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Converting XP Mode VHD From Differencing to Dynamic

Proposed Converting XP Mode VHD From Differencing to Dynamic

  • Saturday, February 20, 2010 12:18 AM
     
     
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    The default settings for XP Mode use a read only parent VHD and a Differencing VHD.  I want to convert that into a single Dynamic VHD.

    I tried using Modify to merge the VHDs.  It created a new VHD and attached it to the Windows XP Mode VM in place of the original set.  Unfortunately, when I tried to start Windows XP Mode it threw an error:
    Cannot start Windows XP Mode
    One or more required files are either missing or not valid.
    Do you want to create a new Windows xp environment?

    What did I miss?
    • Moved by Carey FrischMVP, Moderator Saturday, February 20, 2010 1:30 AM Moved to more appropriate forum category (From:Programs)
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  • Monday, February 22, 2010 6:21 AM
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    To convert a virtual hard disk
    1. Open the settings for the virtual machine. Do one of the following:
      • In the Virtual Machines folder, right-click the name of the virtual machine, and then click Settings.
      • From the virtual machine window, click the Tools menu, and then click Settings.
    2. In the left pane of the Windows Virtual PC Settings page, click the name of the disk setting where the virtual hard disk is attached, such as Hard Disk 1, Hard Disk 2 or Hard Disk 3.
    3. Click Modify. The Modify Virtual Hard Disk Wizard opens.
    4. Click Convert to <new> disk type. The Convert virtual hard disk type page opens and lists the properties of the disk. Click Convert.
    5. The wizard converts the disk and reports the results. Click Close.
    6. Click OK to close the Windows Virtual PC Settings page.

     

    For more information about how to modify a virtual hard disk, please click Start, Windows Virtual PC, right click on Windows XP Mode and click Settings, click Hard Disk 1 and click More about creating and modifying virtual hard disks.

     

    Regards,

    Arthur Li - MSFT
     
  • Tuesday, March 02, 2010 6:39 AM
     
     
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    Click Modify. The Modify Virtual Hard Disk Wizard opens.

    I think you missed the fact that I did use Modify:

    I tried using Modify to merge the VHDs.  It created a new VHD and attached it to the Windows XP Mode VM in place of the original set.  Unfortunately, when I tried to start Windows XP Mode it threw an error:
    Cannot start Windows XP Mode
    One or more required files are either missing or not valid.
    Do you want to create a new Windows xp environment?

    What did I miss?

    The instructions you provided were the ones I already tried.  It doesn't work of the XP Mode VHD.  (Please try it before responding.)

    Now, how do I convert the XP Mode differencing VHD to a dynamic VHD?

    BTW, I thought I had posted this reponse on February 27, 2010.  That post seems to have vanished.
     
  • Tuesday, March 02, 2010 9:22 PM
     
     
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    I followed the steps and my merged XPMode VM boots up ok.

    Did you turn off the XPMode VM, i.e. completely shut down the VM (no hibernation or saved state)? 

    Did you pick the new VHD to boot from? 
     
  • Wednesday, March 03, 2010 4:44 AM
     
     
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    Did you turn off the XPMode VM, i.e. completely shut down the VM (no hibernation or saved state)? 
    Yes.

    Did you pick the new VHD to boot from? 
    Yes.

    I was able to create a new VM from scratch and point it to the XPMode dynamic VHD and it booted.  However, the new vmc file is missing a lot of items that are in the original XP Mode VMC file. 

    The new one is also not associated with the Windows XP Mode shortcut on the start menu which points to:
    %SystemRoot%\system32\rundll32.exe %SystemRoot%\system32\VMCPropertyHandler.dll,LaunchDefaultVM

    Did you build a new VM using the dynamic VHD or were you able to launch the original VM definition after converting the VHD?
     
  • Wednesday, March 03, 2010 8:20 AM
     
     
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    I built a new VM.  A new VHD won't be associated with anything.
     
  • Wednesday, March 03, 2010 3:25 PM
     
     
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    I built a new VM.  A new VHD won't be associated with anything.

    Actually, if you go through the process described by Arthur_Li, you should not have to create a new VM.  The process changes the XP Mode VM to point to the new dynamic VHD.  The problem is that the XP Mode that VirtualPC tries to start only works with a differencing VHD. 

    The XP Mode shortcut that is created on the Start menu when you first install XP Mode no longer works.  There is appearently something special built into VirtualPC for the XP Mode interface -- note the reference to: VMCPropertyHandler.dll,LaunchDefaultVM in the shortcut.

    So the question is what functionality is lost if you create a new VM that VirtualPC doesn't recognize as XP Mode?
     
  • Wednesday, March 03, 2010 6:29 PM
     
     
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    What functionality?  None, XPMode is just a pre-made VM.  Its a smaller size, a lot of extra files have been removed, but there no extra functionality.  The Integration Components are what provide the extra functionality and can be installed into any supported OS.

    But, I do see what you mean when you start the VM from the XP Mode icon, it fails with the message you previously gave.
     
  • Monday, March 08, 2010 1:55 AM
     
     
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    What functionality?  None, XPMode is just a pre-made VM.  Its a smaller size, a lot of extra files have been removed, but there no extra functionality.  The Integration Components are what provide the extra functionality and can be installed into any supported OS.

    But, I do see what you mean when you start the VM from the XP Mode icon, it fails with the message you previously gave.
    There are two sides to XP Mode.  On the one side is the VM -- on the other is VirtualPC.  It is unclear that simply running a converted XP Mode VHD like any other VM is the same as having VirutalPC recognize it as XP Mode.
     
