I have a physical computer running Windows 7 32-bit. I want to take an image of this computer because of the software that run under Windows 7 32-bit. Is it possible to take an image of this computer and run it under VM Workstation? Do I need an additional Windows 7 license? However, I still want to keep the physical computer. Please let me know if you have any questions or need additional information.
Thanks.
Diane
If Windows 7 came preinstalled or is an OEM version then you may not P2V as it's not allowed by it EULA. If it's other then OEM you need an appropriate number of licenses for the number of installed copies. So if you keep a non-OEM Windows 7 installed on the Physical Machine you need a separate license for the P2V'ed non-OEM Windows 7 Virtual Machine.
Thanks Woody. It is not OEM and I have the extra Windows license. How do I do P2V? Do I install VM Workstation on this physical computer and then take an image?
Thanks.
Diane
I'd use VMware vCenter Converter Standalone to do the P2V.
Documentation: VMware vCenter Converter Standalone 5.5 User's Guide
WoodyZ,
I followed your instructions using VMware VCenter Converter Standalone to do the P2V. But, this time, my physical computer is a laptop running Windows 7 64-bit. Since I don't have enough disk space (120 GB) on my hard drive, I setup the destination to the VCenter server. There was no error when I ran the Converter. However, when I open the file from the VM Workstation (ver. 8), I got the error messages:
"The configuration file "D:\VMware Images\laptop7\laptop7.vmx was created by a VMware product that is incompatible with the version of VMware Workstation and cannot be used."
"Can't open the configuration file D:\VMWare images\laptop7\laptop7.vmx"
Do you have any suggestions on how to fix this problem? Any suggestions are greatly appreciated. Please let me know if you need additional information.
Thanks.
Diane
attach the vmx-file - should be a matter of a few edits
