Mark I understand you don't have the install discs for windows 7.  This has me wondering if there is some copy protection scheme that makes it difficult to copy the windows 7 install disc(s).  If so is there a linux program that will get around it?

Disclaimer:  I'm not condoning the use of pirated software in violation of any applicable laws where you live.  There is considerable expense involved in replacing a legit copy of any micro$oft OS.  So a backup would come in handy.

On 11/22/2011 18:40, Mark Phillips wrote:
I have managed to fill up my laptop's dual boot (Win 7 and Debian testing) 320 GB drive, so I have a new shiny 750 GB drive to install. I have tried to use Clonezilla, and it keeps failing because the old drive has 512 byte sectors and the new drive has 4096 byte sectors. No problem; I will just create a system image of the Windows partitions to move that to the new drive, net install Debian testing, and copy over my user files.

However, I was thinking that I could get rid of the dual boot and just virtualize the Windows partition. My questions - 

1. Can I create a virtual version of my Windows 7 Home Premium using the system recovery disk and the backup on my external usb drive? So far, it installs to the new 750 GB drive with no issues. I don't have any original media disks. 

2. Vmware or Virtualbox? Do either one support usb so I can run iTunes on my virtual Windows drive? A while ago I was able to get vmware to run off of the Windows disk partition, but it seemed to break every time I ran an upgrade on Debian, and it was a pain to get it to work each time. I don't want to fiddle with this approach again, unless I have to.

Thanks for your suggestions!

Mark





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