should I choose? There is ICH6, PIIX3, PIIX4.

6)
I am disapointed. I thought, that I can choose a particular processor. But I only found a setting of "how many processors I would use. And I also can not change this.