I have a Window$ laptop that I can't officially touch.
I boot it in Linux from a USB HD.
I created a VirtualBox VM that runs Window$ from its native HD, which allows
me to shutdown the thing, unplug the USB and boot Window$ native like it
never ever happened.
I've done it with XP and 7.
The only difference between them is that you may want to create a "hardware
profile" for XP (although I believe it is not necessary, YMMV), and you will
need a "fake MBR" for Win7.
There are also infinite permutations of boot/VM/HD, use your judgement.
Be CAREFUL and BACKUP!!!
Free advice, you can't sue me. ;-)
Here is (roughly) how it is done (more details down below):
Starting point:
.- You have a box with a bootable windoze installation on its internal HD
and you are running Linux off of a USB HD.
Steps:
.- Install VirtualBox as your Linux flavor demands.
.- For Win7, create a "fake boot record" from the box's internal HD.
.- Make the box's internal HD accessible to your user, there are several
ways to accomplish this.
.- Create a virtual HD (that uses such "fake MBR" for Win7) and the box's
internal HD.
.- Create a VM defined to run your M$'s flavor and uses the VHD that you
just created.
.- Hold you breath...
.- Boot your VM.
.- Install Vbox additions.
.- Scream, YEEEHAAAW!!!
.- Enjoy and brag... :)
Now in more detail:
Other than "Scream, YEEEHAAAW!!!" and "Enjoy and brag", most everything can
be found on detail on:
http://www.rajatarya.com/website/taming-windows-virtualbox-vm
Look also at:
http://forums.virtualbox.org/viewtopic.php?t=333&highlight=createrawvmdk
You will have problems with Win7 sound/audio.
Look at:
http://forums.virtualbox.org/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=17442
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1427857
http://www.compdigitec.com/labs/2009/07/21/installing-sound-drivers-for-virt
ualbox-sound-in-windows-7/
And finally, other WEB sites I collected:
http://ubuntuforums.org/archive/index.php/t-664692.html
http://mesbalivernes.blogspot.com/2008/01/virtual-box-booting-from-existing.
html
http://blarts.wordpress.com/2007/12/06/how-to-run-virtualbox-using-a-physica
l-partition-using-ubuntu-feisty-fawn/
http://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Migrate_Windows
http://forums.virtualbox.org/viewtopic.php?t=333&highlight=createrawvmdk
http://forums.virtualbox.org/viewtopic.php?p=33678
Enjoy and remember -> YOU CAN'T SUE ME!!! :)
If you have any question you will get any answer.
ET
Mike Hoy writes:
I need to run Windows and Linux. It has been this way for years. I am
getting fed up with it to be honest. But this isn't just about going
between win and nix. I also am compelled to run at least two different
distro's.
My solution was to do this:
HDD1: Ubuntu (for web dev and basically everything I need to get done)
HDD2: Windows
HDD3: Storage (for all backups between both 1 and 2 and all multimedia)
There is a 4th hard drive but it has failed so I will leave that out.
It was running Gentoo up until it's demise.
No matter what since I've owned a computer I find myself constantly
reinstalling operating systems. It has gone down over the years but
it's still like 3 times a year or so.
Recently I went from 9.10 to 10.10 and that caused problems so now I'm
going to have to go back to 9.10 not the end of the world but it's
getting old as am I.
Anyone have the ultimate solution for how to manage this? Are you in a
similar situation? What have you done to fix this problem.
Another problem is disk space. I have 2 500 gig drives (plenty for OS)
but my storage drive can never be big enough. I keep all my client's
data on it because I feel the need to have backups of everything for
those CYA moments. They do come up.
I find myself in awe of motherboards with more than 4 SATA ports. That
way I can have 8 hard drives! I could run 6 operating systems and 1
storage in RAID config! I'm only somewhat joking there.
Another question has anyone done any development on chromium OS? Maybe
that belongs in the dev list.
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