VMware GSX Server 2.5.2

Use the following steps to run a guest operating system from a raw disk.

Note: If you use a Windows host's IDE disk in a raw disk configuration, it cannot be configured as the slave on the secondary IDE channel if the master on that channel is a CD-ROM drive.

1. Identify the raw partition where the guest operating system will be installed.

   Check the guest operating system documentation regarding the type of partition on which the operating system can be installed. For example, operating systems like DOS, Windows 95 and Windows 98 must be installed on the first primary partition while others, like Linux, can be installed to a primary or extended partition on any part of the drive.

   Identify an appropriate raw partition or disk for the guest operating system to use. Check that the raw partition is not mounted by the Windows host and not in use by others. Also, be sure the raw partition or disk does not have data you will need in the future; if it does, back up that data now.

2. Start the New Virtual Machine Wizard (File > New) and select Custom.

3. When you reach the Select a Disk step, select Use a physical disk.

   

4. The next panel allows you to specify the access that is needed for each partition on the disk(s). Most partitions should be set to Read, and the partition that the virtual machine is to use should be set to Write.

   

5. The partition where you are installing the guest operating system should be unmapped in the host.

   Caution: Corruption is possible if you allow the virtual machine to modify a partition that is simultaneously mounted under Windows. Since the virtual machine and guest operating system access a raw disk partition while the host continues to run Windows, it is critical that you not allow the virtual machine to modify any partition mounted by the host or in use by another virtual machine. To safeguard against this problem, be sure the raw disk partition you mark as Write for the virtual machine is not in use.

   On a Windows Server 2003 or Windows 2000 host, use Disk Management (Start > Settings > Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Computer Management > Storage > Disk Management). Select the partition to unmap, then choose Action > All Tasks > Change Drive Letter and Path, then click Remove.

   On a Windows NT host, use the Disk Administrator (Start > Programs > Administrative Tools). First highlight the partition that contains the guest operating system, then choose Tools > Assign Drive Letter. In this form, select Do not assign a drive letter for the partition and click OK. The unmapping happens immediately.

6. Use the Configuration Editor (Settings > Configuration Editor) if you want to change any configuration options from the wizard defaults — for example, to change the amount of memory allocated to the guest or to change disk modes.

7. At this point you are ready to begin installing the guest operating system onto the raw disk you configured for the virtual machine. For more details, read the installation notes for various guest operating systems in Installing Guest Operating Systems.