Copying an OS installation

[Georgetoon]

I have a piece of Windows Software that I'd like to play around with and learn.  But, I'd rather not install on my main Windows XP VB install. Does Virtual Box allow me to easily copy the OS?

This way, I can install the software on the Windows XP copy.  if  anything goes wrong, I won't be reinstalling everything.

(My apologies.  I'm not in front of my PCLinuxOS system at the moment.)

[menotu]

Yup - I just copy the VDI -and use that.

After the copy has been done I usually rename it - then just add it back to VBox as a new hard drive and away ya go

Note - Can't use them at the same time as the VBox ID is the same and Vbox will throw a wobbly.

[Georgetoon]

Yup - I just copy the VDI -and use that.

After the copy has been done I usually rename it - then just add it back to VBox as a new hard drive and away ya go

Note - Can't use them at the same time as the VBox ID is the same and Vbox will throw a wobbly.

Great!   Thanks.   I'll just copy the VDI and rename then.  I won't be using them at the same time. 

To be sure, (again, not in front of my machine) where's that VDI located?

[uncleV]

To be sure, (again, not in front of my machine) where's that VDI located?

Here it is in
home/<user_name>/.VirtualBox/HardDisks

[Georgetoon]

To be sure, (again, not in front of my machine) where's that VDI located?

Here it is in
home/<user_name>/.VirtualBox/HardDisks

Thank you.

Now that I think about it, I'm going to first copy my existing virtual hard drive with Windows XP to one of my storage drives for safe keeping.   I really should have done that all along.   Then, I'll copy and rename it and get going on the software.  Something to do during the New Year's weekend.

[menotu]

where's that VDI located?

If you haven't changed any settings or paths during your installs/setups it should be in

/home/your-name/.VirtualBox/

It'll probably be a few Gigs in size (dependent on how many apps you've installed and files it may be holding)

As this is your first time and your going to be re-using it, to be on the safe side, open VB and "release & remove" the hard drive;  (File > Virtual Media Manager > Hard Disks - Release - then select Remove - when it prompts if you want to Keep or Delete choose the Keep option) )

That has now "removed" the HDD from VBox

Now go to your VBox location in /home and copy the VDI file to where you want it. Now give it a new name - keeping the .vdi extension)

Now go back to VBox and do the (File > Virtual Media Manager > Hard Disks - and this time Add the VDI Hard Disk by going to where you copied it to.

That's it - you can now setup your "new" XP install using that hard disk.

Hope that helps a little.

[menotu]

Now that I think about it, I'm going to first copy my existing virtual hard drive with Windows XP to one of my storage drives for safe keeping.   I really should have done that all along. Embarrassed  Then, I'll copy and rename it and get going on the software.  Something to do during the New Year's weekend

Excellent idea.

VBox also gives the option of exporting the whole VM but I find it quicker and simpler to just copy the VDI files.

I have about a dozen VDI's on a backup disk with different versions of PCLinuxOS on them which I can use for testing things out.

[Georgetoon]

Now that I think about it, I'm going to first copy my existing virtual hard drive with Windows XP to one of my storage drives for safe keeping.   I really should have done that all along. Embarrassed  Then, I'll copy and rename it and get going on the software.  Something to do during the New Year's weekend

Excellent idea.

VBox also gives the option of exporting the whole VM but I find it quicker and simpler to just copy the VDI files.

I have about a dozen VDI's on a backup disk with different versions of PCLinuxOS on them which I can use for testing things out.

Well, I'm glad I did the back up first.  it appears that when I added the original VB HD back, it wouldn't take for some reason. i fiddled with it and finally figured it out. I had to change the PIIX4 setting to PIIX3.

On opening, it appears some data was no longer there in my quickbooks file. not srewy, but god thing I always back theat up. i restored and thingsare ifne.

However, I can't add the WinXP copy. it sys the UUID is the same as the other.

[Was_Just19]

I think you may have to "Release" one to use the other .......

[Georgetoon]

I think you may have to "Release" one to use the other .......

Yeah, that's probably it. However, is there a way to NOT release either one?

[MCP]

Why not go here:

http://forums.virtualbox.org/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=22422

And install CloneVDI in wine.  It will clone your vm changing the uuid in the process.  That way you can not only create copies but they will be able to be used at the same time in VB.

MCP

[Georgetoon]

Why not go here:

http://forums.virtualbox.org/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=22422

And install CloneVDI in wine.  It will clone your vm changing the uuid in the process.  That way you can not only create copies but they will be able to be used at the same time in VB.

MCP

Thanks for this info.  But, I'm thinking there's gotta be a way to just change the UUID.

[Georgetoon]

Okay, I've found my solution and I am a bit red faced here.

It seems that, some time ago, I did back up a complete, separate, second WinXP installation to VirtualBox.  I can't remember when I did this, but I had a copy of it on my storage drive.

(For some reason, the area of this storage drive is only accessible as root...not sure how that happened.  No matter, I just used Konqueror Super User Mode).

I simply moved the VDI over (and changed permission to user) and added it. then, I added the machine and I'm up and running!:)now I can install this piece of Windows software and mess around with it to my heart's content without worrying aobut messing up my main WinXP installation.

And, the nice thing is, I have both WinXP configurations backed up on the storage drive.

My sincere thanks to everyone for their input and help.  It certainly helped me to avoid making major mistakes.

[GermanTux]

Another little feature which I use all the time is snapshots.  That way you can play with the software, and when you are done simply revert to the snapshot.  This is a great feature for "experimenting." 

[Georgetoon]

Another little feature which I use all the time is snapshots.  That way you can play with the software, and when you are done simply revert to the snapshot.  This is a great feature for "experimenting." 

Thanks.:)I'll definitley look at that feature.  does this alow for me to, say install a new sofware app and then go back in time? As in, Snapshot > Add new software > Play with it > Revert to snapshot which then restores system to original state without the new software.  Is that it?