Dual-Boot Computers and Virtual MachinesUsing the Same Operating System in a Virtual Machine and on the Host ComputerChoosing and Preparing the Physical DiskPreparations for All Types of DisksPreparations for Microsoft Windows DisksPreparations for Linux DisksDefining Hardware Profiles for Windows GuestsTo set up hardware profiles for your physical and virtual machinesConfiguring the HostTo create a virtual machine that uses a disk from a dual-boot machineConfiguring Specific Drivers ManuallyIDE Drivers in Windows 2000, Windows XP, or Windows Server 2003 Virtual MachinesVideo Drivers in a Windows 95 Virtual MachineTo configure the video driverVideo Drivers in a Windows 98 Virtual MachineTo configure the video driverDual-Boot SCSI Systems on Linux HostsKnown IssuesMismatches in GeometryDriver DiscrepanciesDevice Name Discrepancies in Operating System ConfigurationsBefore You Create the Virtual MachineSetting Up the Virtual MachineVMWARE TECHNICAL NOTE1VMware Workstation and VMware ServerDual-Boot Computers and Virtual MachinesSome users of VMware Workstation and VMware Server already have dual-boot or multiple-boot computers and want to run one or more of the existing operating systems in a virtual machine. If you are in this situation, you might want to use the existing installation of an operating system rather than reinstall it in a virtual machine.To support such installations, VMware Workstation and VMware Server make it possible for you to use a physical IDE or SCSI disk or partition, sometimes called a raw disk, inside a virtual machine.This technical note describes how to set up such a configuration. It covers the following topics:• Using the Same Operating System in a Virtual Machine and on the Host Computer on page 1• Choosing and Preparing the Physical Disk on page 2• Defining Hardware Profiles for Windows Guests on page 4• Configuring the Host on page 5• Configuring Specific Drivers Manually on page 8• Dual-Boot SCSI Systems on Linux Hosts on page 10Note: It is also possible to install a guest operating system on a physical disk when you plan to use that disk only within a virtual machine and never boot to that operating system directly from the hardware. For details on setting up a such a configuration, see the section about using physical disks in the VMware Workstation User’s Manual or the VMware Server Virtual Machine Guide.Using the Same Operating System in a Virtual Machine and on the Host ComputerYou might sometimes want to run an operating system inside a virtual machine and at other times want to run that same installation of the operating system by booting the host computer directly into that operating system.The following list outlines the tasks you need to perform to set up such a configuration:1. Decide which operating system you want to use as the host operating system for your VMware product: Microsoft Windows or Linux.2. Based on your choice of host operating system, get the Windows or Linux version of your VMware product and an appropriate license.Dual-Boot Computers and Virtual Machines23. Install your VMware product on the host operating system.4. Perform the tasks described in Choosing and Preparing the Physical Disk on page 2.5. For Windows operating systems that you plan to run as guests, create hardware profiles, as described in Defining Hardware Profiles for Windows Guests on page 4.6. Create a virtual machine, configuring it to use a physical disk and choosing the disk or partition where the intended guest operating system is installed, as described in Configuring the Host on page 5.7. Run the virtual machine. On Windows systems, when you start the guest operating system, be sure to choose the appropriate hardware profile.Choosing and Preparing the Physical DiskSetting up a physical disk configuration for a virtual machine is more complicated than using a virtual disk. Virtual disks are recommended unless you have a specific need to run directly from a physical disk or partition. Use of physical disks in a virtual machine is an advanced feature and should be attempted only by expert users.Use the guidelines in the following sections to help you choose and prepare a physical disk for use in a virtual machine:• Preparations for All Types of Disks on page 2• Preparations for Microsoft Windows Disks on page 3• Preparations for Linux Disks on page 3Preparations for All Types of DisksRegardless of whether the disk hosts a Microsoft Windows operating system or a Linux operating system, perform these tasks:• In general, VMware Workstation and VMware Server support booting from physical disk partitions only on IDE drives.Booting guest operating systems from physical SCSI drives is expected to work but has not been tested as thoroughly as for IDE drives. For a discussion of the issues on a Linux host, see Dual-Boot SCSI Systems on Linux Hosts on page 10.• Because the virtual machine and guest operating system access a physical disk partition while the host continues to run its operating system, it is critical that you not allow the virtual machine to modify any partition mounted by the host or in use by another virtual machine. Corruption is possible if you allow the virtual machine to modify a partition that is simultaneously mounted under the host’s operating system. On Linux hosts, check operating system partition mounts. Be sure the existing physical disk partitions that you plan to configure the virtual machine to use are not mounted by the Linux host. On Windows hosts, make sure the partitions are unmapped in the host, as described in Preparations for Microsoft Windows Disks on page 3.• Check the guest operating system documentation regarding the type of partition on which the operating system can be installed. For example, on Windows Vista hosts, you cannot use the system partition, or the physical disk that contains it, in a virtual machine. DOS, Windows 95, and Windows 98 operating systems must be installed on the first primary partition, whereas other operating systems, such as Linux, can be installed on a primary or an extended partition on any part of the drive.Dual-Boot Computers and Virtual Machines3• Make sure the physical partition or disk does not have data you will need in the future. If it does, back up the data. Preparations for Microsoft Windows DisksIf you are planning to use a Microsoft Windows disk, perform these tasks:• If you use a Windows host’s IDE disk in a physical disk configuration,