Creating a virtual machine from OEM Vista?

[natv]

Hi guys,

Not sure if I'm going to do this yet, but if I want to have my host be Linux, and run Windows Vista in a vmware machine, does anyone know if it's possible to install the OEM version of Vista? (i.e - came pre-installed on the computer, and has the install disks)

Or would only the retail version properly install?

Also, assuming I did get it installed and activated one way or the other... what happens if I decide to run that virtual machine on another PC? Will it need re-activation?

Thanks

Nat

[hpwuest]

I have arrived exactly at this very same spot.

Why does nobody from VMware inform about this problem?

An OEM operating system version uses mainly the motherboard to build the code.

So what happens when you install an operating system inside the shell of a virtual machine?

I don't know for sure. But I'd guess the OEM software uses the motherboard again. Now what will happen when you run your machine on another computer?

I'd be nice if someone from VMware would answer these questions.