Whether its installed on a virtual machine or a physical machine, when first setting up Home by default it doesn't give you the option to create a local account. Only Pro includes that option by default.
However, if you disconnect the machine from the internet before starting the final stage where you set up the first account, then Home will offer to set up a local account.
So, even though the command I posted successfully created a vmdk file, Oracle VirtualBox keeps complaining that access is denied when I try to add it as a virtual drive to a VM. So, afraid I can't help you any more with accessing a physical drive with Oracle VirtualBox. They have made it too difficult.
So, actually, I was able to get it to work. After creating the .vmdk file pointing to the physical drive connected via USB using the command I posted, you then have to start VirtualBox with administrator privileges. Then you can add the .vhdk file as a virtual drive and make it available to VMs. Set the Windows 10 ISO file as an optical drive, set the boot order to boot from optical first and you should be able to then install Windows 10 in a virtual machine to your USB connected SSD.
Once you boot into Windows 10 Home on the SSD for the first time during setup, press Shift + F10. You might have to do Shift + Fn + F10, to open a command prompt. Then run:
netsh interface set interface name="Ethernet" admin=DISABLED
That will kill your VM network connection and you can then create a local account to log into Windows 10 Home with.
Hey Navy and PParks.
Thank you so much for all your input. I learned a long time ago that it's when you teach something to somebody, that you really learn yourself. So, hopefully you guys are getting something from your efforts too.
If/when you have a bit of time to grab a hot chocolate, relax and read, continue.
Here we go with a bit of history. But, first let me reply to Navy saying something like, It seems I want to create virtual machine on an external instead of the PC's hard disk.
I'm actually not sure what I want, or think I need to do here. This virtual environment is new to me. I sure am open to suggestions/opinions. Perhaps I'll do both.
Ok. Here's my pc ( and my) history. You wouldn't know it by my grammar and such in my posts, but I'm an author. Check my album for examples of my work. My avatar is Goober the St Bernard and my book's narrator, Crackers the parrot. I'm tired of middlemen like Kindle ripping us authors off on royalties and such. (Shortly after publishing my first book with them, I discovered they were selling my book used, yet, I hadn't sold any at that point, never mind the 65% they keep from sales)
I found an old program called eBook Maestro. Ya compose your book files in their program and it sends the customer the book in their (my) reader. So, no need for a kindle or sony reader. It also has a password thingy to cut down on piracy. The first thing I had to do, was create my books in HTML format. So, I bought a book and watched some vids to familiarize myself enough with HTML to accomplish this.
I'm close to finishing this task. I was putting the final tweaks on one of my books, when something went haywire with my CSS. One after another, certain things stopped working. First .para3, for example, stopped working for every paragraph that used this class on my stylesheet. Then my page's border, then all the book's pages border disappeared. Apparently my pc got some kind of virus that corrupted my HTML.
So, I bought better anti-V and I've been preparing to do a clean install.
I'm also noticing things arent working on my pc. My thunderbolt doesn't work. I'm teaching myself keyboard shortcuts and I find out some of them don't work. I go to HP's website for drivers.
I got this HP Omen custom made from deal King. It crashed shortly after buying it when I played with the partition. I now have the 20H2 build of windows, but the drivers they send are based on the 1903 build of windows. I contacted microsoft, then HP. Contacting them is difficult. I ended up emailing the corporate office. A VP actually responded. She's talking about their techs doing a factory reset. This sounds like the best solution as I'm discovering many things dont work.
This may be the cause of some of my issues with a virtual machine. I don't know.
After many attempts with Oracle, I uninstalled it earlier today and downloaded the free version of VMware workstation. It got high reviews. Upon installation, I learn there is a conflict with some privacy protection thing in the pc. Something to do with hackers getting into your personal info.
Apparently all users of this VM have this problem. I did some looking, and the instructions said to go to control panel, then programs and features. In the left pane I was to click on something. It gave a list and I was to check something about V-ware. but, of course, there was nothing like that to check or uncheck. At this point, I have no clue whether this has something to do with all the other things I am experiencing or not.
I need to decide what to do here. Perhaps I'll forget about VM ware and reinstall oracle.
I know this all must be difficult to follow without screenshots. I dint think to take any, except the warning when I installed VMware. I'm not seeing here where to add it to my post.
Anyway. while doing research on doing a clean install, I stumbled on this virtual machine stuff. I already invested in a new copy of windows home and an external SSD (as well as a memory stick) for backup.
