Virtualize Old Computers

[Mainstay]

Does anyone have a tried-and-tested method of imaging and virtualizing old systems for later reference?

A customer is moving to a new database system and all of their data is being migrated into a new environment. They would like to keep a working version of their computers for later reference.

I was thinking of:

Macrium Reflect >> Image system >> store on USB HD for reference

And then when they are ready to see this computer some years down the road

Macrium Reflect Image >> convert to VHD using (http://kb.macrium.com/knowledgebasearticle50005.aspx) and then mount in a VirtualBox

Seems good to me... Anyone do this? Anyone have a better method?

Looking to keep costs to a minimum (cuz the customer sure won't spring for it!).

 

[Markverhyden]

You also need to consider what type of OS license. I've seen restored images to VM's from an OEM OS license work. But that was an old Dell XP install. I can tell you a Dell Server '08 will not run on anything but Dell hardware. If you try to restore it to a VM it errors out and shuts down. I'd expect W10, if it's not already doing the same, to start doing it with OEM licenses. If it was me I'd do the dissimilar hardware backup image as a test and then see if I can load it in a VM.

Another thought. If you are selling this as a service a backup is not a backup unless you have tested that a restore functions properly.

 

[Mainstay]

Good points Mark!

This was for a W7Pro system. In this particular case it is only as a fallback insurance policy... I was going to just clone their drive and sell them the clone (in which case they could just pop the clone w/ today's info right back into the same system), but what if their system totally bites the dust?, so I started down the path of virtualizing the image (only in theory, not in practice at this point).

And of course I would test the restore.

Just interested in what others do when a customer wants to retain the option of referencing an old system in a "live" state.

(No fancy servers involved. No specialized hardware. Just desktops.)

(and of course we tried to convince them to just retire the old box, use that box as the reference box, and move on with the new practice software on a new system - no dice).

 

[Slaters Kustum Machines]

VMware makes a tool specifically to P2V (physical to virtual) a machine. It's obviously intenfee to work with VMware's virtual environment, which works well. ImI sure there's other similar options.

 

[Sky-Knight]

Server 2008 is a pain to move around (Usually you have to play with drivers to fix it), I've actually had better luck moving Server 2003! 2012 and 2016 haven't had any issues, and while I know there are dedicated P2V tools, I just use Microsoft's Disk2VHDx tool.

 

[seedubya]

I prefer Disk2VHD also for conversions. Never had it fail on anything except Windows 3.1. I detest VirtualBox. I comparison to Microsoft or VMWare it is VERY unreliable. The number of corrupt images I've seen is ridiculous.

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

Microsofts own native Disk2VHD usually works great, it's free, been around a while, and ..it's native to Microsoft.
We've used that a lot.

As Mark mentioned..check version of the OS license. OEM...ain't gonna like it (since it's against TOS).

 

[CaliZ]

I prefer Disk2VHD also for conversions. Never had it fail on anything except Windows 3.1. I detest VirtualBox. I comparison to Microsoft or VMWare it is VERY unreliable. The number of corrupt images I've seen is ridiculous.

Not to drag old threads back from the dead again, but using already created topics is a benefit to anyone else looking for information.

I have done this, (Making sure "VHDX" file is not checked) however I'm left with an image of the partition, not the drive. Throwing it into virtualbox (This is for a business customer needing to image an older Vista system with an irreplaceable software that was installed) allows for mounting the image, but the system will not boot. (Boot partition is not copied)

I've seen a few online tutorials to include boot partitions, but wondering if anyone has a newer method that is business compatible.

 

[Yosebas84]

I use veeam backup and restore to a vm, then i fight with the signed drivers and voila, a new vm with the old physical server. Of course it's only for reference and NOT production. Or if there is and old app that is no longer supported and there is no other alternative, like the customer letting me play with matches and his old server..

 

[Moltuae]

This is precisely what Macrium ViBoot is for:

 

[phaZed]

Disk2VHD has been flawless for me.

 

[Galdorf]

I Use HDClone it can create any type of virtual image from a hard drive Not to mention it one of the best imaging software i have seen worth the money loaded with features.

 

[Sky-Knight]

Disk2VHD has been flawless for me.

That's what I do as well, disk2vhd, out to a USB device usually, then I build a container on HyperV to use that disk.

For XP/2003, it just works. Half the time I don't even have to fight activation. Though if you have Server 2016/2019 you have to get the integration tools from 2012 R2.