MS virtual machine to "actual machine" converter?

[zimu]

hey guys,

any idea how i'd go about doing this in the most effective/efficient way? basically want to turn a win2003 virtual machine i have running into an actual compouter - i.e. reformat the host pc, and have the exact virtual machine running on it instead, as the main OS.

have a shedload of settings / config on the win2003 machine that i can't afford to lose, as i totally don't remember how to configure half of it!

thanks

 

[WildHorse]

I don't know of any fancy way, but one workable way would be to install Acronis True Image on your VM, and use it to make a complete bootable backup image of the VM volume. Burn it onto a drive different than what you will use for the "actual machine" system drive. Also burn a DVD of the Acronis software to use later when you boot your "actual machine."

Then just as you restart your "actual machine," but before Windows loads, set it to boot from the DVD drive instead of from the hard drive.

Restart again, and open Acronis off the DVD. It probably will auto-play.

From within that (Acronis True Image) running off the DVD you can "restore" the saved backup image from its location onto your "actual machine" system drive.

May be clumsy, but should get 'er done.

There may be a way to use a dynamic volume to hold the backup image, but I don't know the details, and why complicate matters.

Or, maybe someone else here will suggest a more elegant solution for you.

 

[oog]

nope. imaging is pretty much the way to do it, but you should go through some extra steps to ensure the right drivers for the hardware is in place. search for v2p (virtual to physical), along with appropriate virtualization keywords for more information.

 

[zimu]

thanks guys. acronis, here i come