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Running an old PC set-up as virual PC

I have a client who has an old PC and in order upgrade their PC they need to spend some $3.5K on their Accounting software in order to upgrade it to the latest version to work with Windows 7.

They are looking to change over to MYOB.

I am wondering if we get them a new Windows 7 PC, then purchase VMWare Workstation, can we create an image of their current old PC and resotre that image to a VMWare virtual PC on a new Windows 7 system?

Can anyone who has done this before let me know if this should work OK?

Thanks

Run5k

The Microsoft Disk2vhd tool may be an option, but there a couple of conditions that must be met. For example, the TechNet page emphasizes that "Virtual PC supports a maximum virtual disk size of 127GB. If you create a VHD from a larger disk it will not be accessible from a Virtual PC VM."

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/ee656415.aspx

Creating a Virtual Hard Disk Image from a Running OS with Disk2vhd

That being said, please keep in mind that this solution may simply be delaying the inevitable. Windows XP has been around for over a decade, and Microsoft will only support it with security patches for about two more years. There is certainly nothing wrong with a bit a high-tech juggling to save some money, but I'm afraid that the end is near for WinXP.

lruiz52

I can be done, I've done it using info from the link below,

http://blogs.vmware.com/kbtv/2010/03/how-to-import-convert-physical-computers-to-virtual-machines-using-vmware-workstation.html

starrtech

Done this several times with the free Virtual PC. Run Disk2VHD, you may have to run a windows repair on the VM after install. It's been about 50/50 for me. If you use acronis to backup the source machine, you can restore to a virtual machine with universal restore.

Brian Pierce

Why pay for VMWare when VirtualBox is free https://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Downloads

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Andrew Hancock (VMware vExpert PRO / EE Fellow/British Beekeeper)

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Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) versions

Note: Physical-to-virtual hard drive migration of a Windows installation is a valid function for customers with Software Assurance and full retail copies of Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7. Software Assurance provides users valuable benefits—please contact Microsoft Corporation for further information. Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7 installed by Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) using OEM versions of these products may not be transferred to a virtual hard drive in accordance with Microsoft licensing terms.

Source
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/ee656415

Andrew Hancock (VMware vExpert PRO / EE Fellow/British Beekeeper)

Type 1 and Type 2 Hypervisor Downloads

Type 2 Hypervisor Downloads for Windows OS

VMware Player 4.0 Free Download
http://downloads.vmware.com/d/info/desktop_end_user_computing/vmware_player/4_0

VMware Server 2.0.2 Free Download (discontinued)
http://downloads.vmware.com/d/info/datacenter_downloads/vmware_server/2_0

VMware Workstation 8.0 (60 day trial, $199)
http://downloads.vmware.com/d/info/desktop_end_user_computing/vmware_workstation/8_0

Oracle Virtualbox 4.0
http://www.virtualbox.org/

Parallels Desktop 4 for Windows
http://www.parallels.com/uk/products/desktop/pd4wl/