I have an application running under windows XP, itself running under VMware. I would like to have it running under a VirtualBox hosted XP. Normally I would have just installed it from the original CD but I recently moved and I cannot find the box (yes it is an older app).
Anyone know of any fiendish techniques that would enable moving the installed components from one version of XP to the other.
Just a shot in the dark. :)
thought you could export the XP VM image from VM Ware and import it into Virtual box?
Presumably your emulated disk is a VMWare VMDK format.
That is directly supported by VirtualBox. Job done.
That's what I was going to say too! :-)
I cannot tell how many times I tried that but it never worked.
This is not exactly a success recipe.
A hint would be, that virtual machines consist of a configuration file (XML) and the container. The contents of that configuration file are *very* important, and something in there could be a factor in keeping the machine Activated. You need to read that file and understand it, as part of the move.
You have to remove the VMWare Additions, before transporting the machine to VirtualBox and adding the VirtualBox Additions. Look in Add/Remove Programs for the proprietary entries for that while WinXP is still running in the VMWare setup.
The container has a GUID.
The VM has a NIC with a MAC address.
Those last two items play a part in activation, but I don't know any details. I've never had an activated OS in a VM, all my VMs were on grace period.
Paul
I did it for a few VMs, successfully. I can't remember how. I vaguely remember running migration programs, but Bob Eager's comment about VBox supporting VMDK disks sounds familiar.
Sounds pretty comprehensive. Thanl you.
Alan
If it was a Win10 VM it would be easier, it tends to reload drivers for changed virtual hardware better, but XP was a bit primitive at doing that sort of thing, if you've loaded VMware tools and paravirtualised drivers inside the VM, I'd remove them first and go back to bog standard
640x480 video, slow old PIIX IDE drivers etc before moving, then try to match same hardware in VBox, be prepared to use F8 to repair drivers etc.
I'm glad you understood it, perhaps you could do a step by step explanation when you do it.
I have a windows vm to move to virtualbox too
HomeOwnersHub website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.