I also had a bad experience trying to install visual code editor for HTML and CSS. I would watch instructional vids about how to do something. They would say, click here and go to this page where they would do something else. I would click where they did, but the page I got was different. No matter what I tried, I could not get to the page they were on. I was unable to follow the vid. I uninstalled and reinstalled with no luck. Now I have visual studio code files, and the files from the several extensions I installed, like python, for instance, all over my file system. Other who ha issues with this claimed reinstalling widows was the only answer. this was another reason to reinstall.
it's also a reason to want an external SSD an d/or a virtual machine. With each of them, I can mess up all I want and not affect my actual machine.
So, I finally figured out how to install windows on an external, but as I said, I haven't set it up yet.
I also figure, before I reinstall windows, or do this factory reset, now is an opportunity to download and try various programs. I'm making a mess, but since I'm going to clean it all up soon anyway, now is the time. I tried a few programs that I can set up to back up my HTML files as I work on them to avoid all the lost work/progress I experienced when that corruption occurred. Speaking of which, when I installed Malwarebytes, it discovered a trojan in my files and a couple of suspicious program installers I had never used. So, Of course I quarantined and deleted them. I hope there is nothing hiding on my memory stick that can creep back into my system after reinstall.
While I have the external with windows on it ready for set up, I am also open to a virtual setup on my PC's hard disk. I could put my games and such that take a lot of disk space on my external, as well as a backup of my important files. Possibly with a partition. Then on my systems SSD, I could add the VM and install visual studio and it's extensions.
This would keep my actual windows program and it's files running pretty clean, right? From what I've read and watched, working on a virtual machine is much more secure against hackers, virus and corruption. Also, if I do something that causes things to go bonkers in my virtual environment, I can just toss it and make another. Nothing happens to my actual system. So, I've got a bit of thinking to do. Consider my options and what I'm capable of doing. This is all new and I'm not nearly as pc savvy as you guys are.
I watched this great vid about it. Perhaps you'll enjoy watching. Unfortunately, he was installing Linux, so while the info he gives is eye opening, the actual steps/settings to install, arent helpful to me wanting to install windows.
you need to learn Virtual Machines RIGHT NOW!! (Kali Linux VM, Ubuntu, Windows) - YouTube
I'm going to go back and re-read each of your directions a few times and try to absorb them.
Thanks for all the screenshots, PParks. I've got a feeling I'm going to have to reinstall Oracle and try again. The reviews on the VMware claim it's the best of the bunch, but with the conflict, being a security issue, perhaps I should pass. I mean, I dont keep banking info on my pc, but still.
Thanks for reading and have a great weekend guys!
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Thanks, Bree. That sounds like a definite plan. Do you know If I can know for sure it's planning to install on the external I loaded it on? Does it give me an option? I have a new copy of windows, so I have a key. I plan to do it as custom install. Among other reasons for custom, I read that I will have the opportunity to create a partition. The SSD has 2 TB. I want a partition of about 250 gigs to stash backup and personal files
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See where you have the screen shot of storage on physical hard disk?
The first v machine I tried to create, when I was done, I ended up with this partition it named hyporvisor. Obviously, that attempt failed or I wouldn't have removed it and tried more times. Each time I try, it offers the option of using an existing virtual hard disk file. However, I can not find this 'drive' in the options. I'm realizing now as I type, this is not a virtual thing or a file. What is that for and how do I make use of it? I'm experimenting now to figure things out, but once I reinstall windows, I'm not sure I want that. Maybe I should? Maybe there is no alternative? It's roughly the 50G I think I created the first go around.
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check out what I got when hitting shift+fn+f10
This was on my browser. Had some interesting looking stuff on it.
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I'm getting closer. I followed your screenshots, PParks. I got a step or two past that last screenshot. However, each time I fiddle with the settings and try again, I get...
Last edited by BuddyBoy; 27 Feb 2021 at 02:11.
Hi there
@BuddyBoy
Try VMWare VMplayer and the Macrium free method I've suggested -- you've had a good go with VBOX but not getting anywhere in spite of great posts by @pparks1 and @NavyLCDR --time to try another approach.
VMWare VMplayer is free for home users so no extra costs in having a go with that - and it also runs on all versions of Windows.
My view is usually that if one method doesn't work on your system for whatever reason --rather than then spend hours and hours trying to get it to work then try an alternative if the end result (i.e you want a decent VM up and running) achieves the result you want.
