VMWare activation question / Boot camp migration

[CalMin]

I have a single XP Home license that came from a PC long ago dead. It was the retail copy, so I have been able to install it on Boot Camp (after some SP2, slipstreaming shenanigans).

I want to use VMWare converter to bring the machine into a full VM Machine for daily use (MS Office) but keep the Boot Camp partition for gaming. I know VMWare let's you use Boot Camp, but there are some issues such as not being able to suspend, that make me want to keep it virtual.

If I migrate using converter, will I have to reactivate? If so, can I keep the Boot Camp partition going without buying a new license?

 

[nospamboz]

If I migrate using converter, will I have to reactivate?

Probably. I think normal Boot Camp VM operation requires two activations anyway. Check the VMWare Fusion manual.

You can probably get better answers on the VMware Fusion forum.

http://communities.vmware.com/community/vmtn/desktop/fusion

 

[IMcD23]

I would say no, because it is a retail copy, so you don't have to register anyway, right?

 

[nospamboz]

I would say no, because it is a retail copy, so you don't have to register anyway, right?

Activation and registration are two separate things in Windows.

Activation is you telling Microsoft what your system is, and them
telling your Windows it's OK to run. If your system changes too much
from when it was activated, Windows cries "Pirate!" and requires
re-activation. If Microsoft isn't satisfied it's the same system, your
Windows is disabled.

Running Windows in Bootcamp and a Bootcamp VM is sort of like
running on separate systems, so the activation is an issue. VMware
has a recommended activation procedure for installing Bootcamp
and turning it into a VM, but for already activated Bootcamp
installations, I'm not sure what the procedure is, as I don't use
Bootcamp. I know it's been done, though, and the VMware Fusion
forum is the place to look.