I have a Window$ laptop that I can't officially touch.
I boot it in Linux from a USB HD.
I created a VirtualBox VM that runs Window$ from its native HD, which allows 
me to shutdown the thing, unplug the USB and boot Window$ native like it 
never ever happened. 

I've done it with XP and 7.
The only difference between them is that you may want to create a "hardware 
profile" for XP (although I believe it is not necessary, YMMV), and you will 
need a "fake MBR" for Win7. 

There are also infinite permutations of boot/VM/HD, use your judgement.
Be CAREFUL and BACKUP!!!
Free advice, you can't sue me.   ;-) 

Here is (roughly) how it is done (more details down below):
Starting point:
.- You have a box with a bootable windoze installation on its internal HD 
and you are running Linux off of a USB HD. 

Steps:
.- Install VirtualBox as your Linux flavor demands.
.- For Win7, create a "fake boot record" from the box's internal HD.
.- Make the box's internal HD accessible to your user, there are several 
ways to accomplish this.
.- Create a virtual HD (that uses such "fake MBR" for Win7) and the box's 
internal HD.
.- Create a VM defined to run your M$'s flavor and uses the VHD that you 
just created.
.- Hold you breath...
.- Boot your VM.
.- Install Vbox additions.
.- Scream, YEEEHAAAW!!!
.- Enjoy and brag...   :) 

Now in more detail:
Other than "Scream, YEEEHAAAW!!!" and "Enjoy and brag", most everything can 
be found on detail on:
http://www.rajatarya.com/website/taming-windows-virtualbox-vm 

Look also at:
http://forums.virtualbox.org/viewtopic.php?t=333&highlight=createrawvmdk 

You will have problems with Win7 sound/audio.
Look at:
http://forums.virtualbox.org/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=17442
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1427857
http://www.compdigitec.com/labs/2009/07/21/installing-sound-drivers-for-virt 
ualbox-sound-in-windows-7/ 

And finally, other WEB sites I collected:
http://ubuntuforums.org/archive/index.php/t-664692.html
http://mesbalivernes.blogspot.com/2008/01/virtual-box-booting-from-existing. 
html
http://blarts.wordpress.com/2007/12/06/how-to-run-virtualbox-using-a-physica 
l-partition-using-ubuntu-feisty-fawn/
http://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Migrate_Windows
http://forums.virtualbox.org/viewtopic.php?t=333&highlight=createrawvmdk
http://forums.virtualbox.org/viewtopic.php?p=33678 

 

Enjoy and remember -> YOU CAN'T SUE ME!!!   :)
If you have any question you will get any answer.
ET 

 

Mike Hoy writes: 

> I need to run Windows and Linux. It has been this way for years. I am
> getting fed up with it to be honest. But this isn't just about going
> between win and nix. I also am compelled to run at least two different
> distro's. 
> 
> My solution was to do this: 
> 
> HDD1: Ubuntu (for web dev and basically everything I need to get done)
> HDD2: Windows
> HDD3: Storage (for all backups between both 1 and 2 and all multimedia) 
> 
> There is a 4th hard drive but it has failed so I will leave that out.
> It was running Gentoo up until it's demise. 
> 
> No matter what since I've owned a computer I find myself constantly
> reinstalling operating systems. It has gone down over the years but
> it's still like 3 times a year or so. 
> 
> Recently I went from 9.10 to 10.10 and that caused problems so now I'm
> going to have to go back to 9.10 not the end of the world but it's
> getting old as am I. 
> 
> Anyone have the ultimate solution for how to manage this? Are you in a
> similar situation? What have you done to fix this problem. 
> 
> Another problem is disk space. I have 2 500 gig drives (plenty for OS)
> but my storage drive can never be big enough. I keep all my client's
> data on it because I feel the need to have backups of everything for
> those CYA moments. They do come up. 
> 
> I find myself in awe of motherboards with more than 4 SATA ports. That
> way I can have 8 hard drives! I could run 6 operating systems and 1
> storage in RAID config! I'm only somewhat joking there. 
> 
> Another question has anyone done any development on chromium OS? Maybe
> that belongs in the dev list.
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