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Configuring a Dual-Boot Computer for Use with a Virtual Machine
Many users install VMware Workstation on a dual-boot or multiple-boot computer so they can run one or more of the existing operating systems in a virtual machine. If you are doing this, you may want to use the existing installation of an operating system rather than reinstall it in a virtual machine.
To support such installations, VMware Workstation makes it possible for you to use a physical IDE disk or partition, also known as a physical disk, inside a virtual machine.
Note: VMware Workstation supports booting from physical disk partitions only on IDE drives. Booting guest operating systems from physical SCSI drives is not supported. For a discussion of the issues on a Linux host, see Configuring Dual- or Multiple-Boot SCSI Systems to Run with VMware Workstation on a Linux Host.
Setting 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.
Caution: physical disks are an advanced feature and should be configured only by expert users.
This section describes the following topics
•   Using the Same Operating System in a Virtual Machine and on the Host Computer
•   Before You Begin
•   Configuring Dual- or Multiple-Boot Systems to Run with VMware Workstation
•   Setting Up Hardware Profiles in Virtual Machines
•   Running a Windows 2000, Windows XP or Windows Server 2003 Virtual Machine from an Existing Multiple-Boot Installation
•   Setting Up the SVGA Video Driver for a Windows 95 Guest Operating System Booted from a Physical Disk
•   Setting Up the SVGA Video Driver for Use with a Windows 98 Guest Operating System Booted from a Physical Disk
•   Do Not Use Windows 2000, Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 Dynamic Disks as Physical Disks
•   Configuring Dual- or Multiple-Boot SCSI Systems to Run with VMware Workstation on a Linux Host
•   Known Issues and Background Information on Using SCSI Physical Disks

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