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Bill H

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Move XP PC to Vmware

Hey guys,

We have a super old application running on an XP PC that we'd like to virtualize and move to vmware. I am looking for the most painless way to get this done.
Avatar of Russ Suter
Russ Suter

If vmware is your destination virtualization platform then they offer a free converter tool.
http://www.vmware.com/products/converter/

If you'd prefer to go with Hyper-V then Microsoft has one also
https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/ee656415.aspx
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Avatar of Andrew Hancock (VMware vExpert PRO / EE Fellow/British Beekeeper)
Andrew Hancock (VMware vExpert PRO / EE Fellow/British Beekeeper)
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I would get an XP Pro Retail License on eBay, install that in VMware and then install the application. That is how I run XP as a virtual machine. It avoids problems this way.
Avatar of Bill H

ASKER

Can I buy an oem license Andrew?
XP licenses on eBay are quite inexpensive - just buy a retail license to avoid issues.
There are places which sell old licenses.

But you will want to look at the Previous Questions and Articles, of how to "convert" your OEM copy, it's not straightforward!
If you have a Windows 7 Pro (or ultimate/Enterprise) PC, all you need to do is install the free Windows XP mode on it. This is a combination of m$ VirtualPC and an XP VM:

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=8002

Once you have that, and if you prefer VMware over VirtualPC, VMware Workstation Player (and probably also VMware Workstation) includes an option to convert XP-Mode to VMware. You will just have to make sure that you only run it on the Windows 7 PC you installed XP mode on.

Then run all XP updates and install your ancient software.
I have a VM running Windows XP, for testing old apps.  I use VMWare.  I still have the old discs, so I had no problem installing it.
Avatar of Bill H

ASKER

Ok so I have a spare xp license.

Is VMware converter the way to go?
If you have VMware Workstation AND a license for XP, just Make New Machine and install it. That is the BEST way if you have the media and a license
Avatar of Bill H

ASKER

I already have a powerhouse esx host in use. With that said. Is VMware converter the best route to move the pc there.
You can try Convertor, and at the point of activation you should be able to add the license you have.
VMware Converter, will CONVERT not MOVE the existing Windows XP computer.

BUT, did you check if it was OEM ??????

and did you pay *ANY* attention to previous posts about the CONVERSION!

Because it may not be as simple as just adding the LICENSE you have, if the version is OEM, it may not accept your key, which then means, you've got to start hacking, chopping, repairing, re-installing

and you may have well started to install a new Windows XP VM from scratch.

WHY DO YOU WANT TO CONVERT ?

This  "super old application"  that you have installed do you still have the media, installation instructions ?

Everybody thinks VMware Converter is the answer to everything, but most have never even used it....

and quoting from my article, because I can I wrote it...

"Whether you are a VMware vSphere Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced or Expert, Physical to Virtual conversions sometimes are not easy, and many issues can arise, a successful conversion requires 50% technical knowledge, 25% patience and  25% luck to get a successful conversion. Sometimes it is not as simple, as install VMware vCenter Converter Standalone, and click next to obtain a successful conversion."

It's not just click, click, click, done, I've got a lovely new VM all working!

If it was, we would not have 500+ Questions this year from VMware people asking WHY has it failed and not working!

So...... take that all in for 1 minute, and breath out.... then maybe consider your options....
Avatar of Bill H

ASKER

Yes it's oem. I cant rebuild this pc it has old accounting software that cannot be recreated hence this post!!
You have no choice but the proceed, but read the above, be aware of the pitfalls. It's all there for you in the reading....

Well, you may have an issue then with the OEM!

Technically there is no issue with P2Ving, the issue you may encounter is the OEM license, may require re-activation, and WONT, or you license you have does not work, because OEM Windows XP, is different media to Retail/Volume Media!

see the articles above, of how to fix your OEM, if it does not activate.

and Experts need to be careful on advice given, about circumventing the OEM License Activation issues, e.g. overcoming them!
Try with the suggestions above.

Also think ahead.

You convert the PC, PC hardware dies (all does), a catastrophic failure deletes your machine (happens).

You do need to be able to reinstall all software and upgrade software if you cannot.
I haven't tried the converter -- I just installed the apps I needed in the Windows XP VM.
@Helen He does NOT have the applications! Hence why he wants to Convert the VM, and create a P2V.
Then I guess the converter is the only chance (I am glad I have kept those old discs!).
Can you start with a clean xp vnware and install back the old app from disc and do a data migration?
Never mind about the P2V. This issue here is the Windows License.

You will NOT be able to use OEM license on the VM.

OEM installations tie into the original hardware that the operating system was installed to. When you convert an physical computer that has an OEM license, yes it will convert, but the license is no longer valid due to the fact that none of the hardware exists anymore. No motherboard, no ram, no hard drive, no network card, etc,. nothing. That is why it will not activate.

Initially it will give you a 30 day window to activate, and you MAY be able to extend it another 30 days, but at some point, you will not be able to even log into the system. Instead, you will be prompted to either activate the product now or shut down.

Save yourself the headache and get a retail copy of XP (if you can still find one).

That way, as least in the eyes of the M$ gods, you will be licensed properly.
At the same time, reach out to original manufacturer of the software and see if they have a newer version of the software that will work on Windows 7 - 10.

We have worked with many types of software (some over 15 years old!) and have successfully bought most of them up to speed.

You may have to purchase an upgrade license (or you may not, who knows?), and the vendor may even assist in configuring and porting your data from the old machine.