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Create a Virtual Machine from a Desktop

I know ziltch about Virtual Machines and I really do not have that much time to devote to figuring it out.

I have a desktop that is destined for the trash heap, it is literally about to die due to constant hardware failures.

This computer has critical software on it that does not run on any other system regardless of OS.
I would imagine it has specific registry or specific files (or both) that I cannot seem to replicate on a different system. The company who made the software is no longer in business so I cannot ask them for help in moving it to another computer.

Can I make this system a virtual system and run it as a virtual machine on another computer?
if so.. How?

wawrzek

well the best idea would be to try some disc-cloning software as norton ghost or acronis true image. You have to create the image of the HDD on the old desktop and then restore it to the virtual HDD. You may have problems with starting windows in virtual machine as it will need different drivers etc. but Safe mode and deleting old drivers should do the trick if not replaced automatically.
Try that cloning software first anyway.
And in many cases the hdd image created by Norton Ghost can be converted to vmware hdd.

EGormly

ASKER

so there is no method of directly creating a virtual machine?

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wawrzek

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EGormly

ASKER

Perfect.. thank you!