VM Converter

[NotAllThere]

I'm trying to convert my desktop (running windows xp) to a vm. But the vm converter from vmware keeps BSODing at 97% or so.

I've tried using MOA to create a bootCd so I can do a cold convert. I've not got it working, but it looks a promising direction. But I wondering if there is any other software out there, from sourceforge or whatever, that will enable me to easily do a cold conversion of my PC. I.e. boot from CD, run cold conversion.

[pmeswani]

I'm trying to convert my desktop (running windows xp) to a vm. But the vm converter from vmware keeps BSODing at 97% or so.

I've tried using MOA to create a bootCd so I can do a cold convert. I've not got it working, but it looks a promising direction. But I wondering if there is any other software out there, from sourceforge or whatever, that will enable me to easily do a cold conversion of my PC. I.e. boot from CD, run cold conversion.

Am not sure how you went about doing what you did, but you could use Linux to create a DD image and use a tool, can't remember of the top of my head the name of it, that converts the DD image into a VMWare image.

Based on your current image, you may want to try and boot the VM Image in Safe Mode and remove all the IDE and Video Drivers and retry.

[VectraMan]

Surely the VMWare converter can't fix all the XP drivers for you?

I cloned an XP machine to a VM using Acronis Tru Image to generate an image, which I was then able to convert to a .vhd (or was it .vdi) which would open VirtualBox. But XP wouldn't boot in the VM, and I had to use an XP disc to do a repair. But I ended up with a working system.

I used the evaluation Tru Image to do that (but I have bought it since), so you could always do that if allergic to paying for other people's work that you use.

[NotAllThere]

I don't get as far as creating the image. It's the converter that's BSODing. I managed to use it nicely for imaging a client supplied Windows 2000 laptop. If I get to the point where I have an image, I can fix it from there - I've got the original XP discs.

I want to put windows 7 on my desktop, so I thought it would be cool to make an image of the current XP system, and then run it as a VM once I've made a clean install of Windows 7.

If there is a linux tool that lets me create a boot disk that will do a cold conversion of my xp system, I'd be very happy with that. VM do have a bootcd that allows you to do this, but it's only downloadedable by Enterprise customers.

[Platypus]

Funny you mentioned VM Converter, because I download it after you referenced it in a thread a few days ago. I've just used it to hot-convert client supplied lappy running XP SP3. It failed the first time for reasons unknown, but has since worked. I haven't tried to run the VM yet.

Anyway, I just wanted so say "thanks for the tip". Sorry I can't help with your query. Although I did like the idea of using Acronis and converting that image to a VM, which IIRC the tool does.

[JoJoGabor]

For VM COnverter to fail at 97% is very unusual. Usually its less than 10%. I suspect its found a problem with your HDD. Try running a cjkdsk and defrag then retry. What version of VMware converter are you using? Are you importing into ESX? Another tip is to import to the ESX server using IP address, dont know why but sometimes it helps.

[bellymonster]

Try Vizioncores free application. Never used it myself so interested to see if it's any better for you.

Vizioncore Downloads

[Moscow Mule]

Whenever I've tried to create a VM from a proper hard disk (using the converter on OSX) it's had a wobbly fit and failed somewhere along the line.

What works for me is creating an ISO disk image of said hard drive (either by pulling it from laptop and plugging in to OSX or using a tool) and running the convert from there.

[JoJoGabor]

The latest versions of VMware converter is pretty reliable (Within the last 2 years). I have used to to do 100's of P2V's and can't remember not being able to convert something