how to create VMDK file in Virtualbox for adding USB as a new OS?

Question

I have a USB who have a OS inside on them. now i want to create VMDK file to use them in virtualbox.

i read many article but never found that how i can use them. in a article i found the way that:-

C:program files\Oracle\VirtualBox > VBoxManage internalcommands createrawvmdk -filename D:\usb.vmdk -rawdisk \\.\physicalDrive<Disk 1> -register

it's not worked i try it without register but nothing happened if i open my diskmsgmt.msc then they show me the drive name is Disk 1 Removable

now tell me how i can do this. the problem is that when i run the command the system tell file not found.

well i try to check USB that's work fine. i thing that their is may be two reason for the certain problem

1. disk name have a whitespace so i thing it's not worked for that.

2. something i missing in commands.

so can anyone explain what command i need to exact then it's work fine for me.

[the certain commands i try with virtualbox not VMware]

Answer 1

Simply open a terminal on Linux or a command-line tool on Windows (Win+R cmd) and change directory to your VirtualBox folder.

cd "C:\Program Files\Oracle\VirtualBox"

Then we run the VBoxManage command with the following options to link the USB Drive to a vmdk file (Virtual Machine Disk):

VBoxManage internalcommands createrawvmdk -filename usb.vmdk -rawdisk "path_to_usb"

For example on Linux if I want to save in /home/thomas/.VirtualBox/usb.vmdk a virtual machine disk that links to my USB in /dev/sdb, I type the following line:

VBoxManage internalcommands createrawvmdk -filename /home/thomas/.VirtualBox/usb.vmdk -rawdisk /dev/sdb

On Windows, if I want to save the virtual machine disk in C:\Users\Thomas.VirtualBox\usb.vmdk that links to my USB in in Disk 1 (according to the previous Disk Management), I type the following line:

VBoxManage internalcommands createrawvmdk -filename C:\Users\Thomas\usb.vmdk -rawdisk \\.\PhysicalDrive1

Replace the 1 in \\.\PhysicalDrive1 by YOUR device number of the USB drive (for example \\.\PhysicalDrive2).

If any path contains spaces, write it between quotation marks (") to make it work. Example:

VBoxManage internalcommands createrawvmdk -filename "C:\Documents and Settings\Carletdesiles\.VirtualBox\usb.vmdk" -rawdisk \\.\PhysicalDrive1

That's it, you have done a Virtual Machine disk that should be very tiny (~1KB) and links to your USB drive.

You just need to import this hard drive in VirtualBox and use it as primary hard drive (to boot on) for your new system.