I run Mint 10 (and before that several other distros) with Windows installed as a guest in vbox. But several people have brought their Windows computers to me because they are bogged down with virii, or worms, etc. I usually get them cleaned up and working again, and then install linux (Mint 10 nowadays) along with advice to not get on the internet anymore with Windows.

What I want to kn ow is: is it possible to configure Vbox so that it will make use of the existing, preinstalled Windows OS as a guest within linux? If so, how? or where can I get the information to do so?

Thanks, folks for quick and thorough replies.

mfillpot
Istimsak Abdulbasir
Marc Deop (User)

You not only told me that it wouldn't work, but very reasonable reasons why. The main reason for doing such a thing would be two fold: to open access for the user to all of his/her old files, and to do so within the users already licensed (and familiar) windows install while keeping windows off the internet .

"dding" the old windows to a virtual disk would still have the effect of canceling the Microsoft license, and would be unlikely to work for lack of appropriate drivers.

What I have done is to give Mint10 ro access to the windows partition, so that the user can get over there from the linux install, and copy documents, photos, etc. to work with them in linux. Thanks again