Solved I can't make copies from activated .vhd files?

theManazer

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3
Hello,

I have a virtualbox running on my Ubuntu Server 13.10. My goal is to run virtual machines on HDD, while every other stuff is running on SSD. Because the CD/DVD drive wont work on the server (noidea why), I had to install W8.1 in Virtualbox on my own computer. After successfull installation, I transferred the .vhd file to the server (HDD) and created a new virtualmachine from Ubuntu Server / phpVirtualbox using the .vhd file I just transferred.
But now the W8.1 running on the server's HDD complains that it is not activated. I tried to activate it using the key card from the box, but it says that the code is not valid.
Yes, the first time I installed W8.1 on Virtualbox on my own computer, I entered the activation code successfully.
So I can't make copies from activated .vhd files?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
Heh, nevermind. I called to an automated speech support where I had to enter a long, LONG series of numbers and then it gave me a new activation code. I was like "whaaat?" but then it started working... Don't really know what happened
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
Hi there

You've already activated it once which is probably why you can't activate it again -- I hate this immediate activation requirement of Windows 8.1 -- with W7 you got 30 days before you had to activate so you could test a lot of different configurations before activating.

You've got two choices here. -- 1) fire up THE ORIGINAL VM if you can -- and if it still works power off and then "Clone VM" -- VMware has a "clone VM" function so I assume VBOX has the same. Then your VM shouldn't need activation - or if it does it should work automatically because it might only be because it detects a small hardware change.

2) Activate by PHONE --just tell ms you've got a new computer -- don't say it's a VM !! that will just cause total and utter confusion to them.

If it's an OEM copy of Windows 8.1 then you could be stuck !!!!.

I'm using the SAME W8.1 VM that runs on Host Linux, Host Windows, a Portable SSD and anything else. Never asks for re-activation if the Virtual Hardware isn't hugely changed -- that's the point of VM's too -- they can be identical and portable.

What I do when creating W8.1 VM's is use the ENTERPRISE trial version (90 days download from Ms site and FREE) to configure what I want for the VM before using a retail copy of Windows. That way you don't "Waste" activations when testing VM's.

Cheers
jimbo
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Linux Centos 7, W8.1, W7, W2K3 Server W10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 X LG 40 inch TV
    Hard Drives
    SSD's * 3 (Samsung 840 series) 250 GB
    2 X 3 TB sata
    5 X 1 TB sata
    Internet Speed
    0.12 GB/s (120Mb/s)
Hi,

Yeah, I already called to the phone service and after pressing a long list of numbers to the automated service, I received my activation code and it worked.

But still, if I just copy the virtual hard drive wouldn't it be considered as cloning?
Anyways, the problem is solved, thanks for the reply though!

BR, Manag3r
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
Hi,

Yeah, I already called to the phone service and after pressing a long list of numbers to the automated service, I received my activation code and it worked.

But still, if I just copy the virtual hard drive wouldn't it be considered as cloning?
Anyways, the problem is solved, thanks for the reply though!

BR, Manag3r

Hi there

I'm not too sure of how VBOX stores Virtual machine information - but usually there are other config files etc as well as the "Data drives" - or at least there are in VMware.

Another solution is of course to "Image" your Windows VM with something like Free macrium or Acronis (paid) - just like imaging a REAL physical system. What you need to do is to set a Virtual DVD drive to a copy of the stand alone bootable ISO image of your backup / recovery program and then when powering on the VM set it to boot from the ISO file.

On restore simply CREATE new VM, then also set it to boot from the ISO and restore the VM you imaged.

(IMO it's easier simply to use the "Clone Virtual Machine" in the VM menu -- choose create a full clone not a linked one).

You can also try out VMWARE PLAYER (FREE) and it can handle vhd disks from VBOX via conversion process.

Cheers
jimbo
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Linux Centos 7, W8.1, W7, W2K3 Server W10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 X LG 40 inch TV
    Hard Drives
    SSD's * 3 (Samsung 840 series) 250 GB
    2 X 3 TB sata
    5 X 1 TB sata
    Internet Speed
    0.12 GB/s (120Mb/s)
Heh, nevermind. I called to an automated speech support where I had to enter a long, LONG series of numbers and then it gave me a new activation code. I was like "whaaat?" but then it started working... Don't really know what happened

Activation normally fails because the new machine/VM has a different GUID than the previous machine. Unless you do a clone of the VM it should always fail activation. Depending on the license involved the phone activation may work.

As a side note, mounted DVD drives are located at /media/{DRIVENAME}

And HDDs are mounted at /dev

They are normally labelled sda or hda and then have a number at the end. The number refers to the partition number of that drive. Sda1 or sda2 should normally be your root depending on how partitions are setup.

You probably already knew this though :)

Josh :)
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro 64-bit ; Windows Server 2012 R2 Standard
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Built
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 2400 @ 3.10GHz
    Motherboard
    Foxconn H67MP-S/-V/H67MP (CPU 1)
    Memory
    8.0GB DDR3 @ 665MHz (2GBx4)
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon HD 6800 Series (Sapphire/PCPartner)
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    SMB1930NW + AOC 2243W
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900 + 1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    977GB Seagate ST31000524AS ATA Device (SATA)
    250GB WD iSCSI attached drive
    PSU
    750W PSU
    Case
    Novatech Night
    Keyboard
    Dell Standard PS/2 Keyboard
    Mouse
    R.A.T 7 Gaming Mouse
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Other Info
    Optiarc DVD RW AD-5260S ATA Device
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