Results 1 to 4 of 4

Thread: Install OS under VMware but no CD drive

  1. #1
    Taz
    Taz is offline
    Senior Member Taz's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    London
    Posts
    2,117
    Thanks
    55
    Thanked
    26 times in 25 posts
    • Taz's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Gigabyte Z270 HD3P
      • CPU:
      • Intel Core i5 7600K
      • Memory:
      • Corsair CMK16GX4M2B3200C16R Vengeance LPX 16 GB
      • Storage:
      • Samsung 960 EVO M.2-2280 500GB (PCIe) + 1TB Sandisk Ultra II SSD (SATA)
      • Graphics card(s):
      • Asus NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 OC
      • PSU:
      • Corsair CS550M 550W Hybrid
      • Case:
      • NZXT Source 340
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 10 Pro
      • Monitor(s):
      • 34" Asus Designo Curve MX34VQ UWQHD Monitor
      • Internet:
      • Virgin Media Vivid 200

    Install OS under VMware but no CD drive

    I have a VLK copy of Windows Server 2003 that I need to install under VMware for testing of some of my company's products. I have replaced the CD-drive on my work laptop with a second HDD and want to put the VMware image on there (E: drive). Thus, I cannot burn the OS image onto CDs.

    I have the Windows Server 2003 OS image on my D: drive in two directories (Disk1 and Disk2). How do I go about installing this under VMware? Is there a way that I can expose my host computers C: and D: drives to VMware? It's VMware Workstation 6.0.4 (latest build).

    Essentially I need VMware to boot the OS from a directory off my laptops D: drive.

  2. #2
    Splash
    Guest

    Re: Install OS under VMware but no CD drive

    I don't use Workstation (running Server 2 myself) but there should be an option when adding hardware to select the host drive as an optical drive.

  3. #3
    Fried Chip Extremist alsenior's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2005
    Location
    Stafford
    Posts
    2,949
    Thanks
    103
    Thanked
    191 times in 145 posts
    • alsenior's system
      • Motherboard:
      • DFI Lanparty Jr x58-T3H6
      • CPU:
      • Core i7 920
      • Memory:
      • 6 x 2GB ocz Gold
      • Storage:
      • 1 TB Samsung F3
      • Graphics card(s):
      • 1gb 4890 vapor-x xfire
      • PSU:
      • xfx 850W
      • Case:
      • Lian-li Pc7
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 7 X64
      • Monitor(s):
      • Dell 2208WFP
      • Internet:
      • 30mb Virgin media

    Re: Install OS under VMware but no CD drive

    if the os disks are in a .iso format you can mount the disk images by clicking on the cd drive properties in vmware.
    Quote Originally Posted by Jay View Post
    What kind of emergency would need Windows 95? I think you are already in a bad state of emergency when your backup plan is Windows 95.
    Beginners guide to raid Beginners guide to raid post edition Hexus.Social - FAQ

  4. #4
    Comfortably Numb directhex's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2003
    Location
    /dev/urandom
    Posts
    17,074
    Thanks
    228
    Thanked
    1,027 times in 678 posts
    • directhex's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Asus ROG Strix B550-I Gaming
      • CPU:
      • Ryzen 5900x
      • Memory:
      • 64GB G.Skill Trident Z RGB
      • Storage:
      • 2TB Seagate Firecuda 520
      • Graphics card(s):
      • EVGA GeForce RTX 3080 XC3 Ultra
      • PSU:
      • EVGA SuperNOVA 850W G3
      • Case:
      • NZXT H210i
      • Operating System:
      • Ubuntu 20.04, Windows 10
      • Monitor(s):
      • LG 34GN850
      • Internet:
      • FIOS

    Re: Install OS under VMware but no CD drive

    you can make a new vmware disk image which is a link to a physical disk. that's the way to make a drive in vmware physically be a drive on a computer. but be aware that your data is at risk if your VM crashes, as much as if a real system does

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Similar Threads

  1. dvd-burner drive install vorrectly but don't show up in my computer!!need help
    By aznandy in forum Help! Quick Relief From Tech Headaches
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 21-03-2008, 06:55 AM
  2. hard drive becomes fixed?
    By Totem in forum Help! Quick Relief From Tech Headaches
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 14-03-2008, 08:26 AM
  3. Pro 35 RAID problem
    By OldRoy in forum abit.care@HEXUS
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 11-03-2008, 03:30 PM
  4. Replies: 15
    Last Post: 03-09-2006, 05:50 PM
  5. Replies: 15
    Last Post: 25-08-2006, 03:26 PM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •