Halp pl0x, convert windows.old to .vhd

[TAKTAK]

Is it possible?

I know you can image an active Os, but what about over than windows has saved during installation as windows.old


Posting from my phone, sorry for the lack of info/grammar

[.walls]

Use rsync/xcopy/richcopy/robocopy to copy the windows.old + documents and settings/users + Program files to a new disk, rename the "new" windows.old folder, install a boot loader and off you go. Probably. After all, an OS is just a collection of files that are bootable.

[TAKTAK]

I've got Windows XP installed on a VHD (as a doner), i've mounted the VHD in disk management (gotta love win7 )

And i'm copying windows.old over the top of that.


AFAICS there is no difference between doing it on a VHD rather than a HDD

What do you reckon?

If it works i'll eat my hat... And i'm not wearing a hat...

[snubby]

I think it'll work. Might need to mess about in safe mode or do a repair install to get it working completely, but it will probably work. I assume this vhd is going to be used in a VM?

[TAKTAK]

Didn't work, just gave me a black screen in the VM, i thought it was asking too much.

But i've run out of time, so it'll stay as it is with windows 7 installed.

With a blank XP mode.

It's not my fault the user who upgraded glossed over the fact that he doesn't have access to 99% of the programs to reinstall them...

I would have thought me saying "It'll do a destructive installation, so you'll need to back all of your files up" would be enough TBH...

[nibbler]

I've got Windows XP installed on a VHD (as a doner), i've mounted the VHD in disk management (gotta love win7 )

And i'm copying windows.old over the top of that.


AFAICS there is no difference between doing it on a VHD rather than a HDD

What do you reckon?

If it works i'll eat my hat... And i'm not wearing a hat...

Eat pandi's hat?

[Behemoth]

Eat pandi's hat?

Only if it has 4 corners, then it can be called a square meal !

I find users like that annoying though. You ask them if they have anything they need backed up because what your going to do will wipe the lot out. They tell you no, then just as you get started and you've pressed confirm on the format command they phone at the very last possible minute and say

"Oh I forgot to ask, can you rescue my favorites ?"