  • Monday, March 08, 2010 3:09 AM
     
     
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    Not really, Virtual PC is the applicaiton. XP Mode is just a VM, while it's a special VM, it can be used in other VM software, like VMWare Player.
    XPMode is just a pre-made VM and while it our own XP install won't be called "XP Mode" with the integration components and RAIL it has all the same features.  the same is true for Vista with RAIL.
    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=2f376f53-83cf-4e5b-9515-2cb70662a81b&displaylang=en

    RAIL = "This package lets you run many Windows XP productivity applications from a Windows 7-based PC using Windows Virtual PC locally or Remote Desktop Services (RDS) remotely. This package needs to be installed in your Windows XP SP3 virtual machine or Remote Desktop Services environment"

     
  • Monday, March 08, 2010 6:18 AM
     
     
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    Sounds OK.  As long as it doesn't suddenly decide that it needs different activation key.
     
  • Thursday, April 29, 2010 5:32 PM
     
     
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    I found this thread because I am having the exact same problem.

    I convert from Diff and bam - "One or more required files are either missing or not valid."

    If I understand the status of this thread.

    1. MVP has confirmed this is a problem.
    2. No respond from MSFT addressing this easy to repro issue.

    I am at a crossroads on what VPC to use on Win7. Here is what I know:

    1. VPC 2007 is unsupported but works on Windows 7 once you get past the need for no-ui installs.
    2. Community and MSFT forum support for XP Mode is lacking (ref this thread)

    So VPC 2007 or Virtual PC on Windows 7.  And what the heck is the version of VPC on Win7?  That weirdness in its own right seems to be a redflag to stay away because other similar XPMode problems might be lurking.

    Suggestions? Thoughts? Paul

     
  • Friday, April 30, 2010 1:32 PM
     
     
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    So I decided to try the new Virtual PC (version whatever) that comes with Win7.

    I decided that I would employ the same practice that I use with Virtual PC 2007.  Which is to create a base install of XP with all patches and my dev environment and back that up.  If I need a fresh dev environment for a new project I copy the 20GB file with two other files and rename them to reflect my new endevour.

    Then in the VPC 2007 console I add existing VPC - and change setting.  Beautiful for dev especially for installation dev.

    I tried the same thing in the new VPC in Win7.  Console is part of the shell which sux because now I am inundated with useless info.  And creating a new VM does not allow me to use an existing VM.  Even if I copy and rename the vmcx file and try to update the settings i get an error.

    I usually trust MSFT for backward compatability scenarios.  But this VPC group has gone insane.  Any suggestions on a 3rd party that will not pull the rug from me?

    Paul

     
  • Friday, April 30, 2010 1:57 PM
     
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    You need to copy and rename the .vmc file, just as with VPC2007 -- then just double click on it and that will start the VM, create a .vmcx file, and add it to the Windows Virtual PC folder.
     
     
    Bob Comer - Microsoft MVP Virtual Machine
    • Proposed As Answer by charoldson Monday, May 23, 2011 9:13 PM
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  • Thursday, June 24, 2010 7:55 PM
     
     
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    Bob,

    You are THE MAN!!  That quickly solved the problem!

     
  • Monday, August 09, 2010 2:59 PM
     
     
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    Saberman, did you ever solve this? I have the exact same problem?
     
  • Tuesday, May 24, 2011 5:47 AM
     
     
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    I gave up -- I now use VirtualBox.  Unlike VirtualPC it supports running an x64 operating system in a VM.  In fact, you can run an x64 OS under VirtualBox on an x86 XP system.

    So I run a Windows 7 Ultimate x64 host and VMs running anything form Windows 7 Ultimzte x64 to Vista to XP.  It also supports passing any USB device to a guest.

     
  • Monday, July 11, 2011 11:01 AM
     
     
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    Thanks Bob, your advice applies "today" after about a year..

    Are there updates that fix the problem ?

     
  • Monday, July 11, 2011 11:26 AM
     
     
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    Not that I know of.
     
     
    Bob Comer - Microsoft MVP Virtual Machine
     
  • Monday, September 26, 2011 7:36 PM
     
     
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    Hello, does Microsoft have any resolution to this? To enable customers to merge needed changed into the WinXP mode VHD?

    For example, with all the Wndows Updates and XP addds, my diff disk is 17GB and the base only 1GB. The performat quite horrible with much disk activity.

    --Dale
     
  • Thursday, September 20, 2012 8:50 AM
     
     
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    After merging XP Mode diffencing vhd, create a copy of vmc file and start it up. I don't know why, but it works for me.
     
  • Tuesday, December 04, 2012 3:39 AM
     
     
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    Yes - after muddling through, Bob Corner's suggestion worked.  I am running a 60gig SSD drive + 2tb HDD (E:\data) so I wanted to compact & move the differencing file once I could not even open images from my camera the SSD was so full.  

    - First, right-clicking on the .vmcx file at C:\Users\Owner\Virtual Machines & going into Settings. then selecting Hard Disk 1, then 'Modify' allowed me to compact the 21gb differencing .vhd file to 10gb.  

    - Then I copied it and the .vmc file from C:\Documents\Owner\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows Virtual PC\Virtual Machines onto my E:\ drive.  

    - Lastly, I merged the differencing file into a dynamic one called WinXPMode_dynamic.vhm, copied and renamed the .vmc file over

    The key point I was mixing up was understanding the separate .vmcx & .vmc files.

    Once again, thank 'goodness' for forums!