Is This Possible?

[123386761]

okay, so I managed to make the vmdk file that points to the Windows 8 Partition, but now when I start it I get "boot0:error" =_=

 

[lehnerus2000]

VHD vs VM

On my PC, the W8 VHDs boot faster than W7 (installed) does (6 -10 seconds faster).

I've noticed that too.
But as fafhrd said, in another thread i think, Win 8 uses swapfile.sys and that quick boot, hybrid stuff and that makes the difference.
Without this trick, Win8 would boot with the same speed as Win7 I guess.

That may be true (I haven't looked into it).

My point was that on my PC:

• The VHDs use my PC's hardware and drivers.
• The VMs have to run inside of VMware Workstation and use those drivers.

 

[123386761]

huh.... interesting >_>

 

[Hopachi]

okay, so I managed to make the vmdk file that points to the Windows 8 Partition, but now when I start it I get "boot0:error" =_=

The vmdk is still clean without boot files.

As it's noted in the user manual, the bootable files of the mgr go to the vmdk. You should try a startup repair with the Win7/8 DVD in VirtualBox to see if it detects yous system and the boot sector.

Sorry it you already fixed this.

 

[123386761]

yeah I didn't fix it yet, so this *hopefully* will work

 

[123386761]

okay how would I add the MBR boot files to the VMDK? I can't find that anywhere D:

 

[Hopachi]

okay how would I add the MBR boot files to the VMDK? I can't find that anywhere D:

Never tried this before in a vm either. Try to boot with the Win8 DVD (or iso) and see if a startup repair works. (Win7 DVD should work also).

 

[Hopachi]

As a last resort: use Disk2vhd.

It can convert your Win8 partition/drive into a virtual hard disk (vhd) which can be used in VirtualBox , VMWare and HYPER-V.
This is a full copy of your Win8 with boot files and should work inside a vm.

link:
Disk2vhd

Keep in mind that it needs some space for the copy (depending of how large your Win8 partition is).
Try making a dynamically expanding vhd (in case it let's you choose) to keep the size smaller otherwise it will take the full space of the partition.

explanation: example with a 80GB Win8 Disk that is 30GB full
* fixed size disk: takes the whole space 80GB VHD
* dynamically expanding: takes 30GB space (it grows gradually as you fill it up)

That's all I can come up with.

Good luck

 

[123386761]

yeah that could work, however I would still like to start Windows 8 at bootup, which would require a .VDMK because EasyBCD allows booting from VMDK.

 

[lehnerus2000]

Windows 7 Ultimate lets you boot VHDs.
I can set a W8 VHD as the default OS and my machine boots into W8.

 

[Hopachi]

yeah that could work, however I would still like to start Windows 8 at bootup, which would require a .VDMK because EasyBCD allows booting from VMDK.

Booting sometimes directly and sometimes from VM and Win8 will have to change/reinstall drivers every time.
Not a very good setup. It's like using the same disk on 2 pc's. (Unless the Win8 install was a To Go Portable version).