Cloning W2K Pro, W2k3, and XP Pro using VPC 2004

I have installed all of these OS as a guest and updated all service packs
and hot fixes. Before I begin loading different apps on these guests, I
plan on making a copy of the VPC files for backup purposes and a quick
recovery method in case of a re-install.

I have a question:

I would like to clone about 3 copies of XP Pro from my original guest. I
understand that I have to do something to fix SID and MAC address issues?
How do I go about this? Is changing this only necessary if I plan on
running all 3 simultaneously?

 

It is for running multiple vm's on a network. If you are simply backing up,
all you need to do is make a straight file copy. I simply drag and drop to
another folder. It is when you are making copies and using them all in
different vm's that other issues arise. Not the least of which is
licensing.

 

Licensing is not an issue here.

So -- if I want to run the same copy simultaneously, what are my options?
I'd rather install XP one time and copy it multiple times versus installing
X number of times.

Any suggestions?

 

Licensing is an issue. You need to have 3 licenses of XP, even if
they VMs aren't running. Use Sysprep to modify the installation for
multiple VM deployment.

Also, take a look at the VPC help. There's a lot of information there
about some of the things you've been asking.


--
Cheers,
Steve Jain, Virtual Machine MVP
Website: http://www.essjae.com
"This posting is provided "AS IS" with
no warranties, and confers no rights.
You assume all risk for your use.
I am not am employee of Microsoft."

 

Thanks -- I'll check out the help.

Licensing is not an issue for me because I have valid licenses for all
instances installed.

 

microsoft.public.virtualpc news group, <"Colin Barnhorst"

This also requires licenses for both the original installation and the
copy that you make. The license is required for installed guests, they
don't necessarily need to be run. If you've got 3 installed guests, you
need 3 OS licenses. If you then make copies of those 3 guests, you need
3 more licenses.


--
Paul Adare
MVP - Windows - Virtual Machine
http://www.identit.ca/blogs/paul/
"The English language, complete with irony, satire, and sarcasm, has
survived for centuries without smileys. Only the new crop of modern
computer geeks finds it impossible to detect a joke that is not clearly
labeled as such."
Ray Shea