Running someone elses Windows environment in another computer?

[Scream]

The motherboard packed up on a mates computer and I have replaced it. The downside is, I have to install windows again which I expected as the system just reboots when it attempts to run windows 7. SafeMode etc does the same.

The guy runs various accounts software but he needs to be in the programs to backup his work which the idiot hasn't done in 2-months. Its not like going into a folder and drag and drop doc/xls files to a backup drive.

Is there a way of running the windows environment from the drive to allow him to run these packages? What about a VM?

Any suggestions would be grateful.

 

[Scream]

I have taken an image using Disk2vhd on my Server 2008 machine but since I haven't played with VM's, I have to learn that bit now.

I have Acronic Home Edition and the Edition for Server 2008 so whats this 'retore to different hardware option'? I never spotted that option.

 

[Scream]

I tried it in VM and it through up an error. I also tried the link Antar Bolaeisk suggested which still didn't work but a guide I will print out and keep as it might be useful again.

For all I know the windows installation was bucked from the mobo failure so I might have been wasting my time. I am currently sticking Windows 7 back on as the guy is ringing and texting every hour. I have a clone of the drive so I might try the acronis suggestion.

Anyhow, I have learnt quite a bit about VM's so I have gotten some good out of it and I'll play with them once this machine is fixed and kicked back to the idiot to re-do the work he has lost.