VBoxManage internalcommands createrawvmdk -filename
Can use the option below to restrict the access to specific partitions
-partitions #
Use the option below to install an alternate boot record for the vmdk
-mbr ./myBootRecord.mbr
There are several methods of creating the mbr file. One is
apt-get install
install-mbr --force myBootRecord.mbr
Do NOT boot the same partion in the VirtualBox as you are currently running.
You must be a member of the “disk” group for creation and access to the vmdk file.
http://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Migrate_Windows – VirtualBox’s intsructions on converting a WinXP install to a virtual machine.
http://mesbalivernes.blogspot.com/2008/01/virtual-box-booting-from-existing.html – Blog entry describing Boot a physical WinXP install inside a VBox.
http://go2.wordpress.com/?id=725X1342&site=blarts.wordpress.com&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.virtualbox.org%2Fattachment%2Fwiki%2FMigrate_Windows%2FMergeIDE.zip – MergeIDE is require to prevent WinXP from halting on boot from hardware differences.