Vista in a VM? 2 Copies of same vista on same computer?

Hi everybody:

First, let me lay out the current situation.

1. I've got vista installed normally and linux installed normally (meaning no emulation/Virtual Machines).

2. I have a dell, which means the dell BIOS has a vista key or whatever in it.


Question: Does this mean I can install vista in a Linux VM and not have to activate it, (because the DELL BIOS will have a key) -- actually, will the VM even let vista touch the BIOS?

(meaning i can use the CD that came with the computer, the same licesnse that the "normal" vista is using).

Is this illegal? Can I do it?

 

Dell does not have key you bios has slp winch work in conject with they restore disk if use stand vista install you need key to actvited it

you virtual machine will have own bios they for it will not have dell slp info on it plus you won,nt be able use vista restore disk on virtaul machine cause hardware will be too diffent


So is it legal no

and vm will not see you real bios so slp will not work

slp is how preactivted you windows with they preinstall key and cert file

 

Thank you. I guess i have to reboot to run office 2007

 

You can run XP virtually .. I am right now. I haven't tried to run Vista virtually-I think it would be a little too much of a hog. Have you tried Wine?

 

You can convert your Vista installation into a VM with VMware Converter. Then, you can configure the VM to see the Physical Hardware's OEM ID. All you have to do is add this to the virtual machine's configuration file:

SMBIOS.reflectHost = TRUE

PS: Vista Home's license forbids it from running as a VM.

 

I ran both xp and vista virtual no issues

you can use virtual box

or vmware

 

thanks guys. Unfortunately, office 2007's installer doesn't even make it past wine.

and i'd also like to keep my standalone vista.