Setting up a VM on W2K8R2

Lorddalron

Lorddalron

Lorddalron

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Guys, need a bit of help.

Im looking to start my studies on my Windows 7 config cert(70-680) before i start with the server certs, however in order to do so it recommends you run Windows 7 Enterprise.

Im in the middle of downloading the evaluation offering for ms.com (90days) and would like to run this on a virtual machine on my server but i dont know where to start. Ive only set up my server to allow me to connect to it through remote desktop and have already installed the evaluation copy of w2k8r2.

I take it then once done i can log in remotely as before, select the VM and play with it on win7 enterprise?

Oh yea, i'll be looking to load enterprise on to the VM via my bootable USB if that's possible?

Help much appreciated guys.
 
I am assuming you decided to install Server 2008 R2 in order to take advantage of Hyper-V, rather than using VirtualBox or VMWare Player? If so, you will need to install the Hyper-V role before you can set up a VM. There is a getting started guide on Technet here. You won't need to use a bootable USB drive in order to install an OS onto a VM; you can mount the ISO file to the virtual machine's optical drive directly. The getting started guide explains this process.

Once you have the virtual machine running in Hyper-V, you will access it via the Hyper-V manager rather than via an RDP session for the most part. It is possible to set up remote desktop connections to VMs, but it's usually preferable to install the Hyper-V management tools on your workstation in order to remotely manage VMs, as it allows you to access the machine prior to Windows loading. The Hyper-V management tools are part of the RSAT (Remote Server Administration Tools), which you can download for Windows 7 here.
 
Saundie said:
I am assuming you decided to install Server 2008 R2 in order to take advantage of Hyper-V, rather than using VirtualBox or VMWare Player? If so, you will need to install the Hyper-V role before you can set up a VM. There is a getting started guide on Technet here. You won't need to use a bootable USB drive in order to install an OS onto a VM; you can mount the ISO file to the virtual machine's optical drive directly. The getting started guide explains this process.

Once you have the virtual machine running in Hyper-V, you will access it via the Hyper-V manager rather than via an RDP session for the most part. It is possible to set up remote desktop connections to VMs, but it's usually preferable to install the Hyper-V management tools on your workstation in order to remotely manage VMs, as it allows you to access the machine prior to Windows loading. The Hyper-V management tools are part of the RSAT (Remote Server Administration Tools), which you can download for Windows 7 here.
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Thanks for the reply mate. Ive installed w2k8 for the benefit of the OS as a whole more than to ultilise Hyper V. Do you think it would be better to run VM Ware instead? I just need to run what i will be learning and i thought that Hyper V would crop up more than VMW seeing its MS based.
 
So I have Hyper V running now and and just going through setting up the specs of the VM. How can i create an ISO of the Windows 7 ultimate file i downloaded from Microsoft?
 
If you downloaded the evaluation directly from Microsoft then it would have come as an ISO file. When you create a new VM, you'll be given the option to install an OS from a boot CD/DVD-ROM, and within that option you can select an Image file (.iso) - this is when you browse to the ISO file you downloaded. When you power on the VM for the first time, it will boot this ISO as though it were a physical disc. You can then go through the installation as normal.
 
Saundie said:
If you downloaded the evaluation directly from Microsoft then it would have come as an ISO file. When you create a new VM, you'll be given the option to install an OS from a boot CD/DVD-ROM, and within that option you can select an Image file (.iso) - this is when you browse to the ISO file you downloaded. When you power on the VM for the first time, it will boot this ISO as though it were a physical disc. You can then go through the installation as normal.
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Forgot to update the thread, Got it sorted mate!! Yea, the file was already an ISO so i just stuck it on my USB and upon creation of the VM i selected the appropriate drive to load it off.

90 days eval period not as long as the 180day server trial but 90 days should be enough time to get my 70-680. If anything, it gives me a good deadline to work to.

Just purchased some additional RAM via OCUK as its running slow as a dog. Why wouldn't it when I only have 2gb running w2k8r2 + 1 VM with Windows 7 enterprise :D

8GB for now should give it sufficient speed.
 
You can extend the trial by resetting the grace period. This works on both Server 2008 R2 and Windows 7. The instructions on how to do this can be found in this Technet article. This will give you up to 240 days on Server 2008 R2, and something like 120 days on Windows 7 (couldn't find out the exact amount).

8GB should be sufficient for all of the labs in the Microsoft self paced training kit for 70-640. It'll certainly be enough for the labs in 70-640. I found myself craving more speed, especially while studying for the 70-681 exam, so I got more RAM and an SSD to store the virtual hard disks. It was certainly not essential by an stretch of the imagination, though.
 
Thanks for the advice, Much appreciated and taken onboard.

Will the 8gb (2x4gb) run along with the 2gb already installed totaling 10gb or is it dependent on the slots you fit them in.

If the 2gb currently in the machine is going to be redundant i might try and see if my Acer aspire will take it.

Also, if 8gb is more than enough for now for study sakes, i'll put the money towards filling up the HDD bays :D
 
If I recall correctly its matching Dimms in the slots I'm afraid. I had to ditch the 1Gb Dimm that came with the server. Still it's not too bad, ram prices for that are not too bad just now :D
 
Dashik said:
If I recall correctly its matching Dimms in the slots I'm afraid. I had to ditch the 1Gb Dimm that came with the server. Still it's not too bad, ram prices for that are not too bad just now :D
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Cheers Dashik. Mines got 2gb in it, hopefully i can throw it into my desktop machine but if not i'll just let it gather dust in the draw.
 
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