Make our Windows XP system virtual

Discussion in 'General Questions' started by WinXP-PC-virtualized, Oct 10, 2014.

  1. WinXP-PC-virtualized

    WinXP-PC-virtualized Bit poster

    Messages:
    2
    Parallels Desktop and Transported Agent (both of current official builds) seem to be able to help
    us in moving our Windows XP system from physical machine to virtual one.
    However we are not sure to had understood the related capabilities of the chain properly.
    So please confirm if the aimed goal can be achieved using P Desktop and Transported Agent.

    To be moved is Windows XP SP3 installed on and running on Pentium 4 system.
    System partition is on a SATA HDD. The HDD connects to PC via SiS180 SATA/RAID controller
    which is an on-board solution of motherboard. The SiS controller driver are installed and used.
    However it is currently unclear if it runs in AHCI mode or in the legacy one.
    The resulting VM must be 1:1 replica of the original physical system, only the hardware related bits
    are allowed to differ between source/original system and resulting VM.
    So creation of new blank VM then installing Win XP with all the soft on it is not acceptable
    because it won't produce the 1:1 replica (the system as it looks today it needed many years
    to achive current state - exact this state we need to have as VM, no less).
    Migration must not include the one yet then one yet hacks. All migration steps must well described.
    All information and data needed to carry out the migration must be available.

    We consider purchasing the tool chain as mentioned above but only if all
    described requirements are met. For any hints much thanks in advance.
     
  2. Specimen

    Specimen Product Expert

    Messages:
    3,236
    Why don't you guys just get the trial and try it out yourselves if it fits your criteria?

    If it works as expected you just need to get the license key, no need to reinstall and/or retransport.
     
  3. WinXP-PC-virtualized

    WinXP-PC-virtualized Bit poster

    Messages:
    2
    I can assure you I have had done it before asking the question here if I could.
    Had asked this question here means it hard for me to do such test.
    I wont invest efforts in stuff without any promise for benefits.
    I wont put energy in that investigation without be convinced it will end the way "one yet hack, than one yet hack, then one yet..."
    The KB article with this topic refers to some Parallels data transport cable.
    I have no resources to search if it is simple USB cable or with some special hardware on it.

    The addressed tool chain are commercial products, not for free.
    I believe it is legitimate to ask such questions. The vendor has surely control in his hand which
    capabilities are supported, which not. These are not for-free products.
    If it is not possible to say the answer my adventure with Parallels product ends yet before it will start.
     
  4. Specimen

    Specimen Product Expert

    Messages:
    3,236
    You can just use an external drive for the transport, or Ethernet cable.

    That's why there's a trial (to answer your last paragraph).

    You might think that the question you ask is very clear and simple, but it isn't, because the only way to have an exact clone working exaclty the same way is on the same hardware, so it won't be exactly the same, however I'm pretty sure that once you try you'll be satisfied by the results and you can then speak for experience and then realise that being worried about AHCI was unneeded.

    I don't understand what benefit you expect to gain from making a sort of blackmail that you won't even consider the product if your question isn't answered, I don't work for Parallels, I'm just giving you an educated advice, also, I don't think that sort of posture works very well even on a commercial setting.

    Also, pardon me for saying, but because your English is not very clear it's not exactly easy to understand what you mean.

    I won't put energy into investigating something that it's more easy for you to try out yourself. Also there's a question of liability, since you are putting the tone on being assured that it will work on your particular setup, I don't want any responsibilty on that.
     
    Last edited: Oct 11, 2014

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