Afterwards you can then mess around with VBOX etc -- IMO a lot of these problems are as I think in the USA you have an expression "Monday morning Quarterbacking". I know people want problems fixed but sometimes one needs to choose -- spend an infinite amount of time trying to fix a problem that just doesn't seem to be fixable or try an alternative that works. !!
Note : As an Engineer of years and years standing -- If I'm stuck somewhere I just want to get the motor running again -- I don't care how or why it broke down -- I'm usually competant enough to fix these things for a short term solution - e.g to get it running again so I can get to base or at least get the comms working so I can call for assistance but as to why it failed --- I'll leave that problem to the designers when I get back to base !!!!!.
Same with computers -- I want the OS to work -- if it fails I can do "Emergency first aid" but as to why the thing failed -- well we have I.T specialists for that. !!!
Cheers
jimbo
Hi @BuddyBoy,
If/when you have a bit of time to grab a hot chocolate, relax and read, continue.
I misunderstood your original intentions. I think this is what you are going to want to end up with. Please put I think or I suggest in front of each below, I'm only suggesting, not telling you what to do:
1. You want a clean, minimal host OS installed on the computer.
2. You want a separate partition on your computer's internal SSD to hold the virtual machine and the virtual disk attached to the virtual machine (there is a difference between the two I will talk about later.
3. You want to keep the data files that you are working on on the external SSD that you will need attached to the virtual machine as well.
Let's talk about the host OS. To install the host OS you will need to copy any data files that you want to keep onto the external SSD. I would also suggest you back up the existing drivers to the external SSD:
Backup and Restore Device Drivers in Windows 10
You are going to need a USB flash drive (memory stick) created to install the host OS from. If it is going to be Windows, then I suggest just letting Microsoft's Media Creation Tool make the flash drive directly for you. Note, this will completely erase the flash drive:
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/soft...load/windows10
You do have different choices for the host OS. My preference would be Windows 10 Pro because it has built-in Hyper-V hypervisor, which I am familiar with and find it easy to work with. You could use Linux. Linux has the advantage of having very flexible hypervisors that have more capabilities for things such as making direct hardware access available to the virtual machine, but they are, in my opinion, more difficult to set up. @jimbo45 is the resident Linux host OS/VM expert. And you would have to learn the basics of a new OS. And then there is what you are using now, Windows 10 Home with a third party hypervisor such as VMWare or VirtualBox. Linux, I believe, once set up would probably be the most stable host OS.
Let's define some terms. Host OS is obviously the base OS that is going to run on the laptop computer itself. The hypervisor is an app or program that runs on the host OS which is the interface between the host OS and the virtual machine. Now there are bare metal hypervisors that install directly onto the computer and also act as "host OS", but those are beyond the scope of this discussion. Windows Server in it's barest form without a desktop GUI is an example of a bare metal hypervisor.
Using the hypervisor, you will create a virtual machine (VM). The VM itself is just a small file that defines the settings the hypervisor will use to create a simulated computer. It will define the resolution for the virtual monitor. It will define if there is a DVD drive and will define the "disk" loaded into the DVD drive (ISO file, usually). It will define the network connection. It will define whether checkpoints are created and saved (restore points). Many people confuse the VM with the vitrual disk that the VM will use and with the guest OS running on the virtual disk. Once you get the VM set up the way you want it, you never want to erase it's definition file. Erasing the VM definition file would be like taking your laptop out to the trash and starting over with a new laptop. You don't want to do that. The VM definition file should be saved on the same data partition you are going to create the virtual disk on, separate from the partition your host OS is installed on. You could also save the VM definition file onto your external SSD.
Now, the VM is going to have a virtual disk attached to it. This is a file, which will grow in size to the maximum you set it, and I would recommend no less than 64 GB. This file will get created on your data partition on your laptop's internal drive. This is the "hard drive" that will hold the guest OS running on the VM. When things go wrong, it's not the VM that needs to be destroyed and recreated. It is the guest OS on the virtual disk that needs to be destroyed and recreated.
So, in my opinion, the first step is to get a clean install of the host OS. You will need to save any files you want to keep on an external drive, boot the computer from the installation USB flash drive (memory stick), completely erase the laptop's internal SSD, and get a good clean host OS installed. Then we will shrink the partition created for the host OS and create a data partition on the internal SSD, I would suggest 70 GB minimum for the data partition. At this point, the only thing you should install on the host OS (besides hardware drivers, of course) is the hypervisor you will be using to create the virtual machines.
