How to: Run a virtual machine like it ain't happening...

[Stephen]

Xenserver has a physical to virtual conversion as well, and it only
really just converts the HDD to a VHD, and it preserves the domain
just fine (did this before and the Domain didn't have any issues) the
issue i am seeing is that you need to leave the original HDD alone.and
so far VMware and parallels are the only virtual host products that i
know of that will even have a chance at running a physical devices as
a virtual location. however if you have a USB HDD or large enough
flash drive you can use a convert tool on your windows box to make an
image and then use WUBI to install Linux in free space at which point
you can then install a Virtual host of your choice and then mount your
virtual image.

If you go with VMware and the VMware conversion tools you might have
better luck (although VMware convert wants the virtual host up and
running first and then imports it directly to the VM host from my
recollection)

An interesting plan B, Use clonezilla or similar Disk duplication to
clone your HDD (still using Wubi so you can utilize your HDD) install
Linux and VMware or virtual box then mount the clonezilla ISO and your
location for the image (wich has to be a NFS or SMB mount or USB/spare
hdd) then drop the image onto your virtual disk. in theory if you make
sure the number of cores available matches the host os it will come
back up. not sure what will happen to the HAL tho.

damn you now i want to try it.