Install virtualbox after already using bootcamp

ashleey

A question for the experts in virtualisation:

I have already installed Win7 via Bootcamp on my mac mini running Lion. Is it possible to install Virtualbox and then run the Windows partition already installed in a Virtualbox environment running in lion? I'm hoping not to have to reinstall Win7 64 bit and restarting to run the few windows programs I use is a pain. If it's not possible I guess I'll stay as I am but it just seems like an interesting project. I'm also going to attempt to run snow leopard on my dell laptop via virtualbox as a familiarity project

duffman85

Short answer:yes

Long answer: it's tricky

someone with the same question as you: http://forums.virtualbox.org/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=42302

a step by step if it was a windows machine
http://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Migrate_Windows

I haven't tried this myself - so I don't know what can go wrong.

If you only have a few programs installed on the bootcamp partition it might be easier to delete the partition and create a VM in VirtualBox.

ashleey

Thanks for the reply.

Put it this way, trying to install osx onto a vb environment on a dell laptop is a nightmare and I don't want to wreck my mini system getting it wrong!

conor.hogan.2

Oh nm, misunderstood.

Do you want to access the bootcamp partition and an updating copy of that os in Virtualbox?

Or do you have a Windows partition and you simply want to move it into a Virtual Machine? and leave the partition as a separate instance of Windows?

(ugh OSX on a dell using Virtualbox, that can't be nice)

ashleey

In short I was looking for a solution to avoid having to restart into Bootcamp to run some Win7 programs.

I found a guide but it involved a fair few Terminal commands and ejecting the Bootcamp partition. It just seems a bit risky and my experiments on the Dell laptop showed how messy it can get.

I might have to give up!

PhilipMarlowe

It's pretty much idiot-proof to do this using VMware Fusion... currently using their trial after I had installed windows server 2008 via bootcamp recently. I had a wee look at Virtualbox first but quickly ran away

ashleey

I'll give the vmware a go. Thanks for pointing it out. I must admit virtualbox shows it's open source roots in it's reliance on expertise

just to second the Fusion recomendation there.

i have the same setup as the op.
lion and win 7 on bootcamp.

theres a new version of VMWare fusion out atm also, version 4.
it was only released last week i think.
i'm currently using the trial version but will definitely buy full version once time is up.
Also, i didnt like the way Lion stopped me accessing the Bootcamp partition of the harddrive, to copy notes etc without having to reboot.
VMWare fusion 4 works this a treat, and moving stuff around is as easy as ever
And, finally, seemingly its cheaper if you buy it now. At the end of the year it goes back up to normai price.
Vm Ware Fusion 4 & buy it page
Parallels is also an option , but i havent used that so i cant comment on it.

ashleey

That's great advice lads. Thanks very much. Virtualisation can get a bit technical and I'm not prepared to have to rebuild my hard drive if I mess it up. You can't beat a recommendation from this site. Thanks again

Talisman

If you are buying VMware Fusion then use this discount code to get 20% off.

FUSION20

Also pay in US$ as it works out cheaper.

ashleey

Thanks again. I'll be straight onto tomorrow when I get home.
The chance to evaluate the software for free is priceless too.
I was just wondering if you can update windows etc from within the fusion vm and thus never have to actually reboot into the bootcamp partition ever again?

ashleey

I've also just thought of another question: Do you have to reactivate windows 7 if I access bootcamp through a virtual machine? And if I do will I end up 'using up' my activations? Looks like it's worth experimenting with the free trial first.

I was just wondering if you can update windows etc from within the fusion vm and thus never have to actually reboot into the bootcamp partition ever again?

seems so, i've done a win 7 update thru vmware and it just asked to do a reboot of windows as normal, all within the virtual machine.

Do you have to reactivate windows 7 if I access bootcamp through a virtual machine? And if I do will I end up 'using up' my activations?

when i logged on it didn't mention anything about reactivating it. i presume its still the same installation of windows and as you haven't actually installed it on another machine, so, as such it doesnt look like its an issue.

Also, one other thing to be aware of.
When i launched win7 in vmware after installing fusion for the first time it was dog slow.
took about 5 mins to get the antivirus etc up and running.
Turned out to be that by default Fusion had only allocated 1GB of memory to the virtual machine.
Seeing as i've 8GB in my iMac, i've allocated 4gb to the virtual machine and everything seems to be running ok.

I havent messed around with any other settings, and havent run anything processor intensive,

hope it goes well for you

ashleey

That's brilliant information. Thanks very much. I can't believe I waited this long. All that rebooting in and out is painful in the end

ashleey

Well that was completely painless and hassle free to setup. Downloaded VMware Fusion, entered trial license key and ran it pointing to my existing Bootcamp partition. Allowed it run a few driver updates. Installed VMware tools from the menu, adjusted the screen resolution in windows control panel. Now it's perfect for my needs. I have 8gb ram and have given the vm about 3. Great recommendation. Thanks

conor.hogan.2

I wouldn't let the commands scare you, they are well documented and the irc room are very helpful.

The commands do look scary (obviously if you don't know something it looks strange and like gibberish) but it is as easy as following instructions.

ashleey

I might give it a try but I must admit using the commercial solution was so pain free it's hard not to pay for this.

conor.hogan.2

For 30 euro, ye can not argue. That is quite cheap.

ashleey

Especially as it used to cost more like 100!

paolem

fusion 4 works great and testing win8 dev preview with it

if the code above ever stop working, google is your friend
www.davidtan.org/vmware-software-discount-coupon-code-promo/