Clean Install Windows 10
I thought I answered this, but I guess it didnt take. I almost had it. Windows started to set up, but then....
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I just read this article. While I dont feel comfortable using commands, well, first I'll say this. I wish I knew more about it. It seems using command prompts is the direct way fo doing things people like me use/trust, programs to do for us. I tried using CMD to recover when my machine crashed a while back, but I got nowhere. It would tell me everything was going fine until the end when It said, Ha Ha. Just kidding. You're screwed.
So, while I find using it scary, as I'm afraid fo doing something horrible, the instructions about using a physical hard drive in a .... almost sound easy enough for even me to do.
If I were to do this, I would prefer to do it with a partition and have some space left over for a storage drive. A file vault.
I don't know why, but I love partitions on drives. Tiny tool partition maker says a memory stick cannot be separated with partitions. It says only the first will be read. BOOOO!!
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Ah. Monday morning QB. Similar to Armchair QB (right after the play. ) So you're an engineer. You prolly know the difference between fixing something and repairing something. For others reading, us mechanics repair things. We replace a broken part. You engineers fix things. You see design flaws and change the way it's made.
So, you think VMware's player is the route to go? I uninstalled Oracle and installed VMware yesterday. After seeing a warning about conflicts with some security thing in defender? , and seeing PParks post, I uninstalled it and reinstalled Oracle. However, I am still having probs getting it to work. I hear that for some people, things go smoothly for them. At least every once in awhile. Never the case for me.
I read a couple articles about fixing the conflict. Turning off, I guess, the security feature that causes a prob with VMware. Are you familiar with this conflict? On e solution was a laundry list of steps in the registry. I'm not going to play with my registry. The other was to go into programs and features, click on something in the left pane which brought up a list of things to check and uncheck. The item I was to uncheck did not exist. ( Now that I'm thinking about it, perhaps this means I wouldn't have had the conflict which causes VMware to not work properly.)
I'm hoping someone knows a simple solution to why windows wont set up. Why I get the message saying the memory isn't happening. If not, it's back to trying VMware. I think I'll see if there's a Utube vid for it.
Thanks.
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Oh, this is freaky. I must have restarted my pc a dozen times since trying to install windows in Oracle vm.
I just installed VMware workstation. I included the enhanced keyboard option which required a restart. Upon restart, I got a blue screen saying, we haven't finished....your device. Continue now, or remind me in three days. I think it had to do with setting up windows. Did oracle decide to get serious now that it has competition?
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I couldnt get VM workstation to work either. It didnt want to accept the iso. It went to it's bios. I got out of that and tried to continue set up. I got a black command prompt type screen saying something about installing from dvd, then it quickly timed out. At the bottom of the vm screen, it said to set up from dvd, to hit windows+R and type in F:\ run iso.exe. I did that. It started to set up, but then there were choices about my files and told me I wouldn't be able to use PC.
It was about to install windows on my host pc, not the vm.
Nothing is working. ( I do like this vm version better than oracle though) I don't know if something is real funky about my pc, or what. Par for the course. Welcome to my world.
I've been using HyperV, Oracle virtualbox, vmwareWorkststion, and VMware player for years, and years and years and have rarely ever had a problem on any machine I have ever had it on. I have handfuls at home, and hundreds at work without incident.
What cpu and motherboard are you running? Does your CPU support virtualization?
Is it enabled in the BIOS?
Is your box overclocked?
Is your copy of windows legit, or a hacked activation version?
Do you have a spare hard drive that you could test with. Put it into box, install windows clean and then try a vm?
Oh, sure. Throw new challenges at me.
Now I have to figure out how to look up this info + how to enter it in 'my computer'
I do have this info about it on a word doc.
Omen by HP- 17t-an100CTO
Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-8750H CPU @ 2.20GHz 2.21 GHz
Intel(R) Core(TM) 32.0 GB (31.8 GB usable
Dwvice ID– F4AC4B85-E7EF-4A97-BF6F-CB42445B5F73
Product ID– 00325-81300-10930-AAOEM
System type– 64-bit operating system, x64-based processor
I bought it on new egg from deal king. they did some customizations. They upped the memory from 16 to 32G. They did something else. Maybe SSD instead of HDD? I don't expect you to look up the specs, but if you tell me how to find them, I'll be happy to look it up. The exact info you're asking for must be in my pc somewhere. I just don't know how/where top look.
