Want to virtualize old system - questions

I've got an old WinXP (home) 32-bit OS running (slowly). The programs on it are old enough that I no longer have the media, and there are 3 I'd like to save. I have a Windows 7 Pro x64 system with enough room and RAM to handle a virtual guest.

Can I make a disk image, then install a Virtual Box or VMWare and load the image to use the programs?

What is the best free or trialware I can use for the image?
Are there problems with the host being x64?
Are there registry and hardware issues I should be aware of?

I appreciate the help!

 

There are a few virtualization tools, some free. I purchased Paragon Virtualization Manager 12 and did an XP to VM, everything went "fine".
That being XP will deactivate due to hardware changes. If you're lucky that will be it, unlucky you might get a bluescreen when you boot the VM.

64 bit can virtualize 32 but 32 bit Os cannot virtualize 64 bit.

VMWare has Vcenter for free that will make a VM from a physical machine or image.
Here is an article that links to a free paragon tool called go virtual
http://www.pcworld.com/article/2051...virtual_saves_vms_in_three_major_formats.html

also read this
http://www.petri.co.il/guide-to-creating-and-cloning-virtual-machines.htm

There are ways to use a disk image (vCenter does) but what program are you making the image with?

 

Thank you for the links. I have read through them and made some notes for further study.

Is there anything I can do about the deactivation due to hardware?

I just went through that with a reinstall of XP Home on another older computer (different license). I had only one hardware change - the graphics card - and the Win folks I spoke to verified that my license was good but refused to authenticate. :/ No reason given, just "no, we can't" and an offer to buy support for $100.

Not a wonderful experience. But I persist.

I am not too experienced with virtualizing, but I had hoped it was independent of some things. Perhaps I can turn off any hardware seeking? I just need to be able to use the programs, and they don't need to output except to file. Hmm.

Basically I need a way to access and use those files before the machine they're on dies... which it looks like it will do very soon. That's the whole migration issue.

 

from my experience when you call Microsoft about an activation and you use the automated system, they reset the key right away. They will deny it if you are not using a legit key. As in the key from the COA sticker on the device. If it is a key you recovered from the factory install say, they will not activate it.
So if your moving the original factory install to a VM and it deactivates, you have to click change key, use the COA key and try to activate, if it fails call and get it reset.