Virtualize existing OS installation (Windows 2000 Std Server)

[dakata24]

I have a Windows 2000 Standard Server installation that I would like to virtualize.

Is that possible? And is there a relatively easy way to accomplish this?

I have important data that i need to retain but it requires some software that's installed on the server but I do not have the installation cd for it anymore.

Appreciate any information/help.

thanks.

 

[Chiefcrowe]

Have you looked into HyperV or VMWare physical to virtual migration yet, those should do that..

 

[dakata24]

Have you looked into HyperV or VMWare physical to virtual migration yet, those should do that..

I hadn't. But i just took a look at the system requirements for installing HyperV which requires Windows Server 2008. Also, VMWare Physical to Virtual Migration tool gave me an error during install that it required a minimum of Windows XP to install.

Thanks for the suggestions though.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

I hadn't. But i just took a look at the system requirements for installing HyperV which requires Windows Server 2008. Also, VMWare Physical to Virtual Migration tool gave me an error during install that it required a minimum of Windows XP to install.

Thanks for the suggestions though.

Did you try a hot P2V conversion or a cold P2V conversion? You can make a boot CD and try a cold conversion to an ESX environment if you have one.

 

[GhettoFob]

VMware Converter I think this should work as long as you're at SP4.

 

[JoLLyRoGer]

Just throwing my cards into the hat here. How difficult would it be to image the machine with something like Acronis or Ghost and then blow that image onto the VM?

Not sure that would work because I've never tried it... Just thinking out loud..

 

[rudder]

if using hyper-v use disk2vhd

EDIT: you can download and install Server 2008 R2 and use it for 180 days. Once you have a vhd running it is easier to move it around.

 

[Chiefcrowe]

Does disk2vhd work to convert a Win2000 Server? i've never tried that

 

[SammyJr]

I used VMWare Converter to cold clone a 2000 server to ESXi3.5. This was a couple years ago, but it worked without hassle.

 

[takeru]

there are a few things available, but if you want a more direct answer for your needs, gonna need a few more details:

do you plan to virtualize more than just one vm?
where did you plan to store and run the vm?
do you have a budget to follow?
you said the install failed because you didn't meet the minimum requirement of winxp. what os's do you have available?

 

[JackMDS]

I hadn't. But i just took a look at the system requirements for installing HyperV which requires Windows Server 2008. Also, VMWare Physical to Virtual Migration tool gave me an error during install that it required a minimum of Windows XP to install.

Thanks for the suggestions though.

It depends on what your general plan is.

One good solution is to install a computer that acts as a stand-alone Hyper-V server (many old computers can do it well).

The software is free, http://www.microsoft.com/hyper-v-server/en/us/how-to-get.aspx

It is Windows Server 2008R2 stripped from all the GUI and whatever else is Not needed for Hyoer-V.

That provides you with a Virtual platform that a lot of VPCs can be installed on.

Then you can few of the tools mentioned above to convert the current Hard drive of the Win2000Std to a Virtual drive and use it on the hyper-V server.

 

[airdata]

VMware Converter I think this should work as long as you're at SP4.

I've had good luck w\ vmware converter and 2000 server. The vmware agent will require the server to reboot before you can convert it. So you may need to do it after hours if it's in production.

 

[Emulex]

just make sure you do not p2v an AD server. even the most elite vmware experts don't like to try that. very unsupported by microsoft.

otherwise cold converter iso for vmware works great on that o/s. n/m make sure you have the sysprep files required and realize the damage done by removing the network cards etc