It originally had the 1903 build of windows on it, but after an incident, it now has the 20h2 build.
I have an inkling that this is why several of the driver updates on HP's download page are incompatible.
Microsoft told me they no longer have the 1903 version and to contact HP for an image.
Unable to find a tech support email, or get anyone live on their chat ( I'm a few months past warrantee) I found an email to their exec office.
Amazingly, a VP called me.
She gave me a one time ticket # to call their tech dept.
She mentioned a factory reset.
This sounds intriguing.
I can't help wonder if this is something they will tell me how to do, or if they will do it over the internet.
If it is something I can do, why do people go to so much trouble doing back ups and downloading windows iso's? Why not reset and be good to go?
This reminds me of a past incident. 15 years ago, I bought a laptop at best buy.
A nice gateway pc. It's a shame they went out of business. In my opinion, they built the best PC's
I did something that caused a bunch of probs.
I called tech support.
He told me the only way was for him to walk me through reinstall.
Knowing this would take literally all day, I told him I had a better solution.
Since I had purchased it just a few days prior, I would return it.
Then he suddenly had another solution. He told me to type in something simple and a black screen would flash, the file would be replaced.
I did what he said and it worked perfectly in seconds.
I can tell you I have the previously mentioned SSD. It's a LaCie (by Seagate) tough SSD. Dust proof, water resistant, drop at 3 meters resistant. I loaded it with windows, but was nervous about setting it up as I wondered if windows would instead install on my hard drive.
My suspicion of this was probably correct.
Days later, right after installing VM ware's version, although the SSD was unplugged, after VM ware told me to reboot, my pc came back on with a blue screen asking if I wanted to install now, or be reminded in 3 days.
The copy of windows is legit. I bought it on amazon, so I kinda wondered myself.
When I chatted with Microsoft about my woes and what I wanted to do, they asked me for the key# and confirmed it is a legit copy.
I also, of course, have the key to the windows that came with the pc.
Oh. I'll check the next time I shut down, but I think I saw virtualization enabled in bios.
I'm familiar with overclocking, but know nothing about it.
The omen is a gaming pc, so I would think it has settings for this.
I'll try to figure out how to provide you with the rest of the info you asked as well as put it where you guys can access it (my computer) In the meantime, feel free to ask anything else.
Again, thanks all you guys.
This is apparently a big project for all of us.
I also realize my lack of knowledge and terminology makes it all the harder.
For some reason, I've always had a mental block when it comes to names.
Names of people, tools, you name it.
As a construction worker in the 80's, I'd be like, hand me the thingy that does (x) to the whatyamacallit.
This always gave people the impression I was dumb.
I never minded them thinking this as it gave me a huge advantage in certain situations.
But I'm a jack of all trades and a quick learner.
With a little guidance, patience (Try to not explain things with technical terminology), I will get this.
I wish personal computers and all these advancements came to us 20 or so years earlier than they did.
Back then, I would have dove in and learned as much as I could.
At my age, now, I just want to learn enough to do the specific things I need to accomplish.
All these problems I'm experiencing, and everything I'm being forced to learn to solve them ( I cant afford to hire someone) has stopped me from accomplishing my goal, which also involves a great deal of learning.
I need to finish turning my books into html websites.
Load them on a program called eBook Maestro, so I can sell them without 3rd party rip offs like Kindle books, and get back to actually writing books.
My time has been so occupied with getting the books Ive written onto a website, I haven't done any writing in over a year.
I'm in a wheelchair, have emphysema, heart disease and I already died once for 10 minutes (cool story if anyone wants to read it) , so I figure I don't have a lot of time to waste.
I have books in my head that I hope will benefit younger generations.
As time goes on, for each of us, we gain a new perspective of it's affects.
We realize that every second can be utilized, or wasted.
Young people think things like, Oh, I can't wait till (some certain date like Christmas or summer), not even thinking or caring about all the time and what could be accomplished between.
I bet you never expected this kinda reply, did ya?
I never expected to write this kinda reply. It just happened as I wrote.
Who knows. Perhaps one of you guys or someone else who reads this thread will gain understanding, which is the basis of wisdom.
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I checked and virtualization is, indeed turned on.
Is this the info you were asking for?
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