On Sat, Apr 5, 2008 at 8:50 PM, Tod <tod(a)stthomasepc.org> wrote:
Warning, virtualization newbie...
I've got an install of XP pro, service pack 2 on a standalone machine.
Since I don't use it for more than a few apps I'd like to try out Linux
virtualization with Linux being the primary O/S and windows running on a
virtual machine.
I imagine I'll need to move the windows install maybe using parted, create
a new partition to install linux on, get it installed, along with the
virtualization software, and then get it to fire up windows without it
knowing its running virtually. I've searched around for instructions on
doing this and really haven't found anything useful.
Is my plan valid? I'd like to avoid re-installing XP but I will if I need
to. I plan on sticking with Fedora so I'd appreciate recommendations on
virtualization software. This is running on an old AMD Athlon machine so no
dual processing going on.
Any pointers, tutorials, or suggestions for doing this on an existing
Fedora machine would be appreciated too. I have a couple of other boxes I
might like to try virtualization on.
TIA - Tod
I've done this successfully with VirtualBox. It isn't for the faint of
heart though. You have to use some command line utilities to create a
.vmdk file (which is actually a vmware file) which points to the
partition.
The link to the user manual is
http://www.virtualbox.org/download/UserManual.pdf
Look for section 9.9 page 106. Read it a few times and then when
you'll still confused read it again :)
Pay particular attention to section 9.9.2 and note you will probably
need to use a XP MBR (Master Boot Record). At least I did, some others
on the list may have alternatives.
Also a couple of notes:
-You'll need to re-compile the VirtualBox kernel modules every time
you update for kernel which is pretty easy, just run 'service vboxdrv
setup' as root.
-You'll have to run VirtualBox as root or add your user to the 'disk' group.
Hope you find this helpful!
Richard