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Question

Is it possible to run two OSes within one VBOX file?

Jun 21, 2016 2:47PM PDT

Just to clarify the question...
So I want to install Windows 8.1 Pro as a separate partition on my host PC, but there is another partition installed (Windows Server 2008), and it is always used, so I don't want to delete it. But I want to see if it is possible to dual boot Windows 8.1 and Windows 7 in VirtualBox/VMWare Workstation.

So what I want to do is this: create a separate partition (inside the Virtual Windows 7) to be used for Windows 8.1), or I can just create another virtual HDD and use it for dual booting. Do you think it is possible? My host PC is running Windows 7 Enterprise x64 with 4GB of RAM. It might be slow, but it is worth the try Happy

Discussion is locked

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Clarification Request
Dual booting? What do you mean?
Jun 21, 2016 3:04PM PDT

If you put an OS in some partition, you just boot and run it without any use of VMWare.

If you want to put some OS into VMWARE, just install it in VMWare. It will create a vbox file for that OS.

And while I have run more than one VM at a time it was on 8 and more GB hosts. On 4GB it would be beyond slow. But you can try it.

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This is what I mean...
Jun 22, 2016 7:21AM PDT

Since you did not understand....
What I meant by dual booting was that I would create a separate partition in the guest OS (or maybe create a virtual IDE drive for use with VBOX), and install Windows 8.1 on that partition I made in the OS (or on the virtua IE drive I made in the VBOX/VMWare app.

Oh and plus we have a VMWare server, but I forgot the IP, and it is NOT mine either ._.

The reason why I want to test this in a virtual environment is that there is another partition on the host OS (Windows server 200Cool that I don't want to mess with, because I did not install it (well I did but the account isn't in my care). And I do not want to create another partition because that will make a total of THREE partitions and might end up corrpting one of the OSes. And plus in a virtual environment, it would be much easier as there is only a portion of my HDD space taken (by the virtual hard drive file).

I hope you get it now Happy

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Let's try to find your question in all that.
Jun 22, 2016 8:43AM PDT
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I KNOW
Jun 22, 2016 9:16AM PDT

I know that creating a separate partition in the VM does not create a partition on the host.

Let's get this straight.
To summarize what I said:
I want to see if it possible to dual-boot in a virtual environment.

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I do that all that time.
Jun 22, 2016 9:34AM PDT

I boot one VM instance or another. I'm unsure what you are trying to do but running more than one OS in the VM has been doable for over a decade.

Maybe you are trying to emulate how a PC dual boots but never said that. To that, no.

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I don't think you get it.
Jun 22, 2016 10:19AM PDT

I just don't think you get my point.
I will still try it, and I will send you a screenshot.

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Just a link will do.
Jun 22, 2016 10:28AM PDT

I use imgur for such shots.

Have you asked VMWare about this? You paid for this, should get you some longer discussions on the phone.

-> Keep in mind I can't wrap my head around the why here. Since I can boot more than one OS in the VM that's dual boot to me.

PS. Tell me how long you've been using VM systems. Me? over a decade. I worry that you are new and still coming up to speed.

Post was last edited on June 22, 2016 10:29 AM PDT

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Solved
Jun 23, 2016 1:22PM PDT

I solved the issue, but it turned out that my system did not have VT-x integrated, so I will try it using Vista and Seven instead and see if it works.

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While solved
Jun 23, 2016 1:46PM PDT

I've never heard of VT-x in relation to partitions. Even Virtual Box let me run 2 VMs without VT-x.

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What I mean
Jun 24, 2016 4:49PM PDT
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Which I understand.
Jun 24, 2016 5:05PM PDT

But in your second sentence you wrote about partitions which I've never had to worry about in the VM.

Glad you sorted it out.

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No problem.
Jun 24, 2016 6:24PM PDT

Glad indeed. Thanks for your help by the way! Grin Grin

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Answer
ANSWER
Jun 23, 2016 1:31PM PDT

Forget it R. Proffitt, I have solved the problem. I hope you have a nice day. Please scroll to the Solved section of this thread for more info. Happy Happy Wink