Vhd

Hi, i m just curious to know how a VHD works. Looking at my system specs, could you guys tell me if i can install a VHD on my system? Also, how do i get it(For ex: Windows 7)?
If you guys are uncertain what i m trying to ask, let me know so that i can be more precise.
Basically what i want to know is can i use a VHD so that i can work with Win 7?
(Dont wanna dual boot).
If yes, then how.

dinesh said:

Hi, i m just curious to know how a VHD works. Looking at my system specs, could you guys tell me if i can install a VHD on my system? Also, how do i get it(For ex: Windows 7)?
If you guys are uncertain what i m trying to ask, let me know so that i can be more precise.

Click to expand...

S u can run the virtual pc in ur computer.

All u need to do is,

1.Download the virtual pc 2007 and install it.

2.If u have a os cd (xp,vista or w7) make a iso image of that cd.

3.While u open the virtual pc 2007 at first time it will prompt you to create a virtual hard disk and virtual machine, follow the procedure to create a new virtual hard disk and virtual machine

4. Start the new virtual machine, In the tool bar click on cd>capture iso image browse to the created iso image of the os cd


Then it will start to load the os....

If the os installation completed, click on actions>install or update virtual machine additions.

If u r not having a iso image creator then u can use your cd drive as physical drive

If you are having any doubts you are welcomed

so you say that it will install windows on a Virtual hard drive. but finally, where will it be loaded? on my C drive?
what about my data? will it erase everything? and finally, once i successfully create a VHD and install Windows 7, how can i access it?
Thank you so much for your efforts delphin. It helped me alot.

Hi Dinesh,

You can read more about Virtual PC 2007 and it's features here.

Virtual PC 2007 basically runs like any other program. You would run Virtual PC 2007 and setup your VHD, then install a 32-bit Windows 7 on the VHD. Afterwards you can run Windows 7 by running Virtual PC 2007 and just selecting that Windows 7 VHD to open a window with it running.

Please let us know if you need more help with it.

Shawn

Thanks for the info Shawn. The MS website was very helpful to me as i m quite novice to Virtual PC. Just 3 more questions please:
1: Can i install Windows 7 in virtual pc when i m using windows vista as a host computer?
2: How do i create a .VHD file using my Windows 7 DVD.
3: Although i m using virtual pc to start and use an OS like win 7, where is it actually installed? Is it on my Primary C drive?
Thank you so much for this input. I m feeling as if i m learning something absolutely new.

Q1) Yes.

Q2) You would need to use a Windows 7 ISO instead. If you still do not have it, then you can use a program like ImgBurn to create a ISO from the Windows 7 DVD. After you have clicked on New and setup the Windows 7 VHD file, you would select the virtual machine to start it, then click on CD (menu bar), Capture ISO Image, and select the Windows 7 ISO to start installing Windows 7 to the VHD. You may need to click on Action (menu bar) and reset first before Windows 7 starts installing though.

Q3) The Windows 7 virtual machine will be stored as the VHD file on the drive or partition that you have selected to save it to while setting up the new VHD in Virtual PC 2007.

Alright then i m all prepared to download virtual pc 2007 sp1 and will try installing win7 in it. if i face any issues, i will ask here.
Thanks alot for all the help.
This is a wonderful place.

You're welcome Dinesh. Have fun. We'll be here if you need us.

Ok i have religiously followed the method to install windows 7 on virtual pc having vista as host computer. it stucks where it shows expanding files at 0 % .
I have also adjusted the RAM to 1024 MB (i have 2 GB RAM).
Any ideas? how much time it takes to install it?

Hey please help anyone. I m stuck.

Dinesh,

I would just restart the virtual machine and start over with installing the ISO to the VHD. Be sure to format the selected VHD first during installation though to clear out the old attempt. It will stay on 0% for a short bit though (five minutes or so) before you see it start to increase in %.

Oh ok. I tried it using the Win 7 DVD. but now i will make ISO to the VHD and will try installing it again. Also, i will format that 16 GB partition which it selects automatically. But i m not sure about the RAM. it has a scale from 0-1564 MB. How much should i select? The default RAM shows to 128 MB which i m sure Win 7 would not even install.

I would use no less than 512 MB and no more than 1024 MB since you have 2GB of RAM. This way you will still have at least 1GB to run your main system (host) with.